So far Euro 2016 hasn't got me buzzing as much as I'd hoped

The buzz of international football is well underway. Goals have been relatively sparse, but while the net hasn’t bustled, tension has reigned supreme. Riots have broken out amongst fans, last minute goals have thrilled spectators while the best player in the competition, Cristiano Ronaldo, has played more like Nicklas Bendtner than a global superstar.

Meanwhile, England has once again taken us down the all too familiar road of uncertainty. A cagey opening performance against Russia left fans cautiously optimistic about our tournament prospects. Then, one euphoric moment in the last minute of our Great British derby rocketed fans expectations sky high. We enjoyed floating amongst the clouds for four days, before we crashed back down to reality with a classic display of mediocrity against Slovakia. I sat down in front of the television, popcorn and crisps at hand, hopeful for a triumphant finale to the group stages and a safe first place finish. Ninety minutes of boredom later, I realised that I had fooled myself into thinking that Daniel Sturridge’s lucky goal was a symbol of change; the moment of England’s metamorphosis from dull to electrifying, from average to classy. I was wrong.

Football is, by nature, a game of fine margins. Sturridge’s last-gasp winner against Wales was no exception. With Roy Hodgson under increasing pressure, his reaction was one of pure joy and relief. While the whole nation celebrated and chanted songs of praise for England, I pondered on how much footballing success is dependent on chance.

Had the Liverpool striker’s fluky finish not ended up in the back of the net, the mood of England fans would have been in stark contrast to the ecstasy experienced on Thursday night.