HALF AN HOUR TO GO!

Am at friend's house. The TV is on, and nerves are reaching a point where people are already hiding under cushions.

City centre was mad. Flags everywhere, every other person wearing a Scotland shirt. Lots of kilts, four or five bagpipers on Sauchiehall Street alone. Everybody was just buzzing. Didn't notice many Italians, until I went into Birthdays and for some reason there were half a dozen on them in there.

There were rumours that a few hundred hardcore ultras had come over? That was the only negativity I noticed, with a few people saying that if they were looking for trouble they'd get it. I really hope the atmosphere stays good.

OMG SO EXCITED.

They've done so fantastically well to get this far. They are heroes, whatever happens now.

BUT WE CAN DO THIS. BELIEVE! MON SCOTLAND!

*is too numb to cry*

Italy and France qualify for Euro 2008.

Italy scored in the first minute. We equalised in the 64th. And then, as everyone knew they would, Italy scored in the 90th.

We dominated the game. We had so many chances we just didn't take, missed sitters and headers cleared off the line. We played so well, so bravely.

Some of the players are crying.

They are all heroes. In a group containing Ukraine, France and Italy, we were in it until the very last minute. That is more than anyone ever expected.

Just to rub salt in the wound, Israel are 1-0 up against Russia. England could be going through, despite the fact that they have played rubbish and that their own fans do almost nothing but criticise and boo.

That is the way of football, isn't it? Always breaks your heart. The big teams always win in the end.

Another glorious failure.