Euro 2008

The quadrennial European football championship kicks off today with no involvement from a team from the British Isles. Both Irelands, Scotland, Wales, and England all failed to qualify. However, players based in the Premier League will be representing most countries - and, no doubt, many of this summer’s stars will probably end up in the premiership next season.

Sixteen countries are taking part in this summer’s finals, including the two co-hosts, Austria and Switzerland, and the defending champions, Greece. The pre-tournament favourite (with the bookmakers) is Germany. Spain, Italy and France are the other three countries backed to make the final. Cristiano Ronaldo, of Portugal and Manchester United, and Fernando Torres, of Spain and Liverpool, are the joint favourites to be top scorers.

Personally, I would like The Netherlands to win. However, their qualification campaign never really got firing and they qualified just ahead of Bulgaria - but behind Romania (another team in their group). Holland’s chances are also weakened as they have Italy (world cup winners) and France (world cup runners-up) in their group. Group C has therefore been dubbed the “Group of Death”.

As a Liverpool supporter, I obviously would like to see our players have a good championship - and avoid injury. Four Liverpool players are in the Spanish squad, though Alonso does look set to leave this summer. Liverpool’s and Holland’s Ryan Babel picked up an injury before the tournament started and will be out for at least five weeks. It will also be interesting to see new boy, Philipp Degen (of Switzerland), in action.

There has been some press and commentary that host nations should be made to qualify. After-all, defending champions, Greece were made to qualify. However, I do think it is correct that the hosts should be in the competition. What is the problem is that Euro 2008 has two hosts, both of whom are fairly weak footballing nations. The same issue will cloud Euro 2012 when Poland and Ukraine are co-hosts. Though, at least Poland are a strong side who qualified ahead of Portugal (a team considered by many as a strong candidate for winning the competition) and the Ukraine also has some decent footballing pedigree. Though they did struggle in a tough qualification group for these championships - finishing fourth behind Italy, France, and Scotland.

I predicted five of the teams that made the quarter-finals. However, the only group I got right was Group D. Though I did get the group Winner of A (Portugal) and C (Netherlands) correct too.

So here are my quarter-final stage predictions

I got two right (Germany and Spain). Croatia missed out by seconds from winning, and then lost on penalties. The Netherlands were tactically out-manoeuvred by the Russians but had their chances to score.

So without further ado, how do I see it now?

Turkey have too many injuries and suspensions to beat Germany. Plus with remarkable comebacks against Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Croatia, the fairytale will now end. Russia are stronger now than in the first game with Ignashevich and Arshavin, but may fall short in a toe-to-toe attack-minded game against the Spanish.
I then see Spain beating Germany in the final, as I have predicted all along (well I cannot change now!)

1. Switzerland 0 - 1 Czech Republic : My Match Report

   This was the opening game and took place in Basel. My obvious impression was that neither side really deserved to win and clear-cut chances were very few and far between. Switzerland can consider themselves unlucky as they were the better side throughout, but they lacked any penetration upfront. This was not helped by an injury to Alexander Frei just before half-time. Ironically, in the second half Switzerland played very well as a team but a lack of concentration at the back cost them a soft goal, and Vonlanthen hit the woodwork when he should have scored.

2. Portugal 2 - 0 Turkey: My Match Report

   Group A’s second game came from Geneva. The crowd was pretty lively for the game. Turkey played some nice football, but let themselves down with some bad dives and tackles. Ultimately, they were undone because they lacked the quality to create chances, whilst Portugal always had an extra gear. The Portuguese hit the woodwork three times on top of scoring two. How good their defence is remains to be seen against better opposition as Bosingwa, Pepe, and Ferreira all look a little suspect. Whilst Carvalho has never excelled at Chelsea when he’s had to lead the line and always looks more accomplished when Terry is alongside. However, all four are comfortable on the ball and going forward and Portugal may be the closest side to the traditional Dutch concept of ”Total Football”.

3. Czech Republic 1 - 3 Portugal : My Match Report

   Did not watch

4. Switzerland 1 - 2 Turkey : My Match Report

   This game was quite boring until the rain came down. Suddenly Switzerland gained the upper-hand, in conditions where the game could have been called off, and took the lead going into the break. They could have been 2 or 3 up. However, in the second half, after a 20 minute break, Turkey found their feet and gained control as the pitch started to dry. Their win was deserved and it sent the Swiss home - except they are already home as they are the co-host.

5. Switzerland 2 - 0 Portugal : My Match Report

   Did not watch

6. Turkey 3 - 2 Czech Republic : My Match Report

   After a dour first half where Turkey barely played any good football and the Czech’s played little better, the game picked up in the second half. The rain was falling which meant the pitch quickened up. And the Czech’s took a slightly controversial 2-0 lead when Turkey were down to ten men and trying to make a substitution. The Turks looked like they were heading home. However, a goal back from Arda gave them hope going into the last 15 minutes… but time was running out when Cech made a howler and the game looked set for penalties. Then in stoppage time, Turkey scored again. Sheer delirium. An astonishing comeback.

1. Austria 0 - 1 Croatia : My Match Report

   Austria looked like a team who believe their world ranking and no-hoper status early on and conceded a costly, and stupid, penalty. This proved to be the game’s only goal as Croatia lacked the killer edge and allowed Austria to muscle their way back into the game. For probably 60 minutes Austria dominated but could not turn their physical advantage into a goal.

2. Germany 2 - 0 Poland : My Match Report

   The German side looked very efficient going forward - despite Klose messing up an early opportunity. However, there are genuine question marks over their defence and the lack of protection offered by the midfield. However, Germany will probably not face too much of a test until the likely semi-final against Portugal, which means plenty of time to iron everything out. Poland lacked a cutting edge and did not look like a cohesive unit defensively either and it is hard to see them beating Croatia.

3. Croatia 2 - 1 Germany : My Match Report

   Did not watch

4. Austria 1 - 1 Poland : My Match Report

   Did not watch

5. Austria 0 - 1 Germany : My Match Report

   Did not watch

6. Poland 0 - 1 Croatia : My Match Report

   Did not watch

1. Romania 0 - 0 France : My Match Report

   Did not watch

2. Netherlands 3 - 0 Italy : My Match Report

   I managed to watch the first 70 minutes of this game and see Holland take a commanding 2 - 0 lead. Italy are missing Cannavaro (injury) and Nesta (retirement) from their world cup winning team and the defence looked shaky. On top of this they could not convert some decent chances. Holland's first goal was controversial but there could be no disputes over a sublime second. With Van Persie yet to reach fitness and Robben to return to the fold, the signs are promising for the Dutch.

3. Italy 1 - 1 Romania : My Match Report

   Did not watch

4. Netherlands 4 - 1 France : My Match Report

   Wow! What can I say? The Dutch scored three very good goals, the French scored one very good goal. The French could have had a penalty and Henry should have done better when he tried to lob Van der Sar. Van der Sar also made a couple of very good saves. The game could have gone either way in the second half. In the first half, the French appeared disinterested for the first 25 minutes and it took some good solo runs from Malouda and Ribery to get them going. It was the game’s most simple goal that gave Holland the lead. A headed goal by Kuyt from a corner kick. The French defence was looking the wrong way and put up no resistance.
   In the second half France should have equalised before the Dutch caught them on the counter. A sweeping move started by Van Nustelrooy’s drag back by the touch-line, carried on by Robben’s run, and finished with a Van Persie volley. France got one back thanks to a deft Henry touch, but Holland restored a 2-goal margin thanks to an exception Robben goal just a minute later. Sneijder’s exceptional shot in stoppage time completed the rout.

5. France 0 - 2 Italy : My Match Report

   Did not watch

6. Netherlands 2 - 0 Romania : My Match Report

   The Dutch rang the changes - Nine in all from the previous starting 11 - and still won! Virtually the whole squad has played and most have impressed. Despite missing a simple chance, Arjen Robben must be pleased with his contribution and must have a good chance of making the starting 11 for the quarter-final. Huntelaar provides excellent cover for Van Nistelrooy, and there’s good cover throughout the team. Romania just were not strong enough in attack.

1. Spain 4 - 1 Russia | My Match Report

   Did not watch

2. Greece 0 - 2 Sweden | My Match Report

   I saw the whole second half and bits of the first half. The first half was not inspiring and the second was not much better. Sweden were slightly more progressive but ultimately won through a fantastic strike by Ibrahimovich and a scrappy second a few minutes later. Greece were generally poor throughout and look set for a forgettable defence of their title.

3. Sweden 1 - 2 Spain | My Match Report

   After a lively start and a well-taken goal, Spain seemed to lose impetus and ideas against a physical Swedish team. However, Spain passed the ball better and probably just about edged the game to deserve the 92nd minute winner. However, Sweden did create chances themselves, but as the game wore on, the Swedes were worn out.

4. Greece 0 - 1 Russia | My Match Report

   Russia’s superior passing won them this match. However, their profligacy in-front of goal meant the scoreline certainly did not flatter. It also meant Greece always had a chance to equalise. Unfortunately, the Greeks were generally woeful and seemed to depend upon set pieces to conjure chances. Russia have to beat Sweden to progress and a lot may rest upon the returning Andrei Arshavin (who has been suspended for the opening two matches) to add the cutting edge.

5. Greece 1 - 2 Spain | My Match Report

   Did not watch

6. Russia 2 - 0 Sweden | My Match Report

   Inspired by the return of Arshavin, Russia outplayed Sweden and showed why they managed to qualify ahead of England. Russia are far from perfect at the back, but the Swedes struggled to create openings - apart from a Larsson header onto the bar. However, even though Sweden could have equalised at that moment, Russia also hit the woodwork a couple of times during the match. This was a very dominant display by the team with the youngest average squad age against the team with the oldest average squad age in the tournament. And the game clearly showed it was a tournament too far for Sweden’s men… the question to be seen is: It is a tournament too early for Russia’s boys?

1. Portugal 2 - 3 Germany | My Match Report

   Did not watch

2. Croatia 1 - 1 Turkey (1-3 pens) | My Match Report

   This was a rather boring match during the normal 90 minutes. Turkey only bothering to change their tactics after 75 minutes. It was 0-0 and went into extra time. It seemed as if the Croatia side had earned a well-deserved 1-0 victory when they scored a minute before the end of extra time. However, Turkey equalised through a long-ball from the goalkeeper into the box. It was another dramatic turnaround for the Turks and they beat a demoralised Croatia 3-1 on penalties. Two Croatian penalties were missed and one was saved. Turkey scored all of their three.

3. Netherlands 1 - 3 Russia | My Match Report

   The Netherlands became the third group winner to go out. Having rested most of the team in the final group game, it seemed as if the players were sluggish throughout and never got going. Holland’s best chances all came from free kicks and they failed to convert two very good opportunities in the first half. However, Russia played extremely well as a team and at times carved the Dutch defence open. Russia took the lead early in the second half and looked good to win the game until they conceded from a free kick with five minutes left.
   In extra time only one team were making the running, and the Russians deserved their win - especially the excellent Arshavin. Hiddink’s team played to their strengths (passing and going forward) and forced the issue - never allowing the Dutch time and space to exploit potentially poor defenders and a goalkeeper who looks fallible.

4. Spain 0 - 0 Italy | My Match Report

   Another quarter-final that was determined on penalties, with Spain emerging victorious in the shoot-out. Italy generally aimed to stifle the game. They lacked creativity in midfield, and in Luca Toni had a striker showing no ability to score. Whilst Spain generally were the more adventurous they struggled to break through the Italian defence - perhaps due to a lack of width. They tried to address this in the second half as Torres moved out wide, but with him there - who was in the box?
   The Spanish deserved the victory, but will need to step up a gear to emerge victorious. The main positive was that the defence coped well. However, Italy barely tested it. When called upon Casillas made his saves, caught his balls, and stopped a very good Camoranesi chance with his foot. He then saved twice in a 4-2 penalty win.

1. Germany 3 - 2 Turkey | My Match Report

   A captivating match as Germany played really badly - yet still won. Turkey were missing their two best outfield players, Nihat, to injury, and Arda, to suspension. They were also missing their top goalkeeper to suspension. Demirel’s “punch” may have been the ultimate knockout blow - as Rustu did not inspire confidence and conceded a couple of soft goals. Of course, Lehman was about as useful for the Germans, and with the immobile Metzelder and Mertesacker offering little protection in front, and Lahm offering even less on the left flank, he was even more exposed. Lehman must take some responsibility for both the Turkish goals.
   What it did mean was an eventful game with a last-minute German winner after Turkey had pulled back (yet again) a late equaliser. The result was harsh on the Turks. However, Turkey cannot really complain after their comebacks against Switzerland, Czech Republic, and Croatia. The Germans got lucky (as their woodwork was rattled during the match too) and will need to adjust their tactics to win the final.

2. Russia 0 - 3 Spain | My Match Report

   I only managed to catch the last 30 minutes of the game, after Spain went 1-0 up. From what I saw Spain looked very dominant and out-passed and out-classed the Russians. Fabregas played very well and set up two good goals, plus the defence looked quite solid. Russia looked as disjointed in this match as the Netherlands looked against Russia.

• Germany 0 - 1 Spain | My Match Report

  A mismatch in terms of physical and footballing stature. The giant Germans in both physique and history (3 World Cups, 3 Europeans) against the diminutive Spanish (only 1 European), turned out to be a contest between footballing skill against footballing nil. Whilst the Germans started on the front foot in both halves, they lacked the ability to create chances throughout. In contrast, the Spanish looked uneasy to start with but soon carved the German defence open on numerous occasions. Perhaps a bit more confidence from Iniesta and it could have all been over before the break. Instead Spain led only through a Torres goal. A goal which would prove to be the match winner despite numerous other chances fashioned through some excellent interchanges in the second half. Spain emerged as deserved winners.

 
Champions: Spain
 
Runners-Up: Germany
 
Top Goal Scorer: David Villa (4)
 

• Official UEFA Web Page
• Wikipedia page on Euro 2008
• Euro 2008 travel advice