A delightful day of tv sport

I took my missus to IKEA early doors to clear the day for The  Murray /Raonic final, The Scottish  Open at Castle Stuart and the Euro final.

I don’t follow tennis. For me there  is not enough variety.   In golf every shot is different , every course has its own challenges whereas in tennis it’s only the surface that changes.   I don’t enjoy the endless takes of whichever personality  is inte Royal Box .I soon become bored and took my nap during the first two sets following desultorily the radio 5 commentary. It was obvious hat Murray as at Queens had too much in his armoury . I can’t relate to him as the early Murray  was curmudgeonly and Im sure the  later major winning one has been packaged with media training to deliver a more courteous version. However there can be no doubt of his ability and standing .

Alex Noren took an impregnable lead in he Scottish Open  but with 4 Open places on offer  the final jockeying for position would be  competitive. I backed Andy Sullivan and Nicholas Colsaerts for top five. Sully took of a double bogey on the par 5 onthe back nine and slipped out of contention but the heavy hitting Belgian put  in a terrific run if eagle and birdies to claim second place and qualification at  Royal Troon. Traditionally the Americans do well there and if I can get a Todd Hamilton at 500-1 I will be happy. Dusin Johnson is on form and has the big hitting game to counter any winds but there is always one surprise , normally a veteran…remember how Tom Watson nearly  won it and Ernie Els did. Bernard Larger?

And so the Euro final. A few on the Racing Post were dubious about France. They reckon they were fortunate to beat Germany and in some games like Switzerland did not convince. Portugal whilst not  the attractive side of Sousa, Rui Costa and Figo did have Ronaldo and a well marshalled defence. The game emulated much of the dull football we saw over the last few weeks. France had the better chances but did not capitalise on them . Griezmann whom I had backed as top scorer was not his lethal self. It wa strange to take off Payet when Pogba  looked the less effective . I could see Portugal nicking it . I prefer the 16 team format rather than 24 , the pitches were poor and the whole tournament was  notable  for excellent refereeing rather than entertaining football.

Thanks to Colsaerts and Griezmann there is enough in the Pargie  war chest to take on. the Open. Betfair are paying  up to 7 bplaces as a promo too. Bring it on.