Alexander Hawkins

I met a guy on a gig the other day who was present at the (in)famous Ayler session they destroyed...

What a band!

Yes, Buffon is very fine! Also, on most days, Van Der Sar.

Best 'keeper in the world, bar none. They simply wouldn't be there in the first place without him. (Agreed though - it was a horrible error!)

Oops, yes, apologies to all Dutch fans - I'm afraid that holds true for the Oranje and Kuyt, although (pace his goal yesterday), 'striker' is probably a little strong...

I think it's amazing that he's a Chelsea fan and he's admiting it in public. Have been a fan since the early 80s (born 1981). Believe me - the modern Chelsea is pretty repellant, by and large, by you know how it is with 'your team'. If I didn't love them - goodness yes I would hate them!

Come on the Swedes! It's against all my moral values to back a team featuring a Liverpool striker

Yeah...bad isn't it...just had a group of friends who called me that from very young (although no longer, so perhaps a switch to the proper colour is due). That's interesting about Drogba - I wasn't really aware of his reputation (or lack thereof) for diving whilst at Marseille... Know what you mean about Group B, although I can see Croatia perhaps giving Germany a bit of a game in the final round of group games. Now tomorrow...that's a different story...should be great! Which Dutch will turn up? Which French? Which Italians, for that matter? I fancy Romania to get something, just because.

Agree to a point about Drogba, although when Mourinho made himself clear, that stopped immediately. Robben - absolutely yes, a breath of wind would knock him over, and much like his compatriots Bergkamp (aghhh the number of times he would play dirty for the Gooners then give it sweetness and light and 'who, me?'...) and Van Persie, in that regard...As a Chelsea fan, Robben really embarassed me.

Yes - although as Premiership viewers will vouch, he used to be even worse (if you can imagine that!)

So, we've seen everyone. Who's going to win??? I hate to be boring, but I'm going to say Germany. Spain/Portugal/Holland - not steely enough. Showed nice stuff, though. And if the odds were right, I'd take Romania (as I would have done before the tournament). With a group like that, you'd get a great price at the bookies, but Mutu, Chivu, etc. etc. etc...

I think the Italians will just shrug this one off. I felt they played well for much of the game. They fell to a blatantly offside goal (awful, awful, awful decision - it really wasn't even close!), and two on the counter-attack...if they can be even slightly more disciplined at the back, I think they'll be ok. But today - wow, they missed Cannavaro... I'd say Germany are the ones to beat of those we've seen so far!

Great - that'd be a fun DVD to see!

Talked to a couple of the guys on the LJCO gig in Schaffhausen...sounds like it was great! Lineup very much like the old one, except another drummer in for Oxley, Gustaffson in for Dunmall (who isn't playing bari these days), Herb Robertson on trumpet...I believe in the first half, they played a new feature for Irene Schweizer, and did Harmos in the second half.

I really would like to check out the one with Stan Tracey and Bobby Wellins. Interesting to read the comments about the new one on ECM, the one track from which I've heard left me more than a little cold... I like what she does on Amancio D'Silva's 'Hum Dono' as well!

I love Lipatti Bach...wish there was more than the one Partita!

You must! I've seen him on the last two occasions he's been to England (I believe he's also done Glasgow more recently) - quintet at the RFH and quartet with Cecil Taylor, also at the RFH - and they've both been among the best gigs I have ever, ever seen.

You got me!

I believe it's Lydia Kavina! There's also Pamela Kurstin, who has an album out on Tzadik IIRC.

Scheherezade - Regine Crespin - oh wow! I love much of the piano music...a particular favourite, for sentimental reasons, is the beautiful 'Menuet Sur Le Nom De Haydn'.

RIP - there's a recent one with Stan Tracey, I think, although I have to say I haven't heard it yet.

Is the guitar player Kelvyn Bell?

Just a quick 'up' for anyone in London (or who fancies making a trip to London) tomorrow night - Evan Parker Quartet at the Vortex. Would be great to see anyone there!