This afternoon we watched the final at home with France coming out the winners 4-2 against Croatia. A good final, a very good performance by Croatia who were always behind. France good for the win though fortunate with a penalty decision and a dive for a free-kick from which the first goal was scored in the first half.

The tournament contained good matches and football with plenty of goals.

England reached the semi- final so a good arm chair ride for the nation taken in good humour. They did better than expected and people were happy to follow and enjoy them again. A team rather than a set of superstars with others included. They were not good enough to win but the hope was there again for a while.

Football is yet to come home:

???????????????? History made as Henrik Dalsgaard became our first ever contracted player to play a #worldcup game in Denmark's win over Peru

A post shared by Brentford Football Club (@brentfordfc) on Jun 16, 2018 at 12:13pm PDT

Theresa May has made a significant speech on Brexit in Florence. It seems to set out some clarity, is more conciliatory in tone but still leaves some things left answered. A desire to have a transition phase at least acknowledges reality that the exit date is fast approaching with slow progress being made in the negotiations. How much this moves the process on-who knows?

Brixiteers have reacted with criticism and NF talks of treason- no surprise there.

The reality is that the opposing demands of control and trade and relations are irrecocilable. So where will the line fall?