Euro 2008 Breaking News: Portugal OUT 2-3 Germany

Portugal OUT of Euro 2008

Germany to the NEXT Round

Comments June 20th, 2008

Euro 2008: Netherlands 2-0 Romania (Full Match Report and Video)

After the Netherlands were already going through, a draw would have guaranteed them first place, and there were rumors that they might let Romania win intentionally so that France and Italy were both out for the knock out stages. Romania had been playing well, after drawing with both World Cup finalists they needed either a draw in this game and the France v Italy game, or to beat the Netherlands to go through.

Neither team started particularly well, the Dutch team that had nine (yes nine!) changes looked very nervous, which was surprising due to them already being through. The closest the first half came to producing a Romanian goal was a couple of self made opportunities by former Chelsea star Adrian Mutu, where as Holland’s best opportunity fell to Arjen Robben who looked hasty and poked the ball past the post.

The second half is when a much needed goal came, and it went for the Dutch. A low cross from Afellay was calmly converted by star striker Huntelaar, and the Romanians were punished for not taking the game to Holland.

The next goal came very late in the second half, and once again fell for the Dutch. Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie skilled out the Romanian defender, leaving him literally in tangles on the floor, before smashing the ball in to the near top corner to ensure the Netherlands one hundred per cent win rate was kept intact.

Overall, not a brilliant game, with the Romanians being too conservative when they really should have pushed on the Dutch defense. Tonight’s results mean that the Netherlands top the group with nine points, the Italians come second with four points, Romania come third with two points, and France lose the group with just one point.

Final Score:
Netherlands 2 – 0 Romania

Watch both GOALS:

Comments June 18th, 2008

Euro 2008: France 0-2 Italy Qualify to the Quarter Finals (Full Match Report and Video)

The two 2006 World Cup finalists were fighting for Euro 2008 survival in this game, after both teams had lost to the Netherlands and drawn against Romania this game was anyone’s to win. Neither team went in favorite, so this game really was very open.

France started extremely badly, their midfield star Ribery getting a nasty injury which caused the French to make an early substitution. Not a good sign.

To make matters worse, Italy were playing tremendous attacking football, and Luca Toni was looking very threatening. There were several good opportunities for Italy, but it was only on the twenty fifth minute when Luca Toni was brought down from behind by Eric Abidal, and Italy had a penalty. Too add insult to injury for France, Abidal was also sent off. Pirlo kept his cool to convert for the Italians: an excellent penalty in to the top corner.

The Italians looked increasingly likely to score, and were appalled when the referee failed to stop play for an injured Italian player, and Pirlo received a yellow card for fouling to let the injured player receive treatment, and then the referee stopped the game for an injured French player!

In the second half the Italians still looked more likely to win, piling pressure on the French defense who started to look very tired, especially considering they were one man down. It was no real surprise when on the sixty second minute, a thirty yard free kick resulted in a cruel deflection off Thierry Henry which went passed his own goal keeper to make the French two goals down.

The Italians maybe should have got another goal or two, with Luca Toni looking very strong, but France held on to keep the score line low.

Overall a good game from Italy’s point of view, and they are through to the quarter finals, but the French will be upset at going out of the competition this early.

Final Score:
France 0 – 2 Italy

Watch both GOALS:

Comments June 18th, 2008

Euro 2008 Breaking News: Italy Qualifies to the Quarter Finals

Holland scored 2 goals against Romania

Italy scored 2 goals against France

Italy Qualifies

Comments June 18th, 2008