Spanyol-Rusia 3:0
Another stormy night in Vienna saw Spain outclass Russia and set up a final with Germany. Goals from Xavi, Guiza and Silva were enough to see off Gus Hiddink’s men who were outplayed by a vibrant Spanish side, who also lost top scorer David Villa to injury in the first half.
An engaging first half ended goalless although both sides had their chances. Spain started the game marginally the quicker of the two sides, Xavi bending in an early cross which Sergio Ramos just failed to connect with and Villa and Torres combining well moments later, but Torres, after swivelling past his marker, could only manage a weak shot at goal.
The Russians slowly grew into the game and with the much vaunted Arshavin being well marshalled by the Spanish defence it was fellow striker Pavlyuchenko who had the best chances for Gus Hiddink’s side.
A free kick from fully 40 yards which flew inches over was his first warning, quickly followed by a speculative shot from range which he tried to bend past Casillas. His shot may have been going wide but the Real Madrid goalkeeper was taking no chances and managed to tip it around the post.
After losing their group game to the Spaniards 4-1, the Russians were clearly growing in confidence as the match progressed and just after the half hour mark they had even more reason to be happy.
David Villa, the tournament’s top scorer and the man who had hit a hat trick when the two sides had met earlier in the tournament was taken off injured. However, Russian joy was surely short lived as his replacement Cesc Fabregas had also scored against the Russians.
The change interrupted Spain’s rhythmn momentarily and Russia continued to pose a threat. Pavlyuchenko, again having the best chances, heading wide from an Anyukov cross before missing the target again with another shot, after chesting down a long ball inside the box.
As the half drew to a close Spain came back into the game, their slick passing once again in evidence and Torres taking advantage of Zhirkov’s forward runs and causing a problem down the right. However, neither side could make the crucial breakthrough and they headed for the interval level.
The deadlock didn’t last long and within five minutes of the restart Spain were ahead, their Barcelona midfielders combining to deadly effect. Some great work from Iniesta on the left saw him eventually put the ball into the box where Xavi, making a great run, was on hand to poke the ball home to give the Spanish the lead.
The goal galvanised Spain and they threatened to take an unshakeable hold on the game. Gus Hiddink responded with a double substitution throwing on Bilyaletidinov and Sychev but the Russians were left chasing shadows as the Spanish began to zip the ball around with confidence and completely dominate possession.
With Villa watching miserably from the sidelines the chances fell to Fernando Torres. Twice in a matter of minutes, on the hour mark, he had the opportunity to double Spain’s lead but his shooting was wayward and the Russians survived.
They were to prove his last chances, Luis Aragones choosing to replace Xavi and Torres with Alonso and Güiza. The strength in depth of Spain’s squad clearly in evidence and the substitutes combined well to double Spain’s lead with a little under twenty minutes to go.
Sergio Ramos again breaking down the right played the ball into Fabregas whose dinked ball over the top found Güiza running in on goal. A delightful finish by the substitute made it two nil and gave the Spanish some breathing space.
With a two goal lead the Spanish were now completely dominant, their short, slick passing game simply too much for the Russians. With ten minutes to go, they made it three to give the match the scoreline their superior football deserved.
Iniesta was again involved, setting Fàbregas free on the left. The young Arsenal man, who must have been wondering if he had done enough to find himself in the starting line up for Sunday’s final, found Silva in the box with a perfect pass and the Valencia man finished well past Akinfeev to put the gloss on a wonderful night for Spain.
Although the Russians couldn’t live with Spain defeat holds little shame for Hiddink’s men who have illuminated this tournament and surprised many by reaching the semi final. Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko, in particular, have produced some memorable moments and Hiddink’s already fearsome reputation, can only have been enhanced further.
Spain, meanwhile, must now go into Sunday’s final against Germany full of confidence. The quality of their football and the strength in depth of their squad is without question, although even then Villa's presumed absence from the final will be a hard knock to take.
After so much disappointment the question is now, could this finally be their year? With footballers of the quality of Villa, Torres, Iniesta, Xavi and Fabregas they have no reason to fear any side. However, whilst Germany have largely been unconvincing so far it would be dangerous to write them off; Sunday’s final promises much.
GOALS:
0-3 Spain (Silva, 81)
0-2 Spain (Guiza, 72)
0-1 Spain (Xavi, 49)
Russia: Akinfeev, Anyukov, Berezutski, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Zyryanov, Semak, Semshov (Bilyaletidinov, 55), Saenko (Sychev, 56), Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko
Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila, Senna, Iniesta, Xavi (Alonso, 68), Silva, David Villa (Fàbregas, 34), Torres (Güiza, 68)
Gill Clark
sigombak
Football mathematics like bowled over at 2004, when Greece come up as Europe champion, because since 1960 newly once go forward to quarterfinal rotation ( 2000), but four year later;then surprising when coming up as champion in Portugal.
Nowadays Greece come up again. In rotation of final of Grup D with Swedia, Russia And Spanyol [of] [at] 12-15-19 June. All contest performed will play at Stadium of Waltz Slezenheim, Austrian.
Otto Rehhagel team the achievement spektakuler at semi final, because from 12 contest start the end 2006 till 21 November 2007, for once fail and break even once.
At that semi final, by surprising Turky defeat the Greece 4-1 and Norwegian arrest; detain the them 2-2. From that 12 exclusion fight, Goal Greece 25 times and entrance 10 goal. As comparison, at exclusion Euro 2004, Greece only print eight goal from eight contest.
But contest of warm-up of last contest Hungaria 24 May, Greek swallow the bitter pill after failing 2-3 and Rehhagel hope that matter become the Iesson worth to all player. That drubbing represent first since August last year
In that tryout, brittle Greek defender very, so that gate which taken care of Antonis Nikolopolidis goal thrice only in range of time 16 minute
In that contest, Rahhagel enough worry, because two reliable player, Nikopolidis And Angelos Basinas experience of to injure, even they is reckoned will descend at contest 12 June of versus Sweden.
Greece Skuads for the rotation of final Euro 2008
Goalkeeper: 1-Antonis Nikopolidis ( Olympiakos Piraeus), 12-Costas Chalkias ( Aris Salonika), 13-Alexandros Tzorvas ( OFI Crete)
Stopper: 2-Giourkas Seitaridis ( Atletico Madrid), 3-Christos Patsatzoglou ( Olympiakos), 4-Nikos Spyropoulos ( Panathinaikos), 5-Traianos Dellas ( AEK Athens), 11-Loukas Vintra ( Panathinaikos), 15-Vassilis Torosidis ( Olympiakos), 16-Sotiris Kyrgiakos ( Eintracht Frankfurt), 18-Yannis Goumas ( Panathinaikos), 19-Paraskevas Antzas ( Olympiakos)
Middle Player: 6-Angelos Basinas ( Real Mallorca), 8-Stelios Giannakopoulos ( Bolton Wanderers), 10-Georgios Karagounis ( Panathinaikos), 21-Costas Katsouranis ( Benfica), 22-Alexandros Tziolis (Panathinaikos)
Forward: 7-Giorgos Samaras ( Celtic), 9-Angelos Haristeas ( Nuremberg), 14-Dimitris Salpigidis ( Panathinaikos), 17-Fanis Gekas ( Bayer Leverkusen), 20-Yiannis Amanatidis ( Eintracht Frankfurt), 23-Nikos Liberopoulos ( AEK).
England international David Beckham hailed compatriot John Terry for his successful outing against the United States on Wednesday, a week after his penalty miss in the Champions League final...
John Terry was the width of a post away from winning Chelsea the Champions League in their first ever final against Manchester United in Moscow, only to slip as he took the kick, miss, and see the Red Devils go on to clinch glory in sudden death.
As if the emotional baggage from that experience was not enough, the Blues skipper was accused of spitting at Carlos Tevez and is now facing a UEFA investigation.
Going into Wednesday's England game, there were rumours he may even lose his chance at regaining the England captaincy - which, despite holding under ex-England boss Steve McClaren, he had yet to wear under Fabio Capello.
However, as the former Real Madrid, Juventus and Milan manager continues his captaincy rotation policy in order to find his ideal on-field leader, Terry got the nod, almost as if to say that if he could come back from the horrendous week he had just endured, he was truly captain material.
And come back he did. It was not his best performance - ironically, that honour would probably go to his showing in Moscow - but he scored a beautiful header and remained solid at the back, completing a perfect comeback performance after his Moscow misery, and all as captain of his country.
Former captain Beckham, who resigned after the 2006 World Cup, hailed Terry's strength and class, as well as giving his take on the emotions that the die-hard stopper must currently be dealing with.
"Just because of his disappointment last week, doesn't change John Terry as a person and a player," said Beckham.
"He is still going to be a top class player, he is still going to be a top class captain and he is still going to be a great sort of guy as well.
"We were all happy he scored the goal for England and put in the performance like he did. You could see the emotion going through him and in his eyes once he scored that goal and was celebrating.
"There was a slight relief there for him but as a team and as team-mates we were all pleased and proud for him.
"You see that passion sometimes. You saw that in Stuart Pearce's face when he scored that penalty in Euro '96 and you saw it in JT's face when he scored against the United States.
"To be captain and also to score a goal at Wembley means a lot to JT and no-one can ever question him when he puts that England shirt or Chelsea shirt on.
"No-one can ever question his passion and dedication.
"John is still going to be hurting, of course, but he will get over it. It will take time but he will get over it.
"A lot has been made this week of the disappointment JT is going through and you can see the pain in him is still there and it will be there for a while.
"But he is a character who will get over it. He is one of the strongest characters I have ever come across in football. He has got a lot of support within the England team and outside the team and at his club.
"I watched the Champions League final. I think to just step up to take a penalty in that situation means you have to be a strong character and a strong man to do that.
"Penalties are hard because if you score one, you can be a hero and if you miss one, it is different but he was man enough to stand up and take that penalty.''
Serious
Of Capello's new England regime - who Beckham famously played under in a rocky but ultimately successful 2006/07 season at Real Madrid - Becks noted: "The players are learning he is very strict and very serious and, when you train, you train hard, and when you play, you play hard and when you are with the England team, you concentrate and wear that shirt with pride.
"The players know what he wants and are trying to make him happy and at the moment we are working hard and winning games.
"There is still a lot to learn and a lot of hard work to do but we are happy at the moment.''
The LA Galaxy midfielder also rubbished the notion of players not being motivated for international friendlies.
"You are wearing the England shirt," he explained. "That is enough motivation for any player and that is one of the things the manager said before the game, that he wanted a real English performance, a fighting performance.
"I think we showed that at times. We pressed very well and controlled it at times. Overall we've got to be happy and we go on from here.''
Chet Winter, Goal.com
According to the Italian bookmakers, Alessandro Del Piero will be preferred to Antonio Di Natale for the Azzurri’s first match of Euro 2008 against Holland.
Italy open up their Group C campaign against the Dutch in Berne on June 9, and the speculation has already started as to what starting XI Coach Roberto Donadoni will select.
Donadoni’s 4-3-3 system will almost certainly, barring injuries, see Luca Toni play at centre forward, with Mauro Camoranesi on the right.
Antonio Di Natale was originally believed to be the favourite to take the left-side role, having played in that position in the final qualifying games, and in the recent friendly matches against Portugal and Spain.
However Di Natale has come under threat ever since Donadoni named both Alex Del Piero and Antonio Cassano in his Euro 2008 squad.
According to the Italian bookmakers, Del Piero will win the race to start against Holland, with Di Natale and Cassano having to settle for places on the bench.
Christian Panucci will also be preferred to Fabio Grosso in defence, allowing Gianluca Zambrotta to take up his left back role, while Gennaro Gattuso is preferred to Milan club colleague Massimo Ambrosini in midfield.
Team to face Holland according to Italian bookmakers: (4-3-3). Buffon, Panucci, Cannavaro, Barzagli, Zambrotta, Gattuso, Pirlo, De Rossi, Camoranesi, Toni, Del Piero.
Anthony Sormani
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernández has moved quickly to deny that there is any friction between he and the new national 'number 10', Francesc Fàbregas...
Rumours circulating in the Spanish press indicated that Xavi and Cesc had difficulties playing together, and even that they were involved in off-pitch tensions.
Xavi, though, denied these allegations.
"I'm surprised that people have said that I'm not comfortable with Cesc and that we don't get along well," he said.
"His game is similar to mine, but I have no problem with him. I don't want anyone to say anything like that, less so about a guy of Cesc's stature.
"Do I need to talk with him? I'm very comfortable with him so I'm very surprised by these views. I have no problems with any player.
"Were similar. We like to use the ball and move rapidly. These are very parallel situations."
Based on this, there might have been a problem with the two playing together, but Xavi stressed the Furia Roja's versatility.
"The creative players need support behind and in front, and two systems can give us variety," he said.
However, he did admit that the onus would be on the midfield to find their feet quickly, given that there'd most likely be a lone forward ahead of them.
"The second line must provide more," he said.
"With two forwards, we'd have less mobility to move up."
As for Spain's chances, he said, "We've played against France and Italy, who are more physical than us, and won. Let's see if we can succeed in a real match."
Steve Michaels, Goal.com
Michael Ballack has admitted that there will be a host of teams at Euro 2008 that are capable of outplaying Germany, but is confident still that they will be a force to be reckoned with based on attitude and team ethic alone.
Germany were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Belarus in their first warm-up match ahead of this summer’s European Championships. The home side let a two goal lead slip and a second half double from Vitali Bulyga handed Belarus a deserved draw.
Speaking after the surprise draw, the Chelsea man said: "It is not an excuse, but the training camp is very physical, people are tired, but I am sure we will be on form for the beginning of the tournament.
"Against Serbia on Saturday, you will see a different match.
"When you look at our group, I think we will make the quarter-finals," the skipper added.
"There are many teams who are a little better than us in terms of technical quality or individual talent, but I believe that our enthusiasm and team spirit can compensate."
Joachim Loew's side will take on Serbia in their final official warmup game on Saturday, after which they will be all business in Group B along with Poland, Croatia and co-hosts Austria.
Derek Wanner, Goal.com
Sigombak
Sigombak-Turkey warmed up for next month`s European championship with a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over Slovakia in a friendly on Tuesday.
Galatasaray defender Hakan Balta secured Turkey`s win with his first international goal, a superb first-time shot from outside the area in the 62nd minute that gave Slovakia keeper Stefan Senecky no chance.
Turkey had most of the possession and would have won by a bigger margin with better finishing.
Along with the result, the good news for Turkey coach Fatih Terim ahead of Euro 2008 was that keeper Rustu Recber, playing in place of the injured Volkan Demirel, showed he still had the speed and timing to play at the top level.
A masterful punch by the 35-year-old blocked an 80th-minute header by Slovakia`s Martin Petras, assuring Turkey of victory on the night.
Tempers rose in the 69th minute after Slovakia`s Martin Skrtel shoved Turkey forward Gokdeniz Karadeniz after a foul.
Both men were given yellow card.(Reuters)
