MATT LAWTON'S EURO BLOG: Rogue mobile lets ex-Chelsea boss Avram Grant know just how much I miss him... but not as much as my phone

Taken for Granted: former Chelsea manager Avram Grant watches Ana Ivanovic defeat Jelena Jankovic in the French Open semi-final at Roland Garros

The phone, a Blackberry Pearl I thought was brilliant prior to yesterday, started sending random text messages to random people in my phone book. Most of them were blank. Some, however, were existing text messages that were then forwarded to other numbers stored on the phone.

It might just be that I told Avram Grant that I miss him. I can't be sure. But someone was sent a text I'd actually received from my fiancee and there's a chance it was received by the former Chelsea manager.

All I know is that I got a text back. 'I'm in LA with Phil Jackson,' said Grant. Jilted, seemingly, for the coach of the LA Lakers. 

When I get a new phone, and I very much hope the office dispatch one to me quickly, I'll have to send a generic text that explains what the problem has been. Not least because a text I had from someone who read last Thursday's blog instalment could have been sent to one of my bosses at the Daily Mail.

'Do you get paid extra for that ****?' is not a question I would normally put to them.  

But I only mention all this because of what happened to Petr Cech last night.

Howler: Czech Republic and Chelsea keeper Petr Cech can't believe his gaffe against Turkey

The poor chap is brilliant 99.9 per cent of the time - and every bit as good a goalkeeper as Gianluigi Buffon - but he will now be held responsible for his country's failure to progress to the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 after a quite extraordinary blunder against Turkey in Geneva.

The Czechs, understandably, are stunned, because a bit like my mobile phone he is normally so reliable.  

Seriously, though, who would be a goalkeeper?

Mention Oliver Kahn and all I ever think of is the 2002 World Cup final and the way he parried a shot from Rivaldo straight into the path of Ronaldo. I know Kahn had a wonderful career but that, for me, is the enduring image of the big blond German.

No wonder most goalkeepers are barking mad. The pressure in unbearable. The potential for disaster, compared to any other position on the pitch, huge. Alan Hansen once described the goalkeeper as the most important player in any team and, if that's the case, they should be paid accordingly. It's only fair.

Which is more than can be said for the pressure that is now being put on the Dutch when it comes to their encounter with Romania in Berne tomorrow night.

Not so fond memories:ex-Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn

A friend and a colleague from Paris pretty much summed it up for me in Basel. 'They would have to be ****ing idiots not to let Romania win,' he said shortly before watching a second string Portugal side lose to the Swiss.

And he's right. Because, after putting seven goals past the finalists of the last World Cup in their opening two games, why should they not secure a third result that removes two serious contenders from the competition?

Now, if they'd rather play Italy or France instead of Spain in the semi-finals, having already crushed them both once already, that's different.

Stop the Romanians from winning and then hope either Italy or France stop Torres and Co in their tracks. But my friend makes a further point. 'They won't put four past the French again.' And, remember, when they beat the Italians in Berne it was the first time in 30 years.   

It nevertheless remains entirely up the Dutch. They should ignore the so-called moral dilemma and instead focus on trying to win the tournament. And if Marco van Basten decides he wants to pick a second team and eliminate France and Italy, then good luck to him.

Oh, and no, I don't get paid extra for this ****.