Dark ages are here again

Euro 20088217;s official beer brewers had seen a satisfying 20 per cent boost in sales during the tournament, thanks especially to tens of thousands of thirsty Dutch supporters, the company said. Swiss brewery Feldschloesschen, a subsidiary of tournament sponsors Carlsberg, said it shifted an extra five million litres of beer through its exclusive sales arrangement at stadiums and fanzones in the eight Swiss and Austrian host cities. Netherlands supporters took over the Swiss capital Berne for their team8217;s three group matches and some 100,000 fans were in Basel where the Dutch lost to Russia in the quarter-final.

Political leanings

A PRO-TIBET protester ran onto the field late in Wednesday8217;s semi-final. The man was wearing a T-shirt with the words 8220;Tibet is not China,8221; and he ran on the field at St Jakob Park moments after Turkey had scored an 86th-minute equaliser. He made it across most of the field before a security guard tackled him inside the opposite area. Several guards then surrounded him and carried him off the field.