The Summer of the PIGS

Suddenly, unexpectedly, this is becoming the Summer of the PIGS. The balance of power inside the EU has shifted with Francois Hollande’s election victory. Now the bone idle and impecunious southern nations – Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain – are being spared the German hairshirt and workhouse treatment. Instead, the new mantra seems to be that if we all hold hands tightly and close our eyes, everything will be all right. They like that MUCH better, the Pigs.

And the European Championship final will be contested between two Pigs, Spain and Italy – when everyone, especially the Germans, expected the Germans to breeze through and win the thing. Germany’s best player was called Schweinsteiger – Pig cage. Well, Bastian old chum – they’ve broken out, they’re flying.