Luck holds Czech mate
It's hard to imagine what terrible fate has befallen Welsh football for it to be so miserably conspired against by Lady Luck.
She really must hate us.
We as Welsh fans are used to bitter disappointment - the inevitable near misses, the false dawns and the raised expectations, but as the Czech Republic snatched a late, late winner from what looked like a wonderful point for Wales, my stomach experienced that same old feeling. Pain, angush and disconsolation all knotted and twisted, playing keepy up with my fractured emotions.
It certainly doesn't get any easier supporting your country.
Even now, two days later, I'm still replaying that final minute winner in my head, wondering just how it sneaked past 'keeper Paul Jones, bobbling all over like it was struck by a playground player rather than a Czech international. However many times I think of it, sadly the ball still ends up nestling in the back of the net.
Saturday's Euro 2008 opener in Teplice may have been peppered with the sorts of incidents that have us, as fans, reaching for the Prozac - the first Czech goal was clearly offside and the second came from a free kick taken while the ball was still in motion, but when the red mists and clouds of depression clear, Wales and its supporters can still take heart from this defeat.
Although performing what appeared to be a re-enacment of the footballing Alamo in the first 20 minutes when Toshack's players overly unnerved by the occasion, Wales soon stepped up a gear and were able to easily soak up the inevitable pressure that the Czechs applied - Collins, Gabbidon and the hugely impressive Nyatanga trojans at the back in an impressive defensive display.
Despite conceding so much territotial advantage the undeniable fact was that Wales carved out the clearest cut chances of the game, both falling to Craig Bellamy, who by his own admission was culpable for glaring misses when offered gilt-edged goalscoring opportunities.
If those chances had gone in it would have been a different game. It's all ifs, buts and maybes, but with two minutes left and Wales still in the hunt at 1-1, we were all readying ourselves for a massive boost. As it was fate conspired against us once again.
With the Czechs benefitting from the linseman's ineptitude gifting them their opening goal, Toshack has to be applauded for acting decisevly (something we were not used to seeing from his predecessor Mark Hughes) and bringing on Earnie and David Cotterill. The two combined to force Czech defender Jaronik to put through his own net and bring Wales back into the game.
Then as time was running out, the tannoy announcer attempted to offer some vocal encouragement to the crowd - illegal under FIFA laws. Seemingly distracted by this impromtu PA indiscretion, the referee missed the rolling ball incident after awarding a free kick. Paul Jones made an ill-advised punch when surely catching the ball was the safer option, the ball was knocked back into the box, two Welsh defenders switched off, Czech player Lafata applied the flakiest of touches and the ball bobbled agonisingly into the back fo the Welsh net.
Cue delirious Czech celebrations and another knife in the heart for the Welsh football team and its fans.
Let's hope fortunes change and that fraught relationship with Lady Luck is repaired quickly, because I hate feeling this way.
It's only the first game and anymore matches like Saturday's will have us jibbering like nervous wrecks. And no one wants to see that, least of all my long-suffering wife!