Tchau, Portugal... . Até logo!

I am grieving. I was prepared to grieve, but when it happens for real, it still feels that you were not prepared anyway.

Today is the day Portugal goes home :o(. They were beaten by Germany in the Euro 2008 football finals with a score of 2-3. I knew they would lose, but was still hoping they would surprise me in the end. They almost did, but it was too little too late, when the 2nd Portuguese goal was scored in the 87th minute of normal play with Germany already in the lead with 3.

Here are 2 of my favourite players from my Portuguese team:

Nuno Gomes


Cristiano Ronaldo

And no, it's not because they're hot. Not really. They are good players, that's why. I also like the Portuguese goalkeeper, Ricardo, but tonight was just not his night.

And then there are other good players like Deco and Simão. Not my favourites, but they're good.

So why Portugal? Well, it was because I made a couple of new Portuguese friends back in 2000, and since Portugal was playing in the Euro 2000 finals, I had decided to support that team. I had never really noticed that team before, but I remember their first group game against England, and damn! They were good! They were the underdogs who were trailing behind, but ended up winning the match 3-2! They also ended up winning all their group matches, thus getting the maximum 9 points. I was simply impressed, so I continued to support them all the way to the semifinals when France defeated them in a very controversial match.

And yeah...it was during their match against England when I decided that Nuno Gomes was my favourite player, despite his temper. Well, most of the Portuguese players have a temper. Probably the Latino in them.

So since then, Portugal became "my team"...and was very disappointed that they didn't manage to win the European Cup in 2004 when they were so close. They lost in the final match to Greece, which was a bit ironic because the opening match was also between Portugal and Greece, with Greece winning that one too.

Now that Cristiano Ronaldo has decided to join "my team" some years ago, I have another reason to keep supporting them, right ;o)?

Anyway....sigh... . Goodbye my hotties :o(. See you all again in 2 years at the World Cup finals... . You guys did great in this finals, despite not going through to the semifinals!

Oh well, I'll be supporting the Netherlands now. They'll meet Russia on Saturday, and I'm sure they'll win, so I am expecting a Netherlands vs Spain semi-final (assuming that Spain will kick Italy home on Sunday). Now THAT'S going to be exciting.

My guess for the final: Germany vs the Netherlands. And the winner?

The Netherlands!

BBQ in Birkerød

Martin's company had their annual BBQ summer party in Birkerød (his boss' home) last Saturday. The weather was not exactly BBQ weather, unfortunately. Compared to the previous weekend at Shi Hua's parents' "koloni" house party the Saturday before, the weather last Saturday was indeed "pool weather" too, but more like in a "pool of rain".

Nevertheless, we had good food and good company as usual, and we didn't have Bil and Yellow Goddess there "as usual" either (which in my opinion contributed very much to the good company).

Anyway...here are some pictures from that event:

2 big, juicy, fat steaks. And 4 big, juicy...ok, maybe I shouldn't say it... .


Getting excited already.


"When's my meat ready? I'm so hungry," thought Andrzej.


Me and Ning running indoors to get away from the rain.


Spain vs Sweden in their last Euro 2008 group match.


3 men and a lady...watching the match.


I was pretty much alone during the 1st half. What is wrong with the world today, when out of around 15 guys, only 1 girl watches the match?


Spicy sausages


"There's something wrong with my beer," said Uffe. "Yeah, I spat in it!" said Andrzej mischieviously.


"There's something wrong with my wine," said Johnni. "Yeah, I spat in it!" said Andrzej mischieviously.


Johnni wondering if Andrzej had spat in other people's drinks too.


"I wish I had that Sony Ericsson G900," thought Thomas.


"Hey, guys...look at what Andrzej did to my drink!" said Uffe. Johnni however, didn't mind the spit in his wine.


The lesson of today is: whoever comes near my food will get something extra tasty in their drinks!!!


Coffee, tea and cake time!


Yummy.


"I had better pour my own wine."


"I had better pour my own beer."


"Mmm...I'm lovin' it! It's thumb suckin' good!"


"Please don't tell Andrzej that I took his sausages...," begged guilty-looking Finn.


Whisky that is 51 years old (bottled in 2001)!


"This whisky is older than I!"


"Let's enjoy it before we get to that age!"


"I was out fishing yesterday...," said Jörn,


"...and I caught a Danish mermaid THIS BIG!" "I don't hope this is an effect from drinking whisky that is ½ a century old," thought Finn.

"I'm really not sleeping!" said Martin.


"Don't you dare take my picture!" said Carl.


This Martin is on his way to becoming a millionaire by betting on football match results!


Lise looking cosy by the camp fire.


A couple shot before taking the last train home.

Koloni hus party at Ballerup

Shi Hua had invited us to her parent's "koloni hus" (some sort of summer house) up in Ballerup on the 7th of June. That was to be the last sunny weekend as of now. The weather was so good, that we could even have a "pool" party besides the good BBQ food! Luxury, huh? Almost.

Who likes the sun and who likes the shade?


Toey and me.


Me and bunny.


Lucy and Shi Hua.


There's the "pool"! Martin and Torben (Toey's hubby) not quite doing it right.


This is how you do it, guys!


Martin prefering land to water.


Picnic time!


Eating, drinking and talking.


Real food coming up!


Grill master.


Mmm...keep workin' it!


Am not too into brinjals.


What a feast! I contributed my home-made tiramisu to this party :o).


Can we start to eat already?


Me and bunny again.


Time to do the dishes...happily.

Thank you Shi Hua for a fantastic time! Was a pity I couldn't stay longer to play more mahjong, since Lucy going home and we could get a lift from her...and also, Portugal was playing their 1st group match in the Euro 2008 football Championships, so I couldn't let my boys down by not watching them play.