Euro 2008: Wednesday Reports

Czech Republic 1 - 3 Portugal
Report
Portugal's Team of Millions Show Their Worth
Deco Blossoming

Switzerland 1 - 2 Turkey
Report
The Swiss press react to their early exit


Sad Swiss...

Villarreal Not Loaning Altidore Out

Villarreal look set to go back on their original plan to loan out American forward Jozy Altidore next season and keep him at the club while he adapts to a new country and league.

Wednesday's Euro 2008 Previews: Switzerland-Turkey and Greece-Sweden

What: Euro 2008, Group A
Who: Czech Republic (2nd, 3pts), Portugal (1st, 3pts)
When: Tuesday, June 10 (1800 CET)
Where: Stade de Genève, Geneva
Referee: Kyros Vassaras
U.S. TV: ESPN2, 12:00 EDT
Preview
Portuguese Aim to Stand Tall

Ronaldo: Ready to Bust Out?

What: Euro 2008 Group A Matchday 2
Who: Switzerland (3rd, 0/3pts) vs Turkey (4th, 0/3pts)
When: Wednesday 11 June 2008 20:45 CET
Where: St. Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland
Referee: Ľuboš Micheľ (Slovakia)
U.S. TV: ESPN2, 2:45 EDT
Preview
Dominic Fifield: Two sides with a score to settle may produce an explosive match in Basle

The Battle of Instanbul

Euro 2008: Tuesday Reports

In the end, Spain had little trouble dispatching a Russian side that actually had a few chances and could have made it a very different match. David Villa was the hero with the first hat trick in the competition since Patrick Kluivert in 2000. Still, insecurity at the back must be a worry for Spain. In the other match, champions Greece began their campaign in a similar style to four year ago = assball. Thankfully the Swedes were able to break down the wall of non-play that Greece constructed and put them on their heels. Ibra broke his duck with a sensational blast to get them on their way to victory.

Spain 4 - 1 Russia
Spain Light Up the Alps
Phil Ball: Job Well Done

Sweden 2 - 0 Greece
Pedestrian Champions Fail to Spark
John Brewin's Match Report

Tuesday's Euro 2008 Previews: Spain-Russia and Greece-Sweden

What: Euro 2008 - Group D
Who: Spain v Russia
When: 18:00 CET - Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Where: Stadion Tivoli Neu, Innsbruck
U.S. TV: ESPN2, 12:00pm EDT
Preview
Hiddink relaxes in Putin's shadow


The infamous Swedish Bikini Team...sans bikinis


What: European Championship, Last 16, Group D
Who: Greece vs. Sweden
When: Tuesday, June 10, 2008, 20:45 CET
Where: Wals-Siezenheim, Austria
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)
U.S. TV: ESPN2, 2:45 EDT
Preview
Confident Swedes ready to challenge champions

Euro 2008: Poles revel in English-style football-watching

While there has been a considerable exporting of Polish manpower to the United Kingdom in recent years, the links between the 2 countries have not been all one way. And one of the things that has gone to Poland in return, to be taken up with immense enthusiasm, has been British football culture.

Tim Vickery in South America

It's 10 days and counting to the biggest game in international football with Brazil and Argentina set to meet on 18 June in the sixth round of South America's World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Mill + ++

Tuesday's Rumours

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Ramsey swayed by Wenger appeal

Arsène Wenger's record in developing young talent looks like being the decisive factor in Aaron Ramsey's destination for next season.

Euro 2008: Monday Reports

A tale of two matches yesterday: A dull affair in Zurich where the French and Romanians failed to play much positive soccer was followed by a scintillating contest in Bern. The Dutch got off the mark on a controversial goal by RVN, but in reality were always more than a step ahead of the lethargic Italians. How a midfield led by Milan players who were poor all season can be expected to suddenly take it up a notch is beyond me. Pirlo and Gattuso looked as out of sorts as they have been for months. Donadoni needs to rethink things or the Italians could face a quick exit. Meanwhile, Van Basten's men put on a show to remember, with a total football display that was a pleasure to behold.

Holland 3 - 0 Italy
Kevin McCarra's Match Report
Pirlo blasts Donadoni's Tactics
Dutch Delight Brings the Tournament to Life
Offside: The Can of Worms is Wide Open

Romania 0 -0 France
Bore Draw in Zurich
France Sans Zidane Need a New Attacking Vision

Portugal's free spirits are serious contenders

Alan Smith: There was plenty about Portugal's winning performance against Turkey on Saturday night to suggest Luiz Felipe Scolari has once again fashioned a unit who can make a real impression, maybe go one better than four years ago.

Monday's Euro 2008 Previews: Romania-France and Holland-Italy

What: European Championships, Group C
Who: Romania vs. France
When: Monday 9 June, 18:00 CET
Where: Letzigrund Stadion, Zürich
Referee: Manuel Mejuto González (Spain)
U.S. TV: ESPN2, 12:00pm EDT
Preview


What: European Championships, Group C
Who: Holland vs Italy
When: Monday 9 June 2008, 20:45 CET
Where: Stade de Suisse, Berne
Referee: Peter Frojfeldt (SWE)
U.S. TV: ESPN, 2:45 EDT
Preview

The Mill + ++

Monday's Rumours

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German Fans Arrested For Shouting Nazi Slogans

Over 140 German fans were arrested on Sunday evening in Klagenfurt amid an outbreak of racial offences ahead of Germany’s opening EURO clash with Poland…

Euro 2008's Group C Will Set Pulses Racing

Henry Winter on the Group of Death

Martin Rogers on how to survive the Group of Death

Calcio Debate: Italy All-Time Best XI

As Italy prepare to play Holland in their first game of Euro 2008, as part of all the fever, Carlo Garganese offers his all-time Azzurri XI...

4) Gaetano Scirea (1975-86) – Caps 78 Goals 2
Probably the best natural sweeper to have played the game after Franz Beckenbauer, Scirea was class personified. Another member of the outstanding Juventus backline with Zoff, Gentile and Antonio Cabrini, Scirea was the organiser and the brains of this unit for both club-and-country. He was often the instigator of Italy’s attacks, bursting forward to add an extra man, just as he did in creating Marco Tardelli’s second goal in the 1982 World Cup final against West Germany. Like Facchetti, Scirea was renowned for his fair play and sportsmanship, and he was never sent off or suspended during his entire career. Shortly after retiring he was tragically killed in a car crash in 1989.

Euro 2008: Weekend Reports

Both host nations played quite well but ended up with no points. Germany cruised with two goals from Polish-born Podolski, Portugal had little trouble with a surprisingly poor Turkish side and the Czech Republic failed to impress in their 1-0 win over Switzerland.

Austria 0 - 1 Croatia
Uninspired Croatia sneaks win

Germany 2 - 0 Poland
Poles can't beat Germans


Portugal 2 - 0 Turkey
Disappointing Turks

Switzerland 0 - Czech Republic 1
Weak performance just enough for Czechs

After that opening ceremony, include me out

Martin Kelner:
Football Focus's cake-and-chocolate extravaganza did nothing to whet the appetite for Euro 2008

International Friendly: USA 0 - 0 Argentina

A week before big World Cup qualifying matches for both squads, the USA and Argentina warm up with a spirited 0-0 tie in the swamps of New Jersey.

Ives: U.S. Rises to the Occasion

Wenger On Grant, Fergie And Decisions

Arsenal manager Arsené Wenger has revealed his surprise at Chelsea’s treatment of ex-manager Avram Grant, and insisted that the Israeli is no worse a manager as a result of Chelsea’s Champions League defeat. He went on to laud rival Sir Alex Ferguson as well as express his views on key decisions turning matches.