Euro 2008 Breaking News: Italy Qualifies to the Quarter Finals
Holland scored 2 goals against Romania
Italy scored 2 goals against France
Italy Qualifies
Add comment June 18th, 2008
Euro 2008: Austria 0-1 Germany (Full Match Report and Video)
Both teams went in to this game not knowing whether they would go through or not. Germany would get through with a draw, but Austria needed a win. Germany went in to this game missing Schweinsteiger after he foolishly got sent off in the last game against Croatia.
Germany started well, the men in white pressing on to the Austrian goal, keeping possession well and creating a couple of good opportunities where if the delivery had been a bit better they might have scored. The problem seemed to be that they were playing down the middle too much, when they should have tried to spread the ball wide.
Austria took control of the game after about twenty minutes, putting Germany under pressure for what was pretty much the rest of the first half. They had a couple of opportunities, and, unlike the Germans, were using the width well.
Although both teams played reasonably in their spells, Austria seemed to be on top, but the first half was fairly uninspiring and neither team created any opportunities where they should have scored.
In the second half the game immediately livened up and Germany were playing much better football. It was just four minutes after the second half started that Germany got a free kick and Chelsea midfield star Michael Ballack smashed the ball home from distance, leaving Macho, the Austrian goal keeper, with no chance.
As the game progressed Germany started to look more and more likely to win, with Austria only really getting ‘half chances’ and they failed to utilize these. Germany should have added a couple more goals to their tally, after good opportunities fell to Klose and Neuville, as well as a goal disallowed for off side, when it clearly wasn’t.
Overall a pretty poor game from both teams, and co hosts Austria leave the competition empty handed, although Germany will be happy they’re through.
Final Score:
Austria 0 – 1 Germany
Watch the GOAL:
1 comment June 17th, 2008
Euro 2008: Croatia 1-0 Poland (Full Match Report and Video)
After Croatia were already almost guaranteed first place, they were just playing for a one hundred percent win record in this game. However the Polish needed a win and the other result between Germany and Austria to go their way to get through to the next round, but it was never going to be easy against the Croatians who had won their two previous games convincingly.
Croatia started well, putting the Polish defense under constant pressure, forcing save after save from Poland goal keeper Artur Boruc who in full truth had a truly excellent game, keeping everything that came his way in the first half out of his goal.
Poland never really created much of a threat in the first half, and Croatian goal keeper Vedran Runje seemed fairly bored, but still commanded his defense well when called upon.
In the second half Croatia really came alive, putting Boruc and his defense under relentless pressure, with the Polish manager Beenhakker going crazy on the touch line.It was inevitable when Croatia scored the first goal of the game.
It came on the fifty second minute, Klasnic (who has had two kidney transplants) calmly converted the ball in to the back of the net after Danijel Pranjic pulled the ball back from a surging run down the wing.
The Polish looked increasingly beaten as the game went on, and could do nothing to stop the Croatians maintaining their unbeaten run.
Overall a good performance by Croatia, who have put Poland out of the tournament for good. Tonight’s results mean that Croatia top the group with nine points, the first team to do so so far in the competition, Germany follow with six points and Poland and Austria are knocked out of the competition.
Final Score:
Croatia 1 – 0 Poland
Watch the GOAL:
Add comment June 17th, 2008
Turkey Celebrations after 3-2 Victory Against Czech Republic
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
1 comment June 16th, 2008
Euro 2008: Portugal 0-2 Switzerland (Full Match Report and Video)
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:
Add comment June 16th, 2008
Euro 2008: Czech Republic 2-3 Turkey Historic Win(Full Match Report and Video)
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:
2 comments June 16th, 2008
Euro 2008: Greece 0-1 Russia (Match Report and Video)
Greece went into this game knowing that if they lost they were out of the competition after the current holders lost by two goals to Sweden in a rather uninspiring game. Russia didn’t have a very good start, either. They lost by three goals to Spain in their first game, getting outclassed and not looking too good.
As the game kicked off and got under way, it was fairly dull, Greece were slowing the game down (as they do) and trying to force mistakes out of Russia who weren’t having any of it. Both the teams had good opportunities in the first half, forcing both goal keepers to make some good saves.
But suddenly the game livened up, both teams pressuring, and after thirty four minutes of the game, a goal keeping blunder by Antonis Nikopolidis put Konstatin Zyryanov to slot the ball in to the net from close range to give his Russian side the lead.
In the second half the game livened up even more, Greece knowing they had to score just to stay in the competition, and they had a couple of good opportunities, the best of which was a simple lob for Charisteas, but he kicked it straight to the Russian keeper’s hands.
Russia regained control and Greece struggled to make any real impact on the game. Russia came extremely close to scoring when a shot was smashed in to the side netting after a surging run from Pavlyuchenko.
Then, once again, Greece started playing again, forcing a couple of good saves out of Igor Akinfeyev, shooting a good chance over the bar and having a goal disallowed for an extremely close off side decision, but they failed to utilize on these brilliant chances.
Overall, a very entertaining game, and after Russia scored both teams looked energetic, but it is too late for current holders Greece who took Europe by storm in 2004, and they crash out of Euro 2008, knowing they really should have done better.
This result means that Spain come top of the group, regardless of the results on the final group stage matches. It also means that Sweden are in a very good position for getting through, knowing that just a draw against Russia will send them through with Spain.
Final Score:
Greece 0 – 1 Russia
Watch the GOAL:
Add comment June 15th, 2008
Euro 2008: Spain 2-1 Sweden (Match Report and Video)
Both teams went in to this game knowing that a win would qualify them for the knock out stages, after both teams won their initial game. Spain were expected to win after convincingly beating Russia by four goals to one in their fist game, where as Sweden played an extremely boring game with Greece and won by luck by two goals to nil.
As expected, Spain took control of the game. The Swedes tried to counter, but didn’t get very far, and Spain looked very likely to score. And they did just that. A short corner caught Sweden out, as the ball reached Silva, who played a little chip into the box for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres to sneak in front of his marker and prod the ball home with his outstretched foot.
It looked like Sweden were going to do exactly what the Netherlands did last night, with an attack straight from the kick off leading to a shot which so nearly snuck in at Iker Casillas’ near post.
Then Sweden scored. Ibrahomavic turned neatly away from a sliding tackle, before neatly slotting the ball into the goal, although Casillas really should have saved it, the ball literally trickled over the line. Suddenly both teams looked very energetic and Spain should have had a penalty in stoppage time when Silva was clattered from behind the ball had even reached him! The Spanish players were understandably infuriated, but they managed to cool their anger until half time so that they didn’t get booked.
In the second half Sweden dominated for most of the time, but after sixty minutes Spain got three fantastic opportunities in under a minute as Isaksson saved and defenders blocked oncoming shots.
Then, in stoppage time David Villa scored a goal to put Spain in front, when a ball was playing in the box, Villa neatly converted it giving the Manchester City and Swedish goal keeper no chance of stopping it.
Altogether a good game, and Spain are now through to the quarter finals. They maybe could have done more, but will be pleased with the win. Now Russia, Greece and Sweden will all have to fight it out for that crucial second place.
Final Score:
Spain 2 – 1 Sweden
Watch the GOALS:
Add comment June 15th, 2008
Euro 2008: France 1-4 Netherlands (Match Report and Video)
In their first game France suffered a disappointing goal less draw to Romania, where as the Netherlands beat the current World Cup holders Italy by a three goal margin. Winning this game would allow the Dutch to qualify for the quarter finals, and a loss for France would put them in serious trouble and make it difficult for them to get in to the knock out stage.
After kick off, France started to dominate the game, keeping possession well and even having a few early shots, but it was after just nine minutes when, on a counter attack, the Netherlands were awarded a corner. After a superb cross, on form Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt headed the ball past the helpless French goal keeper in to the net.
After that the Dutch dominated for a long time, keeping possession extremely well and creating some good opportunities for shots, although they failed to capitalize these chances. Then, on the thirtieth minute the tides changed and France started to dominate, pounding shot after shot in to the capable hands of Manchester United shot stopper Edwin Van Der Sar, although he was getting increasingly annoyed with his defence’s poor display.
Back out for the second half, and the French look fresh and ready to go, coming extremely close to scoring on a couple of occasions, but they can’t get the ball in to the Dutch goal, then all their hard work is undone by an Arjen Robben cross which Robin Van Persie slams into the French goal keeper, who can’t keep it out.
France look more and more beaten as the game progressed, but there was a glimmer of hope when Willy Sagnol played a ball across the Dutch goal and Barcelona strike Theirry Henry touches the ball into the Dutch net.
But the French celebrations are cut short, as less than a minute later, Chelsea winger Arjen Robben runs up the left wing before cutting inside and blasting the ball past the keeper from what appeared to be an impossible angle.
Understandably, the men from France are getting extremely worried, and are pressing, desperately trying to salvage a draw from the game, but on the last minute of stoppage time, Van Persie passes to Wesley Sneijder on the edge of the box, who turns and pounds the ball into the top corner to round off an amazing game.
Well, what a game! The Netherlands are through to the quarter finals, and France, Italy and Romania all have a chance to come second. A remarkable performance by Holland though, who look like they might just go all the way.
Final Score:
France 1 – 4 Netherlands
Watch the five GOALS:
Add comment June 14th, 2008
Euro 2008: Italy 1-1 Romania (Match Report and Video)
After the two teams first games were on the complete opposite on the spectrum, both teams were eager to impress. Italy especially wanted to win this game, as anything other than three points would slash their chances of qualifying dramatically.
The game kicked off, and it was extremely intense, Italy looking like they could score any minute for the whole first half, having chance after chance and finding Romania’s weakness which the French couldn’t find: the air. Romania failed on multiple occasions to clear Italy’s crosses, resulting in Luca Toni and his attacking companions missing a couple of good chances. Italy also had other good opportunities including hitting the post and having a header disallowed for offside, although it was a bad decision, and it looked like Friday the 13th was going to be unlucky for Italy.
That isn’t to say Romania didn’t have any chances though, hitting the post, having a one on one and hitting a scorching free kick from a long distance, although their poor attacking record means it was no surprise they didn’t score in the first half.
Out for the second half, and in similar fashion to the first half, the game is end to end football, it is clear fairly soon after the kick off that Romania want to win this game just as much as Italy.
Then, on the fifty fifth minute, a poor header from Zambrotta back to Buffon meant that former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu could run on and take full advantage of the Italian mistake, slotting the ball above a helpless Buffon and in to the roof of the net.
And, before we could even watch the replay of the goal, Italy were pressing and got a corner at the other end, and after a superb cross and a nifty header toward goal, Christian Panucci poked the ball passed the line.
Italy kept pressing, desperate to get a second, although just before the eighty minute mark, a tug in the Italian penalty area resulted in a rather harsh Romanian penalty. After countless Italian protests, Romanian goal scorer Mutu stepped up to take the penalty, knowing a win would knock Italy out the competition. He drove it hard to Buffon’s left, but Buffon re-adjusted his jump and knocked it onto his leg with his right hand, and the ball went out for a corner.
Overall a good game with plenty of action, and Italy were extremely unfortunate not to get the win, but now there is a lot of pressure on both sides, especially Italy, to get through to the next round.
Final Score:
Italy 1 – 1 Romania
Watch both GOALS:
Add comment June 14th, 2008
