Spain - Torres-33′

Spain created history on Sunday as they won their first title in 44 years riding a 33rd minute goal from Fernando Torres to defeat a disappointing Germany side 1-0 in the Euro 2008 final in Vienna.

The victory was fully deserved despite the slender scoreline as Spain dominated possession and chances and really should have wrapped up the match long before a tense finale.

Luis Aragones took charge of his final match of Spain and leaves as a hero after guiding Spain to six straight victories, the only team to go through the tournament with a perfect record.

For Germany and coach Joachim Loew, it was a disappointing end to their campaign as they struggled to put Spain under pressure down the stretch and looked visibly tired after a gruelling tournament.

The final was decided on 33 minutes when Xavi released Liverpool marksman Torres who wriggled past defender Philipp Lahm before deftly chipping the ball over the charging Jens Lehmann as Spain and their fans went into hysterics.

Following the goal, the match opened up but it was Spain who threatened to add to their advantage as time and time again they carved open the German defence.

Only a lack of cutting edge in front of goal and a string of fine saves from Lehmann prevented the Spaniards ending the suspense long before the final whistle.

Andres Iniesta had a powerful shot blocked on the line by substitute Kevin Kuranyi while Brazilian-born Marcos Senna missed an open goal when all he had to do was make contact with the ball for what would have been a decisive second goal.

Germany captain Michael Ballack tried to inspire his teammates but they lacked imagination and confidence as Spain put their neat passing game into effect.

Spain last won the European championship back in 1964, their only title to date but they have now put that ghost to bed as Aragones and his stylish side gave a country starved of success one of the greatest moments in their footballing history.

While the match was full of drama and suspense it lacked in goals and excitement and Germany’s lack of imagination never threatened Spain’s advantage as they saw out the final minutes in relative calm

Spain are the new champions of Europe thanks to a wonderful piece of finishing from Torres as their fans now prepare to celebrate deep into Monday morning.

Kuranyi

Kuranyi

This will be Germany’s sixth final, a record in the competition, and they will be aiming to lift the trophy. As for Spain, this will be the third time the country has reached the final, but they have not won the competition since 1964. The last time these two faced each other, Spain emerged victorious (3-1).

However, Germany have won three of the last five meetings between the two countries in all major tournaments, and have won a total of eight matches compared to Spain’s five, with six draws between the two rivals. Germany possesses the better head-to-head record.

Luis Aragonés may be without top-scorer David Villa, after the striker injured his leg in Spain’s 3-0 win over Russia on Thursday. As for Joachim Löw, it is being expected that his starting XI would most probably be unchanged from that which beat Turkey on Wednesday night. Also, this will be the first time in Löw’s career that he will face Spanish opposition, both as a player or coach.

As for the team news, with Villa’s probable absence, Fabregas looks like the favourite to start. Germany would mostly play an unchanged side. It was Fabregas who hit Spain’s last penalty to secure a 4-2 win over world cup winners Italy. As for Germany, they will not fear a Penalty shoot-out since they have been involved in six shout-outs over the years and have won the last five.

So who would win it all?

Guus Hiddink’s Russian side succumbed to big match pressure and lost to Spain 0-3 in the second SF of Euro ‘08.

Spain turned in a masterclass of football on Thursday in rain-soaked Vienna as they tore Russia to shreds in the second-half and marched into Sunday’s final with a 3-0 win that takes them one match from a first major title since 1964.

Arguably the performance of the tournament so far, Spain got second-half goals from Xavi, David Guiza and David Silva as they played some of the most entertaining and spectacular football that the tournament has ever witnessed.

It was harsh on Guus Hiddink’s men who were value for money in the opening 45 minutes and went in at the break at 0-0 before Spain came out with other ideas in the second half and took the match by the scruff of the neck.

It appeared coach Luis Aragones might be in for a tough night when he was forced to bring on Cesc Fabregas on the 30 minute mark when David Villa went off injured.

But the incident proved highly fortunate for the Spaniards as Fabregas had a blinder and set up both Guiza’s and Silva’s goals.

The match was turned on its head on 50 minutes after a sustained period of Spanish pressure resulted in the opening goal.

Andres Iniesta cut in from the left and his harmless looking shot appeared to be going wide before Xavi appeared out of nowhere and steered the ball powerfully past the helpless Igor Akinfeev.

The goal liberated the Spaniards as they sensed a date with destiny after failing so often at the quarter-final stage, they were now on the brink of a first major final since the 1984 defeat to France.

As they poured forward, a slick piece of passing on 73 minutes found Fabregas at the top of the box and his clever chip allowed Guiza to breach the defence and skillfully clip the ball past the charging Akinfeev.

Russia knew the game was up as they looked visibly tired and as the Spanish sensed blood they gave their fans a true night to remember with a brilliant third on 82 minutes.

A swift counter-attack again found the marvellous Fabregas down the left and as Spanish players piled into the box, the Arsenal man picked out Silva who controlled cooly before smashing a left foot shot home for the icing on the cake.

Spain remain the only team to win all their matches so far and they will be sky high with confidence after this performance which sets up a date with Germany on Sunday at the same venue in Vienna.

So will the Spaniards be able to shed the underachievers tag in Sundays final ?
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Both Barcelona and A.C Milan are battling out to sign Arsenal Striker Emmanuel Adebayor. In accordance with certain reports, both the clubs are willing to shell out a massive £30m for the Togo Star. Milan have confirmed that Adebayor is their main target for this summer.

So where will Adebayor play next season? Come this way for all you comments!

Turkey

Starting Line up - Rustu, Aurelio, Kazim-Richards, Altintop, Akman, Sarioglu, Topal, Zan, Balta, Boral, Senturk

Substitutes -Emre, Metin, Erdinc, Nihat, Karadeniz, Gungor, Zengin, Cetin.

Germany

Starting Line up - Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm, Hitzlsperger, Rolfes, Schweinsteiger, Ballack, Podolski, Klose.

Substitutes - Westermann, Frings, Gomez, Enke, Adler, Odonkor, Kuranyi, Borowski, Jansen, Fritz, Neuville, Trochowski

Germany have made it to the Euro 08 Final, to be played on the 29th of this month. They will face either Spain or Russia in the Final.

Both teams started brightly but Turkey went one goal up in the 22nd minute when Kazim-Richard’s attempt came back off the upper post and Ugur Boral scrambled the ball past Lehmann, into the German net. The German G.K could have done better than that! Germany started searching for the equalizer the very next minute and achieved it when Podolski’s low ball was well collected and finished by Schweinsteiger. The First half finished 1-1 and it was difficult to choose the better team in the two.

In the Second half, the Germans started brighter and even had a decent claim for a penalty in the 52nd minute when Lahm was brought down in the Turkish Penalty area by Sabri. The Ref ordered to play on but his decision was debatable. Later in the 79th minute, a regular cross was missed by Turkey G.K Rustu and Klose was present to head the ball home. Germany went 2-1 up and were now the favourites to reach the Final. But we can never write off Turkey’s ability to score in the last minute, can we? They held their nerve and equalized in the 86th minute. Sabri went past Lahm like he did not exist, put in a low cross and Semih toed the ball home. The thrilling match came to a conclusion when Lahm, who had not had a decent game yet, played a 1-2 with Frings, entered the Turkish Penalty Area and drilled the ball home. Germany then took off Klose for Janssen just to run the clock down. The Ref blew his whistle in the 93rd minute and Turkey were out. But it has to be mentioned that Turkey have been eliminated from the competition with their heads high and despite of suspensions, Red-Cards and injuries, they have put on a great show. On the other hand, Germany have marched on to Sunday’s Final clash with either Russia or Spain.

So can the Pre-Tournament favourites go on to lift the cup? Come this was for all your comments!

Paul Ince,40, has left MK Dons for Premier League Club Blackburn Rovers, succeeding former Manchester United team-mate Mark Hughes, who left Ewood Park for Manchester City this month, signing a three-year deal.

Ince said: “I’m not scared of many things and there is no fear factor here. It should be exciting and I’m excited. It means the world to me to be here.”I want to excite and entertain the fans and if they have seen my teams and how I like to play, I hope they will be excited by the prospects for us.”

Ince played down questions about his status as the Premier League’s first British black manager - and also insisted he will be going all-out to keep his best players, despite David Bentley wanting a move away from Ewood Park and Roque Santa Cruz also at the centre of speculation.

When asked about being the top-flight’s first black British boss, Ince said: “It means a lot but it also means a lot that I am in the Premier League.Ince will bring Ray Mathias from MK Dons as his assistant.

He has not given up hope of persuading £15m-rated England star Bentley to stay at the club, saying: “I want to keep my best players - Bentley, Santa Cruz, all of them. I will be speaking to those two players and the rest of my players and go from there.”

Blackburn chairman John Williams also confirmed Ince will be under a contractual obligation to get the Uefa Pro Licence that is required to coach in the top-flight after the Premier League gave a special dispensation.
England’s first black captain has also received the support of Piara Power, director of anti-racism organisation Kick It Out.

He said: “Although Paul Ince has been given the job solely on the basis of what he can bring to Blackburn Rovers, we hope he can be an inspiration to the many other black players leaving the game and a signal to chairmen across the leagues that they too should be looking at black coaching talent.”

Spain - Starts

D. Villa - Scores
S. Cazorla - Scores
M. Senna - Scores
D. Guiza - Misses
C. Fabregas - Scores

Italy - Starts

F. Grosso - Scores
D.D. Rossi - Misses
M. Camoranesi - Scores
A.D. Natale - Misses

Spain go 4-2 up after Fabregas’ strike and win the shoot-outs. The win gives Spain victory over Italy after 88 years in a major competition.

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Russia booked a place in the semi-finals Saturday after a superb performance when two goals in the second half of extra-time from Dmitriy Torbinsky and man-of-the-match Andrey Arshavin finally blew the Dutch out of the Euro.

The two teams fought hard in a fiercely fought encounter and the Russians(well, actually Hiddinks) outplayed the favourites Holland.

Roman Pavlyuchenko got the opener on 55 minutes and though Russia dominated Ruud van Nistelrooy grabbed a late equalizer.

In extra time Arshavin found the legs to feed Torbinskiy after 112 minutes before the brilliant Arshavin ran in to deal the killer blow himself after 115 minutes.

Russia now take on the winner of Sunday’s last quarter-final, between Italy v Spain, in Vienna on Thursday.

Ronaldo revealed after Portugal’s 3-2 defeat by Germany that he requires surgery on a foot injury that has been bothering him for three months.

“I’m going to have an operation now,” confirmed the winger.

“I have had a small problem for about three months. I’ll have the operation and then have a good recovery period.”

Croatia started as the much better side an outplayed Turkey in the First-Half. To be honest, the First 90 minutes of normal time were quite ordinary. Croatia were trying to score and Turkey were trying not to concede. Both the teams have been brilliant in the competition but watching them both in a goalless match could prove out to be quiet awful! As the match progressed, a penalty shoot-out looked like the most relevant solution since both sides could not manage to score. The Match ended 0-0 after the normal 90 minutes.

Ivan Klasnik managed to score for Croatia in the 119th minute after a huge Rustu error. Until this point the match was balanced with a slightly better Croatia side. Slaven Bilic’s side was slightly better in the regular time while Turkey balanced the match in the extra-time.

Semit Senturk was Turkey’s hero tonight. Terim’s squad managed another lucky come-back as Senturk scored in the 120th minute and sent the match for the penalty shoot-out. Turkey had a better moral and won the shoot-out clearly.

Croatia Starts:-

1. Modric-Miss

2. Srna- Scores

3. Rakitic-Miss

4. Petric-Miss

Turkey:-

1. Arda-Scores

2. Semith-Scores

3. Altintop-Scores

Turkey go 3-1 up in the shoot-outs and win it comfortably. The Turkey G.K even barely had to make a save in the shoot-out! So can the Germans beat Turkey ?

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Dutch club F.C Twente has appointed 47-year-old, Steve McClaren, as the team’s Head Coach. Yes, he is the man who (somehow) masterminded England’s failure to qualify for the Euro 08 Finals. This Genius manager would be revealed as F.C Twente boss by next week in a press conference. McClaren was obviously delighted to get this new job. He also mentioned he could not wait and wanted to start working.

So how bad would he be?

Both teams started well and had an attack-minded approach towards the game. Germany scored the First Goal of the game thanks to a wonderful Ballack-Podolski combination, where Podolski sent in the cross and Schweinsteiger beat Paola Ferreira to score. Good Finish! Germany doubled their lead just four minutes later when an unmarked Klose headed the ball home from a Schweinsteiger Free-Kick. Portugal then had to replace Moutinho who could not carry on and Raul Meireles came on for him in the 30th minute. Portugal cut down Germany’s lead to one goal just at the stroke of HT, when Nuno Gomes hit the ball past Metzelder, into the goal, when Ronaldo’s initial shot was well blocked by Lehmann.

Portugal needed to attack in the second half in order to score the 2 goals which would take them to the Semi-Final of the competition. But the goal was instead scored by German Captain Ballack who headed home from a Free-Kick, thanks to extremely casual defending by (who else?) Paola Ferreira. Scolari then had to do something in order to not finish his career as Portuguese coach in the next 30 minutes! He then bought on Nani for Gomes. In the 87th minute, Nani provided a good cross for Postiga, who headed the ball past Lehmann, into the German net.

But it was too little too late for Portugal as even the 4 minutes of extra-time could not help them beat the Germans! Portugal’s dreams are shattered and Scolari is no more their manager. On the other hand, the Germans have progressed to the next round of the competition and would definitely be the Favourites to beat either Croatia or Turkey.

So whom will they play? Can they win it all? Come this way for all your comments!

Russia will now face Holland in the QFs of the Euro 08 after convincingly defeating Sweden. Russia got off to a great start and Pavlyuchenko scored in the 24th minute. Russia completely deserved their lead and had been troubling Sweden’s Defence since the start. Striker Henrik Larsson was unlucky not to equalize when his glancing header beat Igor Akinfeev but hit the post. Russia wrapped up the game in the 50th minute when Arshavin scored as a result of an impressive counter-attack by Russia. That also justified Guus Hiddink’s decision of including Arshavin in the squad.

Russia played well and deserve to qualify. As for sweden, a lot more work is to be done if they want to progress in International Tournaments.

So can Russia beat the in-form Dutch?

Spain will play 2006 World Cup winners Italy in the Quarters of the Euro 2008.

Spain started brightly but the first Goal of the game went into their own net. Charisteas headed home from a Giorgios Karagounis’ free-kick. Spain could have won a penalty a minute before when Iniesta went down in the Greece penalty area. The Ref ordered to play on and booked Guiza for protest. The Spanish were back in the game after a De La Red Rocket into the Greece net. Nikopolidis had NO chance! Spain kept pushing for the winning goal and achieved it in the usual last minute of the game when Guiza was left unmarked and headed home from a Sergia Garcia cross.

So can the in-form Spain defeat the 2006 WC winners? Come this way for all your comments!

Romania could have gone through if they had beaten the Dutch but were undone by two goals in the second half by Orlando Engelaar and Robin van Persie and failed dramatically in their attempt to book a first quarter-final spot since 2000.

Holland meanwhile rumble on and can now look forward to a last-eight matchup with Russia or Sweden on Saturday at Basel.