Euro 2012 - so far so good?

Three days and six games in, things have started quite nicely. An entertaining first game, one of the favourites losing already, and that camera work is still stuck in the dark ages.

What have we learned so far?

Craig Levein is a tactical pioneer

Back in October 2010 in qualifying for this very tournament, Scotland manager Craig Levein drew the ire of thousands by going to play the Czech Republic and fielding a 4-6-0 formation. Of course they lost. But this weekend, Spain decided to take on Italy with a similar formation, at least in name. The main difference is that the Spanish midfielders included Xavi, Iniesta, Silva and Fabregas, and were certainly buzzing around in front of the Italian back three. It was a fantastic game, and with rumours that the Barcelona job isn't quite secure, maybe Levein could be a dark horse?

Craig still had better hair than Messi

Group B is a genuine group of death

Everyone assumed that Denmark were the whipping boys, and the Dutch had the best run of fixtures so they could rack up the goals... But what was forgotten by most is that Denmark are currently ranked ninth in the world (above Italy and France), and to borrow a phrase, no mugs. The Danes only seem to be revered for their 1992 vintage, but how will this help the rest of the group? A win over Portugal would see them through to the quarter-finals, and who knows from there. The fact that they're carrying the biggest con man in football, Nicklas Bendtner, shows that perhaps they're getting used to playing without strikers as well.

 The third Jedward brother was dropped after auditions

TV companies haven't learnt a thing

Twitter is rife with abuse, jest and criticism of television coverage of football. Inane punditry, poor knowledge and the idea that everyone wants to hear 'banter'. They mostly have a point, although they do perhaps have the defence that the casual fan may not care too much about the duel between Maggio and Alba, or the inside leg measurement of Giovanni Trappatoni. Lots of license payers money spent on sets and Harry Redknapp, and we end up relying on Clarence Seedorf and Roberto Martinez to provide decent analysis. But it was nice of Auntie to match their set colour with Gary Lineker's skin tone.

For those watching in black and white...

No blame for the ball - yet

A new tournament, a new ball. In previous episodes, the balls have become celebrities in their own right, flying all over the place. The new Tango so far seems to be acting strangely, in that it hasn't messed with the five Ds of dodgeball (dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge) and is moving true. With twenty-five games to go, there is a lot of scope for a Ronaldo free kick or a full-back's shank to fly wickedly into the goal. But what are the goalkeepers going to blame then?

Soon to be available from the local pound shop