The European Championships promise a welcome diversion to lift our spirits after all the country has been through over the past 15 months.
The soccer tournament may be a year late after being postponed because of the pandemic but that has only increased the sense of excitement and anticipation among fans.
Wales set the scene on Saturday with their battling draw against Switzerland. Scotland kick off their tournament on Monday against the Czech Republic.
And on Sunday all eyes will be on the Three Lions for their opening game against Croatia.
But the shocking collapse of Christian Eriksen during Denmark’s clash with Finland last night comes as a striking reminder that, no matter how strong the passions roused by the action on the pitch, football is only a game.
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The 29-year-old Danish midfielder fell to the ground close to the end of the first half at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.
For few awful moments, millions of us feared the worst as he received CPR on the pitch.
The Inter Milan and former Tottenham Hotspur star was carried off the pitch in a stretcher while receiving oxygen as medics held up white sheets to shield him.
Thankfully, late tonight he was awake and stable in hospital awaiting further tests.
As Gary Lineker said, it certainly puts football into perspective.
We wish Christian Eriksen and his family well as will all the fans of England, Scotland and Wales as they follow their teams’ fortunes over the next four weeks.
Gareth Southgate’s young squad will know that while they have reached a high point of their career everything can be snatched away in a moment.
Shameful Failure
It's no surprise Grenfell families have lost faith in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Their local council failed at every step – from putting them into an unsafe building to its inadequate response to the disaster.
Survivors point out that Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has put Labour-controlled Liverpool City Council into special measures but refuses to take similar action against Tory Kensington and Chelsea.
By doing so he is prolonging the pain and anger of a group of people who deserve so much better.
