Euro 2008 - Favourites Go Home

Oh my, oh my. First it was Portgual, follow by Croatia and now Holland.

Portugal was favourite to beat Germany, while Croatia was thought to be having a easy time against the injury-plagued Turks and the Dutch was expected to dispose the Russians after impressive display in the Group of Death.

However all comes to nought. Of all the three teams, Holland must be feeling extremely disappointed especially the mastermind of their defeat comes in the hand of their former coach and home bred master - Guus Hindink. He has brought South Korea to 3rd place in the 2002 World Cup and brought Australia to their only second round appearance in the 2006 World Cup. Now he has brought Russia to the semi-final of the 2008 Euro Championship.



Tonight will see Spain entetaining Italy. Winner of this match will take on the Russians.

Euro 2008 - Delightful Dutch , Fragile France

The Dutch produced another masterclass to dump 2006 World Cup Finalist France 3-0. This was a week after the Dutch thrashed the defending World Cup Champion Italy 4-1.

The win ensure Holland qualify to the quarter-final. However, for the French, they will have to fight with the Italians for the second spot provided Romania do not win against the team in Orange.

Italians will have to thank Buffon for the penalty save from Mutu to earn his team a 1-1 draw against the Romanians. Like the French, they will have to win their last group game or face elimination.

It will be cruel that one of the heavyweights will have to take the early flight home. It will be a repeat of the 2006 World Cup Final in the last group game.

Euro2008

Germany got to a winning start after they beat the Poles 2-0. Lukas Podolski scored a brace against the country he was born to put the Germans top of the group.

Dark horse Croatia won the match 1-0 against host Austria. It was a disappointment for the host as they are the dominant team. Austria tried their best but the ball just refuse to go into the net.

The match was settled as early as the 4th minute through a penalty by Spurs's new signing Luka Modric.

Euro 2008 Opening Match

After 4 years, the European Championship is back again. This time, the tourament is co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria.

In the opening match, the Swiss took on the Czech Republic. It was a match the Swiss would like to start well. Both side started cautiously. It was the Swiss who created more chances. However, superb goalkeeping by Cech denied the Swiss. It was 0-0 at half time but the Swiss lost their top striker Frei after he damaged his knee ligament. Frei was in tears after he was hobbled out and is ruled out of the tourament.

The Swiss started the second half was well as the 1st. However, Czech got in front after Koller's substitue Sverkos scored in the 70th minute after the Swiss defence failed to clear the ball.

The Swiss nearly salvaged a draw in the 80 minute when Johan Vonlanthen crashed his shot onto the post. The agony on Johan's face was enough to tell the story.

In a later match, pre- tournament hot favourite disposed Turkey 2-0 after goals from Pepe and Meireles inspired the Portuguese to a winning start to the tournament.