Thank You Iceland

Now it is over - the big surprise didn't take place and Iceland have to go home. But they don't have to worry because the played more than well in this tournament. Me and a lot of others really liked the way they played the game. With a big heart and a strong will to win they made us fans of this team. On the last evening France got the drop on nearly everything. Better and faster strikers and a solid defense made France win. Iceland can leave with their heads held high and their reputation in football is much higher than before.

Almost Blue

I watched the last two games on UEFA Euro 2016 last evening and was once more impressed by the Italian team. Now they are the hottest aspirant for winning the tournament. Looking forward to Saturday when Germany meets Italy. I believe in our team and think by myself we have a big chance if we attack them and play straight forward. In the last game I was surprised that Iceland has beaten England. What happened to the Three Lions? A team with extraordinary players lost again a hard fighting team. It was so disappointing to see highly paid professionals having no idea snapping Iceland's defence. Probably it's the fault of Roy Hodgson who had the wrong tactic for the game and it is time to send him in retirement. But it's not me that should judge about him and the team. Sad to miss England so let's cheer for Wales.

Chat Baker - Almost Blue
Björk - Come To Me

UEFA Euro 2016 Last 16

Last week was ruled by two more or less important things:  The British referendum about leaving the EU and the end of the preliminary round in EURO. To the Brexit and what will mean to us I will write some words in a following post because I am still too angry about what happened. Preliminary round is over and probably the real tournament will start. Most games disappointed me because most teams searched their own salvation in playing a strong defence. I am happy that some underrated teams like Iceland, Wales and Ireland reached the k.o.-modus. I watched the games yesterday and sadly Switzerland didn't take their big chance to win and lose by penalty. It's also great that Wales is in the round of the last eight (even by an own-goal). I was totally disappointed by Croatia who played the worst game in this tournament. I hope I am wrong when I said last evening with playing such a horrible football Portugal will reach the final (I can't bear the behaviour of Ronaldo any more). This is a song by a Hamburg based electric duo called Digitalism. Electro house with a poppy touch. Not too bad for summer.

50 Years Of Björk

Today the probably most famous Icelander celebrates her fiftieth birthday. A good reason a look at the beginnings of Björk's career to have. Their parents recognized her musical talent at the age of 5 and gave her a singing training and she released her first record at the age of 12. I never heard anything of it but it must be a crude mixture of Icelandic nursery rhymes and cover versions of hits of the 70s. By getting older she turned away from the sweetness of the nursery rhymes to turn into a punk. One of her first bands was called Tappi Tíkarrass what means 'Plug up the arse of the trollop'. This is Björk and her band back in 1982.

Later she formed a band called Kuki and toured through Europe. I read that they made three records but I never heard any song of them yet. Anyway these band was the ground where The Sugarcubes developed. That was the start of her international career. I once saw them live on an open-air concert and I was impressed of Björk's physical presence and an absolutely new voice in the post-punk era.

In 1992 the band disbanded and she left her island and moved to London to record her first solo record. One year later she released Debut and it was the start to a world-wide career. Human Behavior is likely her well known song from this record.

Until now she released almost 10 more solo albums and she collected more and more influences of electronic and dance music.

Happy birthday Björk.