I was sitting in a bar in Puerto Banus on Sunday afternoon, watching my football team, Everton, beating Aston Villa in the FA Cup. With about 20 minutes to go, a familiar looking guy in a red tracksuit walked into the bar, and asked the owner if he could bring some people inside.

Within the following 5 minutes, about 20 strapping young guys in similar attire walked into the bar. It turns out that the familiar chap was Michael Laudrup, ex Danish football superstar, and the other guys in tow were the Spartak Moscow football team, currently managed by Laudrup.

Marbella is a popular destination for football clubs seeking a warm-weather training destination, with the combination of sun, golf and social life. La Cala Golf Resort normally hosts the Russian teams, as it also boasts a full-size football pitch within its vast site.

Anyway, back to the Spartak boys – rather a glum lot, I´m afraid – most sat around a large table playing cards, while the manager and his staff enjoyed a pint watching Real Madrid on the TV – not the remotest interest in the FA Cup, I´m afraid!