Euro Shocker

Buffon: Is apparently furious at Italy's dismal showing against the Netherlands

Ok, so both my predictions were wrong. Romania held France to a 0-0 draw, and Holland thrashed world champions Italy 3-0. Hard to believe at first that the 'Oranje' would manage to hit three past the world's best keeper, Gianluigi Buffon. A debatably offside goal from Ruud van Nistelrooy, a screamer from Wesley Sneidjer and a third from van Bronkhorst at the 79th minute heaped insult to injury on the Azurri, who are probably missing talismanic captain Fabio Cannavaro very much, and did themselves no favours in advancing from the so called Group of Death.

France on the other hand, seemed to lack firepower up front and had difficulty breaking down a stubborn Romanian defence. With Thierry Henry injured, it was up to young Lyon hotshot Karim Benzema and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka (I hate him for missing that penalty in the Champions League final) to save the day but sadly, they did not deliver. If France want to advance to the quarter finals, they better do some serious restructuring before their next match against a Holland team that is currently firing on all cylinders. Good news is apparently injured captain Patrick Viera has recovered, resulting in his emergency call up Mathieu Flamini being sent home. (Bad luck Flamster)

Tonight: Spain vs Russia
Greece vs Sweden
Prediction: Spain to win 1-0, Sweden to win 2-0

After writing about the apparently non existent oil shortage in the market yeterday, it seems that the MAS person's comments have been backed up by the OPEC as reported in today's papers. Some OPEC spokesperson (I can't remember who) has stated that there is more than enough oil in the market and that OPEC is not stepping up their production, despite calls from various country leaders including Auzzie PM Kevin Rudd to increase the oil supply in the world market. He also reiterated that the 'oil price spike' was due to, as previously mentioned, speculators, including central banks.

Second day of holidays and my productivity is reaching almost 0. The entire 12 hours I was awake today have merely been spent practising piano, and sticking seashells onto a photo frame. Yes, incredibly banal. However, I have also been rereading my newest book, The Novice by Trudi Canavan, part of the Black Magician Trilogy which was initially recommended to me by Weng Hoe I think...It is one of the more adult fantasies I have read, and makes for a thoroughly interesting and riveting read if you're a fantasy lover. I can scarcely wait to get my hand on the last book, The High Lord and her other series, the Age of Five trilogy. My only regret is that one of my favourite characters in the book, Dannyl has been revealed to be ahem..*gay*. Nonetheless, the second book reveals a greater depth of writing, further detailed character development and a deeply intriguing cliffhanger that remains to be answered in the third book. Also, the protagonist, Sonea grows more likeable and human as the story progresses. Not a pinch on Harry Potter, but a great book to pick up during the holidays.

One a.m. approaches, so adieu for now.