Archive for June 16th, 2008
I just knew few hours ago that the British Embassy in the United Arab Emirates raised the terror alert level from (General) to (High), I heard that some Britons and people from other nationalities are panicking and it looks like most of them are taking this seriously, as we all should, and trying to avoid going to public places. This was posted on the embassy’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office website (www.fco.gov.uk) this Saturday:
“There is a high threat from terrorism. We believe terrorists may be planning to carry out attacks in the UAE, Attacks could be indiscriminate and could happen at any time, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests,”
The website also states that over a million British visitors travelled to the UAE in 2006, and more than 100,000 British nationals are resident there.
None of the other western countries such as USA have issued any warning of this sort yet.
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June 16th, 2008
This was One of the best matches of the tournament, check out the match report for more info.
Here are the celebratons as shown on Al Jazeera Sports Channel +1
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June 16th, 2008
Tournament hosts Switzerland went in to this game knowing nothing they could do would qualify for the quarter final stages, so were playing for pride, while Portugal were also playing for pride, knowing that they were definitely through to the knock out stages, and unless there was a massive shock, they were going to win the group.
Portugal took control in the first half, playing good football as we expect from them, but, surprisingly, Switzerland are still going for it and creating some good opportunities, and the fans are loving their night out.
Nani and Quaresma were causing havoc, playing lots of balls in to the box and generally running riot, putting the Swiss goal keeper under immense pressure. Pepe had shot saved, while Manchester United winger Nani so nearly scored twice, with a long distance free kick being flicked over the cross bar and a different shot hitting the post.
It was in the second half when the game came alive, especially the Swiss. But Nani yet again hit the wood work, when he really should have scored after a Swiss error. Postiga had a good shot saved, as well.
Then, with twenty minutes to go, Switzerland started pressurizing immensely, and it wasn’t long before Hakan Yakin smashed a volley in to the goal between Portuguese goal keeper Ricardo’s legs.
And then a late strike from the first goal scorer, Yakin, scored his second of the game from the penalty spot, smashing the ball in to the top corner, giving penalty specialist Ricardo no chance of saving it.
Tonight’s results mean that Portugal top the group with six points, along side Turkey who finish below them on goal difference. Czech Republic and Switzerland fail to qualify, but the Swiss fans will be happy they went out on a high.
Final Score:
Portugal 0 – 2 Switzerland
Watch both GOALS:
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June 16th, 2008
Both teams went in to this game needing a win to progress, after they had both beaten Switzerland and lost to Portugal. If this game was a draw, then there would be the first ever penalty shoot out for a group stage in the tournament. Czech Republic wore all white, while the Turkish wore all red.
Neither team ever really took control in the first half, although the Czech Republicans had almost all the opportunities. They kept possession well, playing fluent football, while the Turks held on for dear life, blocking crosses and jumping in the way of Czech shots.
In the first ten minutes, two of the Turkish players had received bookings, which made them the most booked team in Euro 2008 so far, although the referee was being extremely strict and a lot of the Czech players were making the most of the challenges, throwing them selves to the floor, which slowed the game down and soon got tiresome.
Then a break through for the Czech Republic. An exquisite cross played in from the right hand side from Zdenek Grygera was inch perfect for six foot seven inches giant Jans Koller to make a powerful header, which Turkish goal keeper Demirel got his hand to, but couldn’t keep out.
In the second half the game really livened up. On the sixty fifth minute, Libor Sionko swung in a wonderful cross and Jaroslav Plasil latches on the end of it to put Czech Republic up, and it looks like check mate for Czech Republic.
But then, on the seventy fifth minute Arda Turan scored his second goal of the tournament with a brilliant shot right in to the bottom corner, just out of Petr Cech’s reach. Suddenly it looks like Turkey may have a chance.
And they have a chance. And a rather brilliant one at that, when usually rock solid Cech lets a ball slip out of his hands, and Nihat reacts first to slot the ball in to the empty net. Truly remarkable football, and everyone is suddenly choosing who will take penalties.
But then, another shock, when Turkey score their third goal in fifteen minutes! Nihat receiving a through ball before running through to the edge of the penalty area before picking his spot in the top corner, giving Petr Cech no chance. Unbelievable football, no one can quite believe it.
And as if everyone wasn’t already excited enough, there is even more action, when in the fourth minute of added time Czech Republic get a chance before Turkish goal keeper Volkan foolishly pushed Koller to the floor, who made the most of it, but the goal keeper still got a red card.
And then a bizarre decision. The referee books Milan Baros, giving him a yellow card, but the crazy thing is, he isn’t even on the pitch! Too confusing to take in.
Final Score:
Czech Republic 2 – 3 Turkey
Watch the five GOALS:
Volakan Red Card on the 92th Minute of the Match:
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June 16th, 2008
