Obviously I was on the opposite side of the field to the presentation and interview areas, which means that for most things, everyone had their back to me.

However the one thing that I did get to see clearly was of presentation of the sacred match ball. I didn't see the moment that it was placed upon the pedestal, though I did hear the announcement.

Now I grant you that when I go to get my ball out of the boot of my car so that I can do a practice session on my local campo da calcio, I do get a little tingle of excitement because it's not something that I get to do every day. However in reality I have to concede that while I like my ball, and it is indeed a very good ball, it could be replaced by any other ball and I would still get the same feeling.

So when I see not one, but 2 video camera crews focusing on the match ball along with at least 2 stills photographers including a pair who seem intensely focused on it... I did find that to be a little bit unusual.