football (international this time)

I've just watched Wales beat Belgium 1-0 to all but secure qualification for the 2016 European championships in France.

I witnessed the game from the comfort of my sofa while sipping on caffeine free diet coke.

The commentators likened the result to Wales's triumph over Italy in 2002.   I saw that match too.  

However in very different circumstances.

Myself and several friends travelled to the game in Cardiff in a stretched limo, and the beer started flowing from the second we left the car park outside our workplace (the game was on a weeknight).  I had been in court all afternoon and got back too late to change so had to travel in my suit.  

By the time we reached our pre booked restaurant in Cardiff we were already well on the way to drunkenness but the wine and beer kept flowing until the minute we took our seats in the stadium.  The best word I can use to describe our state is "messy".

Tonight's result may well be the best in Welsh football's history.  But for sheer fun and camaraderie with close friends it can't come close to that night back in 2002.

That night will go down in legend as one the best experiences of my life, even though my suit was ruined.  I doubt in international football terms it will ever be bettered.