I have to admit, I love these weeks where you turn to the back pages of the papers before looking at the front.
No one wants to talk about politics or any other kind of news.
We are all, to steal a phrase, on Planet Football.
A conversation about the costs of HS2, for example, turned into a debate about three at the back, department whiteboards are being used to describe the virtues of two holding midfielders, and canteen salt and pepper pots deployed to illustrate the movement of a false nine.
It is a bit dangerous though – anything could be happening.
When we emerge from our euphoria we could find the NHS has vanished, Boris Johnson has taken off his rubber mask to reveal Nigel Farage has been running the whole thing, or Matt Hancock has won Love Island.
But it is still a good thing, frankly, that the country has suspended normality to enjoy the football.
I’ve spoken to lots of people and someone from the British Antarctic Survey told me they don’t normally bother but this time it’s different.
That’s a common theme, not just restricted to polar explorers. Lots of people who are not bothered for football, or feel it’s never been for them, suddenly feel included.
This is down to the group of players – whose stories have been told at length elsewhere – assembled by Gareth Southgate, who will surely be knighted when the dust has settled. He has spent more than a decade preparing for this exact moment.
But factored into his plans has not just been the tactical nous needed to win a major tournament. He wanted to do it with a team that reflects the country, in an inclusive and supportive spirit. And it has worked.
Part one of his mission has been achieved and he will enter the traditional national conversation – “Who would you rather have a pint with?” – as a clear favourite.
Because it is very difficult, when you see someone going about their business with calm, dignity and expertise, not to contrast him with others.
Every day that passes, Mr Johnson becomes more cartoonish, and Mr Southgate demonstrates what a leader looks like. (Gary Neville has already pointed this out. I hate agreeing with Gary Neville.) But all that is for later.
The only serious decision people are wrestling with is watching it on BBC1 or ITV. Unless of course you are Lee Anderson, Tory MP for Ashfield, Notts. Spare a thought for the man who has pledged not to watch England while they continue their anti-racism stance.
Against Croatia, Summer Holiday was on the other side. Tonight, Mr Anderson can enjoy Scotland’s Coastal Railways with Julie Walters, which I suspect even Julie Walters won’t watch.
Come on Lee. Sometimes heartfelt convictions can be overtaken by events. You don’t want to get left behind on this one, today is something everyone can be a part of.
Like the Italian Marxist (I know, I do this on purpose) Gramsci said, football is an “open-air kingdom of human loyalty”.
Come join the kingdom, whoever you are. This is a lovely team that has played some lovely football, and after the year we’ve had we all deserve to celebrate it together.
Enjoy the game.
