Archive for the ‘EURO 2008’ category

Casillas: Ahead of EURO 2008 Finals

June 29th, 2008

Iker Casillas, captain of the Spanish side, feels that he will now be primarily responsible, if his side beats Germany on Sunday in the finals of Euro 2008.

Real Madrid & Spain goalkeeper was a hero in the game against Italy, when he saved two important penalties for guiding his side past the knockout stage. He has been amongst the consistent performers of his during Spanish’s impressive road to glory thus far.

This is the first game for the Spanish side in a title round of any major tournament, since their 2-0 loss in the 1984 edition of European Championships to 2-times Champion France. St. Iker (as he is popular in Spain) believes that his side will put everything, which they have in making their opponents to submit and eventually crown themselves for the second time with this trophy.

The 24-year old goalkeeper said that he was feeling the tension and responsibility ahead of his side’s attempt to glory. He believed that the responsibility of not letting down Spanish fans, who are millions in number, was also on him as he is captaining the side they worship.

Current Spanish Skipper felt that he knew the job of his side is only to go to the big game with an open mind and give full effort to win it.

There was a shade of nervousness in Casillas’ comments when he said that ‘the job is not going to be easy’, as he knows that Spain will be up against a very strong side in the form of the Germans.With better experience of playing in the crunch games (5 overall in European Championships where they have won three), Germany will surely have the upper hand ahead of the encounter. Still, Iker will make sure that his side can defy all odds to take the European Trophy from Vienna to Madrid.

No room for second place in big tournaments

June 29th, 2008

Luis Aragones, Spanish coach, has come up with a warning for his players a day before their all important game against Germany in EURO 2008 final at Vienna. He has said that there is no room for second place in such a tournament and people tend to forget them within a short time.

Spaniards will be taking on Low’s men at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadion with an aim of clinching the title that has eluded the side for 44 years.

Aragones, who might be in his last stint as the coach of the national side, believes that despite euphoria surrounding his side’s achievements for moving to this stage, their will be no reason for celebration, if they fail in taking the important final stride and lifting the coveted trophy.

In an interview a day before the final event, he assured to all the Spanish fans that his players are looking good with a desire of playing with full effort and coming out as champions at the end. Although he had respect for the German side and their impressive road to the EURO finals, he wanted his team to topple them with another incredible performance.

Spain will be going into this all important game as the in-form team and the clear favorites of most experts. With their impressive performance in the semifinals over Russia in a 3-0 routing and no defeats in the tournament thus far, it seems that they might create history on Sunday.

Spanish Coach feels that if his side will give another performance packed with team spirit, which has helped them to get this far, there will be no stopping his men to achieve glory in Vienna.

Fabregas looks set to start for Spain in EURO 2008 final

June 29th, 2008

It was a thorough professional performance by Aragones’ Spanish team, who came out winner yet against a strong Russian side by a 3 goal margin. All the goals came in the second half with two of them formed due to excellent crosses, Arsenal midfielder, Cesc Fabregas.

Reports suggest that Fabregas will be in the starting lineup for the Spanish side in the final of EURO 2008 against Germany on Sunday with David Villa, Spanish striker and top scorer of the tournament, ruled out due to a muscle sprain.

Fabregas was star in his sides 3-0 thrashing of Russians in the semifinal, after he was bought in as a substitute for Villa, who seemed to pull a muscle while taking a free kick on what was a soggy outfield at Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna.

The Arsenal midfielder has not been a part of the starting lineup in most games that have played by Spain in recent times. After his performance and the news of Villa ruled out of the final, he looks set to make the cut.

On being asked of his chances to be starting in one of the biggest games of his life, he said that he will always be there, if his manager will need his services. He added that he is a part of a troop determined to emerge out as winners of Europe and with only a single game left for achieving this goal, he is ready to give his everything for his side even if he fails to make the starting lineup.

Aragones confirmed after their triumph that Villa was sure to miss their final clash against Germany in Vienna, but did not declare his replacement in the starting lineup for the game.

Russia Vs Spain: It is Germany and Spain in EURO 2008 Championship Final

June 29th, 2008

The fairytale run of Russian side in EURO 2008 came to an end when a confident Spain outfit thrashed them to a 3-0 win at Vienna. With goals from Xavi Hernandez, Daniel Guiza and David Silva (all coming in the second half), Luis Aragones’ men overpowered Hiddink’s troops to book a place in the Final at Sienna on Sunday.

It was a complete show by a Spanish side, who barely gave a sniff to the Russians. Spanish defense was summed up by the fact that there was only one shot on goal in the whole game from Hiddink’s men (coming in the last minutes). Russia was barely given an opportunity to enter their opponent’s half in most part of an evening, which was one of the wettest of the tournament.

With lightning and heavy rainfall, both sides had difficulty in maneuvering the ball in the first half. Aragones’ side had several attempts on the goal. However, Igor Akinfeev, the man with the most saves in the tournament, was a wall in front of the goal and the half ended with both sides failing to score. During the half, Spain lost David Villa, top scorer of the tournament, with a muscle injury and Cesc Fabregas came on as a substitute.

Second half saw Spain overawing Russia with Cesc Fabregas & Sergio Ramos playing at rapid pace. The deadlock was broken by Barcelona midfielder, Xavi, who guided Aniesta’s cross past Russian keeper to make it 1-0 in the fifty minutes.

The first goal seemingly killed Russian hopes, as they were playing ordinary football. Fabregas used this to his advantage and assisted the next two goals. His excellent crosses to substitute Daniel Guiza (73rd minute) and David Silva (82nd minute) were both successful and helped Spain to tame Russia once again by a 3 goal margin.

Spain will now be playing against Germany at this same venue on Sunday. They will be looking forward to repeat this heroic and bid farewell to their manager Luis Aragones in a Royal manner.

Xavi: We have the belief of winning EURO 2008

June 27th, 2008

Spain & Barcelona midfielder, Xavi, was all praise for Hiddink’s men for their performance in the tournament so far. However, he insisted that his side is currently having the belief for winning EURO 2008.

The Russians have comeback strongly after they went down to Spain 4-1 in their opening encounter and showed that defeating England in the EURO qualifiers was not a fluke. They have defeated stronger opponents including Czech Republic & Holland on their way to a showdown against Spain in the second semifinal at Vienna.

However, Xavi felt that unlike Russia, Luis Aragones’ outfit always believed in their chances of bagging the ongoing European Championship. His side had the desire to prove the critics wrong, who felt that Spain always have been an underachiever in the big events. Now after being only two steps away from the coveted trophy, he sees his side going all the way without any hiccups.

28-year old Xavi said that his side will continue the strategy of attacking the ball, even though their opponents have got a deadly counterattack. According to him, the defense will be eyeing for Roman Pavlyuchenko & Andrei Arshavin and do everything to stop them from making a move in the penalty box.

Midfielder added that there was an expectation of the whole team for having a complete different encounter against the Russians from their group game, after the latter gained confidence from their almost annihilation of Netherlands in the knockout stage. Still, Spain is confident of repeating their performance of the group stages against Hiddink’s troops and taking the confidence into the final against a dangerous German side.

Lahm helps Germany to book a place in the finals

June 27th, 2008

If anyone thought that this game would be a mismatch, they were proved wrong by a thoroughly professional Turkish side. Although Terim’s men fell short of booking a place in the finals of EURO 2008, they went down fighting. It was only after a last minute goal from Philipp Lahm that helped Germany scrap through a nail-biting event.

Turkey was a better side in most part of the game with a strong attack and even better defense. Colin Kazim would have got his first international goal and side into the lead within minutes of start. However, the German crossbar avoided what was a skimmer of a shot from him.

Another Kazim shot in the twenty second minute went past Lehman and hit the post. This time though, there was Ugur Boral to send the ball into the German goal to allow the Turks attain a lead. However, the pair of Podolski & Schweinsteiger, who scored the first goal against Portugal, again helped their side to score an equalizer. First half ended with 1-1 and was dominated by Terim’s side with German goalkeeper Lehmann tested to his limits.

The game seemed going into Turkish hands in the second half. However, a Lahm cross caught Bayern Munich forward Miroslav Klose, who headed his side into the lead for the first time in the game defeating both Topal & Rustu. Most experts covering the game felt that this might have ended the hopes for Turkey. However, Fatih Terim’s men made him proud once again by equalizing through a Sarioglu cross that was poked home by Semih.

It seemed that another game was moving into the extra-time. However, Bayern Munich fullback Lahm fired a composed shot passed Rustu in the last minutes of the second half to crush Turkish hopes of a final berth and help Germany claim the same.

Ballack: We can win EURO 2008

June 24th, 2008

Germany Captain Michael Ballack said he was confident that his side will make it through to the final of the EURO 2008 before their match against a resurgent Turkish side.

Even though Turkey showed great spirits for defeating Croatia in the penalty shootout, he felt that the Germans had the ingredients for emerging out as the winners. With players like Schweinsteiger and Podolski in great form, Chelsea mid-fielder is sure that they can break the defense of the Turkish side.

The only blemish in EURO 2008 campaign for the Germans has been a defeat against Croatia, 2-1. Apart from that they have had a professional outing with no slipups.

They followed the Croatian defeat with 1-0 win over host Austria and then a comprehensive victory over possible title contenders, Portugal (3-2). German attack was unquestionable against Portugal. With players like Miroslav Klose yet to show their true color, they might be tough to beat now.

Ballack felt that the only area, which they needed to work on, was their defense. With 4 goals already scored against them, they would be looking to stop the Turkish attack to penetrate their defense and test the skills of their keeper, Jens Lehmann.

Coach Joachim Low is all set to come out with his best squad for this all-important semifinal clash against Turkey. Now with Torsten Frings almost recovered from his rib injury and Ballack & Co. already in top flight, the coach will be relishing the opportunity and would be hoping that the team can take the cup home.

Injury worries cloud the Turkish camp before semifinal against Germany

June 23rd, 2008

The Turkish camp before their all-important semifinal against Germany

After an inspiring performance against a strong Croatian side, Turkey will be looking forward to repeat the feat against Germany, who everyone believe will take the cup home after Holland were sent packing by the Russians.

Apart from a strong attack and defense of the German side, there are several injury worries clouding the Turkish camp. They were able to field only 15 fit players for their tie against the Croatians. Now with three of them having received the second yellow cards of the tournament, Turkish will have only 12 available players for their semifinal clash.

Nihat Kahveci along with Tumer Metin, Emre Belozoglu and Servet Cetin are all serving injuries and will probably miss the game. Again with Emre Gungor already out of EURO 2008, Turkish coach Fatih Terim will only be comfortable, if the suspension on their goal keeper is lifted after they made an appeal against it.

Terim has already refused calling up replacement for their injured lot. Even if he desired to rig in changes, this is the final moment to take the necessary step by communicating with UEFA. William Gaillard, Communication Director of UEFA confirmed that a team can call up for an urgent meeting, if they only have 8 players available to them. Again, he also said that there was no communication made to him by the Turkish camp till date for taking action in this regard.

The probable inclusion in the team from the previous game will be of Colin-Kazim Richards (Fenerbahce forward) & Mehmet Aurelio, midfielder who is returning to action after serving a suspension giving Terim some of a fight in their tie against the Germans.

Russia Vs Netherlands: Netherlands sent to pack their bags by impressive Hiddink’s men

June 23rd, 2008

No one could have expected such a turn of events, then what actually happened at the St. Jakob Park. In what was considered to be the easiest of encounters in the knockout stage, David again conquered the Goliath. An inspired Russian side under their Dutch Coach Guus Hiddink tamed Van Basten’s Netherland side 3-1, who were looking all set to take the EURO 2008 Championship home.

The game was completely dominated by the Russians in all departments. From the kickoff only, they were making it difficult for the Dutch side to have a strike on their net. Simultaneously, there were several attempts from their end on their goal.

If it was not for Dutch keeper Edwin Van der Sar, who was playing his last game, Russians would have murdered the Netherland side. He made some miraculous saves in the first & second half and was the busier of the two keepers. He was defending against a resurgent Russian attack, which was targeting him by penetrating the weak Dutch defense.

The 0-0 score line that was carried into the second half broke from an excellent shot in the 56th minute by Roman Pavlyuchenko. It was difficult for the Dutch side, which included the likes of Nistelrooy, Schneider, Van der Waath & Van Persie, to break into a solid Russian defense. However, a Schneider free kick eventually caught the head of Nistelrooy taking the game into extra time.

Extra time saw two sides fighting it out to get one up on one another, yet it seemed that there will be the second penalty shootout in as many days. However, with late strikes from Dmitri Torbinski in the 112th minute and hero of the game against Sweden, Andrei Arshavin (also the Man of the Match of this game) sealed the game for Russia and ended a dream run of the Dutch side in EURO 2008.

Russia will be looking forward to continue the momentum in semifinal, where they will face off against the winner of Spain Vs Italy encounter at Ernst Happel Stadion.

Turkey Vs Croatia: Another nail biting win for the Turkish Side

June 22nd, 2008

 It was the second quarter final of EURO 2008, where two dark horses of the tournament, Turkey & Croatia, went head-to-head. Both these teams were through to the second round on the back of some wonderful performances with the Croatians winning all their matches including a win over the first Semifinalist Germany and Turkish side, who defeated a resurgent Czech side in nail biting finish to storm into the knockout stage.

The two sides had a grueling start to the game with Slaven Bilic Croatian side putting up a solid attack and pitting the Turkish Side on the back foot. For most part of the game, there were attacks from both the sides and it seemed that any one of them could score at any stage. However, the score line finished at fulltime 0-0 with the match going into the overtime and the chances of a penalty was looming over it.

Extra time was a continuation of the match with both sides having equal attempts at the net and none converting them. It was only in the 119 minute that the deadlock was broken by Croatia, when Ivan Klasnic headed home a goal past Turkish keeper Rustu Recber what looked to be the end of the game.

However, there was another twist in the tale when a long pass by keeper Rustu allowed Semih to shot an equalizer past Pletikosa and made the match to go into penalties in the injury time.

In the penalty kicks, three of the four penalties where missed by Croatia with Modric, Rakitic & Petric failing to convert and Turkish side hit all three to allow the latter with a win on a penalty score line 3-1.

Now it will be a battle between the fancied Germans against the dark horse Turkish side with everyone hoping for yet another thriller of a game.