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- Euro 2008 Final
29 June 2008
GERMANY 0
SPAIN 1 (Torres 33)
Metzelder almost rewarded Germany's early dominance with a goal. Spain went forward on the break and Xavi took out six Germans with a beautiful pass with the outside of his right foot to Iniesta, with his first touch he checked inside Friedrich before passing towards David Silva but Metzelder shinned the ball forcing a sensational right handed save from his own goalkeeper. Ramos and Fabregas combined down the right, Ramos floated a cross into the box and Torres showed incredible athleticism to beat the giant Mertesacker in the air and his header crashed against the base of the right post. Spain were awarded a free kick deep in their own half. 11 passes later Xavi sent Torres running between Metzelder and Lahm. Metzelder appeared to check his run figuring Lahm, who had a yard on Torres, was going to clear but Torres barged his way past Lahm and with Lehmann advancing off his line lifted the ball over him from an angle wide on the right, into the bottom left corner. Brilliant finish. Ballack received treatment for a clash of heads with Senna four minutes later.
Spain should have buried Germany under a sea of goals in the second half but failed to take their chances. Ramos tried to divert a David Silva shot from a corner but his back heal rolled well wide. There was a brief interlude when Jansen dispossessed Puyol as he tried to shepherd a ball out of play but overhit his cross, Schweinsteiger touched the ball back to Ballack and his shot was deflected wide by Marchena. Ramos broke from the wall to meet a Xavi free kick with a powerful header but Lehmann saved. The resulting corner was played short to Silva and he was denied a certain goal by Frings' goal-line clearance. Such was Spain's dominance even Senna got in on the act. He ran with the ball 40 yards from goal, turned Kuranyi inside out then passed out wide to Cazorla, Guiza headed down Cazorla's cross but Senna just failed to connect at the back post. In injury time Xavi intercepted a Metzelder clearance with a rainbow kick, he played one-twos with Xabi Alonso then Cazorla before over-hitting a final pass into Xabi Alonso. It would have been an incredible goal.
Germany actually started well and were the better team in the opening 20 minutes without creating a worthwhile chance. Once they fell behind Ballack and Frings, who were both clearly not fit, couldn't stop Spain's midfield from bossing the game. Ramos and Capdevilla castrated Germany's main threat i.e. Lahm and Schweinsteiger. Ramos has been off the charts in the knockout stages but Senna remains the teams key player. Whether Del Bosque can continue the success and more importantly maintain the spirit within the camp remains to be seen.
Ballack is the premier choker of this era. He lost the Bundesliga, Champions League, German Cup and World Cup in 2002 and repeated that feat this year - Premier League, Champions League, Carling Cup and now European Championships. Is there a major trophy he hasn't lost? Germany are crying out for a support striker. They reached the World Cup final in 2002, World Cup semi-finals in 2006 and the European Championship finals in 2008. Imagine what they would do with some great players?
Lehmann claimed the game was fixed because the 'biased' Rosetti (his words) didn't send off Silva for a 'headbutt' on Podolski. In fact he claimed the refs were biased in all the three finals he's played in recently. Class.
Attendance : 51,428
Assist : Xavi
- 114 Transfers Added : Italy (45), France (27), Spain (19), England (12), Germ...
ITALY
Coda..FW..Treviso..Bologna..u/d
Agostini..DF..Contract Extension..Cagliari..2011
Conti..MF..Contract Extension..Cagliari..2011
Magliocchetti..DF..Roma..Cagliari..c/o
Magliocchetti..DF..Roma..Cagliari..c/o
Marchetti..GK..Albinoleffe..Cagliari..u/d
Catellani..FW..Reggina..Catania..c/o
Dica..MF..Steaua Bucharest..Catania..2.00
Paolucci..FW..Juventus..Catania..Loan
Biava..DF..Palermo..Genoa..u/d
Bocchetti..DF..Frosinone..Genoa..u/d
Paro..MF..Juventus..Genoa..2.00
Balotelli..FW..Contract Extension..Inter..2011
Cordoba..DF..Contract Extension..Inter..2012
Lampard..MF..Chelsea..Inter..9.00
Quaresma..MF..Porto..Inter..35.00
Chiellini..DF..Contract Extension..Juventus..2013
Moti..DF..Dinamo Bucharesti..Lazio..u/d
Radu..DF..Dinamo Bucharesti..Lazio..u/d
Rozenhal..DF..Newcastle..Lazio..3.90
Beretta..Coach..Out of contract..Lecce..n/a
Fabiano..DF..Monza..Lecce..u/d
Abate..MF..Empoli..Milan..u/d
Denis..FW..Idependiente..Napoli..7.60
Maggio..MF..Sampdoria..Napoli..8.00
Bovo..DF..Genoa..Palermo..u/d
Budan..FW..Parma..Palermo..u/d
Carrozzieri..DF..Atalanta..Palermo..u/d
Pisano..DF..Torino..Palermo..u/d
Costa..DF..Bologna..Reggina..u/d
Esposito..FW..Cagliari..Roma..u/d
Loria..DF..Siena..Roma..u/d
Vucinic..FW..Lecce..Roma..12.00
Pieri..DF..Udinese..Sampdoria..u/d
Arthur..GK..Roma..Siena..u/d
Barusso..MF..Roma..Siena..Loan
Curci..GK..Roma..Siena..Loan
Galloppa..MF..Roma..Siena..u/d
Kharja..MF..Piacenza..Siena..u/d
Rossettini..DF..Padova..Siena..u/d
Abbruscato..FW..Lecce..Torino..c/o
Bjelanovic..FW..Ascoli..Torino..c/o
Moro..FW..Messina..Torino..c/o
Basta..MF..Red Star Blegrade..Udinese..u/d
Corvette..MF..Audax Italiano..Udinese..u/d
Floro Flores..FW..Arezzo..Udinese..u/d
FRANCE
Coulibaly..DF..Lens..Auxerre..2.00
Dudka..DF..Wisla Krakow..Auxerre..2.00
Hengbart..DF..Caen..Auxerre..u/d
Narry..MF..Etoile du Sahel..Auxerre..u/d
Gouffran..FW..Caen..Bordeaux..6.50
Leca..MF..Contract Extension..Caen..2011
Van Parra..MF..Feyenoord..Caen..u/d
Akrour..FW..Contract Extension..Grenoble..2010
Rendulic..DF..Borac Cacak..Grenoble..u/d
Stromstad..MF..IK Start..Le Mans..u/d
Balmont..MF..Nice..Lille..2.30
Makoun..MF..Lille..Lyon..15.00
Puel..Coach..Out of contract..Lyon..n/a
Ben Arfa..MF..Lyon..Marseille..15.00
Hilton..DF..Lens..Marseille..5.00
Calve..DF..Le Mans..Nancy..Free
Djordjevic..FW..Red Star Belgrade..Nantes..u/d
Douglas Ferreira..DF..Sao Paulo..Nantes..1.00
Zelazny..GK..Nantes Youth..Nantes..n/a
Dembele..MF..Djoliba Athletic Club..PSG..u/d
Thuram..DF..Barcelona..PSG..u/d
Thuram..DF..Barcelona..PSG..u/d
Nirlo..MF..Rennes Youth..Rennes..Free
Sekour..MF..Bordeaux..Sedan..u/d
Braaten..MF..Bolton..Toulouse..u/d
Didot..MF..Rennes..Toulouse..u/d
Hamel..GK..Marseille..Toulouse..u/d
SPAIN
Piatti..MF..Estudiantes..Almeira..7.00
Michel..DF..Botafogo..Almeria..u/d
Solari..FW..Pumas..Almeria..4.00
Sadik..FW..Lahti..Armenia Bielefeld..u/d
Sinama-Pongolle..FW..Recreativo..Atletico Madrid..8.00
Callejon..FW..Real Madrid..Espanyol..u/d
Gonzalez..MF..Gimnastic..Getafe..u/d
Munoz..Coach..Out of contract..Getafe..n/a
Keita..FW..Al-Ittihadd..Mallorca..u/d
Astiz..DF..Contract Extension..Osasuna..2011
Roberto..GK..Sporting Gijon..Osasuna..u/d
Shojaei..MF..Al-Sharjah..Osasuna..u/d
Ventura..DF..Contract Extension..Osasuna..2011
Pereira..FW..Villarreal..Santander..Loan
Konko..DF..Genoa..Sevilla..9.00
Prieto..DF..Contract Extension..Sevilla..2010
Romaric..MF..Le Mans..Sevilla..8.00
Squillaci..DF..Lyon..Sevilla..u/d
Flores..FW..River Plate Montevideo..Villarreal..u/d
ENGLAND
Clichy..DF..Contract Extension..Arsenal..2012
Nasri..MF..Marseille..Arsenal..16.80
Ince..Coach..MK Dons..Blackburn..n/a
Elmander..FW..Toulouse..Bolton..12.50
Muamba..MF..Birmingham..Bolton..6.50
Makelele..MF..Contract Extension..Chelsea..2010
Gera..MF..West Brom..Fulham..u/d
Dossena..DF..Udinese..Liverpool..8.50
Jo..FW..CSKA Moscow..Manchester City..24.00
Evra..DF..Contract Extension..Manchester United..2011
Petrucci..FW..Roma..Manchester United..Free
Gomes..GK..PSV..Tottenham..12.50
GERMANY
Sadik..FW..Lahti..Bielefeld..u/d
Mertesacker..DF..Contract Extension..Bremen..2012
Da Silva..MF..Stuttgart..Karlsruher..u/d
Djakpa..DF..Pandurii Targu-Jiu..Leverkusen..1.00
Adlung..MF..Greuther Furth..Wolfsburg..u/d
Alvim..DF..Belenenses..Wolfsburg..u/d
Misimovic..MF..Nurnberg..Wolfsburg..u/d
GREECE
Delorte..FW..Argentinos Juniors..Aris Thessaloniki..u/d
Gonzalez..MF..Zaragoza..Olympiakos..u/d
Pellerano..DF..Velez Sarsfield..Panathinaikos..3.70
Ten Cate..Coach..Out of contract..Panathinaikos..n/a
NETHERLANDS
McClaren..Coach..Out of contract..Twente..n/a
Tiote..MF..Anderlecht..Twente..u/d
PORTUGAL
Caneira..DF..Valencia..Sporting..u/d
Izmailov..MF..Lokomotiv Moscow..Sporting..4.50
TURKEY
Aghahowa..FW..Wigan..Kayserispor..u/d
- 88 Transfer Rumours Added : Italy (51), Spain (16), England (14), France (4),...
ITALY
Boselli..FW..Boca Juniors..Catania..Italy
Kosicky..GK..Bratislava..Catania..Italy
Ledesma..MF..Boca Juniors..Catania..Italy
Soncin..FW..Ascoli..Catania..Italy
Frey..DF..Modena..Chievo..Italy
Toldo..GK..Inter..Chievo..Italy
Huddlestone..MF..Tottenham..Everton..Italy
Burdisso..DF..Inter..Fiorentina..Italy
Mariga..MF..Lazio..Fiorentina..Italy
Oddo..DF..Milan..Fiorentina..Italy
Arda..MF..Galatasaray..Genoa..Italy
Bojinov..FW..Manchester City..Genoa..Italy
Carlos Alberto..FW..Bremen..Inter..Italy
Ferdinand..DF..West Ham..Inter..Italy
Podolski..FW..Bayern Munich..Inter..Italy
Pogatetz..DF..Middlesbough..Inter..Italy
Schweinsteiger..MF..Bayern Munich..Inter..Italy
Silva..MF..Valencia..Inter..Italy
Villa..FW..Valencia..Inter..Italy
Xavi..MF..Barcelona..Inter..Italy
Zhirkov..DF..CSKA Moscow..Inter..Italy
Aquilani..MF..Roma..Juventus..Italy
Milito..FW..Zaragoza..Juventus..Italy
Aimar..MF..Zaragoza..Lazio..Italy
Domizzi..DF..Napoli..Lazio..Italy
Matuzalem..MF..Zaragoza..Lazio..Italy
Palacio..FW..Boca Juniors..Lazio..Italy
Samaras..FW..Manchester City..Lazio..Italy
Zarate..FW..Al-Sadd..Lazio..Italy
Samaras..FW..Manchester City..Lecce..Italy
Veloso..MF..Sporting..Milan..Italy
Bonanni..MF..Sampdoria..Napoli..Italy
Milito..FW..Zaragoza..Napoli..Italy
Obinna..FW..Chievo..Napoli..Italy
Rakitic..MF..Schalke..Napoli..Italy
Zabaleta..DF..Espanyol..Napoli..Italy
Augusto..MF..Flamengo..Palermo..Italy
Floccari..FW..Atalanta..Palermo..Italy
Terim..Coach..Out of contract..Reggina..Italy
Baptista..FW..Real Madrid ..Roma..Italy
Grosso..DF..Lyon..Roma..Italy
Kewell..FW..Liverpool..Roma..Italy
Zebina..DF..Juventus..Sampdoria..Italy
Biava..DF..Palermo..Siena..Italy
Bianchi..FW..Manchester City..Torino..Italy
Bojinov..FW..Manchester City..Torino..Italy
Cacia..FW..Piacenza..Torino..Italy
Garics..DF..Napoli..Torino..Italy
Klasnic..FW..Bremen..Torino..Italy
Knezevic..DF..Livorno..Torino..Italy
Tavano..FW..Livorno..Udinese..Italy
SPAIN
Gilberto Silva..MF..Arsenal..Atletico Madrid..Spain
Kone..FW..Nice..Atletico Madrid..Spain
Oliveira..FW..Zaragoza..Atletico Madrid..Spain
Arshavin..MF..Zenit St Petersburg..Barcelona..Spain
Caceres..DF..Villarreal..Barcelona..Spain
Chivu..DF..Inter..Barcelona..Spain
Coloccini..MF..Deportivo..Barcelona..Spain
Gomez..FW..Stuttgart..Barcelona..Spain
Hleb..MF..Arsenal..Barcelona..Spain
Mancini..MF..Roma..Barcelona..Spain
Bruno..DF..Almeira..Betis..Spain
Lafita..MF..Zaragoza..Deportivo..Spain
Mendes..MF..Portsmouth..Mallorca..Spain
Caceres..DF..Villarreal..Real Madrid..Spain
Bruno..DF..Almeira..Sevilla..Spain
Chretien..MF..Nancy..Sevilla..Spain
ENGLAND
Spear..FW..Ipswich..Arsenal..England
Moutinho..MF..Sporting..Everton..England
Bent..FW..Wigan..Hull..England
Milner..MF..Newcastle..Liverpool..England
Stankovic..MF..Inter..Liverpool..England
Arshavin..MF..Zenit St Petersburg..Manchester City..England
Stankovic..MF..Inter..Manchester City..England
Digard..MF..PSG..Middlesbrough..England
Boulahrouz..DF..Chelsea..Newcastle..England
Derdiyok..FW..Basel..Newcastle..England
McCourt..MF..Derry City..West Brom..England
Cavani..FW..Palermo..West Ham..England
Saha..FW..Manchester United..West Ham..England
Mensah..DF..Rennes..Wigan..England
FRANCE
Chretien..MF..Nancy..Lyon..France
Sobis..FW..Betis..Monaco..France
Gyan..FW..Udiense..Rennes..France
Ilan..FW..Monaco..St Etienne..France
GERMANY
Owomoyela..DF..Bremen..Dortmund..Deutchland
Fejsa..DF..Metz..Hertha Berlin..Deutchland
Schafer..GK..Stuttgart..Nurnberg..Deutchland
- Euro 2008 Semi-Finals Day Two
26 June 2008
RUSSIA 0
SPAIN 3 (Xavi 50, Guiza 73, Silva 82)
The Villa-Torres connection (like the Can-Am connection without the steroids) combined for one of the few highlights in an otherwise sleep inducing first half. The Valencia striker chested down a David Silva longball before passing to Torres, he rode Ignashevich's challenge and snapped a shot at Akinfeev who had taken up a great position at his near post and saved with his feet. Villa injured himself when taking a free kick and was forced off with what appeared to be a thigh strain on 35 minutes. He was replaced by Fabregas.
After some predictable square passing Xavi ran forward and spread the play out wide left to Iniesta, he used his left foot to turn inside Anyukov then switched the ball back to his right before arching a low cross towards the centre circle for the onrushing Xavi to volley first time past Akinfeev. Brilliant goal. Fabregas and Ramos combined from a throw-in, after the midfielder lead the Russian's on a merry dance he passed to the overlapping Ramos but Torres wasted his cut back, shooting hopelessly wide. Guiza scored within three minutes of replacing the ineffective Torres, who should NOT have had a first half penalty. Capdevilla started a counter attack by winning possession on the edge of his box, Xavi Alonso turned the ball onto Fabregas who in turn sent David Silva running through the centre of midfield, Silva passed out wide right to Guiza and he held up possession until reinforcements arrived, Guiza laid off the ball to Ramos before making a diagonal run into the box, Fabregas flicked on the Real Madrid defender's pass with an exquisite first time lob over the Russian defence, Guiza bounced the ball on his chest before volleying over Akinfeev as he dived at his feet. Absolutely magnificent. Fabregas made the third on the break, his pass between two defenders was so perfectly weighted David Silva even had time to take a touch before finding the bottom left corner.
Semi-final Guus does it again (1998 with the Netherlands and 2002 with Korea). Arshavin and the rest of the Russian team choked which is understandable given their age. This was considerably more one sided than their group stage hammering by the Spanish.
The first half was distressingly similar to Spain vs Italy and the majority Sweden vs Sweden with little goalmouth action and Spain doing what they do best, make aimless square passes in midfield. Although it was Iniesta and Xavi who broke the deadlock after that point Fabregas ran the show. Villa has been ruled out of the final though I believe he shot his load in the group stages. The question on everyone's lips is whether Fabregas will start or whether Aragones will continue to use him as an impact player off the bench.
Attendance : 50,000
Assists : Iniesta, Fabregas, Fabregas
- Euro 2008 Semi-Finals Day One
25 June 2008
GERMANY 3 (Schweinsteiger 26, Klose 79, Lahm 90)
TURKEY 2 (Ugur Boral 22, Semi Senturk 86)
The Turks made an aggressive start and struck the woodwork in the opening minutes. Mertesacker failed to deal with a routine cross into the box, Ayhan Akman prevented the ball from going out of play and pulled back to Kazim who left the crossbar trembling with a violent first time shot. Germany were caught cold from a throw in. Kazim hit the woodwork for a second time when attacking a cross from the right however the bounce was kinder leaving Ugur Boral to plunder a goal from close range. Germany scored with their first attack. Ballack tackled Hamit Altintop to start a counter, Hitzlsperger chipped a ball out wide to Podolski, he beat Sabri and Schweinsteiger got in front of his marker to nonchalantly flick Podolski's centre past Rustu. Brilliant goal. Lehmann back peddled to save a Hamit Altintop free kick. Hitzlsperger sent Podolski clear on the break but with Klose unmarked at the back post he elected to shoot from a tight angle and blazed over. Lehmann struggled to deal with another free kick. Hamit Altintop should have restored Turkey's lead late in the half but was let down by a poor first touch after a lovely one-two with Sabri on the edge of the box tore open the German defence.
Germany should have been awarded a penalty when Sabri floored Podolski as he cut inside the box. The non penalty decision seemed to take the sting out of what had been upto that point an excellent match. An absolute clanger by Rustu sparked a late flurry of goals. Lahm swung in a cross from the left, Rustu came off his line and got nowhere near leaving Klose to head into an empty net. Lehmann was hung out to dry by his static defence on a corner and clawed the ball away with Semih Senturk about to score. Sabri nutmegged Lahm on the left wing before pushing a low centre across goal, Semi Senturk left Mertesacker for dead and poking the ball past a poorly positioned Lehmann who for the second time in this tournament was beaten at his near post. Turkey's joy was short-lived as Lahm gave them a taste of their own medicine by scoring a late goal. Kazim went down with an injury when trying to turn with Lahm, the full back played a delayed one-two with Hitzlsperger, a fantastic first touch put him in on goal and he drove a right foot shot past Rustu.
Terrible goalkeeping at both ends. Turkey played excellent football but had no cutting edge. The result most probably would have been very different if they had their full compliment of players. Turkey showed their 2002 World Cup semi-final was no fluke and unlike in 2002 this is a young side. Among the first choice starting XI, Mehmet Aurelio is the only player in his 30s. Two semi-finals in six years is a record most European teams would kill for. Fatih Terim is a of course a genius.
Germany were much improved following the second half introduction of Frings who was still nursing a fractured rib. Ballack once again disappeared in a big match. He'll get another chance to show up in Sunday's final. Germany's opponents will need to keep a very close eye on Podolski, Schweinsteiger and Hitzlsperger who combined brilliantly with the Polish born striker.
Attendance : 40,000
Assists : n/a, Podolski, Lahm, Sabri, Hitzlsperger
- Euro 2008 Quarter-Finals Day Four
22 June 2008
SPAIN 0
ITALY 0
As expected, and if you expected anything else you're an idiot, this match was constipated in midfield. The tedium was briefly lifted late in the half. With 'chances' for either side. Cassano, who spent the match playing for himself, managed to beat Ramos before curling a left foot cross to the centre circle but Toni's header bounced off Marchena to safety. Silva's long range shot, one of many by the Spanish, flew a couple of feet wide of Buffon's left post. Italy finally got a break from a referee when Silva theatrically dived into the box following a mistimed tackle by Grosso outside it.
We had to wait an hour for the first genuine chance. De Rossi lobbed a delightful pass over the Spanish defence after he had a shot charged down, Camoranesi flicked the ball towards Toni, his shot was blocked by Casillas, Puyol and Marchena challenged the striker for the rebound but they all missed, Camoranesi shot on the turn but Casillas made a fantastic save with his feet. Buffon almost literally handed Spain the lead. Senna latched onto a loose ball and let rip from 30 yards, Buffon caught the ball then let it slip from his grasp, it bounced against the inside of the right post and he safely recovered. The useless Luca Toni attempted an overhead kick with Grosso better placed.
In extra time Silva rifled a loose ball just wide of Buffon's right post. Zambrotta put in a cross from the right and fortunately for Italy this time Toni didn't connect, Di Natale did, Casillas made a fantastic one handed save. Cazorla should have won it in the last minute. Running on fellow substitute Guiza's reverse pass he dragged a shot/cross wide with Villa just failing to connect.
Penalty Shoot-Out
Villa - Driven into the bottom left corner
Grosso - Whipped inside the left post
Cazorla - Another low penalty inside the left post
De Rossi - The fourth straight penalty to the left, incredible save by Casillas
Senna - Down the middle into the roof of the net
Camoranesi - The first penalty to find the right corner
Guiza - Low and right of centre, Buffon saves
Di Natale - Almost a carbon copy of Guiza's penalty with the same result
Fabregas - Bottom right, Buffon goes the wrong way. Goodnight Vienna
Donadoni is going to get the sack for this long ball crap. Toni was pathetic, constantly diving and looking for fouls. The BBC's commentary was an absolute disgrace, using all the cliches about how Italy were playing defensive. Italy in fact had the better chances and only marginally less possession. Spain did what they always do i.e. aimlessly pass the ball around in midfield and create little. At some point during the match Di Natale, who came on for Cassano midway through the second half, was tackled, rolled off the pitch and when the ref didn't blow his whistle to stop play rolled back. Tosser. Karma is a bitch.
Spain win 4-2 on penalties.
Attendance : 48,000
Assists : n/a
- Euro 2008 Quarter-Finals Day Three
21 June 2008
NETHERLANDS 1 (Van Nistelrooy 86)
RUSSIA 3 (Pavlyuchenko 56, Torbinski 112, Arshavin 116)
Van der Sar had to be alert to keep out a Zhirkov free kick taken way out wide on the right. The Russians forced a second corner, Arshavin crossed from the right but an unmarked Pavlyuchenko headed over. Van der Vaart took a free kick from an almost identical position at the other but Van Nistelrooy failed to punish shocking marking at the back post. Arshavin tackled Engelaar in his own half to instigate a counter attack. Three passes later he was in the opposition penalty area, Ooijer backed off, Arshavin shot low but Van der Sar saved. The resulting corner was cleared only as far as Kolodin who from fully 35 yards let rip with an absolute rocket, drawing a spectacular save from Van der Sar. Van Nistelrooy turned on a Boulahrouz pass and spun away from Kolodin before hitting a weak right foot shot at goal, Akinfeev saved and Kuyt couldn't reach the rebound. Kolodin made a square pass across his own box but Van der Vaart failed to take advantage, shooting straight at Akinfeev.
Arshavin got a lucky bounce off Ooijer as he tried to knock on a cross, he took a few steps infield, dragging Ooijer out of position and slipped a passed out wide to Semak who swung a low cross into the box and Pavlyuchenko got ahead of Mathijsen to volley past Van der Sar. Arshavin tackled Van der Vaart as he tried to carry the ball out of his own half then out muscled Heitinga before releasing Zyrianov, he ran into the box passed to Bilyaletdinov, he flicked on to Torbinski and with Van der Sar hopelessly out of position the midfielder scuffed his shot from two yards out. Two minutes later the Russian's bush league finishing and poor set piece defending came back to haunt them. Pavlyuchenko was wrongly punished for 'handling' the ball. Sneijder swung in a free kick from the left and Van Nistelrooy headed in at the back post. Referee Lubos Michel looked to have majorly screwed over the Russians a second time when he sent off Kolodin for fouling Sneijder in the 91st minute but withdrew his second yellow card after consulting with one of his linesman. Replays showed Kolodin didn't make contact.
Penalties? The Russians weren't interested and dominated extra time. Arshavin was giving Ooijer fits. He received possession 35 yards from goal and ran straight at the Blackburn defender, forcing him to back, he worked an opening but blazed over from the edge of the box. Torbinski sent Pavlyuchenko away on the break and he cut inside Ooijer before curling a shot against the crossbar. Two minutes later Arshavin made Van Bronckhorst look like a fool with a great dummy then a change of pace took his past Mathijsen but Torbinski again missed an absolute sitter, weakly shooting at Van der Sar. Pavlyuchenko blazed over with the net gaping before the Russians finally took a chance. Arshavin was of course the architect and Ooijer once again his victim. From an improbable angle on the left by-line he swung over a left foot cross, the ball bounced off the underside of the bar and from an inch out even the shit Torbinski couldn't miss. If the Russian's still had firing squads he'd be next in line had they lost this match. Arshavin made sure the scoreline reflected his team's superiority with a late third. Turning onto a throw-in, with Ooijer still in his pocket, he fired a shot through Van der Sar's legs, via a tiny deflection off Heitinga.
Torbinski and Kolodin's suspensions are irrelevant. They both suck. The Russians have a good chance of beating Spain but won't have a prayer against Italy. Arshavin? Player of the tournament, based on his last two games.
Attendance : 42,500
Assists : Semak, Sneijder (fk), Arshavin, Anyukov (throw in)
- Euro 2008 Quarter-Finals Day Two
20 June 2008
CROATIA 1 (Klasnic 119)
TURKEY 1 (Semi Senturk 122)
Kranjcar played a one-two with Modric on the centre circle before spraying a crossfield pass out wide to Srna, he sent Modric between two defenders and the tiny playmaker made a run away from goal, creating enough space to rolled a pass to the back post and from 2 yards out Olic slammed the ball against the underside of the crossbar and with the goal at his mercy Kranjcar headed the rebound over.
Rakitic hit a long ball into the Turkey half and Gokhan made a mess of the header, inadvertently flicking the ball onto Olic, as Rustu advanced off his line the ball bounced and Olic over him towards an empty net, Emre Asik got back to clear and Olic, who was off the pitch, headed across goal. I would love to see what sort of ruling UEFA would have invented had that gone it. Rakitic played a great one-two with Pranjic on the edge of the box and tried to curl the ball first time into the top right corner but sent it high into the stands. Rustu made his first difficult save 10 minutes from time, diving across goal to tip away a Srna free kick bound for the right post. Olic could have won it twice in the injury time. He made poor contact with a Modric centre, shooting straight at Rustu, and then horribly miscued after getting a lucky break off a miss-hit Niko Kovac shot.
The Turks were the better side in extra time but rarely threatened. A calamitous mistake by Rustu appeared to send Croatia into the semi-finals. Petric was tackled as he was about to cross from the left flank, Rustu chased down Modric for the loose ball, straying miles off his line, Modric sent a cross to the back post and Klasnic headed into the net as Rustu unsuccessfully scrambled back. Bilic tried to waste time by bringing on Leko but the referee Rosetti, who had a poor game and was too whistle happy, was wise to his tricks and let Rustu launch a goal kick into the Croatia half, Emre Asik threw himself into a pile of Croatian bodies and amid the confusion Semih turned and rifled a left foot shot beyond a shell-shocked Pletikosa. Rosetti blew for penalties as the Turks were celebrating. Shades of Brazil vs Argentina in the 2007 Copa America with the psychological advantage clearing shifting to the team that stole a late equaliser.
Penalty Shoot-Out
Turkey won the coin toss and the penalties were taken at their end.
Modric - Curled low to the right, not even close
Arda - A poor penalty, left of centre which nonetheless squirms in under Pletikosa
Srna - Straight down the middle but Rustu goes the wrong way
Semih - Bottom left with authority, Pletikosa goes the wrong way
Rakitic - An absolute dogshit of a penalty miles wide of the bottom left post
Hamit - Curled into the bottom right corner past Pletikosa who now isn't even trying
Petric - A nervous Petric sees his spot kick brilliantly saved by Rustu
I was getting very, very tired of Croatia's nauseating chest thumping and Bilic's delusion about the quality of the squad at his disposal. Modric? He's got great balance, is a neat passer but hardly the second best player in the World as Bilic claimed. Olic, Pranjic, Petric? Desperately average as are Croatia's centre backs. Rakitic on the other hand looks to be a fantastic prospect.
Germany might as well be given a free pass to the final. Volkan may or may not have his two match ban reduced, Arda and Tuncay picked up yellow cards, ruling them out the semi-final and Nihat, who limped off, could became the latest player to join a growing injury list which includes Servet, Emre Gungor and Emre Belozoglou who admittedly is no great loss.
Turkey win 3-1 on penalties.
Attendance : 50,000
Assists : Modric, n/a
- Euro 2008 Quarter-Finals Day One
19 June 2008
PORTUGAL 2 (Nuno Gomes 40, Postiga 87)
GERMANY 3 (Schweinsteiger 22, Klose 26, Ballack 61)
Deco, Simao and Bosingwa combined to create a great early chance which Nuno Gomes headed way off target. The trio combined again after Germany quickly lost possession having successfully defending a corner. Bosingwa picked out Moutinho at the near post and he was shaping to head the ball before changing his mind and it bounced off his knee over the bar. Germany gave the Portuguese a lesson in possession football by scoring a fantastic team goal which spanned 17 passes and involved seven players. Germany's centre backs spread play out wide to Lahm who in turn passed to Podolski, now stationed on the left wing, Podolski flicked the ball inside Bosingwa, played a give and go with Klose then did the same this time using Ballack to steal a yard on Bosingwa and power upfield, he took one touch before rolling a centre into the box and Schweinsteiger arriving from nowhere to slide the ball into the bottom left corner. Another contender for goal of the tournament. The Portuguese were still reeling when the Germans doubled their lead from a more predictable route. Schweinsteiger swung a free kick into the box and Klose took advantage of ridiculous marking to power his header past Ricardo. Nuno Gomes gave the Portuguese a lifeline five minutes before half time. Schweinsteiger lost possession deep in the Portuguese half and they quickly broke, Deco showed great strength to hold off Klose before sending Simao down the right, Simao switched flanks with a crossfield pass out to Ronaldo, he had too much pace for Mertesacker but botched the finish, shooting straight at Lehmann but the rebound fell kindly to Nuno Gomes who scored via a deflection off Metzelder.
Portugal should have drawn level just before the hour but Pepe blazed over from a corner. Minutes later Ballack restored Germany's lead. The pathetic excuse for a goalkeeper that is Ricardo got caught in no man's land (a great series of movies) on a Schweinsteiger free kick, as Ballack pushed Ferreira out of the way to attack the ball Ricardo cowered to his knees and feebly put up his hands. Watching that twat pick the ball out of his net will NEVER get old. Despite having their fair share of possession Portugal's second goal came out of the blue. Nani, a late second half sub for Nuno Gomes, showed tremendous strength to hold off the determined Ballack on the left flank, he put on the breaks, checked onto his right foot, sold Fritz with a brilliant dummy then clipped a marvellous ball between two defenders and Postiga headed over Lehmann. Podolski should have added a fourth on the break but having wriggled past Pepe shot straight at Ricardo with Borowski unmarked at the back post.
Simao looks absolutely ridiculous with his jerry curl, tight shirt and shorts which are clearly one size too small. Ronaldo? Isn't so effective when Tevez and Rooney aren't creating space for him. With an early exit there's a good chance he's blown the Ballon D'or. I would say, and obviously this depends on what happens during the rest of the tournament, Wesley Sneijder is the front runner.
Attendance : 42,000
Assists : Podolski, Schweinsteiger (fk), n/a, Schweinsteiger (fk), Nani
- Euro 2008 Day Twelve
18 June 2008
GREECE 1 (Charisteas 42)
SPAIN 2 (De La Red 61, Guiza 88)
Xabi Alonso appeared to be playing for that Juve contract. He was a couple of yards out with a shot from the half way line and had George scrambling across goal with another long range effort. The Greeks took the lead from a set piece. Charisteas met Karagounis' free kick with an absolute bullet header.
Xabi Alonso was getting closer, his third insane effort, from 35 yards, rebounded off the inside of George's right post. Fabregas dropped a ball over the towering Greek defence to Guiza and De La Red met his knockdown with a fantastically violent shot that floored Nikopolidis as it thundered in off the underside of the crossbar. CRACKERJACK! Guiza headed in another late winner for the Spaniards from a sublime left footed cross.
On the BBC's late night highlight show Adrian Chiles referred to Nikopolidis as George Clooney and where do you think he got that from?
Attendance : 30,883
Assists : Karagounis (fk), Guiza, Fabregas
RUSSIA 2 (Pavlyuchenko 24, Arshavin 50)
SWEDEN 0
Fullback Zyrianov, who had an outstanding game, flashed a volley wide from a corner. Arshavin played a one-two on the right touchline sending Zyrianov clear, he squared to Anyukov (the right full back) who in turn passed to Pavlyuchenko and the misfiring striker finally found the back of the net, gently stroking the ball into the bottom corner. While replays of Pavlyuchenko's goal were being shown Henrik Larsson meet a deep cross with a deft flick header which bounced off the top of the crossbar. Bilyaletdinov received a pass on the edge of the box and danced past two Swedish players with ridiculous ease before laying off to Pavlyuchenko who cracked a first time shot against the underside of the crossbar, Zyrianov's header on the rebounded was clawed away by Isaksson and from the resulting corner Zhirkov's 30 yard drive was tipped against the crossbar and out for another corner. Ljungberg ruined some rare good approach play by shooting. Go and model some underwear you twat.
The Swedes won a free kick in their own half and gave the ball straight back to the Russians. Arshavin played a one-two with Bilyaletdinov and made a diagonal run towards the centre pulling Mellberg hopelessly out of position and leaving Zhirkov the freedom of the left flank, Zhirkov ran into the box and centred for Arshavin who slammed a first time shot past Isaksson. Simple, brilliant. Zyrianov's deflected shot bounced off a post and Saenko missed an open goal on the rebound. A minute later Anyukov made a raid down the right wing and sent a peach of a cross to the back post to Pavlyuchenko who headed straight into Isaksson's arms. Arshavin passed up on the chance to score a second with a lazy shot.
Here's a joke I learned in school over 25 years ago. What do you call a Russian with three balls? Whodoyounickyouknackersoff. Write it down.
Attendance : 30,000
Assists : Anyukov, Zhirkov
- Euro 2008 Day Eleven
16 June 2008
POLAND 0
CROATIA 1 (Klasnic 53)
The Poles created two chances inside the first ten minutes against Bilic's reserves. Saganowski flicked on a longball out of defence to Lobodzinski and Runje, under pressure from Krzynowek, bravely flew off his line to punch clear the wingers cross taking out one of his own defenders in the process. From the resulting corner Polish midfielder Dudka towered above the Croat defence but sent his header hopelessly wide. Rakitic, who has been linked with Juve, swung in a great free kick in from the right flank which Vejic sent bouncing wide of Boruc's left post. Klasnic played the PES classic lofted one-two pass with Petric and raced through on goal but was denied by the excellent, excellent Boruc. Rakitic missed an open goal on a rebound after Boruc dived to save at the feet of Klasnic.
Klasnic was bundled over on the edge of the box following a tremendous run by Rakitic but surprisingly the Croats didn't appeal as the ref waved play on, Pranjic gathered the loose ball, drove into the box and cut back for Klasnic to shoot first time into the bottom right corner. Great finish. Passport cheat Guerreiro had a chance to score an equaliser against the run of play after a slip by Simic (retire already) but dragged his shot wide.
I thought this was Croatia's best performance to date. Rakitic and not Modric, has been Croatia's standout player. I'm a big fan of Klasnic and see him as much more of a threat than the rubbish Ivica Olic.
Attendance : 30,000
Assist : Pranjic
AUSTRIA 0
GERMANY 1 (Ballack 49 fk)
Klose ran onto a throw in, accelerated past two defenders, turned inside Hiden and rolled a pass to Gomez who, standing a yard out, sliced the ball up in the air and didn't bother challenging Garics for the rebound. COMPLETE PUSSY. On 19 minutes there was a great chance for Jimmy Hoffa when Hiden chipped a diagonal ball into the box but Lehmann was alert to a wretched first touch and dived at the Austrian striker's feet to save. Podolski snapped a drive from 25 yards, drawing a great save from Macho. Hickersberger and Low were sent off on 40 minutes because Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez is a shit ref.
A tremendous run by Lahm deep into the Austria half was crudely ended by Ivanschitz (don't forget to wash you hands). Ballack took the resulting free kick about 30 yards from goal and sent a bullet of a right foot shot into the top corner, the first free kick goal of the tournament. Hoffa missed a chance to equalise when he turned onto Ivanschitz's miss-hit shot but fired wide. Lehmann found the wretched Neuville, on as a late sub for Podolski, with a monstrous 50 yard throw, as the Austrian defence backed off he shot wide from 16 yards.
A better defensive performance from Germany but they were only playing Austria who suck utterly. Gomez has been a complete failure. I'm not sure what Kuranyi has to do to get a chance.
Attendance : 50,000
Assist : Lahm (won fk)
- Euro 2008 Day Ten
16 June 2008
POLAND 0
CROATIA 1 (Klasnic 53)
The Poles created two chances inside the first ten minutes against Bilic's reserves. Saganowski flicked on a longball out of defence to Lobodzinski and Runje, under pressure from Krzynowek, bravely flew off his line to punch clear the wingers cross taking out one of his own defenders in the process. From the resulting corner Polish midfielder Dudka towered above the Croat defence but sent his header hopelessly wide. Rakitic, who has been linked with Juve, swung in a great free kick in from the right flank which Vejic sent bouncing wide of Boruc's left post. Klasnic played the PES classic lofted one-two pass with Petric and raced through on goal but was denied by the excellent, excellent Boruc. Rakitic missed an open goal on a rebound after Boruc dived to save at the feet of Klasnic.
Klasnic was bundled over on the edge of the box following a tremendous run by Rakitic but surprisingly the Croats didn't appeal as the ref waved play on, Pranjic gathered the loose ball, drove into the box and cut back for Klasnic to shoot first time into the bottom right corner. Great finish. Passport cheat Guerreiro had a chance to score an equaliser against the run of play after a slip by Simic (retire already) but dragged his shot wide.
I thought this was Croatia's best performance to date. Rakitic and not Modric, has been Croatia's standout player. I'm a big fan of Klasnic and see him as much more of a threat than the rubbish Ivica Olic.
Attendance : 30,000
Assist : Pranjic
AUSTRIA 0
GERMANY 1 (Ballack 49 fk)
Klose ran onto a throw in, accelerated past two defenders, turned inside Hiden and rolled a pass to Gomez who, standing a yard out, sliced the ball up in the air and didn't bother challenging Garics for the rebound. COMPLETE PUSSY. On 19 minutes there was a great chance for Jimmy Hoffa when Hiden chipped a diagonal ball into the box but Lehmann was alert to a wretched first touch and dived at the Austrian striker's feet to save. Podolski snapped a drive from 25 yards, drawing a great save from Macho. Hickersberger and Low were sent off on 40 minutes because Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez is a shit ref.
A tremendous run by Lahm deep into the Austria half was crudely ended by Ivanschitz (don't forget to wash you hands). Ballack took the resulting free kick about 30 yards from goal and sent a bullet of a right foot shot into the top corner, the first free kick goal of the tournament. Hoffa missed a chance to equalise when he turned onto Ivanschitz's miss-hit shot but fired wide. Lehmann found the wretched Neuville, on as a late sub for Podolski, with a monstrous 50 yard throw, as the Austrian defence backed off he shot wide from 16 yards.
A better defensive performance from Germany but they were only playing Austria who suck utterly. Gomez has been a complete failure. I'm not sure what Kuranyi has to do to get a chance.
Attendance : 50,000
Assist : Lahm (won fk)
- Euro 2008 Day Nine
15 June 2008
SWITZERLAND 2 (Hakan Yakin 71, Hakan Yakin 83 Pen)
PORTUGAL 0
An absolutely pointless match. Scolari rested his star players. Muller intercepted a clearance and sent it back into the Portugal box towards Derdiyok who, with his back to play, volleyed a lovely pass into Hakan Yakin and smacked a half volley under Ricardo's legs. Barnetta bounced himself off Meira to win a penalty which Yakin slammed into the top left corner.
Attendance : 40,000
Assists : Derdiyok, Barnetta (won pen)
TURKEY 3 (Arda 75, Nihat 87, Nihat 89)
CZECH REPUBLIC 2 (Koller 34, Plasil 62)
Grygera got free on the right and swung a cross into the box which Koller headed under the crossbar. After a
dreadful first half in which Koller's goal was the only highlight you could never imagine what was in store in
the final 45 minutes.
At half time Terim pushed Tuncay, who started out on the right wing, up front instead of Semih Senturk and replaced him with Sabri Sarioglu. Koller broke through on the hour mark and did a Luca Toni, failing to hit the target when through on goal. Unlike Italy and France the Czechs weren't left to rue the miss because less than a minute later as the Turks were trying to substitute the injured Emre Gungor, Plasil made it 0-2 when he ran across Sabri to volley in Sionko's brilliant right wing cross. The Czechs were not content to sit on their lead and went looking for goal number three. Polak collected from a throw in and took out two Turks with a great reverse pass to Plasil, Plasil squared to Jarolim and he played a pass out wide to the excellent Sionko, Sionko let the ball roll into the box before centring to Plasil who slammed a first time shot against Volkan's right post, Emre Asik sliced the ball up into the air and almost beheaded Polak on the follow up. Three minutes later Arda gave the Turks a lifeline. On the half way line Altintop turned onto a pass, skipped over a tackle and flicked the ball out wide to Sabri, he made a diagonal run between two defenders onto Sabri's return pass and his centre rolled past six players before landing invitingly at Arda's feet, he struck a low first time shot which beat Cech at his near post, he should have tipped it out for a corner. Turkey won a throw in 20 yards from goal. Altintop thumped a cross into the box and Cech, under no pressure, jumped and tried to catch the ball but dropped it at Nihat's feet leaving him with an empty net. With the match headed for penalties Nihat scored a sensational winner. Tuncay flicked on an 80 yard Volkan goal kick, Ujfalusi only cleared as far as Altintop who played a great disguised pass between three defenders to Nihat, he spun onto the ball and as Cech advanced off his line whipped a fantastic right foot shot in off the underside of the crossbar. In injury time Ujfalusi launched a longball into the box, Volkan ran off his line and punched the ball away from Koller, quickly got to his feet and did enough to put off Vlcek, who headed wide of an empty net then got in Koller's face and pushed him in the chest and he rolled over in apparent agony in full view of referee Frojdfeldt who had no option but to send him off. Tuncay put on the gloves but the Czech didn't have time to mount another attack.
Low on quality, at least until the last half hour, high on drama. One of the all time great comebacks. Cech is the new Dida. The giant Brazilian never recovered from the infamous flare throwing incident just as Cech has never recovered from that disgraceful foul by that dirty bastard Stephen Hunt. Cech was at fault for Turkey's first two goals. The Turks will be more than happy at the prospect of facing Croatia instead of Germany even without their brilliant goalkeeper.
Attendance : 30,000
Red Card : Volkan 92 (Turkey)
Assists : Grygera, Sionko, Altintop, n/a, Altintop
- Euro 2008 Day Eight
14 June 2008
GREECE 0
RUSSIA 1 (Zyrianov 33)
Charisteas, the hero of Euro 2004 wasted Greece's best chance of the half, failing to connect with a superb Basinas free kick which Semshov almost turned into his own net. George Clooney gave the Russians a chance even they couldn't miss. Torbinski played in Bilyaletdinov on the left of the penalty box, Bilyaletdinov overhit his cross, George ran across his six yard box and tried to punch the ball clear but missed, Semak hit an overhead kick back across goal and Zyrianov tapped into an empty net.
In the first minute of the second half Charisteas did a Luca Toni. A ball over the top sent him clear, his first touch was great, his second absolutely woeful. Akinfeev made a meal of a Karagounis drive and Basinas blazed over from 12 yards. Bye bye Greece, you suck.
I'm not going to waste my time describing Russia's chances. If you've seen anything of the Russian national team over the years you'll know what to expect. Fast counter attacking, some great technique and embarrassingly poor finishing. These guys couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo and for this reason I'd prefer to see the dire Swedes face the Dutch in the last eight. At least they will put up a fight. Russia will create and miss chance after chance before being annihilated on the break.
Attendance : 31,063
Assist : Semak
SWEDEN 1 (Ibrahimovic 34)
SPAIN 2 (Torres 15, Villa 92)
Spain continually attacked down the right with zero joy. As soon as they switched the focus of the attack to the left side they scored. Capdevilla forced a corner. Xavi played the ball short to Villa, he passed to David Silva who chipped a low cross into the box and Torres got in front of Hansson to stab the ball inside the left post. Spain switched off and almost gave up an immediate equaliser. Henrik Larsson received possession on the edge of the box and slipped a pass through to the overlapping Rosenberg who could only find the side netting. On 24 minutes Bam Bam Puyol went off injured and nothing of note happened until the Swedes suddenly equalised. An excellent crossfield pass out of defence found Stoor in acres of space on the right, he didn't have the confidence to take on Capdevilla so swung a cross into the box, Ibrahimovic recovered from a heavy first touch to bring the ball under control, Ramos jumped in with a tackle and missed, Ibrahimovic hit a weak shot on the turn which crept under Casillas' arms. A rare mistake from the normally brilliant Real Madrid goalkeeper. In first half injury time Spain should have been awarded a penalty when Elmander ran over David Silva in the box.
Silva bottled out of a chance to put the finishing touch to a lovely move involving Iniesta and Villa, inexplicably returning a pass to the striker despite having a clear sight of goal. Villa cut in from the left and took out three defenders before finding Silva near the penalty but he hit an awful weak shot straight at Isaksson. Senna snapped into a tackle in midfield and bulldozed his way through three Swedes before letting rip with fierce right foot drive which Isaksson tipped away for a corner. Both teams seemed content with a point until the Spanish were gripped by a sense of urgency as the clock ran down. There were at least sixteen passes leading up to a Torres shot, unfortunately he hit the ball straight at Isaksson. The Spanish scored a typically un-Spanish goal. Capdevilla hit a hail Mary ball out of defence down the left channel, Hansson ran across Villa but forgot to clear and as Isaksson came off his line Villa calmly stroked the ball into to the corner.
This was the real Spain. A poor return of chances despite monopolising possession and overmatched physically. Senna is just as much of a key player as Torres and Villa. If he gets suspended or injured Spain are totally f*cked.
Attendance : 30,000
Assists : Silva, Stoor, Capdevilla
- Euro 2008 Day Seven
13 June 2008
NETHERLANDS 4 (Kuyt 10, Van Persie 60, Robben 72, Sneijder 92)
FRANCE 1 (Henry 71)
Makelele should have been booked for a crude hit attack on Kuyt in the fourth minute. Kuyt got his revenge by heading the Dutch into the lead from a corner, taking advantage of ridiculous marking by Malouda, who seemed more interested in some man on man grappling. Kuyt almost punished a terrible mistake by Thuram but Evra bailed out his captain with a great block. Midway through the half the French suddenly sprang to life and wave upon wave of attack followed. Sagnol beat Van Bronckhorst on the right before driving in a centre, Govou recovered from an awful first to force VDS into a brilliant save at his near post. Makelele made sure Van der Vaart couldn't launch another counter attack after the French lost possession, with a right arm to the face earning himself a long overdue yellow card. Malouda juggled Thuram's clearing header away from Van der Vaart and Boulahrouz as they ran to close him down, he threaded a ball to Ribery who played a superb first time centre into the box, Evra cut the ball back to Henry who kicked fresh air and Govou broke into the box and shot straight at VDS. Makelele intercepted a pass deep in his half and drove forward, running through a sliding tackle before passing to Ribery, Ribery ran into the box and checked inside Ooijer and De Jong before striking a weak shot into Van der Sar's grateful arms. On the right flank Govou collected a throw in and held off two defenders before slipping a pass between their legs to Ribery, he flashing a centre across goal which Henry once again failed to meet. Such was France's dominance in midfield Makelele made another run deep into the opposition half before playing a ball into Henry who hit a shot on the turn wide of VDS's right post. To the relief of the Dutch the half time whistle soon followed.
Van Basten switched things around at half time. Substituting Engelaar for Robben and pushing Sneijder in support of RVN. The Dutch playing 4-4-2? That must be a first! The change had little effect as the French continued to dominate. Henry skinned Ooijer on the edge of the box and his deflected cross was kicked off Ribery's feet by Boulahrouz. Following a series of deflections from a free kick Henry lashed at shot at goal, Ooijer turned away and threw himself at the ball volleying it clear with his left hand but the ref waving away French appeals for a penalty. Henry missed France's clearest chance to equalise four minutes later. Malouda's overhead kick sent Henry in on goal but, just as Toni did in the opening match, he lobbed high over the bar. Shocking miss. Van Basten made a last throw of the dice, replacing the tireless Kuyt with Van Persie and switching to his nations classic 4-3-3 tactic. The move reaped instant dividends. Van der Vaart headed on a throw in to Van Nistelrooy who did a 360 degree Bergkamp style pirouette away from Makelele and Toulalan, with a brilliant first Robben took the ball away from Makelele and powered upfield leaving the French trailing in his wake, he put on the breaks, whipped the ball into the box and Van Persie volleyed through Coupet's hands. VDS punched out a deflected Ribery shot and Gomis, who looked terrible, smashed the rebound into the stands. The Dutch defence was finally breeched on 71 minutes. Sagnol ran over RVN as he tried to bring a goal kick under control, played a one-two with Govou and arched a centre to Henry who flicked the ball into the bottom left corner. Any hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed. While the replays were still being shown Sneijder rolled a pass inside Sagnol to Robben, he ran at Thuram and from the most improbable of angles fired a left foot missile into the roof of Coupet's net. Absolutely incredible. Five minutes later Henry made awful contact with a Ribery free kick as the fight, finally began to fade from a brave French side. Coupet's fingertip save denied Van Nistelrooy a second goal. In the last minute Van Nistelrooy held up possession, collecting a pass out of defence but instead of running to the corner flag checked inside Thuram before passed to De Jong, De Jong squared to Van Persie, he passed to Sneijder who with his back to goal turned away from Toulalan and hammered a right foot shot in off the underside of the crossbar.
Once against the Dutch were out-shot (23-16) but once again were stone cold killers in front of goal. The Dutch were battered either side of half time before Van Basten's switch to 4-3-3 gave them relief on the break. The man is showing signs of being as much of a genius on the bench as he was on the pitch. An absolutely breathless game of football, an all time classic. For the last half hour I was on my feet screaming as every goal went in. Are the Netherlands the Brazil of 1970 or the Brazil of 1982? Over the next fortnight we'll find out.
Van Basten is almost certainly gong to rest many of his key players ahead of the quarter-finals which could make France vs Italy one of most epic and, at the same time, anti-climatic games in the history of this tournament.
Attendance : 32,000
Assists : van der Vaart (ck), Robben, Sagnol, Sneijder, Van Persie
ITALY 1 (Panucci 56)
ROMANIA 1 (Mutu 54)
Constant pressure by the Italians forced the first of many, many chances. Del Piero was crowded out in the box as he brought a Camoranesi pass under control, Perotta cleverly chipped the ball back to him but Goian headed his goalbound header out for a corner. Toni missed an absolute sitter when Camoranesi and Grosso combined down the left, the Juve midfielder providing a superb cross. Panucci gave away possession with an overhit pass and a Romanian midfielder sent Mutu down the left, Chiellini tracked his former Juventus team-mate, forcing him to shoot from a wide angle drawing a brilliant save out of Buffon. Camoranesi brought down a Goian clearance on his chest before finding Grosso in acres of space on the left with a brilliant lofted pass, Grosso brought the ball under control, took a step back and measured a cross to the back post and once again Toni header wide. Buffon got down to parry a Tamas free kick struck from absolutely miles out and minutes later he was beaten all ends up from another Romania free kick when Chivu's drive was deflected onto a post by Panucci and Zambrotta hacked clear. There was an ugly clash of heads when Radoi and Rat challenged for the ball. Radoi was carted off and replaced by playmaker Dica. Toni chested down a Del Piero cross and just as Perrotta was about to pull the trigger Siena's Codrea denied him with a last ditch tackle. Italy won three consecutive corners, Lobont tipped over from Chiellini, made a miraculous save to push a Toni header against a post then bravely dived at the feet of Chiellini as he attacked a Toni header. In first half injury time Italy were hosed on another offside call. Camoranesi played a short corner to Zambrotta, the Romanian defence pushed up, Del Piero was standing in a (passive) offside position as Toni headed into the net but the goal was disallowed. The President of the FIGA (Italian FA) Giancarlo Abete was furious after the match:
"I think UEFA at the highest level wanted to confirm Ruud Van Nistelrooy's goal was valid, so they won't have a problem confirming that the errors today were indeed mistakes. It would be very strange to do otherwise."
Good luck on that one. Just as chances dried up in the second half the wretched Zambrotta decided to give a helping hand to the Romanians. Zambrotta underhit a backpass, Mutu ran in on the blindside and slammed the ball into the roof of the net. Italy got a quick equaliser. Chiellini headed down a Del Piero corner and Panucci, standing between four Romanians, ran past them to poke the ball into the net. Del Grosso (twice) and De Rossi made last ditch tackles in the box. In the 80th minute to everyone's amazement the ref awarded a penalty to Romania. Replays showed Panucci had wrestled Niculae to the ground. A nervy Mutu stepped up and drilled his penalty down the middle, Buffon got a strong right hand to the ball then immediately kicked clear as the Italian fans erupted in celebration. Late on in their desperation Grosso and Toni went to ground looking for penalties.
Donadoni got his tactics right on this one but was let down by Toni's treacherous finishing. De Rossi, Chiellini and Grosso were fantastic as was Buffon who made up for a poor display against the Dutch. Why oh why didn't Donadoni play this formation in the first match? Toni should get no more than 45 minutes against the French. Borriello deserves a chance.
Attendance : 30,000
Assists : n/a, Chiellini
- Euro 2008 Day Six
12 June 2008
AUSTRIA 1 (Vastic 93 Pen)
POLAND 1 (Guerreiro 30)
Austria should have been 3-0 up inside the first 15 minutes. Harnik ran onto a hospital pass, left two defenders for dead and with only Boruc to beat shot wide of a post. Two minutes later a brilliant run by Korkmaz should have ended with Harnik making up for his earlier mistake but Boruc dived to save with his feet. The Austrian's then hit the Poles on the break, Prodl sent Leitgeb racing clear but once against Boruc came to the rescue. Predictably Poland scored with their first time. Smolarek found Saganowski at the back post, the striker turned Pogatetz shot wide of Macho and Guerreiro stabbed into an empty net.
Poland took control in the second half. Smolarek raced onto Guerreiro's superb crossfield pass but shot straight at Macho. On the hour mark Guerreiro found Bak with a cross to the back post, the centre back controlled on his chest before firing a volley forcing Macho into a superb save and he quickly recovered to deny Lewandowski on the follow up. A second goal for the visitors seemed a formality, Macho was called into action again, tipping Krzynowek's stupendously powerful free kick over the bar. Austria failed to muster anything close to resembling a clear cut chance in the second half before they were suddenly given a lifeline from the penalty spot for shirt tugging. Normally these are never given but Wasilewski was yanking on Prodl's shirt in full view of referee Howard Webb. Vastic sent Boruc the wrong way earning Austria a point and himself a lifetime's supply of beer.
Attendance : 51,428
Assists : Saganowski, Prodl (won pen)
CROATIA 2 (Srna 24, Olic 62)
GERMANY 1 (Podolski 79)
Srna's goal was the culmination of a brilliant move spanning 15 passes started by Modric deep in his own half. The ball was eventually played to Kranjcar who switched flanks with a crossfield pass out to Pranjic, he played a double one-two with Rakitic, Rakitic looked to play a give and go with Olic, taking three defenders with him, Olic played the ball back to Pranjic, he swung a cross to the back post and Srna stole a yard on Jansen to volley past Lehmann. Poor marking by Jansen but a brilliant team goal nonetheless. Gomez blew a chance to score a quick equaliser, heading over an excellent Jansen cross. Rakatic and Olic combined for a second time but Kranjcar failed to take advantage of more poor marking in the box. Pletikosa struggled to clear a fiercely struck Ballack free kick and Metzelder missed a sitter from corner. Pletikosa sent Corluka down the left with a quick throw, he absolutely destroyed Jansen, flicking the ball inside him as he sprinted upfield then left the fullback in a heap as he failed to connect with an insane jump tackle, Corluka centring to Kranjcar, he failed to connect but the ball fell to Olic who chipped a great first time pass to Kranjcar, he took the ball on his chest before blasting a left foot volley at Lehmann who nonetheless made a great save.
Ballack, who is having a shocker of a tournament so far volleyed high into the stands after Pletikosa spilled a cross. Rakitic's right wing cross deflected off Podolski onto a post and Olic snapped up the rebound to score Croatia's second. Schweinsteiger went close minutes after replacing the hugely disappointing Mario Gomez. Podolski lashed in another left foot volley after Robert Kovac made a mess of a Ballack header but a comeback was never on the cards and Croatia looked more likely to score. Schweinsteiger was sent off for pushing Leko in the chest. The first red card of the tournament. For those of you who don't know the literal translation of Schweinsteiger is pig farmer.
Gomez continually ran offside. He's like Inzaghi minus the goals. Jansen, as highlighted here weeks ago by other posters, was horrible at the back, so poor in fact Low substituted him at half time. Germany looked every bit as poor as Croatia did in their first match. The Mario Gomez experiment is a failure. It's time Kuranyi got a chance. Jansen won't be starting the next match. It's a good time for Germany to get a wake-up call, better now than in the knockout stages. It looks like they'll get Portugal a round early, if they beat Austria.
Attendance : 30,461
Red Card : Schweinsteiger 91 (Germany)
Assists : Pranjic, n/a, n/a
- Euro 2008 Day Five
11 June 2008
SWITZERLAND 1 (Yakin 32)
TURKEY 2 (Semih Senturk 57, Arda 92)
About quarter of an hour in it started absolutely pissing down. Having denied Ronaldo in the previous match Volkan made another fantastic save from a free kick, this time diving low to his left to parry from Barnetta. Turkey went even closer from a free kick at the other end. Benaglio tipped Nihat's devilish effort against Arda and it rebounded off a post. Senderos picked out Derdiyok with a great long pass out of defence, the striker looked miles offside, Derdiyok rounded Volkan and centred to the back post, the ball rolled to halt in the sodden turn at Yakin's feet, 1-0. Two minutes later from another attack down the left, Behrami whipped a cross to the back post where an unmarked Yakin sliced wide. Miss of the tournament.
By the time the second half kicked off the rain had relented and I assume the groundsmen managed to drain some of the surface water from the pitch. Turkey's beast of a centre back, Servet, intercepted a through pass and knocked the ball into Aurelio, he brushed aside a challenge from Fernandes and sent Arda down the left flank, Arda laid the ball to Nihat who was hugging the touchline, he whipping a fantastic cross into the box and Semih Senturk got between two defenders to head through Benaglio's hands. It would have been a great goal but for the shitty goalkeeping. A flowing move started deep in the Turkey half ended with Tuncay arching a centre to Nihat who pulled clear of his marker but just failed to make contact at the back post. At the other end the hosts blew a glorious chance to restore their lead on the break. Derdiyok, who celebrates his 20th birthday tomorrow (the 12th), lead the charge from a corner, he squared the ball to Vonlanthen who inadvertently flicked on to Yakin, Volkan spilled his powder puff shot and with the goal at his mercy Cabanas steamed in but misskicked allowing Volkan to gather. Unforgivable miss. In the 92 minute BBC's colour commentator Mark Bright was vindicated for insisting the Turks should stop attacking down the right and give more of the ball to left winger Arda. Volkan closed down Cabanas as he was about to seize on a mistake by Servet, Hamit Altintop ran the ball out of the box before drilling a crossfield pass into Semih Senturk, Senturk took the ball on his chest and laid it off to Tuncay who released Arda with a brilliant pass on the turn, Arda cut infield and beat two players before unleashing a right foot rocket which took a wicked deflection off Muller before looping over the hapless Benaglio.
The first comeback victory of the tournament and a fantastic, evenly contested match. Switzerland are out. On Sunday Turkey face the Czechs for a place in the last 8. If the match ends in a draw a penalty shoot-out will determine who qualifies. Whether that encourages both teams to play for a 0-0 remains to be seen. Volkan has been the best goalkeeper in this tournament so far. Servet is an absolute monster but, ironically, he heading is weak, not in terms of distance but placement. At 27 this would be the ideal time for a move abroad.
Attendance : 42,500
Assists : Derdiyok, Nihat, n/a
CZECH REPUBLIC 1 (Sionko 17)
PORTUGAL 3 (Deco 8, Ronaldo 64, Quaresma 91)
Both teams made a lively start with the Czechs showing considerably more ambition in the opening minutes than during their previous match. Deco received possession on the half way line and drove deep into the Portuguese half before laying off to Ronaldo, Ronaldo exchanged passes with Nuno Gomes, running onto the strikers flick then past Rozenhal who should have cleared but slipped, Cech rushed off his line and made a superb tackle on Ronaldo as he was about to score but his clearance broke to Deco, Cech made a great recovery and dived at his feet, getting a hand to the ball but Deco scored at the second attempt. Sionko took advantage of slack marking to head in the equaliser from Plasil corner. Cech made a nice save for the cameras, diving to parry a speculative drive from Ronaldo late in the first half.
The rubbish Nuno Gomes and Simao missed great second half chances before Ronaldo restored Portugal's lead. Galasek gave the ball away with a sloppy pass out of defence, Petit knocked it back to Ronaldo who held off two defenders before passing to Moutinho who was clobbered as he spread the play out to Deco on the right, Deco ran into the box, cut inside a defender and toe poked the ball across goal for the onrushing Ronaldo to slam first time past Cech. Sionko missed another chance to head in an equaliser from a superb Vleck cross. Portugal added an injury time third to further rub salt in the wounds with a quickly taken free kick. Deco? dropped a 30 yard pass over the Czech defence, Ronaldo ran clear and unselfishly centred for sub Quaresma to score his first goal of the tournament. That type of generosity wins Ballon D'or awards.
Portugal's defending on set pieces will have their potential opponents licking their lips.
Attendance : 30,000
Assists : n/a, Plasil, Deco, Ronaldo
- Euro 2008 Day Four
10 June 2008
GREECE 0
SWEDEN 2 (Ibrahimovic 66, Hansson 72)
Just as ITV commentator Peter Drury was asking a rhetorical question about how many highlights the directors would find from this match Zlatan Ibrahimovic provided one. He turned onto a throw in and knocked a pass between two defenders into Henrik Larsson, Larsson played the ball back and from the right hand edge of the box the giant Swede ripped a first time shot into the net. Larsson intercepted a pass and slid a great ball into the rubbish Ljungberg who predictably shot straight at Nikopolidis, Elmander made a mess of the rebound slicing it high in the air and Hansson eventually bundled over the line.
I believe Ibrahimovic's goal was the first from distance i.e. outside the box this tournament.
Attendance : 30,000
Assists : Larsson, n/a
SPAIN 4 (Villa 20, Villa 44, Villa 75, Fabregas 91)
RUSSIA 1 (Pavlyuchenko 86)
Left back Capdevilla returned Shirokov's lazy ball out of the Russian half with a FANASTIC 60 yard first time pass to Torres. Kolodin managed to make up ground and put in a tackle but unfortunately for him he kicked the ball against the striker who had the awareness to lay off for Villa to tap into an empty net. The Russians should have equalised minutes later. Sytchev ran down Spain's left and pulled the ball back from the by-line, four Spanish players missed, Zyrianov swung his right foot at the ball and it rebounded off a post. The Spanish took a leaf out of the Dutch copy book by hitting the Russian's with a counter attack from a corner. David Silva started the move when he laid off an overhit cross to Capdevilla, the full back ran deep into enemy territory but by the time support arrived from Iniesta the Russians had also got men back in defence, Iniesta ran inside a defender before taking out five more with a magnificently weighted pass and Villa, who made a brilliant diagonal run, shot first time under Akinfeev's legs. Goal of the tournament.
Fabregas back-healed a pass out of defence and played a one-two with Xavi before angling a low crossfield centre between the Russian centrebacks to Villa, Villa was forced wide by Shirokov but checked inside the defender before slotting into the bottom left corner. The Russians became the first team in this tournament to score a goal while trailing, Pavlyuchenko with an athletic header from a corner. Semak should have pulled it back to 3-2 from Russia's next corner but having been left unmarked in front of Casillas he needlessly juggled the ball before giving the Real Madrid goalkeeper a back pass. In injury time Villa intercepted a hospital pass and ran forward before waiting for support and when it arrived in the shape of Xavi he lofted a sumptuous pass over the Russian centre backs, Akinfeev parried Xavi's volley and Fabregas headed in his first goal for Spain.
Senna was off the charts and has been the standout DM in this tournament so far. Aragones' surprise switch to 4-4-2 gave his midfield the perfect balance. Despite this performance Marcel Desailly, the BBC's pitch side analyst, said he felt Germany were the best side he had seen so far and I agree because despite the scoreline Spain's defence didn't convince.
Attendance : 30,000
Assists : Torres, Iniesta, Fabregas, Shirokov, n/a
- Euro 2008 Day Three
9 June 2008
NETHERLANDS 3 (Van Nistelrooy 26, Sneijder 31, van Bronckhorst 79)
ITALY 0
Di Natale got free down the right after Van Bronckhorst was tackled when carrying the ball out of defence, Toni heading for the near post but the Udinese forward overhit his cross. Minutes later Toni missed what was by his standards a great chance, heading wide after good work by Panucci, Camoranesi and Gattuso. The Dutch then quickly took control. Zambrotta got too tight to Kuyt allowing him to turn and slide a pass between Italy's centre backs, RVN lost his balance as he rounded Buffon and, forced wide, his cross was cleared. A mistake by Buffon (and a linesman) gave the Dutch the lead. Buffon should have punched a van der Vaart free kick out for a corner but sent it back into play, taking out Panucci in the process, Mathijsen laid the ball back to Sneijder and his fierce drive was re-directed past Buffon by RVN who was standing miles offside. On the half hour mark Van Bronckhorst hacked the ball off his goal-line when defending a corner and the Dutch launched one of the all time great counter attacks. Sneijder passed to Van der Vaart and he sent Van Bronckhorst clear down the left, Panucci, who should have been covering, was in his own half for the Italy corner, Van Bronckhorst hit a crossfield pass to Kuyt, Zambrotta failed to get tight, allowing Kuyt to head the ball down to Sneijder and he volleyed past Buffon who had strayed yards from his near post. Van Nistelrooy ran between Zambrotta and Materazzi onto a glorious van der Vaart through pass but was denied by Buffon. It's about time he made a save.
Within seconds of replacing the ineffective Camoranesi, Cassano created an opening for Toni but having ran clear of the defence his normally reliable first touch let him down. Grosso, another second half sub, got in behind the Dutch defence for the second time in as many minutes but his shot was saved and eventually cleared. Del Piero won a free kick as Italy enjoyed their best spell of the match. Pirlo's free kick was brilliantly saved by Van der Sarr and once again Italy were suckered on the break. Van Persie and Sneijder spread the ball out to the right before Sneijder sent the rampaging van Bronckhorst between Gattuso and Pirlo, van Bronckhorst squared to an unmarked Kuyt and his shot was parried, Kuyt chased down the rebound and dropped a cross into the centre circle and Van Bronckhorst headed in a cruel third.
Donadoni has the options on the bench to get his team out of this mess. Zambrotta you F*CKING SUCK. Gamberini has to start at centre back alongside Chiellini and Grosso instead of the wretched, wretched Zambrotta. Donadoni showed too much faith in the Milan midfield trio. De Rossi and Gattuso had been working fine in the run up to the tournament. Buffon was at fault for the first two goals. The Dutch won't have the element of surprise on corners again but they've got the players to rip holes through any defence.
Men of the Match : Van Bronckhorst & Kuyt.
Is Van Bronckhorst going to be this tournaments Zagorakis?
Attendance : 31,000
Assists : Sneijder, Kuyt, Kuyt
ROMANIA 0
FRANCE 0
This match was an absolute shitfest. The only real chance fell late in the first half to Anelka on the one occasion the Romanians switched off in defence. Ribery worked a short corner with Makelele and whipped a low cross into the box, the ball bounced up towards Anelka but he wastefully headed over from 12 yards.
I was impressed with Romania's centre backs, Goian and Tamas, though that may have been as a consequence of the anaemic French attack.
Attendance : 30,000
Assists : n/a
- Euro 2008 Day Two
8 June 2008
GERMANY 2 (Podolski 20, Podolski 72)
POLAND 0
Inside the first 30 seconds Germany's weak link Lehmann ran off his line to attack a cross and collided with Mertesacker fortunately Krzynowek's volley was way off target. Frings sent Klose clear on the break and with the goal at his mercy he centred to Gomez who made poor contact and missed the target. The duo combined for the opening goal. Gomez released Klose with a great pass with the outside of his foot, Klose ran into the box and this time his centre was converted - by Podolski. Poland's best spell of pressure came after Lewandowski sprayed a crossfield pass out wide to Krzynowek. The duo both have shots charged down before Jansen hurriedly cleared. Wasilewski released Lobodzinski and he got the break of a bounce off Jansen before pulling the ball back to Zurawski who dragged his shot wide of Lehmann's left post. A minute later the industrious Fritz vaulted over a Krzynowek sliding tackle on the left touchline, drove into the box and pulled the ball back to Gomez who again failed to hit the target.
Frings sent Lahm clear with an angled ball down the left channel, Lahm left his marker for dead and pulled the ball back to Ballack and his first time shot was brilliantly saved by Boruc. Schweinsteiger tackled Golanski as he tried to clear a through pass, Schweinsteiger passed to Klose, he completely misskicked slicing the ball up in the air but Podolski was on hand to slam a left foot volley into the top corner. Poland's Brazilian forward Guerrinski impressed when introduced as a second half substitute. His cross forced Lehmann into denying Saganowski at his near post.
Men of the Match : Podolski & Fritz
Attendance : 30,000
Assists : Klose, Klose
AUSTRIA 0
CROATIA 1 (Modric 4 Pen)
Modric showed great balance to hold off the giant Stranzl on the left of the penalty box and rolled a pass into Olic who went down theatrically after taking a kick from Aufhauser. Modric converted, sending the ball straight down the middle. Petric failed to take advantage of a poorly played offside trap, volleying Corluka's excellent cross into the stands. Pogatetz, who was booked for disputing the penalty decision, was lucky not see a second yellow after manhandling diver Olic who went down in a heap clutching his nose. Standfest spurned Austria's best chance of the half, heading wide a free kick.
The Austrian's got a grip on midfield following the second half introductions of Korkmaz, the middle aged Vastic and the lively Kienast but for all their possession Korkmaz was the only player to trouble Pletikosa with a curling shot from 25 yards.
Croatia owe their tag of dark horses due to the fact that, because they topped a qualifying group featuring England, journalists assumed they must be a good side. They're not. They were overrun in midfield by AUSTRIA.
Man of the Match : Kienast
Attendance : 50,000
Assist : Olic (won pen)
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