All Euro 2008 Results and Analysis

[TNT]

[Radima]

[A-Cube]

[Genesis]

Italy will suffer against Spain... suffer a lot.

That's not a display of a team that won the world cup two years ago and
certainly not of a one to win this tournament... certainly not when they're
hammered 3-0 by the dutch and escaped defeat against Romania.

It wasn't the display of France that I thought would be of a higher level.
I'm very impressed with Benzema! The kid never stopped running but to
stick one blue shirt (Henry) between 6 white shirts in the italian penalty with
a cheetah of a goalkeeper is very wrong. I understand they were without
Ribery and a player down, but that coach's gotta go. Something is wrong
in that dressing room.

I'm sorry to say that neither teams are worthy of the tournament cup.
The dutch might take it. My money is on a Netherland vs Portugal final
unless Germany become the efficient unit that gets the job done as it once
was or Italy wakes up for its tomato-sauce-fest and improve drastically
and remain consistent.

I'm happy how games are having goals though: there have been
comebacks, fighting back, and good goals as well. Not boring tactical 1-0
wins. It's been a joy to watch. It's been a while since I enjoyed watching
football like that.

[TranceFusion]

[Genesis]

[samlbronkowitz]

ANOTHER MIRACLE AND TURKIYE WILL SMASH THE CROATS!!!! should be a blast to watch.

GO DEUTSCHLAND! i'd love to see Ronaldo cry!!!!

[M&R]

[Genesis]

[M&R]

[rob]

[AMADEUS]

[Housezone]

[A-Cube]

[TranceFusion]

Russia 2-0 Sweden
Pavlyuchenko 24'
Arshavin 50'

What a game by the Russians. Guus Hiddink proves once again that he's one of the best coaches in this world! The Dutch coach took Holland to the semi-finals of Euro 1996 and World Cup 1998, South Korea to the semi-final of World Cup 2002 and Australia to the second round of World Cup 2008. And guess what?! He does it again with Russia! "The Magician" as he was nicknamed in Korea (i think) has brought discipline to a team of talents but that lacked the tactical touch. And just like i expected, the athletic but old Swedish defenders had a lot of trouble with the young and fast Russian strikers. Arshavin, back after a 2 games suspension (because of a stupid move in the last qualifier game vs Andora), showed how much the team needs him. He brought a lot of stability and power to his teammates. He gave so much during the game that at the end he got very tired. The fast, tall and tough Pavlyuchenko associated with the shorter, technical and also fast player Arshavin is a beautiful pair of strikers!
As for the Swedes? They disappointed me. Their style hasn't changed since Euro 2000 and many players have grown old. Time to give a chance to the younger ones like Kallstrom, Rosenberg and Elmander, and open the doors to the younger Viking talents. Sweden has always been a dangerous and strong team but something has always been missing, something that can take them to the final victory. Lars Lagerback, coaching the national team since 1998 and supposed to stay till the World Cup 2010 has a lot of work ahead of him because the qualifiers for this WC start in September. Henrik Larsson doesn't have anymore the impact he used to have before, Ljungberg also stopped shining because of migraines and injuries.
The Russians got simply Hiddink'ed!

------------------------------------------

Greece 1-2 Spain
Charisteas 42'
----------------
De La Red 61'
Guiza 88'

The Spaniards managed to beat the Greeks with a "B" squad. The finish the group phase with the 3 victories.


GROUP D - Standings
1- Spain: 9 points, +5
2- Russia: 6 points, 0
3- Sweden: 3 points, -1
4- Greece: 0 point, -4

--------------------------------

QUARTER FINALS
Thursday 19 June
Portugal - Germany @ 9h45pm

Friday 20 June
Croatia - Turkey @ 9h45pm

Saturday 21 June
Holland - Russia @ 9h45pm

Sunday 22 June
Spain - Italy @ 9h45pm


TIME FOR THE SERIOUS STUFF!!!