It was incredible, I thought, to be in Spain for the Euro 2008 final between Spain and Germany. However, whether I´m actually in Spain, apparently, is debatable. After avidly following the other matches leading up to the final with Lucie and her French colocataires either in my flat or hers we felt we should take to the streets for the final – as England didn´t even qualify I had adopted temporary Spanish citizenship – as, it seems, had many of the inhabitants of Catalonia. Those Catalans you normally hear on the airplane being asked if their nationality is Spanish and who indignantly respond ´no, I´m not Spanish, I´m Catalan´ were now the ones conferring on Internet forums as to where they could watch the match on a big screen in Barcelona or buying fireworks in anticipation of ´their´ win. After Spain´s previous victories running up to the final it was impossible to sleep with the fans going crazy in the streets, singing ´PODEMOS´ (the TV channel, cuatro, who broadcasts the match, famous catch phrase) at the top of their voices as they passed every house or pipping their horn as they rounded street corners at dangerous speeds even for the average Spanish or Italian driver, whilst their Spanish flag was flying high – usually over the driver´s part of the windscreen. Lucie, Jules and I had spent the afternoon at the beach and you could feel the tension and excitment building up – everyone was talking about it! Because there were so many people heading into the city centre we decided against heading down to Maremagnum or Plaza España to watch the match. Instead we stayed at Lucie´s and celebrated Torres´ goal 30 minutes into the match with klaxons mixed in with cheers from all the other inhabitants in the block! Living in Joanic it was too far to head into las Ramblas to see the celebrations but it sounds like celebrations here would have made you think twice about whether you were somewhere that wasn´t part of Spain!