The next morning we rolled into Stockholm. Stockholm isn't strictly en route between Moss and Halmstad, our destination for the day. In fact, after travelling all night we had ended up further away than when we started. But, it gave us the chance to explore our second Nordic capital.
With only three hours there, we concentrated on the old town. This was an area of cobbled streets, hsitoric palaces and attractive waterways.
After a good tour, it was back to the trains where we made the journey back across Sweden in first class luxury. The train was excellent, with a private cabin, free coffee and a fruit basket at the end of the carriage, all for a supplement of about £3. The scenery was pretty spectacular too.
Sweden was full of lakes: 
and trees:
Is it me or does this look uncannily like setting for the Krombacher advert?
Enjoying our complimentary refreshments:
Apel juice is orange juice in Sweden.
Is it me or does this look uncannily like setting for the Krombacher advert?
Enjoying our complimentary refreshments:
Apel juice is orange juice in Sweden.
While others had naps...
... I took some more photos
... I took some more photos
In Gothenburg, we changed trains for the short ride down to Halmstad.
We arrived to find Halmstad basked in bright sunshine.
In the hotel, the showers had these windows in them for people to look out (or in?)
After a little rest, we took the bus back into Halmstad, which was a nice little town with a thriving fanpark.
The fanpark had a tyre game where you kicked tried to kick a ball through the holes. Get 3/3 and you could win Euro 500 worth of tyres.
I scored with my first two, then missed!
But I still won a cap, which was probably more useful that a vanload of tyres.
There was also a football game:
With time advancing, we got some food in the bar next door.
Then it was off up to Orjans Vall, where England were playing Germany. 
The ground was very quaint and picturesque, with cycle racks and flowerbeds inside the stadium. 
We arrived to find Halmstad basked in bright sunshine.
In the hotel, the showers had these windows in them for people to look out (or in?)
After a little rest, we took the bus back into Halmstad, which was a nice little town with a thriving fanpark.
The fanpark had a tyre game where you kicked tried to kick a ball through the holes. Get 3/3 and you could win Euro 500 worth of tyres.
I scored with my first two, then missed!
But I still won a cap, which was probably more useful that a vanload of tyres.
There was also a football game:
With time advancing, we got some food in the bar next door.
Then it was off up to Orjans Vall, where England were playing Germany. The ground was very quaint and picturesque, with cycle racks and flowerbeds inside the stadium.
The two John's attracted the attention of the local police force.
Orjans Vall was the smallest of the four stadiums at the tournament and perhaps not as modern as the others, but I liked it.
Orjans Vall was the smallest of the four stadiums at the tournament and perhaps not as modern as the others, but I liked it.
There was even a bit of terracing that UEFA hadn't obliterated.
Our seats were next to the dugouts so we had a great view of proceedings:
The seats weren't all together. Whilst myself and John Hunt were in the main stand...
Our seats were next to the dugouts so we had a great view of proceedings:
The seats weren't all together. Whilst myself and John Hunt were in the main stand...
...Tom found himself next to the Sektion Stadionverbote
The two managers:
On the other hand Theo, who had likewise been frozen out of the 2006 World Cup, did get some action.
Afterwards we headed back into town, where we met up with Henry, Westy and a few other Barnet fans, for a few beers.
Dennis Grote, Vfl Bochum's one representative in the German team, managed a total of zero minutes of action during the torunament.
On the other hand Theo, who had likewise been frozen out of the 2006 World Cup, did get some action.
Afterwards we headed back into town, where we met up with Henry, Westy and a few other Barnet fans, for a few beers.
