If truth be told, few of even the most optimistic of the Republic of Ireland's avid followers would have harboured particularly high hopes for the country’s prospects of success at this summer’s European championships.
At last, the European Championships are upon us. All teams have now played at least once, and we have seen a host of current Premier League stars. But for every one of these Prem players strutting their stuff in Poland and Ukraine, there’s plenty who didn’t quite make it in England’s top flight. If nothing else, the Euro’s are proof that there is indeed life after the Premier League.
The Euro 2012 planning would have been meticulous, with the big hitters determined to emerge top dog - time to put the opposition in their place. Their tactics agreed and communicated, their line-ups confirmed. And then, with the eyes of the world upon them, the main protagonists could get to work. Yes, the BBC and ITV are primed and eager to do battle. The serious business of viewing figures is at stake here, after all.
Only the second day of the tournament, the third match and the first and possibly what will be the biggest upset of the the competition, Holland 0 Denmark 1. I know, I don't believe it either but having watched the game it almost makes sense.
The way things are going Roy Hodgson may well be haring onto the pitch in Donetsk before England's first game in the European championships against France, and grabbing at random any fan from the stands who's wearing a current England strip.