Euro 2008: Previews for the rest of the Quarters

We'll try and stuff all the previews for the weekend into this post. Suffice to say, it's all looking quite tasty...










Friday:
What: Euro 2008 Quarter-Final
Who: Croatia (1st Group B, 9/9pts) vs Turkey (2nd Group A, 6/9pts)
When: Friday 20 June 2008, 20:45 CET
Where: Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna, Austria
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)
U.S. TV: 2:45pm EDT, ESPN
Preview
Bilic revels in growing stature as Turkey face biggest test
Terim vows to go on attack despite injuries
Bilic welcomes intensity of quarter-finals

Saturday:
What: Euro 2008 Quarter-Final
Who: Netherlands vs Russia
Where: St. Jakob Park, Basel, Switzerland
U.S. TV: 2:45pm EDT, ABC
Van Persie Dreams of Silver Lining
Boulahrouz returns to training after losing daughter
Tactical Preview
Dutchmen Hiddink and Van Basten Lock Horns

Sunday:
What: Euro 2008 Quarter-Final
Who: Spain vs Italy
Where: Ernst Hoppel Stadium, Vienna, Austria
U.S. TV: 2:45pm EDT, ESPN
Spain aiming to shake off underachievers tag
Tension between Aragones and Ramos
Four in a row no problem for Panucci

Bocanegra To Rennes So Traore Back To Pompey

French club Rennes have signed American defender Carlos Bocanegra on a free transfer after he was released by Fulham last month.





Boca's new stomping grounds...

Hiddink rekindles the dormant spirit of Russian total football

Russia's thrilling commitment to fluidity represents a return to the fundamentals of their own footballing heritage.

Adebayor's Triumphant Return to Togo

Togo and Arsenal star Emmanuel Adebayor has just been on a "tour of hope" across West Africa to his homeland, where he was presented with the BBC African Footballer of the Year award for 2007. The BBC's Farayi Mungazi travelled with him.

Fans call for Dunga's head as Brazil stutter in World Cup qualifiers

"A campaign of shame", read the headline on the front page of Rio's O Globo.

The Mill +

Friday's Rumours



+

Euro 2008 Quarter Final: Portugal 2 - 3 Germany

Portugal looked like they didn't know what hit them after two clinical first-half goals from the Germans. The usual swagger was missing from Big Phil's side and their technical skills were poor. The Germans were a lot bigger, and a lot better. And Ronaldo cried a lot...

Richard Jolly:
Playmakers Portugal Put to the Sword

Scolari fumes as push topples Portugal
One Chelsea player fouls another to push coach from international stage


Bastian gets cozy with Mum & Girlfriend...


Duncan Castles:
German might outdoes Portuguese sleight

David Hytner:
Deco's art dazzles but Germany prevail after Schweinsteiger's masterpiece

Martin Rogers:
Ronaldo Hurt Portugal: Guilty or Not Guilty?

So sad...

On Second Thoughts: Rivaldo

He is in danger of being remembered as a cheat, but Brazil's leggy genius was the most unstoppable footballer since Maradona.

Shaka Hislop Column

Call ups drain players, and interest, from MLS

If the league was formed to help the national team, why doesn't it break when there is an international?

Champagne Moments of Euro 2008

The group stage of Euro 2008 has produced as many great moments as any football tournament in recent history.

Tunnel Trouble For Vieira & Van Nistelrooy

Vieira and Patrice Evra were reportedly caught on camera exchanging heated words in the tunnel at Stade de Suisse (see video) after the 4-1 trouncing, the latter having to be restrained by compatriot Jean-Alain Boumsong. But most intriguing are the claims that Vieira almost came to blows with Holland striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who supposedly leaped at the opportunity to rub some salt into still-fresh wounds.

Euro 2008 Quarterfinal Preview: Portugal vs. Germany

What: European Championships, Quarter Final
Who: Portugal vs Germany
When: Thursday 19 June 2008, 20:45 CET
Where: St. Jakob Park, Basel
Referee: Peter Fröjdfeldt (Swe)
U.S. TV: ESPN, 2:45pm EDT
Preview
Unlikely ban for mild man of German football
Petit stokes Portugal's attacking fire
Keys to Victory: Germany/Portugal
Scolari keeps faith with winning formula
BBC Preview

Raphael Honigstein: Eight years after their last meeting, Portugal stand to inflict a most un-German exit on Joachim Löw's side

Pros and Cons of Euro 2008 Quarterfinalists

Martin Rogers:

Only seven matches are left to crown the champion of Europe now that the field has been whittled down from 16 to eight teams.

The group stage produced a series of superb matches and some shining lights, but now it all starts again for those still holding dreams of Euro 2008 glory.

Below are the keys for each quarterfinalist to go all the way and lift the trophy – and the pitfalls that could ruin the chances of overall success.

Euro 2008 Winter's Word: Team of the tournment - so far

A tournament so good that Michel Platini describes it as "sizzling", Euro 2008 produced a multitude of terrific individual displays in the just-concluded group stage which deserve the formation of a Dream Team XI.

John Arne Riise leaves Liverpool for AS Roma

John Arne Riise's seven seasons with Liverpool are over.






Riise gets naked and goes down to the water's edge to reflect on his years at Anfield...

Dutch Stars Have Stolen the Euro Show

Those who have followed Euro 2008 on television may be surprised by some of the choices in our list of the top 30 players of the group stages. Some players on the list have hardly been mentioned by commentators focused on the ball. We prefer to look at a player’s overall body of work. The best thing about having the privilege to be at the tournament is the opportunity to witness the thought processes and movement away from the ball that makes Europe’s top players special.

The Mill + ++

Thursday's Rumours

+

++

Cassano is a Weird Dude

We've known for a while that this guy is a bit odd.

Showing up to Real Madrid looking like Liberace, taking his clothes off every chance he gets, and freaking out during matches are some of his more memorable moments.

Here are some shots of him working on his nails during training.

And sticking his fingers in Gattuso's mouth...

Arshavin already cashing in on his success

Arshavin’s stock is soaring now after his latest display of talent in Wednesday’s decisive 2-0 victory over Sweden, a win that booked Russia’s place in the last eight of Euro 2008. A series of outstanding performances for club and country has made him one of the most sought-after players in Europe this summer, but it would be no surprise at all if he went nowhere and remained with Zenit, a club which barely registered a blip on the European landscape until last season.

Dunga jeered as Brazil held by Argentina

Brazil 0 - 0 Argentina

The crowd lost patience with Dunga in the second half, chanting "Goodbye Dunga" at one point and "Donkey, donkey" when he replaced Adriano with Luis Fabiano.



Not happy days for Dunga...

Euro 2008: Thursday's Reports

Russia 2 - 0 Sweden
Report
Swedish press lambastes 'ugly, cowardly' team
Sweden must rebuild after old boys bow out


Spain 2 - 1 Greece
Report
Alonso stakes his claim, while Fabregas remains in the shadows


Hiddink has Russia ready for Dutch oven...

Euro 2008 Wednesday Previews: Greece-Spain and Sweden-Russia

What: Euro 2008 Group D,
Matchday 3
Who: Greece v Spain
When: 20:45 CET - Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Where: Salzburg, Austria
Referee: Howard Webb (England)
U.S. TV: ESPN, 2:45 EDT
Preview
Aragones all set to ring the changes



The men of Stockholm...trying not to to alienate our female fan base with all these babes everywhere...



What: Euro 2008 Group D, Matchday 3
Who: Russia (3rd, 3/6pts) vs Sweden (2nd, 3/6pts)
When: Wednesday 18 June 2008, 20:45 CET
Where: Tivoli-Neu Stadion, Innsbruck, Austria
Referee: Frank de Bleeckere (BEL)
U.S. TV: ESPN2, 2:45 EDT
Preview
Russians take over the Tyrol
Hiddink to play his trump card Arshavin

The Mill +

Wednesday's Rumours


+

Sid Lowe in Spain

After 88 years without a competitive win over Italy, Spain are already panicking about Sunday's quarter-final.

World Cup 2010 Qualifying: Brazil v Argentina

Brazil will be looking to get their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track when they face arch-rivals Argentina.



Marcela Mora y Araujo in Argentina:
Basile has plenty to prove in South American super-clasico.

Babes of Euro 2008

Yes, shocking, I know. Fox actually has a slideshow entitled, "Babes of Euro 2008." And here it is.





Alena Seredova, wife of Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Tiny Swiss brewer plans own Euro 2008 giant-killing

A tiny local brewer in the Swiss city of Basel has set itself up as a David taking on the Goliath of official Euro 2008 beer provider Carlsberg and says it has seen a huge jump in sales as a result.






Tasty...

French Trio Announce International Retirement

France veterans Lilian Thuram, Claude Makelele and Willy Sagnol have called time on their international careers following their side’s disappointing exit from EURO 2008…

Euro 2008: Wednesday Reports

France 0 - 2 Italy
Report
Les Bleus on the scrap heap
Different Countries, Different Dreams
Paul Doyle: Raymond Domenech's negative tactics against Italy should be his last act as French manager

Netherlands 2 - 0 Romania
Report
Romania return home thinking what might have been
Contra: Mutu's miss doomed us


You don't know what you're doing, you don't know what you're doing...

Euro 2008 Tuesday Previews: GROUP OF DEATH

Conspiracy theories abound as the Group of Death enters Matchday 3 with loads of intriguing fare...

What: European Championships, Group C
Who: Italy (3rd, 1pt) vs France (4th, 1pt)
When: Tuesday 17 June 2008, 20:45 CET
Where: Letzigrund Stadion, Zürich
U.S. TV: ESPN, 2:45 EDT
Preview
Giant Vieira model adds to glum Zurich mood
France/Italy - The Rivalry
Kevin McCarra: Italy and France torn between old and new
Faltering French look their age
David Pleat's Key Clashes


She won't be playing either...


What: European Championship last 16 group C, Matchday 3
Who: Netherlands vs. Romania
When: Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 20:45 CET
Where: “De Suisse”, Wankdorf, Bern, Switzerland
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)
U.S. TV: ESPN Classic, 2:45 EDT
Preview
Satan has Romania thriving
France and Italy fear Van Basten plan
RVN and Dutch playing against type
Van Basten the man to cure Dutch disease

The Mill +

Tuesday's Rumours


+

Dunga promises big improvement against Argentina

Brazil coach Dunga, whose side lost 2-0 to Paraguay in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier, has promised a big improvement from his team when they face Argentina on Wednesday. Dunga was criticised for his team’s negative approach and the players for their performances in Asuncion, where Brazil were soundly beaten despite facing ten men for much of the second half.



Bono?

Quotes of the Week

"Koller was literally, literally, right up his backside there."
Andy Townsend commenting on Jan Koller's positioning in the Turkish penalty box.

"Magnus Hedman - another man familiar with these shores."
Steve Rider before Spain v Sweden, forgetting Switzerland and Austria are landlocked.

"I am not superstitious. It brings bad luck."
French coach Raymond Domenech at a press conference before Holland-France.

"We know France are going to have to score if they are going to win this game."
Bolo Zenden on France v Romania.

All the Fun

Left Back Remains a U.S. Trouble Spot

Here's a partial list of U.S. left backs of the past 10 years:

Jeff Agoos, Chris Albright, Wade Barrett, Gregg Berhalter, Carlos Bocanegra, Jonathan Bornstein, Dan Califf, Bobby Convey, Ramiro Corrales, Todd Dunivant, Frankie Hejduk, Cory Gibbs, Eddie Lewis, John O'Brien, Pearce, Regis, Ryan Suarez, Jonathan Spector and Greg Vanney.

Wright-Phillips and Dyer charged with burglary

Southampton pair Nathan Dyer and Bradley Wright-Phillips have been charged with burglary after items were allegedly stolen from a nightclub staff room, police have said.


An earlier article.




Scene of the crime...

Richard Jolly: No defending the defenders

There are, too, a plethora of entertaining offensive left-backs, but the defending, even from teams renowned for their expertise without the ball, appears to have deteriorated.

Euro 2008: Monday Reports

Germany advance to face Portugal thanks to Ballack's free-kick blast while Poland end their 2008 campaign wondering what if...


Austria 0 - 1 Germany
Report
Ballack delights in victory after Austrian attack
Ballack has the shoulders to bear his country's hopes
The Kick (video)


Croatia 1 - 0 Poland
Report
Below par Poles depart ruing missed chance



Yikes...

Bellamy 'beat up charity worker'

More class from Craig...

SOCCER bad boy Craig Bellamy faces fresh shame after it was claimed he attacked a charity worker in Africa.

Shocked witnesses said the striker went into a rage after losing money in a casino following an all-day drinking session.

THE Sierra Leone incident is the latest in a string involving short-fused Craig Bellamy.

FEBRUARY 2007: Bellamy attacked his then Liverpool team-mate John Arne Riise with a golf club because the Norwegian refused to take part in a karaoke contest.

NOVEMBER 2006: He was cleared of assaulting two women in a Cardiff nightclub.

MARCH 2004: The then Newcastle player brawled with assistant manager John Carver and hurled a chair at him.

JULY 2003: Bellamy was charged with racially-aggravated harassment outside a Cardiff nightclub but later acquitted.

SEPTEMBER 2002: He was found guilty by video evidence of butting an opponent while playing for Newcastle.

FEBRUARY 2002: He received a caution for hitting a woman in a nightclub.

Euro 2008 Previews: Austria-Germany and Poland-Croatia

What: European Championships, Group B
Who: Austria vs Germany
When: Monday 16 June 2008, 20:25 CET
Where: Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna
Referee: Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez (SPA)
U.S. TV: ESPN, 2:45 EDT
Preview
Austria: We are not wetting our pants because we are playing Germany
Uli on Germany

What: Euro 2008 Group B
Who: Poland (4th, 1 point) v Croatia (1st, 6 points)
When: Monday, June 16th, Kick-off 20:45 CET
Where: Worthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt
Referee: Kyros Vassaras (Greece)
U.S. TV: ESPN Classic, 2:45 EDT
Preview
Blossoming of Bilic puts spirited Croatia on fast track to success

Not Austria, apparently...

2008-2009 Premier League Fixtures Released

It all kicks off August 16.
Full List






Different premier league...

The Mill + ++

Monday's Rumours

+

++

Bad day for Brazil, Argentina in qualifiers

Brazil lost 2-0 to 10-man Paraguay and Argentina needed a stoppage-time equaliser to hold Ecuador 1-1 at home in South American World Cup qualifiers on Sunday.

Tim Vickery's Take:
Brazil Bitterly Disappointing


Paraguayan celebration...

US overwhelms Barbados in qualifying opener

The United States scored early and it scored late. The Americans got five goals with their feet, one with a header, one with a chest and another when an opponent put the ball into his own net.


Jeff Carlisle's Column

Cha-Ching! Scolari takes the money and runs

No nonsensical blather from this straight-shooting Gene Hackman lookalike. In a brutally honest Q&A session, Big Phil admitted the big bucks of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich are the attraction of Stamford Bridge.

“Yes, that’s one of the reasons,” Scolari said. “Yes, absolutely.”

Turks add to Euros’ magical moments

Thanks to a combination of error, farce and brilliance, Turkey’s incredible revival in Sunday’s 3-2 win over the Czech Republic was the latest memorable moment at a tournament that burst into life with Holland’s superb display against Italy on Day 3 and has not stopped dishing out entertainment ever since.

Euro 2008: Weekend Reports

Czech Republic 2 - 3 Turkey
Late drama seals Turkish delight
Cech's calamity brings Turkish delight
Czechs leave baffled at how they threw it all away

Switzerland 2 - 0 Portugal
Yakin double leaves Scolari red-faced
Scolari admits selection mistakes

Greece 0 - 1 Russia
Cagey Greeks go home
Hiddink happy with spirit

Sweden 1 - 2 Spain
Late Villa goal wins it
Bitter defeat for Swedes