THE former international footballer Gianluca Vialli, working as a pundit for BBC TV, described Spain as “awesome” and nobody can really argue with that expert assessment, especially coming from an Italian.

Spain's success at Euro 2012 and their 4-0 thrashing of Italy in Sunday's final was the icing on the cake for a tournament which produced plenty of great football and few examples of ill-discipline either on or off the field. A great way to finally end the 2011-12 season.

Football Diary

by Patrick O'Connor

THE financial storm clouds gathering over the world of professional football seem to be growing by the day.

Scottish giants Rangers and Championship team Portsmouth recently went into administration and last week League Two club Port Vale were served with a winding-up petition by HM Revenue & Customs over an unpaid tax bill.

Football Diary

by Patrick O'Connor

OH dear, it's all getting a bit emotional at Chelsea.

Despite spending millions and millions of pounds on players and changing coaching staff at the owner's whim they aren't winning every single match 6-0. Isn't that a shame.

Football Diary

by Patrick O'Connor

INTERESTING comments to come from Celtic last week after their Glasgow neighbours and arch-rivals Rangers went into administration.

The club launched an attack on Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond after he reportedly claimed Celtic needed Rangers to prosper.

Football Diary

by Patrick O'Connor

IT'S not very often that I praise the Football Association but they definitely deserve a pat on the back for their bid to halt the decline of men playing the 11 a side game.

A £200m investment scheme in grass roots football includes improving access and quality of pitches.

There are signs that the football world is beginning to wake up to the dangers of financial excess.