Saturday 12th September 1998

After this very disturbed night, we got up at the ungodly hour of 7.20am and staggered over to the entrance to the campground and into the campground cafeteria, where we attempted to rejuvenate ourselves with as much coffee and breakfast as we could get. However, what we hadn't taken into account was that everything came in really small measures, and some amusing moments ensued as we tried a variety of gesticulations to make the proprietor understand that what we wanted were really big measures.

Max and Donato came to pick us up at 8.30, and we bundled our bags and ourselves into the minibuses. The pool was a superb outdoor arena of a standard similar to the pool in San Jose that was used for the World Championships. The promised warming effect of a long, hot Italian summer was noticeably lacking as the first games got underway, but the sun was out by midday, and from then on things started to warm up a bit.

"GB2" started their day against the all-female France 1, which - we later found out - contained most of the French National Womens team. GB2 dominated the game, but let in a couple of sloppy goals to draw 3-3. This apparently appalling result let to a re-jig of the formation, which seemed to work well, and they stayed with this arrangement for the rest of the weekend.

With the sun out, visibility was excellent and a fine standard of play was achieved by all teams. Most games were a joy to watch, but the game between GB2 and Italy1 was plagued by a single over-enthusiastic refereee who just didn't let the game get going. Almost as soon as it had started, it was stopped again, for reasons that nobody on either team could work out. At one point, Chris, Keith and Leone were all sent out, and none of them knew why. Fortunately, all the other games over the course of the weekend were allowed to run smoothly, so we can only presume either that that particular ref did not referee again, or that he changed his refereeing style to accommodate a more flowing game.

Anna's superb solo goal

Meanwhile, "GB 1" was firing on all cylinders and had gelled perfectly right from the word go. As well as entering fully into the friendly spirit of the tournament by taking it in turns to lend help to a greatly underpowered Yugoslavian team, they were also taking on all comers and dispatching them with some superbly stylish play.

By the time they came to play the "GB second team" they had conceded only one goal, a penalty against Italy 1 that Paul had so nearly saved. At half-time the score was 2-2, but then GB1's superior firepower began to tell, and GB2 conceded a further three goals to make a final score of 5-2. Paul hasn't yet let his Watford teammate (and captain) Peter forget that scoreline, and is unlikely to do so for some time . . .

The only marring point of the day came in GB1's last game of the day, against France 1, the all-women French team. Considering the skill and teamwork that the French women possessed in abundance, it was sad that they should feel the necessity to resort to foul play, but a number of times both Gilly and Sara complained of being fouled off the puck, and Sara was even pulled back by the fins during the game and jabbed with a pusher while changing ends at half-time. Wakey, wakey, referees! Not letting this put her off, after the game was over Sara went up to one of the French women who - we later found out - had already been nicknamed "The Animal" by one of the other European teams, to thank her for the game. However, instead of a shake of the hand, Sara's advance was met with a flurry of invective, a waving of fists and a stomp off in the direction of the changing rooms, leaving Sara bemused and more than a little hurt at such an unnecessary display of bad sportsmanship. The fact that GB1 won 5-1 may have had something to do with it, but that's hardly the point at what should be a friendly tournament . . .

This game concluded the first day's play, and much to our surprise "GB1" was ranked first with "GB2" joint second (third on goal average) behind the French women, so a celebration of this unexpected result was in order. The Brits (and honourary Brits) as usual hit the bar first, and kept hitting it even when it was down. Our French counterparts took the proceedings far too seriously, even so far as to abstain from the alcohol. This was a concept totally alien to all the "British" players, but then the TDC does have a name and a reputation to maintain! After only one round we were called out to a covered area where were were served with an excellent and much needed pasta meal.

Rob, Mark and Liz hob-nobbing with Suggs from Madness: "Welcome to the House of Fun!"

The ladies shared a couple of carafes of Italian white wine between them, while the men stuck to their beer. Once the food had been consumed and the batteries had been recharged, the party games started. Chris produced his pack of cards and the fun began.

Ed tries his hand

Luca tries his head

Softly, softly . . .

The first drinking game involved propping the pack of cards on top of a wine bottle and trying not to be the one to blow off the last card: Leone did well, Martin not so well.

A master at work

Nearly there now . . .

By 3am almost everyone had gone to bed, and only the die-hards - Chris, Martin and Tom of the French team - were still standing. Martin was struggling with the last half of his nth pint, and Tom was also looking as if he was on his last legs, when Chris reappeared with another SIX pints for the three of them. Martin dutifully downed the rest of his pint and started on the next, while Tom fled in the face of the indomitable Brits. Chris then put on the most amazing display of multi-tasking, by verbally putting the world to rights, drinking a new pint with one hand, carrying the tray with the other four pints in the other hand, and walking most unsteadily towards our tent - all at the same time! Needless to say, with invisible guy ropes stretching out from the tent in all directions, the other four pints swiftly went to waste . . .