This was the final of Euro 2008, which has been a fantastic tournament. Everyone was hoping for a thrilling game, with Germany the favorites to win the tournament. Spain had won all their previous games prior to this final, beating Italy in the quarter finals and Russia in the semi finals, so came in to this game on top form. Germany, however, had been struggling a bit in the previous game against Turkey, who they beat with a last minute goal in the semi finals.
Germany soon took control of the game, playing intelligent football and putting together a couple of good opportunities, but around half way through the first half, the game became more open, and slowly Spain began to take control. It was not long after this that Torres jumped higher than the German defenders to head the ball on to the post, with Lehmann well and truly beaten.
It was the thirty third minute when the first goal came, with Xavi playing a superb ball through the German defenders, and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres latched on to the ball, pushing through the defenders and chipping the ball over Jens Lehmann and in to the empty German net. After that Spain really took control of the game, playing fast and fluent football, with Germany struggling to gain possession, and when they did, the Spaniards just got the ball straight back, and the teams went in to half time with Spain looking well on top.
In the second half the story was much the same as in the first. Germany started the half well, running rings around the Spaniards for around twenty minutes, and had plenty of opportunities to draw level, but slowly Spain started to take control, and suddenly they looked the more likely team to score, playing the ball around the Germans and after around seventy five minute the Germans seemed to give up, roaming around the pitch with no urgency, and Spain probably should have scored at least two more goals, but the final whistle blew with the Spanish leading by one goal.
The result means that Spain are the European Champions for the first time in forty four years, and they truly deserved the title. On the night they were the better team, with Germany never really looking like much of a threat after twenty minutes had been played, and Spain capitalized on this. A very good game, and congratulations Spain!
Final Score:
Germany 0 – 1 Spain
Watch the GOAL:
Spain went in to this game favorites after progressing impressively from their group stage, and already beating Russia by four goals to one. The Russians, however, had impressed every one in their last three games, including two wins in their group stage, and beating favorites Holland in the quarter final.
Spain started off well, playing some good attacking football and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres looked a real threat, but so did Russian striker Pavlyuchenko, who has had a brilliant tournament, and was taking on three players on his own at times!
Russia stopped Spain from scoring with a five man defense, and were playing counter attacking football, which meant that the Russian forwards were very isolated because no one could keep up with the pace of their counter attacks, and, rather ironically, this included their own players!
The teams went in for their half time break with neither team really dominating, and there were few chances worth talking about. But Spain will be concerned with an injury David Villa picked up while taking a free kick, as this may put him out of Sunday’s final, should Spain get through.
In the second half, Spain tore Russia apart, scoring the first goal on the fiftieth minute after a quick break, and Xabi converted the phase of play in to a goal. Then, with seventeen minutes remaining, Spain doubled their lead through Daniel Guiza, after a simply amazing pass from Arsenal play maker Cesc Fabregas, and Russia looked unlikely to find a way back after that.
Spain’s victory was confirmed when David Silva scored with eight minutes remaining, again after a fabulous pass from Fabregas, meaning that Silva’s finish was simple.
Overall, a pretty uneventful first half, but in the second half Spain gained control of the game and Russia simply couldn’t handle them. Cesc Fabregas played brilliantly, and he has helped his Spanish side through to Sunday’s final, in which they will play against Germany.
Final Score:
Russia 0 – 3 Spain
Watch the three GOALS:
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June 27th, 2008
Spain went in to this game guaranteed first place, after beating Russia (4 – 1 to Spain) and Sweden (2 – 1 to Spain). Greece, however, went in to this game knowing that there was nothing they could do to stay in the competition, after a disappointing campaign, losing both their initial games.
In the opening stages of the game Spain looked to be the better team, with Arsenal midfielder Cesc Febregas right in the middle of the action, and he was playing very well. Spain were playing attacking football and made the Greece defense look very nervous, but they started to cope with the make shift Spanish attacking duo.
Xabi Alonso, the player who has just left Liverpool, made a brilliant chance for himself from inside the center circle, with the Greece goal keeper back pedalling frantically, but it didn’t go in.
Then, against the run of play, Greece scored. After a cross from a free kick made by Karagouni, a brilliant header from Charisteas left Spanish goal keeper Reina no chance.
After the half time break, Spain took control again, and it was inevitable when Ruben de la Red smashed a lethal shot in the sixty first minute, giving the stunned Greek goal keeper no chance at all.
Greece maybe should have scored again a few minutes later, and had a couple more opportunities in the game, but they couldn’t stop Guiza from losing his marker and scoring a header in the last minute of the game.
Overall, not a very good game, and it was slightly boring at times, although the class of Spain got them through this game with a win, and it means they top the group going in to the quarter finals. Greece will be disappointed though, as they are current holders and only managed to score once in their whole campaign.
Tonight’s results mean that Spain top the group with three wins, Russia go through with them and Sweden and Greece follow, but leave the tournament empty handed.
Final Score:
Greece 1 – 2 Spain
Watch the three GOALS:
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June 19th, 2008
It is sort of a stretch that ten players are set to leave Barca in the summer, but some reports lately are saying that Barcelona are going to go through major rebuilding of the club this summer. It is sort of clear now that Frank Rijkaard is leaving and Mourinho is taking over.
Barcelona is rumored to sell Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Deco, Lilian Thuram, Edmilson, Rafa Márquez, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Gianluca Zambrotta, Santi Ezquerro and Sylvinho. Some Other rumors also state that Etoo might head to Tottenham.
It does seem a but too much, but I think Barcelona should do something as big as this to be able to compete next season. Although as a Real Madrid fan I wish they stay clueless the same way they are.
Now on the other hand, Barcelona’s shopping list is huge, they have around 40 names to choose from. They must be waiting for Mourinho to take over and choose.
The rumored names on Barca’s Shopping list are as follows:
Defense:
Daniel Alves (Sevilla), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo La Coruna) and Ezequiel Garay (Racing Santander)
Midfield:
Seydou Keita and Christian Poulsen (Sevilla), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Attack:
Karim Benzema (Lyon) and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax)
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May 2nd, 2008
