Hello again,

I've never known a busier or faster-moving news week than this past one; three huge sports stories have simultaneously dominated the output of our channel; the tragic murder of Pakistan's cricket coach Bob Woolmer at the World Cup, the build-up to the home nations' Euro 2008 qualifying matches, and the historic first match at the new Wembley as England and Italy's Under-21 players went head to head.

I've practically lived at the new national stadium over the past few days! Last weekend I was there for the Community Day when 35,000 local residents enjoyed a sneak preview of the facilities. On Wednesday I was again there to see England's senior squad train on the hallowed turf before they flew out to Israel for their crunch match in Tel Aviv.

This was the first time England players had been seen at Wembley for almost 7 years of course, and it was special to be there. Our main editorial lines were the inclusion of Preston's David Nugent, the first player from outside the top flight to be selected for England for a decade, and the return to the squad of Owen Hargreaves.

The following morning I was back again. This time it was the turn of England's Under-21s to train at the new home of english football. These were the men who'd have the honour of playing the very first game there.

Having interviewed the squad's two most experienced players James Milner and Kieran Richardson about their sense of anticipation, I spoke to the coach Nigel Pearson, about how it would feel becoming the subject of countless future sports trivia questions! It was also interesting to speak to head groundsman Steve Welsh about the challenge of preparing the pitch in the world's most famous stadium.

Friday saw the return to Wembley of a special guest. Italy's Under-21 players were there enjoying a training session, and learning from the very best. Their technical consultant is Gianfranco Zola.

A double FA Cup winner with Chelsea in 1997 and 2000, the little genius agreed to an interview and told me how different it felt to the place he'd enjoyed so much success with Chelsea. I also caught up with Derby striker Arturo Lupoli about his dream of scoring the very first goal there.

Finally, Saturday arrived, and Wembley, at last was ready for business. Myself, producer John Curtis, reporter Rachel Brooks, and cameramen Simon Bird and John Lewis were on sight at 6am, broadcasting live throughout the morning as football fans walked down Wembley Way for the first time since October, 2000.

There was a real sense of occassion there that none of us present will ever forget. With 55,000 fans in their seats the stadium was barely two-thirds full and yet suddenly, it was alive. When it's empty Wembley is merely a building; vast and impressive yes, but without soul. Suddenly, the crowd had returned, and the place was well and truly back.

This was a new pitch, new seats, a completely new building. And yet the new Wembley really does retain a mysterious sense of familiarity that's hard to describe and difficult to explain.

The game provided fitting drama and excitement for such a big day; 6 goals, a hat trick, and everyone able to say 'I was there!'

Yesterday I flew to Barcelona ahead of England's match against Andorra, and today visited the Olympic Stadium, home to Spanish La Liga side Espanyol.

The match has been switched here from Andorra's tiny stadium in the Pyrenees, and 16,000 England fans are expected. There should be a great atmosphere in this famous arena on Wednesday evening, and there could be a good omen in the form of the running track that surrounds the pitch. In 1992 Linford Christie inspired the nation with his Olympic gold in the 100m here.

Now England's footballers must win, and win well to do the same.