Getting There (Durrës)

CAUGHT British Airways' 13.50 from Heathrow to the Albanian capital Tirana, where three coaches were waiting to ferry players to the seaside resort of Durrës, which is where the world senior team championships are being held.

I was checked in and down to dinner before 20:00 central European time, later enjoying a poolside drink with some of the other England players.

View from my balcony

Play starts tomorrow at 15:00, with 54 teams in the 65+, where I am on board three (of four) for England 5.

Our team's average rating of 1881 means, barring late changes, we should face France 2 (average rating 2118) in round one.

There is also a 36-team 50+.