and they all lived happily ever after. Thrillingly enjoyable as this entire tournament has been, one worry nagged away as the days, hours, minutes dwindled before the final kick-off. All memories could be spoiled, or at least slightly taintedâ should Spain somehow contrive, yet again, not to triumph.  Today Austria is the centre of the worldâ , proclaims one of Viennaâ s front-page headlines â and it feels easy to forgive any whiff of Habsburg nostalgia.

Should Manchester United, as expected, play a weakened team against Hull on Sunday and lose there will be an almighty uproar from Tyneside. Sir Alex Fergusons team selection could well see Newcastle relegated but the United managers responsibility lies with his own club and fans - and the Magpies will have no right to bleat. But how could Fergie justify playing Ronaldo, Rooney or Vidic? And forget about any punishment should Fergie .

Iâ m not sure if this is some form of madness or genius, but the City Central BID group of businesses has seen fit to put 300 tonnes of sand in Williamson Square. The Urban Beach, which opened today, features deck chairs so you can sit out and enjoy the light drizzle in your lunch time. To mark the 40th anniversary of Woodstock The Arts Organisation. And Zombina And The Skeletones.

Racing through 200 million years of h.

From fully-fledged steel bands through to half-drunk destroyers of Bob Dylanâ s back catalogue, Newcastleâ s Greyâ s Monument has long been synonymous with public performances. Northern Art Prize long-list revealed. A 23-strong long-list for this yearâ s Northern Art Prize.