Wednesday 26 June 2002

Brazil 1, Turkey 0  So after all those matches, all those close calls, all the excitement and all the hopes of the outsiders, it comes down to two of the tried and tested in the World Cup Final. Today's game was an exciting affair, with virtually non-stop end-to-end action which was a credit to football.       But, despite all Turkey's best efforts and the brave play of their goalkeeper in keeping Brazil out for so long, Ronaldo's goal in the 49th minute proved enough for the South Americans to go through to their 8th final. Turkey put on a truly great display, never giving up right down to the very last minute of injury time. Well done to all concerned (and thanks to Brazil for joining Germany and assuring my 25 euro from my bet!). 2:34:53 PM  Your view

Ireland Confirms 2nd EU Referendum. Ireland will stage a second referendum this fall in hopes of securing public backing for the European Union's threatened treaty on admitting new members, Prime Minister Bertie Ahern confirmed Tuesday. [AP World News] The important thing here is what the wording of the referendum will be, and we will have to wait until Thursday to see that. There is no doubt that the campaign during the original campaign was woefully inadequate, but the various spins which have been put on the outcome of the result serve only to cloud the real issues, and the new Government feeling that it was all about neutrality and that the recent declaration makes everything OK again is a bit naive and runs the risk of a second rejection.       The outcome will certainly be anxiously awaited. It was around this time last year that the original vote was taken. I went to Scandinavia on holiday and only read there about the result. The reaction, especially in Finland, was highly critical, being interpreted as bad form on our part to benefit for so long from EU grant-aid and now to deny it to the new applicant countries (an equally simplistic analysis). 4:17:53 AM  Your view

		© Copyright 2002 Jim MacCormaic . Last update: 29/09/2002; 06:04:10 am .