Good day everyone, and commiserations to our Argentinian friends and fans but Germany were worthy winners and look set to make an impression on the international scene for some time to come. The benefits of a systematic change to the way they develop their youngsters and play their football has to be admired and, for an Englishman, envied.

And for the cricket fans amongst us we were at once enthralled then let down as the England/India First Test burst into life then played out to a tame draw but with some fine individual performances. A strange match though on a flat track that saw bowler Jimmy Anderson get man of the match for his batting! Bring on the 2nd Test at Lords at Thursday.

Data wise it’s a real damp squib today but ECB president Draghi is up to the rostrum later making the introductory speech at the quarterly hearing of the economic and monetary affairs committee at the European parliament

As always I wish you a successful session and a good week ahead

Times GMT +1 (UK)

Economic Data 14 July

Economic Data 14 July