Barcelona are through to the CL Finals to face Man Utd!

It was really a heart break for Chelsea at Stamford bridge last night. They began the match with a shaky start. But in the 9th minute Michael Essien saw the ball which rebounded from Yaya Toure and smashed it straight into the nets.

Although they scored a goal the match was still in balance as Barca were having around 70% possession and only a single goal can take Barcelona to the Finals based on Away goals rules.

Then came a serious of Terrible mistakes by the referee which ultimately say Chelsea lose the match.

Then, in the second of four added minutes, Barcelona cancelled Chelsea's tickets to Rome. Essien's clearance was weak, Messi turned the ball to the edge of the box and Andres Iniesta mustered Barcelona's first shot on target of the evening. It was an absolute stunner, and the Spanish champions elect will play Manchester United in the Champions League final.

The things which happened after the match were like a disgrace to the world of football.Didier Drogba came up and shouted the refree in a offensive language.

Now Chelsea would have a lot to mourn about but they should remember that they wasted like 3 easy opportunities and they were over defensive. Drogba acted on the field like he had a major injury and wasted hell a lot of time that resulted in 4! minutes added up at the end!. They gave away the balls so easily and at the end of the night according to me Barca deserved to win!

Ashley Cole returned from suspension for Chelsea, allowing Jose Bosingwa to revert to right-back at the expense of Branislav Ivanovic. Nicolas Anelka started again, virtually as a right winger, with Didier Drogba in the lone striker role.

Barcelona, meanwhile, were defensively without the injured Rafael Marquez and the suspended Carles Puyol. Pep Guardiola moved Eric Abidal into the centre of defence, with Sergi Busquets starting on the right. Perhaps most crucially, weekend hero Thierry Henry failed a late fitness test, so Seydou Keita was drafted in.

On 26 minutes, Drogba latched onto another through-ball and ended up on the deck under pressure from Eric Abidal. There may have been a slight tug inside the box, maybe some contact by the leg of the defender. Either way, it was debatable, and the officials weren't interested. This really should have been a penalty.

Chelsea at the moment were handling Leo Messi very well. Then On 65 minutes, however, another Chelsea long ball resulted in disaster for the Catalan giants for Barcelona. Abidal was beaten for pace by Anelka, who cut across the defender and went to ground. There was contact, if minimal, as Anelka adjusted his position, and the referee decided to send Abidal for an early bath. This should have not really been a Send off!

Then, Pique – soon after trundling wide at the other end – was at the centre of a hand ball appeal as Anelka desperately attempted to get round him. Referee Tom Henning Ovrebo was adamant that he wasn't going to give the Blues the benefit of the doubt on the night. The Third penalty Chance not Given yet again!

Then, in the second of four added minutes, Barcelona cancelled Chelsea's tickets to Rome. Essien's clearance was weak, Messi turned the ball to the edge of the box and Andres Iniesta mustered Barcelona's first shot on target of the evening. It was an absolute stunner, and the Spanish champions elect will play Manchester United in the Champions League final.

The things which happened after the match were like a disgrace to the world of football. Ballack, Terry and Lampard went and kept on shouting at the refree and then Didier Drogba came up and shouted the refree in a offensive language. I hope UEFA has a see on that clip. Didier Drogba is not going to get away with that easily.

Now Chelsea would have a lot to mourn about but they should remember that they wasted like 3 easy opportunities and they were over defensive. Drogba acted on the field like he had a major injury and wasted hell a lot of time that resulted in 4! minutes added up at the end!. They gave away the balls so easily and at the end of the night according to me Barca deserved to win!
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Team mates sorry for Fletcher's sending off

Manchester United may have got through to the finals with flying colours but they will miss the service of their key player Darren Fletcher in the Finals as he was unfairly awarded a red card.

Darren Fletcher's Manchester United team-mates have expressed their sympathy for the player after he was ruled out the UEFA Champions League final.

United trio Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra all believe Fletcher was unlucky to be red carded for the offence. Rooney said

" It is a massive game to miss out on. I think over the last two seasons he has been brilliant for us and if anyone deserves to be there and play it is him."

"I thought it was harsh to be honest," "In that situation he seems to have got the ball. I was behind him and the ball changed direction." Carrick told Media

Evra too was sorry for Fletcher he commented "I am so sorry for Darren Fletcher," said Evra. "The real big bad news about all this is Darren not being able to play in Rome.

"I am very, very frustrated and disappointed for him and his family. I played with a lot of pain in my stomach worrying about missing the final." Read more!

United reach Champions League finals!

By : Sriram Ilango
Machester united are going through to their Second Consecutive Champions League Finals after they defeated Arsenal at the Emirates 3-1. United made it clear to the whole world that they are coming to Rome as they scored twice in the first 11 minutes.

They will miss the service of Darren Fletcher in the finals as he was send off for a rather controversial tackle. Park scored in the 8th minute and Ronaldo scored twice in the 11th and 61sr minutes.

“I’ve said it many times, we should have won this cup more times than we have,” United manager Alex Ferguson said after the defending champions defeated Arsenal 3-1 in an all-English semifinal on Tuesday night. “We’ve got the hunger and the quality.”

Manchester United faced off their EPL rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last night in a UEFA CL Semifinals 2nd leg match-up. United had a 1 goal advantage from their 1st leg at Old Trafford. With Rooney, Tevez and Evra all under a Yellow card, they were under the probability of missing a Champions League Finals. Many thought that Rooney may not start but he did.

With Berbatov and Tevez both on bench Ronaldo was the Center Forward with Park Ji sung in the right and Rooney in the left. Rio Ferdinand was back from an 1st leg injury.

The match started then all of a sudden in the 8th Minuted Kiren Gibbs slipped giving J.S Park a easy goal. The 60,000 crowd at Emirates were in a slumber. The World Player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo made the situation even worse for Arsenal as he struck a majestic free kick away from 35 yards.

“The shot was quite difficult to save because the ball moved a little bit,” Ronaldo said. “I just try to do my best to put the ball in the net and it was a good goal.”

Now United have scored twice in a span of 10 minutes. Based on away goals rules Arsenal have to score 3 times now to win the match which seemed almost impossible .

After the first half Substitutions were made for Rooney, Evra and Anderson as Berbatov, Rafael and Giggs came on. Ronaldo started and scored on a 61st-minute counterattack. He backheeled the clearance to Park, who sent the ball to Wayne Rooney, who then crossed to the FIFA player of the year.

Everything was going on United's way until the referee Send off Darren Fletcher for an undeserved tackle. Fletcher will now miss the Champions league finals. Fergie seemed a little distressed with the sending off. Neville and Scholes went staright into the dressing room to consolidate Fletcher. Van Persie converted that Penalty into a Goal but it was too little too late as United are going to rome to face either Barca or Chelsea. Will it be a repeat of last year's Finals or last year's Semifinal? Read more!

The Last 16 of Europe!

The Sports Today previews about the most exciting Competition of the world which begins this Wednesday

Inter Milan v. Manchester United: Well..Even the finals wouldn't get this interesting.The most interesting of all the EPL match-ups in the Champions League. Two-time defending Italian champions against the two-time defending champions of England. My two favorite mangers..... My two favorite teams to play as in FIFA 09. How do you separate them? Form, that’s how. Manchester United have it, and will settle for a well-deserved draw going back to Old Trafford. But Jose's Inter are too Strong for it Prediction : Inter Milan

Arsenal v. Roma: Luciano Spalletti’s team boast my favorite player outside of England in the talismanic Francesco Totti. Arsenal have very few players that I like. This isn’t a popularity contest though, and right now the Gunners are a better team and will take the first leg. Prediction: Arsenal

Chelsea v. Juventus: Another tough call as the teams are similar in lots of ways. My gut is telling me the Bridge shows outsiders how tough a place it can be to play in, momentarily restoring the old glory of years past. Prediction: Chelsea

Real Madrid v. Liverpool: Would be a great final, don’t you think? The Spanish influence of Liverpool playing the Spanish giants themselves. It’s not to be, however, as these two meet in the first knockout round. I think the Reds will hold out for a draw in this one, despite being dangerously outplayed. Prediction 1-1 tie.

Atletico Madrid vs Porto The Spanish side will have to give Porto the respect they deserve, if they are to beat them. Porto are not just any side. They are two time winners of the Champions League, with one of those coming recently in the 2003-04 season, under the able guidance of Jose Mourinho. Another noteworthy fact is that this is the team that beat Arsenal to take the top spot in Group H.Prediction : Atletico

Lyon Vs Barcelona : This According to me is way one sided. Barca are reigning supremacy everywhere they go. La Liga, Champions League, everywhere and the most brilliant thing is they score around 2.75 goals every match. Well Lyon are not Bad but when compared to Barca they are just too weak. But who can find there can be a dark horse in the form of Lyon for Barca. Prediction : Barcelona

Sporting Vs Bayern: Bayern Munich have a point to prove to everyone. After oliver Kahn left everone is speaking that they are not the old Club which demolished everyone . Will they prove everyone wrong? Prediction : Tie
Read more!

Team of Euro 2008

Sports today Analysis the Victorians!

Euro 2008 has produced many match winners including the likes of Arshavin, Senna , Villa and many others. But many unsung heroes such as Sergio Ramos, Carlos puyol cant be ignored. As expected the Spain has dominated the team .So here comes the dream team!

Goalkeeper- Edwin van der sar, Holland

Although his team did not make it to the Final four this 37 year old Goalkeeper has everything to make it to the dream team. He gave his optimum best to make his team go wild. Van der sar has retired from internationals now so Holland needs a quality saver to match the credibility of The european champion.



Iker cassilas came close enough but Van der sar's single minded performance was even higher than Iker's

Defenders

Sergio Ramos, Spain

The man who did it! This name would certainly suit Ramos. He was running, Jumping, heading and doing everything to make his team win the cup. His performance in the finals was even more powerful!. He denied Ballack and Klose the ball all the time!

Daniel Pranjic, Croatia

If you want a left back that can get forward and score goals, pick Germany’s Philipp Lahm. If you want one that can get forward and defend, pick Pranjic. Pranjic was in superb form for Croatia and deserved to go deeper into the tournament.

Carles Puyol, Spain.

Everyone knew that the Spanish attack was fluid and dangerous, but the defense was a major concern going into the tournament. Puyol has his limitations, but he held things together effectively and must take much of the credit for his team having conceded only three goals.

Marcos Senna, Spain.

Senna found a new lease on life the past two seasons and he was the unsung hero of the Spanish triumph. He shut down Andrei Arshavin in the semifinal, and his holding work allowed Spain’s attacking midfielders license to wreak havoc.

Mid Fielders

Micheal Ballack, Germany

No one can deny him this spot. Ballack have a habit of losing in finals. This time too the same thing happened but Ballack deserves more than what he gets. GO BALLACK (im a big ballack fan !)

Andrei Arshavin, Russia.

Arshavin was suspended for the first two games, but returned to mastermind a victory over Sweden to put Russia into the quarters. His performance against Holland was even better, when he ran the show in a 3-1 extra-time victory and showed why many of Europe’s biggest clubs are taking a close look.

Wesley Sneijder, Holland

Wesley was doing everything he was shooting from long ranges, his specialty but nothing could make his team enter the last four. His effort must be appreciated as he single handedly scored many goals. Wesley deserves this spot!

Andres Iniesta, Spain.

Spain had so many quality midfielders to choose from, but Iniesta was the most consistent overall. His vision and imagination complemented perfectly with Fernando Torres and David Silva and kept the Spanish “total football” machine cruising along.

STRIKER

David Villa, Spain.

Villa was the man who got the Spanish juggernaut rolling with his devastating displays in Group D. He finished the tournament as top scorer with four goals and barely made a wrong move during his time on the field. The fact that he was mobbed by his teammates at the end of the final spoke volumes for how highly his colleagues rated his impact.
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Spain wins Euro 2008

Spain regain glory after 44 years

A happy fairy tail ending for the Spain football team was waiting for then in Vienna as they won regained the European glory after 44 years thanks to a fantastic Fernando Torres Goal.



Fernando Torres scored in the 33rd minute and the Spaniards never backed down against such a formidable opponent. Their last significant title came in the 1964 Euros at home.

That all changed at these Euros, where the Spaniards swept their first-round games, eliminated World Cup champion Italy in a penalty-kicks shootout in the quarterfinals, then routed Russia 3-0 in the semifinals.

Against the highly accomplished Germans, they weren’t intimidated. They got the one goal they needed—from a slumping striker, no less—and set off chants of “ES-PANA,” and “Ole, Ole Ole” at the final whistle.

Germany has won three Euros and three World Cups, but was no match in this final. Captain Michael Ballack, questionable before the game with a calf injury, started, but hardly was noticeable—except when he left for several minutes to have a bloody right eye treated.

Torres, who had 33 goals for Liverpool this season but has been invisible in Euros, came through off a brilliant feed from Xavi Hernandez.

Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, at 38 the oldest player in the competition, charged from his net when he saw that defender Philipp Lahm was beaten on the right side. But Torres chipped the ball over the sliding Lehmann and into the gaping goal.


This was the last game for 69-year-old Luis Aragones, the oldest coach to win the Euros. Germany’s Joachim Loew has a contract through the 2010 World Cup, but will need to find the spark Germany showed only periodically in Austria and Switzerland.

Spain has never made a World Cup final and was in one other Euros final, aside from the 1964 triumph. That was a loss to France in 1984.

Otherwise, there had been nothing but disappointment and early exits from big tournaments. Two years ago, the Spaniards were dynamic in the opening round in Germany, then fizzled against France.

With two of the world’s top clubs, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, the nation has tons of talent. What it has lacked is fortitude.

But now they have done it and in grand fashion. Its Amigo time now !

(C)Sportstoday- Sriram Read more!

Spain enter Finals

The underachievers achieve in big time

The way Spain is performing, the absence of its leading scorer is no big worry.

Having watched his team score three second-half goals with David Villa sidelined by a leg injury, and beat Russia 3-0 in the semifinals Thursday night, coach Luis Aragones is confident. Especially after substitute Cesc Fabregas set up two of the goals, sending the Spaniards into Sunday’s final against Germany.

Fabregas came on when Villa, who leads Euro 2008 with four goals, was injured taking a first-half free kick. Fabregas flicked a ball over the top of the defense for Dani Guiza to score with the outside of his right foot high into the net in the 73rd minute.

Fabregas then slid a pass through for an unmarked David Silva to score from inside the box in the 82nd and complete the rout.

“Villa will miss the final,” Aragones said. “It’s not serious, but he’ll miss the final because he has a pull.”

Fabregas certainly has been an able replacement and key contributor as Spain, often an underachiever, made its first major tournament final in 24 years.

“I know how well he can perform,” Aragones said of Fabregas. “I like a player like Cesc, 20 years old and someone who has acquired the experience of someone who’s 27, 28. To us, he’s important.

“We were doing well with one forward. It’s better for numbers in midfield, for pressing, and that’s how you get Xavi (Hernandez) scoring. Make them feel free.”

Xavi scored the first goal in the 50th minute after an exchange of passes with Andres Iniesta, who eluded one defender before crossing the ball into the box for Xavi to side-foot it past goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev’s legs.

Spain, which won the 1964 European tournament and lost to France in the ‘84 final, ended its run of five quarterfinal defeats by beating Italy in a penalty shootout Sunday. It confirmed its title aspirations with its penetrative passing on a slick surface in the pouring rain against Russia.

“The team has been strong mentally for a long time,” Aragones said. “It’s important to not only play good football, you need to know how to compete. That’s what we wanted, to be in the final. But there’s an adversary called Germany, that is going to be interesting.”

The Spaniards and Germans have not played a competitive match since a 1-1 draw in the 1994 World Cup. Overall, Germany has won eight of 19 meetings, with Spain taking five and six draws. In competitive games, it is 4-1-2 for Germany.

Germany beat Turkey 3-2 on Wednesday night and is seeking a record fourth Euro title.

“This team is already making history, but we can do even more,” striker Fernando Torres said. “We’re proud of reaching the final, and against Germany on top of it all, which is a great rival.”

Russia coach Guus Hiddink still has never taken a team past the semifinals of a major, falling at that stage when leading his native Netherlands at the 1998 World Cup and with South Korea four years later.

“It was their plan that they were going to make us tired so we couldn’t make a (good effort) of it in the second half,” Hiddink said. “However, we can be proud of reaching where we did and of coming third. We faced really strong opposition tonight and they deserved to win.”

Spain, which beat the Soviet Union 2-1 in the 1964 final in Madrid, has not lost to Russia in five matches, including a 4-1 win two weeks ago in the first round.

“The team pushed on and I think we dominated the match,” Iniesta said.

Germany coach Joachim Loew was asked if Spain compared with Portugal, which the Germans beat in the quarterfinals.



“Spain is a lot better than Portugal. It is a lot more flexible and not so predictable,” Loew said. “They keep the ball well in their own rows and it’s very hard to intercept. The Spain team shows great ease and it’s very economical.”

The Spaniards didn’t seem distracted by reports that Aragones was set to join Turkish club Fenerbahce as coach after Euro 2008. They were precise with the ball and staunch on defense all through the game.

“I think in the second half Russia tired a bit and we were able to take advantage of that,” Torres said.

Russia never got its speedy, creative attack on track.

“Our team was physically weaker than Spain. When you don’t have the physical strength, it is tough to get through, you have to rely on tactics,” playmaker Andrei Arshavin said. “Today, Spain was more technically skilled than us.” Read more!

Germany defeat Turkey

BAllacks side reach Finals

While Turkey will be remembered for its great escapes in this tournament, it was Germany that staged the latest one in the semifinals of the European Championships.

In an unpredictable match marked by three goals in the last dozen minutes, it was Germany that scored last on Wednesday with a 90th-minute goal by Philipp Lahm that sparked a 3-2 win.

Now, the Germans will play either Spain or Russia in Sunday’s final in Vienna, boosted by an emotional win showing it can prevail when star captain Michael Ballack is ineffective.



“We showed our winner’s mentality. After 2-2 we knew that they can score late and it speaks for our will and character,” Germany coach Joachim Loew said.

Turkey’s fate could have been considered hard luck, if only it had not inflicted the same on Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Croatia with three stirring late comebacks to reach the semifinals.

Turkey dominated Germany for most of the match with a team ravaged by injury and suspension before succumbing in the final moments.

“It showed the world what a good team we are. We are leaving as the most colorful team,” Turkey coach Fatih Terim said.

Germany looked bleak, failed to impose play against a heavy underdog and looked disheveled early on. Yet, when the final whistle went, their arms went up in celebration.

“We scored three goals and that was decisive,” Loew said.

Two came in the final minutes.

Miroslav Klose seemingly closed out the match for Germany in the 79th minute. Lahm sent a long cross into the penalty area, where Klose cut in front of Mehmet Topal and a hopelessly out of position Rustu Recber to head into the empty net.

Semih Senturk kept Turkey in the game with an 86th-minute equalizer. He beat Jens Lehmann at the near post after surging in to deflect a low cross from Sabri Sarioglu, who had fooled Lahm with a classy move.

With the Turkish fans celebrating wildly, Lahm immediately sought and found redemption to decide the game. He cut in from the left, set up a one-two with Thomas Hitzlsperger, collected the ball and shot it past Recber to unleash the joy of about 20,000 German fans at St. Jakob Park.

“It was my most important goal,” Lahm said. “In the moments leading up to 2-2, I certainly looked bad. It happens to me too,” he said.

And after so many thrilling finishes at the tournament, this one topped it all.

“Totally crazy feeling,” Loew said. “It was unbelievable. It was a crazy, incredible drama with all these goals in the final minutes.

“It was very tough to come back after 2-2. They always score in the last minute,” Loew said.

In the first half, Ugur Boral gave Turkey the lead in the 22nd, but Bastian Schweinsteiger equalized in the 26th.

Turkey dominated long spells of the match despite four suspensions and five injuries, proving its run of extraordinary comeback victories was no fluke.

“I said I would have 11 players on the field and I did,” Terim said.

Images by Getty images Read more!

Spain defeat Italy

Spain beat 22 year jinx of losing on june 22

Spain lost shootouts to Belgium at the 1986 World Cup, to England at Euro 1996 and to South Korea at the 2002 World Cup—all in the quarterfinals. But this time things were different. They defeated world champions Italy in Pk's to enter their first Semi finals of the Euro championships


The Spaniards finally survived the quarterfinals in a major tournament and beat the Italians for the first time in 88 years, taking a penalty kick shootout 4-2 Sunday night after a 0-0 draw in the European Championship.

Iker Casillas saved two penalty kicks and Cesc Fabregas scored the winner, sending Spain into a semifinal matchup with Russia, which it beat 4-1 in the opening game of group play.

“We’re always talking about not being able to pass the quarterfinals. But now we’re in the semifinals,” Spain coach Luis Aragones said. “I’m happy for my country and for my players … and ultimately for myself, because it’s my profession and winning is beautiful.”

The last time Spain made the final four in a major event was the 1984 Euros, losing to France in the final. The last major win over Italy? At the 1920 Olympics.

“We didn’t play great football and Italy didn’t either. Italy couldn’t score on us and we had about three good chances,” Aragones said.

“The rhythm of the game was slow. If we had moved the ball with more speed maybe we would have had more chances.”

Spain ran its undefeated streak to 20 games and is the only group winner to advance to the semifinals in these Euros. Germany and Turkey play Wednesday in the other semifinal in Basel, Switzerland.

David Villa, Santi Cazorla and Marcos Senna beat Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon in the shootout. Fabio Grosso and Mauro Camoranesi connected for Italy, but Casillas was the difference.

“Losing is always bitter, but when you lose on penalties it burns even more,” Italy forward Alessandro Del Piero said. “But let’s not talk about bad luck. It’s not anyone’s fault.”

"We’re very bitter, but we still have a lot of pride,” Gattuso said. “Losing on penalties happens. We won the World Cup on penalties" Read more!

Russia upsets Netherlands

Dutch defeated 3-1 in Extra time

The most dominant team of the tournament so far have been defeated in the Quarter finals. Yes the Dutch who destroyed their first round opponents 9-1 went to loss in the extra time to Wild cards Russia.



Dimitry Torbinski and Andrei Arshavin scored within five minutes of each other in the second half of extra time. Roman Pavlyuchenko also scored for Russia, while Ruud van Nistelrooy scored for the Dutch in the 86th.

It was a sweet victory for Dutchman Guus Hiddink, who enhanced his reputation of getting lesser known teams far in tournaments. The Russia coach guided South Korea to the 2002 World Cup semifinals, and he took Australia to the second round of the 2006 World Cup.



Arshavin shot through the legs of Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar for the final goal in the 116th. By then, the Netherlands players were spent.

Van Nistelrooy had temporarily saved the Dutch late in the match, proving no one is more lethal from close range. On a free kick by Rafael van der Vaart, he got away from Sergei Ignashevich and scored with a diving header at the far post. Read more!

Turky defeat croatia

Penalty kicks prove costly for Croatia

Croatia who were having a great run in the EURO 2008 were stooped by a resiliant Turkish attack!

align="left">The Turks taught the European Championship another lesson in fortitude Friday night to advance to the semifinals with a 3-1 shootout victory over Croatia following a 1-1 draw through injury time. They barely got the goal that forced the penalty kicks that they then dominated.

After a 0-0 draw in regulation, the Croats seemingly won it when Ivan Klasnic put in a header in the 29th minute of extra time. Stunningly, Semih Sunturk, who later scored in the shootout, got the equalizer with seconds remaining, scoring from just inside the area off a free kick taken by goalkeeper Rustu Recber from near midfield.

“There was no time to regret or worry about what had happened,” Turkey midfielder Hamit Altintop said. “We would have time to weep after the referee had blown the final whistle, so we had to play without fear.”

A minute before, Recber’s error allowed Klasnic to score. Recber chased after a ball headed out of bounds, and Luka Modric passed it to Klasnic for a short header.

There were a few good chances to score, though. Croatia striker Ivica Olic hit the crossbar in the 19th minute from close range after a low cross from Modric. In the 83rd, Recber, playing for the suspended Volkan Demirel, preserved the shutout when he made a diving one-handed save on a free kick by Srna.

The Turks were missing four injured players and two under suspension. The veteran Recber, who helped Turkey make the World Cup semifinals six years ago, made the absence of Demirel less painful until his extra-time blunder.


Then he made up for it with his free kick and his work in the shootout.

Back home, cars with horns blaring circled the streets of city centers across the nation, with fans leaning out of the windows waving flags and shouting.

Thanks : Yahoo! sports

Images: Getty images! Read more!

Germany defeat Portugal | Still remain favourites

The star studded Portugal team suffered a defeat in the quarter finals to become the first team to be eliminated from the quarter final stage.

Coming back after a one-match suspension, Schweinsteiger had a goal and two assists to send Germany into the semifinals of the European Championships with a 3-2 victory over Portugal on Thursday.

“I think we won against the best team here,” Schweinsteiger said. “It looks like Portugal could be the favorite team to play against.”

The Germans came into the game as underdogs after doing little to justify pretournament billing as the favorite, but handled Cristiano Ronaldo and company with strong, fast-paced soccer that put tremendous pressure on the Portuguese.

Although Germany coach Joachim Loew was in the stands after being suspended by UEFA for getting sent off in the 1-0 win over Austria, his players executed his game plan perfectly: a zone defense coping with some of the flashiest players in Europe, double-marking stars such as Ronaldo and Deco.

“Up to now, we lacked a bit of creativity,” said captain Michael Ballack, who scored the decisive goal on a header off Schweinsteiger’s free kick. “That is why we changed today and that was the key,” Ballack said. “Now, you saw what this team has when it can play freely.”

Four minutes later, Miroslav Klose made it 2-0 after a free kick from Schweinsteiger, rising high and unmarked to score past goalkeeper Ricardo with an attempted header that appeared to glance off his shoulder.

Portugal striker Nuno Gomes made it 2-1 in the 40th, collecting the rebound after Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot was blocked by goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and scoring after a deflection from Germany defender Christoph Metzelder.

In the 87th minute, Nani moved up the left and swept in a cross that substitute Helder Postiga headed home to give Portugal a little hope, but it was not enough.

“We cannot allow two goals from set pieces against a team like Germany. That made the difference,” Postiga said.


It was not the first time Schweinsteiger got the best of Portugal and Ricardo.

He scored twice from long range when Germany beat Portugal 3-1 in the third-place match at the 2006 World Cup, and did it again against Sporting Lisbon with Bayern Munich.

So, Its now time for Germany to think about their next stage and portuggal to think for the next big venture

Thanks: Yahoo! SportsCopyright Sports today Read more!

Russia enters quarters | Shocks Sweden!

Russia turned the night to Swedish people into nightmares as they defeated the northern European team 2-0 to enter the quarter finals!.

But they have too little to celebrate as they will now face the most dominant team of the tournament so far -The dutch in the quarters.



Hiddink, a Dutchman who took over Russia after leading Australia to the second round of the World Cup two years ago, maintained his perfect record of advancing through the group stage at major tournaments. He also guided the Netherlands in 1998 and South Korea in 2002, both nations making the semifinals of those World Cups.

“This is a tremendous victory,” Hiddink said.

“It’s a special game because I know the (Dutch) players, I know the coach (Marco van Basten) and more people within the squad I worked with,” he added. “But we play the style that they like to play. It has to be an interesting clash.”

Spain perfect Three

Spain defeated greece to go to the next round with a perfect win record in the group stages. Greece however avoided the shame of not becoming a defending champion to have not scored a goal.

“We wanted to say goodbye in an orderly way, and we did that,” Greece’s German coach Otto Rehhagel said. “I don’t blame anyone individually. All the players followed my instructions.”

Spain’s win was its ninth straight, stretching its unbeaten run to 19 games, and both De la Red and Guiza got their first international goals. Read more!

Italy defeats France | Enters Quarters

France has been outset in the Euro 2008 as they were forced to go out of the tournament by the World champions Italy. Italians advance to the next round by a sound display of 2-0 over the world cup runner ups.



Andrea Pirlo put Italy in front with a penalty kick in the 25th minute after Eric Abidal was red-carded for a foul on Luca Toni, and Daniele De Rossi made it 2-0 with a deflected free kick in the 62nd.

Italy will now face Group D winners spain who are having a great tournament so far. We can be assured a great display of football there.

France’s night began badly when winger Franck Ribery was taken off the field on a stretcher after injuring his left leg in challenge on Gianluca Zambrotta. Ribery fell awkwardly in the seventh minute after tracking back to pressure Zambrotta.

No stopping the Dutch

The dutch rested some of their key players but even then it was too much for Romania as they were eliminated from Euro 2008.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar helped the Dutch backups send Romania out of the European Championship on Tuesday with a 2-0 win, a result which allowed Italy to join the Dutch in the quarterfinals.


Huntelaar, the replacement for Ruud van Nistelrooy, killed off much of the suspense hanging over the game by tapping in a cross from Ibrahim Afellay in the 54th minute. Robin van Persie added the other in the 87th with a strong solo effort on left wing against a strangely listless Romania, playing its biggest game in eight years.

“This says a lot. This is not a ‘B’ team,” said Van Persie, one of the few regulars to play. “We have one group, 23 players. We are as good as equals.”

“It was considered by far the toughest of the four groups. I am proud and happy we have won three games, nine points and scored nine goals,” Dutch coach Marco van Basten said. Read more!

Germany through | Croatia win yet again !

When Germany is in trouble it has always been Oliver Kahn who has been supporting them now there is no Oliver but there is yet another Captain who has been supporting them its Micheal Ballack. The German captain yesterday made it clear that the once favorites of the tournament still remain in contention for wining the cup.

Their big-time player came through against Austria, scoring on a thunderous second-half free kick Monday for a 1-0 win and a place in the quarterfinals of the European Championship.



Needing victory to edge its rival for a place in the next round, Austria created several chances in front of a sold-out crowd of 51,428 at Ernst Happel Stadium, but—as in its 1-0 loss to Croatia and 1-1 draw with Poland—could not convert them.

The lack of a world-class player to finish off moves was the main reason a spirited and energetic team failed to make it to the next round.

Croats on fire!

A Medical miracle has just happened as Klasnic became the first kidney transplant recipient to play at the European Championship on Monday. The 28-year-old striker connected in the 53rd minute when he swept in a left-footed shot from a cross by stand-in captain Danijel Pranjic.



“I’m proud to be a part of this team. “I hope my coach will think of me when we play the quarterfinals.”

Croatia won all three group games for the first time in three tournament appearances. Poland’s tournament ended with two losses and a draw. Read more!

Portugal defeated-Switzerland end as winners |Turkey through!

A Eight man rested Portugal team suffered a loss in the hands of the Jubiliated Switzerland squad yesterday. Portugal team without Cristiano Ronaldo or Deco looked like a good squad but it was too high to hope for a win.

Hakan Yakin scored twice Sunday to give Switzerland a 2-0 victory over Portugal, helping the co-host end its European Championship with a first-ever victory at the tournament.

“We should have actually replaced 11 (players) rather than eight,” Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. “We ran too many risks during this match. I made a mistake. I made a big mistake.”

“I was very happy, obviously, but it also was a bit of a downer,” Kuhn said. “We really deserved more in the first two matches and that would have been enough for us.”

But he was still proud of his team’s effort.

“They gave something to the fans,” he said. “I always say that’s the most important thing.”

Turkish delight!

The greatest match that the Euro 2008 has witnessed so far came lat night when Turkey defeated Czech Republic in a 3-2 format to register the greatest comebacks ever in the history of the game.

Petr Cech’s nightmarish fumble to allow Nihat Kahveci to score with four minutes left made a shootout likely. Turkey’s miracle was completed by Nihat two minutes later to leave Cech and his colleagues stunned.



"To loss such a game is foolish!" said the Czechs coach. They gave away 2 goals in last three minutes of the game.

Maybe things will quiet down in the quarterfinals as the possibility of a championship triumph looms closer into view and injects some nervous tension into the veins of the combatants.

Or maybe the extra pressure will produce even greater feats of skill and composure from this continent’s finest. Imagine that. Read more!

Spain defeat Sweden | Villa scores a last minute goal!

David villa has had two terrific matches in this tournament as he scored a Hat Trick in the first game and Now against the strong Swedish side he scored in the Injury time to go one goal ahead of sweden and win the match 2-1



Earlier in the match Star players of both teams Zlatan Ibhrahimovic and Fernando Torres scored ad the match was equally poised.

Torres, rumored to be unhappy with his early substitution in Spain’s 4-1 opening win over Russia, touched a diagonal pass into the area intended for Capdevila and Isaksson couldn’t stop the deflection.

On his goal, Ibrahimovic initially tried to volley Stoor’s cross from the right side. He regained control, swerved and scored with a low right-footed shot that Casillas got a hand on.

Spain were not given a penalty in the end of the second half but they wouldnt complain now as they won the match anyway.

Defending champion defeated

Greece’s four-year reign as European champion officially ended Saturday after a 1-0 loss to Russia eliminated the team from the tournament.

“Back in 2004, a miracle happened, but that happens maybe every 30 years,” said their German coach Otto Rehhagel. “Otherwise, if it happened every week, it wouldn’t be a miracle.”

The Greeks needed at least a draw to stay in contention in Group D, but Konstantin Zyryanov’s 33rd-minute goal, combined with Spain’s 2-1 win over Sweden, left the surprise 2004 champions with nothing to play for in their third and final match. The result also put Spain into the European Championship quarterfinals.

Zyryanov’s third international goal in 14 appearances came after Sergei Semak acrobatically sent a pass back across the net, with goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis chasing the loose ball.

Click here to see the picture galary

“They showed tonight that they know what a high-level, high-standard football is,” Russia coach Guus Hiddink said about his players, who lost to Spain 4-1 in their opener. “I’m very happy they reacted very fast.” Read more!

Netherlands defeat France | Shell shocked as the dutch defeat both W.C finalists

The Netherlands are shaping up to be the team to defeat in the Euro 2008 competiton as they defeated the World cup champions Italy in the first round and yesterday they defeated the World cup finalists France in a sounding 4-1 display

The Dutch the best counter atttacking team in the world were one step ahead of france in all departments of the game. Dutch recieved a furthur boost as their hero Arjen Robben resumed to field in the second half.

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The Dutch squad now joins Portugal and croatia in the quarter finals stage. Arjen Robben set up one goal and scored another against the French on Friday night, and Robin van Persie, Dirk Kuyt and Wesley Sneijder also scored.

VAn der sar pulled off some majestic saves and Coupet left some easy saves that made all the difference

France, which opened with a tie against Romania, would be eliminated along with the Italians if Romania defeats the Netherlands in its final first-round game.



“Really this hurts,” France coach Raymond Domenech said. “Our defense was always our strength. … We were unlucky at times. But they have quality and we were missing something.

Netherlands came to a formidable lead of 2-0 in the second half then suddenly Henry scored a awesome flicking goal and match gained some life but dontr expect anymore said the Dutch as Robben scored a goal within 1 minute from the henry goal.

So what can we expect can MArco bring back the 1988 glory to the orange team once again? WAIT AND WATCH!

Romania survives yet again

Romania kept France from winning in the first round with a goalless draw and now they have done it once again as they denied The world champions Italy 3 points with a 1-1 draw.

Italy could have lost the match unless their super goallie Gianluigi Buffon saved a late penalty kick from Daniel Niculae.

Click here to see the euro 2008 pic galary

By getting one point, Italy remained alive but is tied with France for third in Group C. If Romania beats the Netherlands on Tuesday, both Italy and France— who play the final night of the world cup would be eliminated.

“We’re creating more chances than at the World Cup,” Zambrotta said. “We’re more offensive, but we haven’t been able to score goals.” Read more!

Giant killer kill giants | France have a point to prove

May be Croatia is the team to look for in Euro 2008. They eliminated England in the qualifiers of the championships and now they defeated the tournament favorites Germany in their second match and became only the second team to qualify for the quarter finals.

Croatia defeated Germany 2-1 after a first half goal from Darijo Srna who trickled german goal keeper Jens Lehmann.



Later in the second half Croatia extended their lead by a second half goal from Ivica Olic. Few minutes later German forward Lukas Podolski gave some hope to his team but at the end it was too far for them to win.


Germany was reduced to 10 men in injury time when Bastian Schweinsteiger was given a red card for pushing Croatia substitute Jerko Leko to the ground.

The Germans, meanwhile, never found their pace and looked out of ideas against a crafty Croatian team that often changed the pace of the game.

Austria held to a draw

Poland were held to a draw by Co-hosts Austria after a late penalty gave austria a priceless draw.

Brazilian-born playmaker Roger Guerreiro gave Poland the lead by tapping in a 30th-minute cross from Marek Saganowski for his first international goal since he received Polish citizenship in April.

Austria dominated early, with a 7-1 edge in shots, but Boruc was impenetrable. The co-hosts lost that momentum after Roger put in a short shot.

Roger had only been a substitute in Poland’s opening defeat to Germany, but earned a starting place Thursday after a second-half appearance in which he livened up Poland’s previously moribund attack.

The goal temporarily silenced the previously deafening Austrian fans in a sold-out crowd of 51,428 and lifted Poland’s players.

But the Austrians benefited from the late call to gain the tie—and many complaints from Leo Beenhakker, Poland’s coach.


“With referees I have never had any problem and have never been suspended, but this is something I really, really cannot understand,” Beenhakker said. “There was someone pushing, I suppose. Well, you tell me.

“If you lose a game and it goes to the other guys and they score two goals, it’s tough, but you can expect it. But sometimes you don’t get what you deserve,” Beenhakker said. “This hurts a lot more than the first match.” Read more!

Portugal qualifies for quarters| Turkey stunn swiss

Portugal became the first team to qualify for the Quarterfinals of Euro 2008 as they defeated czech republic 3-1 in their second match.



“We are among the best eight squads in Europe,” Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. “Of course, we want more than that.”

At the end of the first half the match was equally poised at 1-1. Scolari said "I was unhappy with that"

After a brilliant save from Cech the ball deflected and went straight to Deco who scored the first goal.

Ronaldo’s first goal for Portugal since October was the winner. It came in the 63rd minute off a brilliant pass by playmaker Deco, who scored Portugal’s first goal. Substitute Ricardo Quaresma clinched it in injury time off a pass from Ronaldo.

Scolari was impressed with the work of Deco.

“Deco has been having some great games with the national team and also is in an excellent moment physically,” Scolari said. “This is the Deco that I want. Nobody tries as hard as Deco. He makes mistakes because he tries more. I hope he keeps making the mistakes he did today, because then he will keep doing what he did today.”

Czechs were confident of making it to the next stage said their coach.

Swiss stunned

Turkey coach Fatih Terim’s calls for heavenly help were answered when the rains let up. His squad took care of the rest.

Arda Turan scored in injury time Wednesday to give Turkey a 2-1 win over Switzerland that eliminated the co-hosts from the European Championship.

Turan scored in the second minute of injury time, sending a right-footed shot from outside the area that deflected in off Switzerland defender Patrick Mueller. That capped a comeback that began after the torrential downpour of the first half stopped.


“I did wish for rain to stop. I did pray to God for that,” said Terim, who first thought the rain would help his team. “We couldn’t predict mud in the middle of the summer.”

Substitute Semih Senturk also scored for Turkey, heading in a cross in the 57th minute. Hakan Yakin had given Switzerland the lead during the heaviest rain in the 32nd.

“It’s not easy to come back from a goal down at the European Championship, considering we hit the woodwork once,” Terim said. “But we fought a lot in the second half and we created many opportunities.”

Switzerland became only the second European Championship host eliminated before the final four. Euro 2000 co-host Belgium also failed to get through the group stage. Read more!