Euro vision?

I have a theory. It came to me after watching the first round of matches at Euro 2012 and it occurred to me that the success of each nation's football team may directly correlate to their political and financial status. You don't buy it? Well, it may not be the soundest theory but consider this.


Greece were in terrible trouble a week ago but have managed to hang on to the Euro(s). You have to give the Greeks credit (well, maybe that's the last thing we should be doing!) but they have made it through. That is, of course, until the Germans kick them into touch.


The Italians, corruption abounds, but, hey, let's keep spending and waving our arms about. The French have lurched to the left... the Swedes, well they were never in it (close though!).


Ah, what about the Spanish and the Portuguese, I hear you say? Well don't be fooled, it was only a matter of days ago the Spanish claimed everything was fine only to get a multi-billion euro bailout. Their football world will also come tumbling down sooner than you think. And Portugal? Well, one man can't cover up the weaknesses that lie deeper just with a step-over.


As for the Dutch not long ago one of Europe's stalwarts their dreams now in tatters. Trampled over by the Germans and bickering amongst themselves, even the Dutch Masters from the Premiership contingent of van Persie, Kuyt, de Jong, van der Vaart, et al, as talented as they are, couldn't do anything about it.


Talking of Dutch masters, here at West Gallery we have the talented Dutch artist Bert Bruins who has resided in Devon for the past 20 years. Bert works in acrylic mostly and paints West Country subjects that show the intense beauty of nature, sometimes in close up, sometimes in panorama. Maybe the Dutch are better artists than they are footballers after all.

Northcott Beach, Bude by Bert Bruins

So who is going to stop the Germans dominating Europe? Masses of Germans have poured over the border into Poland consuming all in their path. It will take a determined, plucky team to resist their forcefulness in the face of overwhelming odds. (You know where this is going, don't you?).


Yes, England! (Cue Jerusalem) Only England, backs against the wall and after a decade of political and financial appeasement maybe, just maybe it's time to assert ourselves and keep the Germans in check.


Hey, it's just a theory.