6 months into 2012 already, and the sporting action doesn't let up. This month will see Dubai host Euro 2012 in it's very own way. Hotels across the city have all got into the football tournament in Poland & the Ukraine and fans from all the comepting countries are watching every ball. On this blog, we'll chat to some of the big names in Dubai for Euro 2012 and keep you up to date with all the other sports going on too.

Wednesday 27th June 2012 David Beckham

In a recent chat with UAE Olympic football player, Khamis Esmail, he expressed his excitement of facing Beckham at Wembley. A lifelong dream for a young footballer. After the news that DB won't be there, I can't help but think it is a major loss, not only for the Olympics, but for a generation of young players.
It's not everyday day you're able to get the best under 23 players together to play on the world stage, and it's not everyday they get to play with a selected group of more experienced players. For the likes of Esmail, someone who dreams of moving to the heavy heights of European football, he wants to play on the same pitch as Beckham to learn from him. Not that this is any of Stuart Pearce's problems.
I do feel it strange though that Beckham was named in the provisional squad for Team GB, only not to make it over the final hurdle. If this decision has been made by Pearce for "football reasons", and it was a case of him being over the hill, not performing to the standard Pearce expects, then why was he included originally? In the time since that initial squad was named and now, I am unaware of any drastic loss of form, no new injury worries or any bust up. Therefore, how can you include the man that can inspire a generation of not only Team GB players, but worldwide players then to exclude him less than 30 days before the start of the games.
Is Stuart Pearce feeling hard done by for not getting the England job for Euro 2012? Therefore feels he needs to take the Olympics for more seriously than needs be. For instance, he may now be even more focussed on wanting to get a medal at the Games to show the FA they missed out on his managerial talents this summer. If that is the case, think on this. Do you remember who won the Olympic football tournament 4 years ago? No. But will a generation of up & coming footballers remember the day they played with Beckham and be inspired by it? Yes.

Thursday 21st June 2012 Ian Taylor Aston Villa

Ian Taylor is a former Aston Villa legend and now club ambassador. He joined me in Dubai to talk about recent developments at Villa Park.

Monday 18th June 2012 Sir Geoff Hurst

Whilst we're in the middle of Euro 2012 it seems strange to think ahead to Euro 2020, but that is what I talk to Sir Geoff Hurst about. The fomrer England world cup winner tells me that England should be given major tournaments on merit because England can stage tournaments like no other. Currenently Ireland, Scotland & Wales are looking to stage a 'celtic' championship, whilst Spain & Turkey are also in the running. However, Istanbul have also bid for the 2020 Olympic Games, and if they were to be successful, Turkey would have to pull out of the Euro bid, leading England to mull over whether or not they should put themselves forward.

Olympic Stadium Kiev

Thursday 14th June 2012 Big Ron talks Euro 2012

Euro 2012 is a week in and Big Ron talks to me about the tournament so far. With Holland looking like they could be heading home and Italy looking strong Big Ron has his thoughts.

Thursday 7th June 2012 Big Ron talks Euro 2012

Ron Atkinson has been in football for as long as we can remember. A player for Oxford United before spells as Manager at Manchester United, Sheffield Wednesday, Nottiingham Forest & Aston Villa, he is known as "football royalty". Big Ron is in Dubai to host Ibn Batutta Gate's hotel Euro 2012 coverage and I caught up with him ahead of the tournament in Poland & the Ukraine.

Wednesday 6th June 2012 Ireland

With Ireland at their first major tournament since 2002, they are keen to do as well as they can in Poland & Ukraine. Former players Alan McLoughlin, who scored the goal that got Ireland to USA '94 & Steve Staunton joined me to chat about Ireland's chances. We also spoke about recent managerial changes at Aston Villa & Liverpool.

Tuesday 5th June 2012 Al Jazira FC

With Euro 2012 less than a week away and the London Olympics less than two months away I have visited Al Jaziria FC to speak to two people that have an interest in both.