Euro 2008 - Euro Power Rankings
June 24, 2008
Spain and Germany will contest the final of Euro 2008, but which side goes into the game on top of our Euro Power Rankings?
(Previous ranking in brackets)
1. Spain (3)
Spain really turned on the style in their semi-final victory over Russia, and will go into the final backed by neutrals everywhere. Their slick passing football is a joy to watch, but their unquestionably talented players will have to hold their nerve if they are to secure only a second major championship in their history.
2. Germany (1)
Joachim Loew’s men were second best for the vast majority of their semi-final against Turkey, but managed to stumble into the final thanks to Philipp Lahm’s late strike. They have yet to really convince in this tournament, but the fact that they are in the final is testament to their extraordinary resilience.
3. Turkey (4)
The quality of their performance against Germany, with a squad of just 14, proved that they were more than worthy of a place in the last four, after critics had suggested that their run to the semi-finals owed more to luck than anything else. Turkey’s contribution to the tournament will live long in the memory.
4. Russia (2)
Guus Hiddink’s side thrilled in the 3-1 quarter-final victory over the Netherlands but were distinctly average in the semi-final defeat to Spain. Players like Andrei Arshavin and flying full-back Yuri Zhirkov really caught the eye, but after all the excitement the fact remains that they really impressed in only two matches.
5. Netherlands (5)
Good lord, how did we not see this one coming? Marco van Basten’s men went from majestic to mediocre as Russia ran them ragged. 150,000 orange-clad fans in Basel saw yet another major championship end in heartache, although at least they didn’t lose on penalties this time.
6. Croatia (6)
Slaven Bilic’s men won over neutrals everywhere with their incisive passing style, but having been a minute away from the last four they lost their nerve completely when their quarter-final with Turkey went to penalties. England fans will surely sympathise.
7. Portugal (7)
Terrible defensive errors cost them dearly against a far from vintage Germany side, while the anonymous performance of Cristiano Ronaldo suggested that he might just have to wait for that Ballon d’Or.
8. Italy (8)
Did what they do best for 120 minutes against Spain before allowing a team with an awful record at penalty shootouts to beat them. A run to the quarter-finals is hardly a disgraceful performance (unlike that of, say, France) but the style of football employed by Roberto Donadoni has won the Azzurri few friends.
9. Czech Republic (9)
Took part in the best game of Euro 2004, beating the Netherlands 3-2. Their 3-2 defeat to Turkey will take some beating this time around, but the Czechs are on their way home after a dramatic collapse in Geneva.
10. Romania (10)
Sorry to say it, but Romania blew it when they had the Group of Death at their mercy. Adrian Mutu’s penalty miss against Italy turned out to prove decisive as they failed to cut it against a Dutch reserve side.
11. Switzerland (11)
Performed admirably in their 2-0 win over an admittedly weakened Portugal side, and finally had the luck that deserted them in their first two games. At least co-hosts Austria have followed them out.
12. Sweden (12)
Ancient, plodding and completely outplayed. The Swedes were never at the races against Russia and were deservedly sent packing. The oldest squad at Euro 2008 looked devoid of ideas with Zlatan Ibrahimovic below full fitness.
13. Greece (13)
Ensured they at least found the net before heading home, but three straight defeats add up to a dismal title defence by anyone’s standards. Otto Rehhagel may now choose to bow out with his head held high.
14. Austria (14)
Plucky, and they gave Germany a run for their money for 45 minutes. Although they weren’t as bad as the pre-tournament petition suggested, no goals from open play is a telling story.
15. Poland (15)
A late penalty awarded by Howard Webb led to two dropped points against Austria and the defeat against Croatia completed a damp squib of a tournament for the Poles. Ebi Smolarek, Jacek Krzynowek and Mariusz Lewandowski didn’t turn up.
16. France (16)
No team played worse at Euro 2008 than Les Bleus, who were dull against Romania, overwhelmed by the Dutch and completely self-destructed in their biggest match since the 2006 World Cup final. Madame Guillotine is already hurtling towards Raymond Domenech’s head.
Come back each day as we revise our Euro 2008 rankings!
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2008-06-20 - Croatia v Turkey
June 20, 2008
Euro 20082008-06-20 - Croatia v TurkeySports Betting Preview by Auls |
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CroatiaCroatia were the surprise winners of Group B and must be confidant of reaching the Semi Finals of this tournament. I really thought the loss of Eduardo would affect this team, and in a way it has, and I once again state it is the reason why I dont think they will win this competition. England should still watch out when it comes to World Cup Qualifying though. Croatia won all 3 matches in the group stage and did it by only scoring 4 goals but only conceding 1 goal. A win over Germany shows they are capable of springing a surprise or 2. Croatia did nothing to justify their ‘dark horses’ tag in their first game with Austria, struggling to a 0-1 win in a game that could have been drawn. They followed that up with a deserved success over Germany 2-1 before ending their group campaign with a 1-0 win over Poland even though they had made a number of changes to their first team. Slaven Bilic is not a manager that deals with cliche or minces his words and has openly stated that he is confidant Croatia can beat Turkey because they are ‘better’. The initial goal was to reach the Quarter Finals, according to Bilic, but that is no longer enough and Croatia are sure they will not let a lead slip if they gain one over the Turks. Ivan Rakitic is struggling with an injury but Darijo Srna has recovered from one and will start. TurkeyWith 15 minutes left in Geneva on Sunday night, it looked all over for the Turkish side as they trailed 0-2 to the Czech Republic in a must not lose match. However, everything turned sour for the Czechs and Turkey came away with a fabulous 3-2 victory, thanks largely to a bad bit of goalkeeping from the normally reliable Petr Cech. This game the Turks 2 wins, both from losing positions, in the group coupled with a defeat to Portugal to allow Turkey to progress to this game. Turkey looked really average in their first game with Portugal, losing 2-0 but it could have been much much worse. They then were 1-0 to Switzerland before a very strong second half allowed them to win with the last kick of the game 1-2. Their final game with the Czechs was memorable but it has me wondering how much it has taken out of the players and the sending off of their keeper will hurt too. Fatih Terim remains confident in his side to progress to perhaps a revenge mission over Portugal. They believe they can counter the physical Croatians and then rely on their own superior technique to get them through. Volkan Demirel is suspended in goal and so the evergreen Rustu Recbar comes into the side and on his day is a very able replacement. Mehmet Aurelio is also suspended in his defensive midfield holding role and Emre Gungor, Servet Cetin and Gokhan Zan could all be missing through injury. Head to HeadCroatia and Turkey have only ever met on 3 occasions, with the Croats winning 1 and 2 draws. The 2 nations have only met 1 time in the last 8 years, back in 2004 in a friendly in Croatia. That match ended 2-2. PredictionTurkey are missing 2 influential players for their side in Demirel and Aurelio, while their defence is suffering from injuries. These factors could contribute in making this game a step too far for them. Croatia have been more assured in their last 2 games after a nervy opening game with Austria and seem to have settled into the tournament. They are extremely confidant in their own abilities and are worthy favourites coming into the match. I think this could be quite an exciting game, even though it doesnt have the star power of the other 3 quarter finals. Croatia must be backed to get through and seem to have the more reliable defence of the 2 sides. With Turkey also missing their goalkeeper and protecting midfielder, I would expect Croatia to come through fairly easily.
The Pick :
FIXED ODDS BETTING :Croatia WIN HANDICAP BETTING :Croatia - 0.75
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Decision time for Ronaldo as Portugal exit Euro 2008
June 20, 2008
BASEL, Switzerland (AFP) - Real Madrid and Manchester United want his services for next season, but Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo says he will reveal his plans in the next few days after his Euro 2008 heart-break.
The Premier League champions want Ronaldo to stay at Old Trafford until 2012, while Real confirmed on Thursday they are waiting to hear whether the 23-year-old wants to stay in England or move to Spain.
The boy from Madeira says he will settle the issue soon having produced a below-par performance as Germany inflicted a 3-2 defeat on Portugal in Basel.
“It is not the best time to talk of this,” said the Portuguese winger.
“In the next days, I will talk about it.
“What are the possibilities to go? They are great.
“But the decision doesn’t depend just on me.
“The people around me know what I want.
“By two or three days we will have a decision.”
It is easy to see why European giants are fighting for Ronaldo’s services.
Last season, he equalled, then obliterated, George Best’s record goals tally of 32 in a single season for Manchester United when he scored 42 goals.
He tormented the Czech Republic with a goal and created two more in his side’s dazzling 3-1 win in Geneva on June 11, but Ronaldo had a quiet night just when it mattered most at Euro 2008.
He has already suffered from stage fright this season - he missed a penalty in the Champions League semi-final in Barcelona and was below-par in the Moscow final, when he missed a penalty in the shoot-out, though he did score in open play.
And he has a poor record against the top four sides in England’s Premier League.
Before the game, Germany’s ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann had said before the game he knew the secret to containing Ronaldo which seemed to work as the defence kept him in check.
A good run on the left led to a poor cross after just three minutes and just before the 20 minute mark a pass from Simao into the box gave him a half-chance, but the German defence scrambled away the danger.
But having fallen two goals behind after Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose struck for Germany, Ronaldo helped provide a reply when he broke down the right flank and fired at Lehmann.
His shot was blocked, but Portugal captain Nuno Gomes was on hand to score from the rebound on 40 minutes.
And in stoppage time at the end of the first-half, Ronaldo drove his shot across Lehmann’s goal as an equaliser threatened.
After the break, Ronaldo was brought down by German defender Arne Friedrich, who stepped on his ankle as he ran past, just for good measure, though, Ronaldo yelled in pain several seconds afterwards.
It just about summed up his night.
After Gemany captain Michael Ballack scored Germany’s third goal, Ronaldo blasted a free-kick high and wide on 68 minutes before Helder Postiga grabbed a consolation goal with time running out.
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