Euro 2008 - Best of Euro 2008

June 24, 2008

With only one game of Euro 2008 remaining, Eurosport takes a look at the games, goals, gaffes and girls that have caught the eye.

Player of the tournament - To be decided

At this stage of proceedings, no player has yet grabbed the competition by the scruff of its neck and bent it to his will.

Wesley Sneijder was the undisputed star of the group stage, conducting the Netherlands to sensational victories over Italy and France, while Andrei Arshavin sparkled brilliantly before fading completely in Russia’s semi-final defeat to Spain.

The tournament’s top strikers - David Villa, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Lukas Podolski - have impressed only fleetingly, while Spain’s super substitute Cesc Fabregas is yet to start a meaningful game.

Michael Ballack has led the German charge to the final, ably assisted by goalscoring winger Bastian Schweinsteiger, but any one of about six or seven players could land the player of the tournament gong with a match-winning performance in the final.

Goal of the tournament - Wesley Sneijder v Italy

There has been a dearth of quality long-range goals in the tournament, with players struggling to get to grips with a ball that’s displayed the flyaway qualities of one of those 50p balls you find in motorway service stations.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s thunderbolt against Greece, Ballack’s net-busting free-kick against Austria and Sneijder’s stunning coup de grace for the Netherlands in the 4-1 trouncing of France are the obvious exceptions, but there have also been some sublime team goals.

Arshavin’s goal in Russia’s 2-0 win over Sweden was a fine thing to behold, but it’s the Dutch who mastered the art of the counter-attack most effortlessly, and Sneijder’s beautifully struck half-volley after a flowing team move in the 3-0 win over Italy was the best of the lot.

Miss of the tournament - Mario Gomez v Austria

19:49 BST, Monday 16 June, Ernst Happel Stadium, Vienna. Germany are playing Austria and need a win to progress to the next round.

With just four minutes on the clock, out-of-form striker Mario Gomez is presented with an open goal by team-mate Miroslav Klose, but from barely four yards out and with the goal at his mercy he spoons the ball into the air and Austrian defender Gyorgy Garics is able to head it off the line.

Hakan Yakin was guilty of a similarly glaring miss in Switzerland’s 2-1 defeat to Turkey, but for the glimpse into a very private hell that Gomez’s miss provided, the Stuttgart striker gets the nod.

Game of the tournament - Turkey 3-2 Czech Republic

There have been some tremendous games in the tournament, with the Netherlands’ thumping victories over Italy and France catching the eye before they were eliminated in stunning fashion at the quarter-final stage by Russia.

Germany edged a thrilling quarter-final against Portugal 3-2 thanks to some appallingly slack defending from Luis Felipe Scolari’s men, but for pure edge-of-the-seat excitement, it has to be Turkey’s incredible comeback victory over the Czech Republic in Group A.

Needing to win to go through, Turkey trailed 2-0 with just 15 minutes to play, but after Arda Turan had halved the deficit Nihat Kahveci took advantage of a howler from Petr Cech to level before curling a superb injury-time winner in off the crossbar to send the Turks into the last eight.

Save of the tournament - Gianluigi Buffon v Romania

With nine minutes remaining of the Group C match between Italy and Romania, Christian Panucci conceded a penalty that could have knocked the world champions out of the tournament.

Romania captain Adrian Mutu stepped up and drilled the ball firmly down the centre of the goal but, despite having already dived down to his left, Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon shot out his right hand to claw the ball away and keep his side in the competition.

Gaffe of the tournament - Petr Cech v Turkey

Turkey goalkeeper Rustu Recber produced a horrendous flap which enabled Klose to head Germany into a 2-1 lead in the semi-final between the sides, but Cech’s error against the Turks - when he let a high right-wing cross squirm out of his grasp and into the path of Nihat - was probably the worst of the tournament, even more so because it was so completely out of character.

Coach of the tournament - Fetih Terim, Turkey

Dutchmen Marco van Basten and Guus Hiddink oversaw some fine performances from the Netherlands and Russia, but both sides choked when it mattered most.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic had his side playing some similarly eye-catching stuff, and somehow managed to ally breathless touchline enthusiasm with effortless cool, but for taking a decidedly unfancied Turkey side to the brink of the final - whilst all the while throwing his arms around like an epileptic orangutang - Fatih Terim is our top boss.

Biggest disappointment - France

How a squad containing the attacking talents of Thierry Henry, Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema and Nicolas Anelka could exit the tournament with just a single goal to their name is something of a mystery, but in the end they were undone by too many ageing legs and a collective loss of form.

Insipid against Romania, they were then trounced by the Dutch and didn’t even look like scoring in the 2-0 defeat to Italy.

Still, every cloud has a silver lining, and in Ribery, Benzema, Samir Nasri and Hatem Ben Arfa - not to mention the likely departure of coach Raymond Domenech - there is hope for the future.

Worst match - France v Romania

Sweden’s 2-0 win over Greece in Group D was an absolute stinker, but it did at least boast some goals.

France’s goalless draw with Romania, on the other hand, had no redeeming features whatsoever, with the sides registering just one shot on target between them in the whole game, and that a side-footed pea-roller from Benzema that might not have made it into the net even if Romanian goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont hadn’t been there to get in the way.

Best WAG - Sarah Brandner

A difficult category to judge, seeing as none of the WAGs have actually done anything, but a top three of Noemie Lenoir (Claude Makelele), Sarah Brandner (Bastian Schweinsteiger) and Sylvie Meis (Rafael van der Vaart) provides plenty of food for thought.

Lenoir and Meis both score highly in the glamour stakes, but for sheer commitment (she turned up to every Germany match, quaffed pints of lager and she’s dating a footballer who looks like a pimply adolescent), it has to be Fraulein Brandner (pictured).

Best fans - Netherlands

It’s a massive cliche, but once again the Dutch fans illuminated the tournament with their crazy orange-clad antics and unstinting commitment to wacky fancy-dress.

So impressed was the mayor of Berne with the behaviour of the Oranje fans during their group-stage sojourn in the city that he presented the squad with turf from the Stade de Suisse Wankdorf where they had played.

As useless gifts go it’s right up there with ornamental animals, but at least they made an impression.

Tom Williams / Eurosport

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2008-06-20 - Croatia v Turkey

June 20, 2008

Euro 2008 2008-06-20 - Croatia v Turkey Sports Betting Preview by Auls
Croatia Croatia 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. Turkey With 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 Head Croatia 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. Prediction Turkey 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 : Croatia 3-0 Turkey FIXED ODDS BETTING : Croatia WIN HANDICAP BETTING : Croatia - 0.75

Euro 2008

2008-06-20 - Croatia v Turkey

Sports Betting Preview by Auls

Croatia

Croatia 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.

Turkey

With 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 Head

Croatia 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.

Prediction

Turkey 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 :

Croatia 3-0 Turkey

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Croatia WIN

HANDICAP BETTING :

Croatia - 0.75

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AC Milan targets Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech

May 16, 2008

Sensational transfer news are out and it is reported that Italian giants AC Milan are preparing a major bid for Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

It has been widely reported that Cech has this week pledged his commitment to the Blues, with talks over a new £90,000-a-week contract mooted.

However, local Italian newspapers have reported that this news won’t put off AC Milan, who are willing to offer £30 million for the Czech Republic international.

BIO

Full name: Petr ?ech
Date of birth: May 20, 1982
Place of birth: Plze?, Czech Republic(then Czechoslovakia)
Height: 1.97 m (6 ft 5 in)
Playing position: Goalkeeper
Current club: Chelsea
Number: 1

Previous Clubs

1999–2001: Blšany
2001–2002: Sparta Prague
2002–2004: Stade Rennes
2004– Chelsea

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Czech Republic Euro 2008 Squad

May 15, 2008

Euro 2008 news are out and Czech manager Karel Bruckner on Wednesday dished two surprises as he named his 23-strong squad to take part in June’s Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.

One notable omission to the Czech squad is former captain and Juventus midfield star Pavel Nedved, whose comeback for the tournament had been the subject of speculation.

However, the Czechs who face Switzerland in their opening match on June 7 has included a surprise call up in striker Vaclav Sverkos of Czech side Banik Ostrava.

Czech Republic Euro 2008 Squad

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech (Chelsea/ENG), Jaromir Blazek (Nuremberg/GER), Daniel Zitka (Anderlecht/BEL)

Defenders: Zdenek Grygera (Juventus/ITA), Marek Jankulovski (AC Milan/ITA), Michal Kadlec (Sparta Prague), Radoslav Kovac (Spartak Moscow/RUS), Zdenek Pospech (FC Copenhagen/DEN), David Rozehnal (Lazio Rome/ITA), Tomas Sivok (Sparta Prague/CZE), Tomas Ujfalusi (Fiorentina/ITA)

Midfielders: Tomas Galasek (Nuremberg/GER), David Jarolim (Hamburg/GER), Marek Matejovsky (Reading/ENG), Jaroslav Plasil (Osasuna/ESP), Jan Polak (Anderlecht/BEL), Daniel Pudil (Slavia Prague), Libor Sionko (FC Copenhagen/DEN), Stanislav Vlcek (Anderlecht/BEL)

Strikers: Milan Baros (Portsmouth/ENG), Jan Koller (Nuremberg/GER), Martin Fenin (Frankfurt/GER), Vaclav Sverkos (Banik Ostrava)

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FIFA World Player of the Year nominees

October 11, 2007

Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, Italy),
Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid, Italy),
Petr Cech (Chelsea, Czech Republic),
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Portugal),
Deco (Barcelona, Portugal),
Didier Drogba (Chelsea, Ivory Coast),
Michael Essien (Chelsea, Ghana),
Samuel Eto’o (Barcelona, Cameroon),
Gennaro Gattuso (Milan, Italy),
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool, England),
Thierry Henry (Barcelona, France),
Juninho (Lyon, Brazil),
Kaka (Milan, Brazil),
Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich, Germany),
Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich, Germany),
Frank Lampard (Chelsea, England),
Rafael Marquez (Barcelona, Mexico),
Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina),
Alessandro Nesta (Milan, Italy),
Andrea Pirlo (Milan, Italy),
Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich, France),
Juan Roman Riquelme (Villarreal, Argentina),
Ronaldinho (Barcelona, Brazil),
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United, England),
John Terry (Chelsea, England),
Carlos Tevez (Manchester United, Argentina),
Lilian Thuram (Barcelona, France),
Fernando Torres (Liverpool, Spain),
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid, Netherlands),
Patrick Vieira (Internazionale, France)