QUADRENNIAL football tournaments rarely yield much joy for England. By Euro 2016 it will be 50 years of hurt. Ironically it is World Cup glory for Germany in the centenary of World War One.

I enjoyed all three of England’s debacles and Costa Rica’s magnificent victory on penalties over Euro 2004 winners Greece.

The heat and humidity of the Brazilian jungle deterred me from searching out a quarter-final so I came home for the men’s final at Wimbledon.

Briefly I believed Federer would attain his eighth crown but young Djokovic triumphed in an unbelievable five-setter.

I heard Andy Murray’s defence went AWOL in Round Four, Djokovic and Federer are classy human beings, unlike John Inverdale who kept ingratiating himself with Marion Bartoli, presumably as penance for insulting her last year.

Back to Brazil, I apologise to Chile for calling them World Cup makeweights, they routed Spain and could easily have defeated the hosts.

England tried hard but lost to Italy who had a player called Immobile. They also lost to Uruguay.

Following England is just like following Scotland. Inevitably doomed to failure.

It would be harsh to say they let down themselves, their friends, their families their fans and their nation.

Here are my highlights:

1 Van Persie’s diving header in the 5-1 rout of Spain

2 All Messi’s goals

3 James’ goal of the tournament against Uruguay

4 Timothy Cahill’s volley

5 Ghana 2 Germany 2

6 All the great saves of Neuer, Courtois, Navas, Ospina, Ochoa and Mboli

7 Van Gaal’s substitution of a goalkeeper for penalties (daft not to do the same in the semi-finals)

8 German 7, Brazil 1. The biggest European dog destroying the biggest dog in the world. I came home far too soon!!

A Reeve, Okus Road, Old Town, Swindon