Date(s) for the diary

Congratulations to the final qualifying teams for the European Championships 2016: Hungary, Sweden, Ukraine and especially the Republic of Ireland.

Margaret's mother is Irish <Edenderry, County Offaly> and as a result I am related in-law to various aunts, uncles and numerous 'once or twice removed' cousins in the Emerald Isle. Therefore Monday night I found myself supporting them against Bosnia-Herzagovina as they won their play-off match.

See 34 seconds of mad celebrations at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34841990

With 4 'Home' Countries involved in the tournament my continued support will be a different matter next year. The Draw for which - 24 teams in 4 pots into 6 groups (A to F) - takes place on 12th December.

The tournament runs from 10th June to 10th July 2016.

PS: Congratulations also to Iceland - as a country of only 329,000 people, that's quite an achievement. See more at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30012357