Although Zürich is tomorrow hosting the biggest match of the tournament so far, it certainly feels as if things are winding down. Both France and Italy have already played here so journalists and hangers-on are already registered and acquainted with the Letzigrund. Over the last few days there has been increasingly less work to do, which has freed up time for more active pursuits.

On both Saturday and Sunday along with some other volunteers I headed up to the ‘burbs for a spot of football. Sporting full Adidas regalia and bringing with us an official 75 quid match ball, we must have looked quite the class outfit.

As a game was already underway on the pitch in the grounds of some sort of athletics club, we had to pay our dues to the bigger boys by collect errant balls and applauding shanked shots that somehow ended up in the top corner. As injuries occurred and wives came along to tell players their tea had gone cold, we were eventually allowed to join in.

One of my favourite parts of these sorts of games is that it’s generally accepted that names needn’t be learnt - the only real information needed is nationality, which aids in giving someone a right rollocking in the correct vernacular.

It is disappointing that the town was still quiet by the time Switzerland played against Portugal. Despite a victory that would have kept residents up until the wee hours had it meant anything, I was instead left to figure out the Turkey versus Czech Rep result from the tone of the car horns outside my host’s apartment.

Knowing that the Turks were 2-1 down going into the closing period, the sounds of Zürich were suddenly and unmistakably car horns celebrating a victory. Having not seen many Czech fans so far in the city, I knew they could only be Turks. I have heard that in days gone by, news of regal happenings were often conveyed by the ringing of bells, and this bleating of car horns and hanging out of cars must surely be today’s equivalent.

Though tonight is set up for the Austrians to shock Germany, I shall instead be tucking into a traditional, home-made Swiss raclette, as seemingly well-known Swiss magazine “Schweizer Familie” is coming to tea with the prospect of writing an article on my stay and the role of Swiss residents as Euro2008 hosts. Normally a unique event for me, such media attention has now become standard fare during this two week stay in Zürich.

I just hope I’m not hounded by the paparazzi when I return home.