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It was Crown Princess Victoria’s 49th birthday today. As is usual, she celebrated on the island of Öland along with a bunch of islanders, entertainers and members and recipients of her fund. Her family was also in attendance including her mum, dad, brother and sister. I know because, while I wasn’t there in person, I watched the proceedings on the TV.
It was purely accidental that I watched the ‘party’. It was televised by SVT and I was preparing for the first World Cup semi-final when I spotted Victoria smiling broadly from the front row of a concert which, I soon discovered, was for her birthday.
I hadn’t planned to watch the concert party but felt compelled by something greater than my own, usual self control over these things.
Not being a royalist, I sometimes wonder why people are enthralled by them but I have to admit that I find Victoria quite intriguing. She appears, on TV anyway, to be completely down to earth and approachable (very similar to Kate, Princess of Wales) and nothing like the royals of old who set themselves well above the common folk.
One of the segments during her party was of Victoria meeting some disabled children who her fund is helping. It was a delightful moment of her chatting to the kids and even running alongside one who was riding a bike.
Okay, I realise it was all for the camera, but even so, she did seem entirely natural and there was a noticeable absence of reporters and security people. And no one gave her flowers. It was lovely.
And the performers, singing to the assembled guests, were all good and lively, although the king seemed a little less than impressed. Mind you, I have seen him at other concerts, and he never seems particularly to be enjoying himself. Maybe it’s his resting face. Maybe, deep inside, he’s having the time of his life.
Still, it wasn’t his day. Happy birthday, Princess Victoria and I hope you had cake.
But then, at 9pm, the moment I’d been waiting for, the first semi-final of this year’s World Cup: Spain v France in Dallas, Texas.
Nicoline can stop reading now
The team I have been most impressed with this World Cup was the French. They have stood head and shoulders above their competition. After the surprise defeat of the Netherlands, I put my metaphorical money on France to win.
As I watched the game unfold, I realised I didn’t mind which team won. I feel I have some loyalty to France given how much I love the country but, then again, I also have a lot of love for Spain as well and figure that if I’d spent as much time there, I’d probably feel the same as I do about France.
Who am I kidding, I’d feel the same about Italy as well.
So, let’s just say I wasn’t rooting for either team; I was just there to watch some world-class football. And I got that from Spain tonight. They completely dominated the pitch, giving France very little and scoring three times, although one was deemed off side and disallowed.
Spain’s first goal was a clear-cut, though unintentional penalty. One player kicked another player who came up from behind and went clattering to the ground inside the box. The French defender had no idea the Spaniard was there. It was definitely a penalty and just plain bad luck for the French.
Spain went ahead and the fans went mad.
And France never really recovered. They were completely dominated by an ascendent Spain. Their second goal was spectacular and, more or less, sealed the game away for them. France tried their best but their best just wasn’t enough.
To be fair, it was as if France was a team of individuals and Spain was just a team. They worked the ground way better than the French. They were a joy to watch. I enjoyed the game very much.
That said, these two didn’t enjoy it very much.
Tomorrow is the big one. For me, anyway. Argentina v England. Let’s hope that Jude Bellingham wears his scoring boots and Messi is really, really tired.
