Netherland 4-1 France

Netherlands reached the last eight of Euro 2008 and topped Group C with a superb win against France, who are now fighting to survive in the tournament.

Dirk Kuyt headed the Dutch in front after only 10 minutes.

Substitute Robin van Persie turned in Arjen Robben's cross on the hour, before Thierry Henry pulled one back from close range with 19 minutes left.

Robben's angled finish seconds later sunk France and Wesley Sneijder added a fourth from 20 yards in injury time.

The Dutch delivered another masterclass in ruthless finishing and the victory was a tactical triumph for coach Marco van Basten, who saw substitutes Van Persie and Robben emerge to play crucial roles in the win.

France, like Italy before them, had opportunities against the Dutch but were exposed by the brilliant counter-attacking style that has become the trademark of Van Basten's side.

Italy's earlier draw with Romania leaves them both battling with France to reach the quarter-finals.

And the so-called "group of death" will climax with a mouth-watering repeat of the 2006 World Cup final when France and Italy meet in Zurich on Tuesday, with survival in the tournament the potential prize.

The first goal was always going to prove crucial in Berne - and it was the Dutch who struck after only 10 minutes.

Rafael van der Vaart's corner evaded Henry at the near post and Kuyt out-muscled Florent Malouda to head past Gregory Coupet.
And Kuyt could have added a second shortly afterwards when Lilian Thuram made a mess of Giovanni van Bronckhorst's long ball, but the Liverpool striker lofted his finish off target.

France took their time to settle, but once they did they posed a genuine threat, with Sydney Govou twice shooting straight at Edwin van der Sar and Franck Ribery also forcing a save from the Manchester United keeper.

Dutch coach Van Basten made a change at half-time, replacing the ineffective Orlando Engelaar with Robben.

But it was France who picked up where they left off, with Henry's cross almost setting up Ribery a minute after the re-start.

France then had penalty appeals waved away when Henry's goal-bound shot struck Andre Ooijer's arm, but German referee Herbert Fandel ignored the claims.

Henry was then involved in the game's pivotal moment after 53 minutes when he was sent clear by Chelsea winger Malouda's over-head kick. Henry at his peak would surely have finished off the move, but only lobbed well over the bar with Van der Sar stranded.

The Netherlands took advantage of the reprieve to add a second with the sort of lightning counter-attack that destroyed Italy in their first group game.

Robben raced down the left flank and crossed for the incoming Van Persie - who was on for Kuyt - to sweep a finish past Coupet, despite the France keeper getting a hand to the ball.

France were thrown a lifeline with 19 minutes left when Henry beat Van der Sar with the faintest of touches from Willy Sagnol's superb cross - but hope was short-lived.

The Dutch swept downfield immediately and Robben, who had delivered a magnificent cameo, took Sneijder's pass and rifled a finish high past Coupet from a tight angle.

Sneijder then almost created a fourth for Ruud van Nistelrooy with a stunning raking pass that the striker met with a looping header that forced Coupet into a scrambled save.

But Sneijder was not to be denied and rounded off the win with a flourish with a glorious 20-yard finish that flew high past Coupet deep into injury time.



Holland: Van der Sar, Boulahrouz, Ooijer, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, De Jong, Engelaar (Robben 46), Kuyt (Van Persie 55), Van der Vaart (Bouma 78), Sneijder, van Nistelrooy.
Subs Not Used: Timmer, Stekelenburg, Heitinga, De Zeeuw, Melchiot, De Cler, Huntelaar, Afellay, Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Booked: Ooijer.

Goals: Kuyt 10, Van Persie 59, Robben 72, Sneijder 90.

France: Coupet, Sagnol, Thuram, Gallas, Evra, Govou (Anelka 75), Toulalan, Makelele, Malouda (Gomis 60), Ribery, Henry.
Subs Not Used: Mandanda, Frey, Boumsong, Abidal, Vieira, Benzema, Nasri, Clerc, Squillaci, Diarra.

Booked: Makelele, Toulalan.

Goals: Henry 71.

Att: 32,000

Ref: Herbert Fandel (Germany).

from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2008/7363369.stm

Italy 1-1 Romania

Italy 1-1 Romania: Italy clinging on after Mutu's hit-and-miss show

ITALY 1
Panucci (56)
ROMANIA 1
Mutu (55)
ITALY live to fight another day at the European Championships thanks to a late penalty save from goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon against Romania.

Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu had put the Romanians in front in the 57th minute only for Christian Panucci to equalise straight away for the world champions, who suffered a 3-0 humiliation to Holland in their opening Group C game.

Panucci then brought Daniel Niculae down five minutes from time to concede the penalty, but Mutu's effort from the spot was saved by Buffon.

The result means that Italy must now win their last game against France on Tuesday to stand any chance of progressing.

Italy did feel hard done by the officials, especially after Norwegian referee Tom Henning ruled out Luca Toni's goal on the stroke of half-time for offside.

"I don't usually speak about referees," said Donadoni. "But today's refereeing was not of high quality.

"Let's just say the referee did not have the best of days."

The draw has left Italy needing to win their final game against France to have any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.

Donadoni, who made wholesale changes to his side following their 3-0 loss to Holland in their opener, was impressed with his team's improved performance. "I think my players interpreted the game well, with a lot of determination," he said.

"Romania are a difficult team and I think my players merit praise for what they have done today.

"Considering what we have done in terms of chances and the determination we have shown on the pitch, I think Italy have been superior to Romania."

Donadoni praised Gianluca Zambrotta, despite the full-back's blunder – a back header towards Buffon that was intercepted by Mutu – which led to Romania's opener.

"Despite that incident, Zambrotta played a great game," said Donadoni. "He has shown a lot of quality and commitment."

Donadoni made five changes to the starting line-up but it failed to inspire the Azzurri, who are still winless after two games.

Fabio Grosso, Giorgio Chiellini, Simone Perrotta, Daniele De Rossi and Alessandro Del Piero all started.

Among those omitted were World Cup winners Marco Materazzi and Gennaro Gattuso, who looked sluggish in Berne on Monday.

The Italians, severely criticised after their flat display against the Dutch, showed a sense of urgency from the start and almost broke the deadlock in the eighth minute. Del Piero's close-range header from Perrotta's cross went just wide of the near post.

In the 15th minute, Romania should have gone in front but Mutu's left-footed strike from the edge of the area was parried away by Buffon.

At the other end, Toni latched onto Grosso's cross but his header went high over the bar. Buffon was then forced to fully stretch to clear Gabriel Tamas' free-kick towards the far post.

Italy almost fell behind in the 19th minute, with Cristian Chivu's free-kick deflected by Panucci but rebounding off the far post, with Buffon already beaten. Romania were forced to make their first substitution midway through the first half with Dica replacing the injured Mirel Radoi.

Italy showed more determination and twice had the opportunity to take the lead but both Del Piero and Toni headed wide.

Romania goalkeeper Bogdan Lobont made a one-handed save to deny Toni's header from Del Piero's corner having previously anticipated Giorgio Chiellini inside the box. Disaster soon struck for Italy after the break. Gianluca Zambrotta's back header towards Buffon was intercepted by a determined Mutu, who fired past the goalkeeper. It did not take long for Donadoni's men to hit back.

Chiellini latched onto Del Piero's corner and headed towards the far post where an unmarked Panucci fired into the back of the net.

The goal inspired the Italians, who surged forward more aggressively but failed to find the finishing touch.

In the 73rd minute, Grosso made a vital tackle on substitute Banel Nicolita as he threatened to break clear.

At the other end, Lobont made a spectacular save from De Rossi's flying header. Italy continued to surge forward but their efforts to clinch their first win on Swiss soil proved no avail.

And they have Buffon to thank for keeping their Euro 2008 hopes alive, after he kept out Mutu's late penalty with an agile save which saw the ball rebound off hand and foot before heading out for a corner.

Romania coach Victor Piturca also believed Italy were fortunate to clinch a point. "Italy had a lucky escape," he said. "Maybe Mutu was a little bit overwhelmed by Buffon being a top-class goalkeeper.

"But these things happen and it will not be the first time nor the last time that a player has his spot-kick saved. I am actually more angry about how we conceded Italy's equaliser than about Mutu's penalty kick."

Piturca was nevertheless satisfied with the result, which sees his team remain unbeaten in the tournament having held France to a goalless draw on Monday.

"This is a good result for the Romanian team," he said. "We have played against the world champions and against the World Cup runners-up and we have two points.

"We still have chances to qualify."

Romania take on Holland in their final group game on Tuesday without midfielder Mirei Radoi.

Radoi was substituted in the 25th minute after colliding in the air with an Italian player. "Apparently he will need to undergo eye surgery and he has a broken nose too. He will not be able to play the next game," said Piturca.

Italy: Buffon, Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso, Camoranesi (Ambrosini 85), Pirlo, De Rossi, Del Piero (Quagliarella 77), Perrotta (Cassano 58), Toni. Subs not used: Amelia, De Sanctis, Gamberini, Barzagli, Gattuso, Di Natale, Borriello, Aquilani, Materazzi. Booked: Pirlo, De Rossi.

Romania: Lobont, Contra, Tamas, Goian, Rat, Radoi (Dica 25), Petre (Nicolita 59), Codrea, Chivu, Mutu (Cocis 88), Daniel Niculae. Subs not used: Popa, Stancioiu, Marica, Sapunaru, Ghionea, Moti, Marius Niculae, Cristea, Radu. Booked: Mutu, Chivu, Goian.

from: http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/

Austria 1-1 Poland

Austria veteran Ivica Vastic levelled three minutes into injury time to earn a point against Poland after English referee Howard Webb awarded a controversial penalty.

Roger Guerreiro's first goal for his country looked to have given Poland a win against the Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria in Vienna.

Guerreiro, the Brazil-born playmaker, took advantage of an offside flag not appearing, another decision from the English officials that will cause debate.

Josef Hickersberger's side will not be happy with the team led by Webb, despite being given a way back into the game.

Notwithstanding another little-known UEFA interpretation of the laws, Guerreiro looked offside when he tapped in his first for his adopted country.

Before the opener, the focus had been on how Austria did not open the scoring.

They picked up where they left off against Croatia, attacking in numbers and applying pressure.

Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc made three early saves that kept Poland level.

Two were from Martin Harnik, who firstly latched onto a Marcin Wasilewski backpass and raced through, only for Boruc to deny him with an instinctive save using his feet, diverting the ball just past the upright.

Umit Korkmaz then weaved his way down the left before crossing for Harnik, with Boruc initially diving the wrong way but then using his feet to save, before showing great presence of mind to kick away when Michal Zewlakow passed back to him.

Poland's defence was fragile and exposed again with a ball over the top - and Boruc this time had to deny Christoph Leitgeb.

The Austrians were playing with confidence, spurred on by a home crowd, belying their world ranking of 92nd and looking the more likely to score.

Inevitably, Poland grabbed the opener totally against the run of play, on the half-hour mark.

Euzebiusz Smolarek swung the ball over from left to right, Marek Saganowski checked back and his deflected shot fell into the path of Guerreiro, who tapped in as the flag stayed down.

Jacek Krzynowek then had a couple of efforts from long range as Poland gathered momentum.

It continued after the interval as well, with Smolarek having a 25-yard shot saved.

Austria's efforts were more speculative as Webb turned down a woeful penalty appeal when Andreas Ivanschitz dived in the area without a touch from Pawel Golanski, who had come on at the break for Mariusz Jop.

Leitgeb then tried to catch out Boruc with a 45-yard free-kick but the effort sailed over.

Webb took 56 minutes before reaching for his pocket. Korkmaz was the player who received the yellow card for his trip on Saganowski as the winger checked back from the right byline.

Krzynowek also picked up a booking for having a shot after the whistle had blown, then Wasilewski was carded for pushing away Korkmaz.

Jurgen Macho was having a quiet time in goal for Austria but the former Chelsea stopper was called into action in the 63rd minute when he denied Jacek Bak at close range after Guerreiro had found him unmarked with a cross to the far post.

Krzynowek then had a powerful free-kick tipped over the bar by Macho when he tried his luck from 35 yards.

To compound Austria's problems, Sebastian Prodl was booked and will miss their final game of the group stages.

Austria brought on veteran Vastic for inspiration and he got his chance from 12 yards when Mariusz Lewandowski held Prodl as Poland defended a free-kick.

Who joins Croatia from Group B will now go down to the wire.

from: http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/euro2008/

Germany 1-2 Croatia

Croatia booked their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 after stunning pre-tournament favourites Germany with a 2-1 victory in Group B.

Having already defeated Austria, goals from Darijo Srna and Ivica Olic at Worthersee stadium handed Croatia another three points, while Germany could only pull back a late consolation through Lukas Podolski.

And as co-hosts Austria grabbed a late point against Poland in Thursday's late kick-off, Croatia were guaranteed a place in this year's final eight.

Croatia took the lead in the 24th minute as Danijel Pranjic crossed well from the left and Germany full-back Marcell Jansen was caught on his heels to allow Srna to prod past helpless shot-stopper Jens Lehmann.

Germany struggled for rhythm in the first half and only looked like drawing level when Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack curled a 30-yard free-kick towards goal, but Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa was equal to the effort.

Manager Joachim Low opted to shuffle his German pack at the interval as David Odonkor replaced the ineffective Jansen, but the change made little difference as Croatia doubled their advantage on 62 minutes.

Ivan Rakitic saw his right-wing cross deflect of the arm of Podolski to wrong-foot Lehmann and hit the post, and Olic responded the quickest to tap in.

Germany were to grab a lifeline on 79 minutes as Podolski fired his third of the tournament after Croatia failed to clear a Philipp Lahm cross, but Bastian Schweinsteiger's red card following retaliation to a Jerko Leko challenge ruled out an equaliser.

Both sides came into the game having won their opening matches, although Germany had looked far more impressive in seeing off Poland than Croatia had in defeating Austria.

from: http://euro2008.sportinglife.com/football/

Switzerland 1-2 Turkey

Euro 2008 co-hosts Switzerland became the first team knocked out of the competition after they lost to Turkey.

The Swiss had taken the lead during a torrential downpour when a low cross slowed on the drenched pitch and allowed Hakan Yakin to tap in.

Yakin missed a glorious chance from the same spot and was punished later on when Semih Senturk headed Turkey level.

Arda Turan then broke Swiss hearts when he cut inside and scored with a shot in injury-time which took a deflection.

Portugal's win over the Czech Republic earlier on had added to the pressure on the home side as they knew a defeat would result in their elimination.

The situation meant the St Jakob-Park stadium in Basel was a melting pot of nervous tension and passionate support from the Swiss contingent at the start.

There was also an extra element of needle around the game after the two teams were involved in a mass brawl at the final whistle of a World Cup 2006 play-off which the Swiss won on away goals.

Turkey's hunger for revenge saw them look the more assured in the early stages, while the prospect of elimination weighed heavily on a lacklustre Switzerland.

The pouring rain did not help the game and the home nation had to produce some last-ditch defending before giving their crowd reason to get excited.

Yakin's stinging shot was palmed away by Volkan Demirel before the Turkey keeper excellently touched a Tranquillo Barnetta free-kick round his post.

At the other end, Turkey hit the post when keeper Diego Benaglio pushed a free-kick inadvertently against Arda Turan and the ball richocheted back off the woodwork.

The downpour had meant that the ball regularly held up on the drenched pitch and, although the atrocious conditions made the game almost impossible, this worked to Switzerland's favour.

Philippe Senderos played a pass over the top of Turkey's defence to Derdiyok and he, with the help of the soaked ground, gave Yakin the simple task of tapping in.

Yakin had another glorious chance at the same spot minutes later when Valon Behrami crossed but the Swiss playmaker sidefooted the bouncing ball unbelievably wide from point-blank range.

Turkey came out with a renewed sense of purpose after the break as the rain ceased and they grabbed an equaliser when Semih Senturk nodded in Nihat's cross.

Swiss keeper Benaglio got two hands to the header but, instead of saving, could only divert the ball into his goal.

Nihat was inches away from a Tuncay Sanli cross as Turkey threatened a winner which finally came in dramatic fashion late on.

Turkey now face the Czech Republic with both sides on three points and in a straight shoot-out for a last eight slot, while Portugal have now qualified.


Switzerland: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Muller, Senderos, Magnin, Behrami, Inler, Gelson (Cabanas 76), Barnetta (Vonlanthen 66), Yakin (Gygax 85), Derdiyok.
Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Jakupovic, Djourou, Huggel, Frei, Streller, Grichting, Spycher, Degen.

Booked: Derdiyok.

Goals: Yakin 32.

Turkey: Demirel, Altintop, Asik, Cetin, Balta, Karadeniz (Senturk 46), Aurelio, Metin (Topal 46), Turan, Nihat (Kazim-Richards 85), Sanli.
Subs Not Used: Rustu, Zengin, Zan, Emre, Gungor, Boral, Akman, Sarioglu, Erdinc.

Booked: Sanli, Aurelio, Balta.

Goals: Senturk 57, Turan 90

Czech Republic 1-3 Portugal

Afternoon everyone and welcome to live coverage of this tussle between Group A's heavyweights. The teams are already in:

Czech Republic
Cech, Grygera, Ujfalusi, Rozehnal, Jankulovski, Galasek, Sionko, Matejovsky, Polak, Plasil, Baros.
Subs: Blazek, Zitka, Kovac, Fenin, Koller, Sverkos, Vlcek, Pospech, Kadlec, Jarolim, Sivok, Skacel.

Portugal
Ricardo, Bosingwa, Pepe, Carvalho, Ferreira, Petit, Joao Moutinho, Ronaldo, Deco, Simao, Nuno Gomes.
Subs: Quim, Rui Patricio, Bruno Alves, Fernando Meira, Raul Meireles,
Hugo Almeida, Miguel, Jorge Ribeiro, Quaresma, Veloso, Nani, Postiga.
Referee: Kyros Vassaras (Greece)

So Milan Baros replaces Jan Koller - embarrassingly ineffective against the Swiss, this is surely a tournament too far for him - for the Czechs. Still no place, though, for Eintracht Frankfurt's Martin Fenin, who has impressed in the Bundesliga this season.

Mysterious bracket dept. "I guess what Fergie has been saying is true," writes Marie Meyer. "Ronaldo has had his head turned by Real Madrid - so much so he can't even look in the right corner." Look, finding a picture of him looking vaguely upwards in a confused manner was tough enough.

Anthem watch: Portugal: big brass, a few cymbals and plenty of oomph (particularly from Nuno Gomes). Czech Rep: much slower and very little singing from the squad. The Iberians win that one hands down.

Peep! And we are off.

2 min: Tomas Galasek nips the ball away from Ronaldo as the Manchester Utd man starts to get out the stepovers. A cagey, shapeless start to proceedings.

4 min: Sionko cuts inside Ferreira (playing left-back this evening) and attempts to curl a shot at goal. It's blocked. Ronaldo returns the favour at the other end after a quick break.

5 min: If you get bored at any point (as if!) why not head over to the blog and read all about Barney Ronay's meeting with Haddaway. Yes, that Haddaway. Failing that, there's always the Fiver to keep you entertained.

GOAL! Czech Rep 0-1 Portugal (Deco 8) Ronaldo dances through the centre of the Czech back four, Cech makes a superb stop. The ball trickles to the feet of Deco, Cech again denies Portugal, but the ball drops back to the feet of the little midfielder, who bundles the ball past Jankulovski on the line.

11 min: "I presume you're not being paid by the word – that preamble was ridiculously short," moans Aidan O'Keefe. "I've two more hours here trying to sort the Irish fishing industry so get cracking with the quips …" In my defence, Aidan, it's all been a bit last-minute today. I'm still trying to get to grips with who's who on the pitch.

13 min: As Stuart Lawson points out, the Guardian's David Pleat, moonlighting in his ITV role, keeps referring to the Czechs as Czechoslovakia. His tactical analysis may be unsurpassed, but perhaps he does need to work on his geo-political knowledge of the last 15 years or so.

15 min: Petit has an ambitious punt at goal. Cech yawns, lights his pipe, glances at his crossword, then calmly picks the ball up.

16 min: Sionko again bursts away down the left. Corner to the Czechs ...

GOAL! Czech Republic 1-1 Portugal (Sionko 17) ... swung in Plasil and Sionko throws himself at the ball on the six yard line, powering a header past Ricardo. Game on.

19 min: "What a missed oportunity that goal was," writes Robin Hazlehurst in reference to Portugal's opener. "Both Ronaldo and Deco could easily have fallen over in the box and claimed a penalty but instead they chose to keep going and score. Platini will be most disappointed."

21 min: Reading's Marek Matejovsky has impressed early on, lying deep in the Czech midfield and breaking up Portugal's play. Petit has another wild swing at goal, this one zips well wide.

22 min: Polak booked for - shock, horror - making a tackle. Bah - you can't slide in at all these days.

24 min: Terrific effort from Deco, drifting inside from the left and spanking one narrowly wide. Lovely stuff.

25 min: Ronaldo stings Cech's hands with a drive from the edge of the area. Portugal are well on top here, despite the blow of that equaliser.

28 min: Thanks to everyone who's sent in a 'flipped' Ronaldo pic that enables him to look in the right direction for bracket-pondering purposes, but I'm afraid it would contravene Guardian policy if I used them. No touching up allowed here - down that route lies left-handed orchestras.

29 min: Ricardo flaps at a corner, but Sionko fails to take advantage.

31 min: Boswinga booked for a lunge on Galasek. Somebody's clearly had a word with our Pleaty - he's now referring to the Republic of Czechoslovakia, which is an improvement of sorts.

33 min: Could I just point out that any jokes about Quim will not be published in this MBM, OK? We're not going to go there. Feisty stuff in Geneva, the ref is only hanging on to this by a thread.

35 min: A remarkable run from Baros almost creates a chance for the Czechs, but, after sprinting half the length of the pitch, he's far too tired to pick out any of his team-mates.

38 min: Baros spins away from Carvalho to win a free-kick, but Grygera's poor cross ends any attacking opportunity. A better delivery in the final third and the Czechs might have the lead here.

40 min: "Can you not move the brackets to the other side?" asks Mark Fritzel. That's just the problem, Mark, we don't know what they are or where they've come from. Our top tech bods are on the case, but at the moment they're a mystery. Corner to Portugal ...

41 min: ... a beautifully worked little number, which earns the Portuguese another corner. Carvalho's heavy touch then lets him down.

42 min: Decent save from Cech as Ronaldo hammers a shot at goal from distance. The Chelsea-bound Boswinga, who has impressed thus far, then floats a cross which the keeper claims. "Bosingwa makes defending look fun, which is kind of like making filing your taxes look sexy," writes an equally-impressed Richard Whittall.

44 min: Three men down! Ronaldo hits the turf after being glanced in the chops by Ulfalusi, and Ferreira and Sionko crumble near the half-way line after a challenge between the two. Mr Vassaras needs to get a bit of a grip on this one.

45 min: Free-kick to Portugal in a dangerous position ...

45+1 min: Ronaldo clips it and Cech fields the ball down at his ankles. And that's half-time - a rambunctious 45 minutes all told.

Half-time Soulmates zone: "I must ask Marie Meyer if she is the very same MM whose lovely harbourside flat in Bristol once had a fridge that appeared to contain bottles of champagne, bottles of Kronenbourg. And nothing else." writes Mike Hatcher. "Well?"

Half-time all-hail-the-mysterious-bracket news: "Maybe we could read about the history of the mighty bracket," writes Amit Slaich. "My hypothesis being that by reading about it, we could come to appreciate its power, its significance and its oh-so-subtle beauty." Hmm.

Half-time geo-political round-up: "Re: Czechoslovakia - I think we should go with all the old names for the tournament," writes Alvin Williams. "Both Portugal and Spain should be referred to as "The Moorish Kingdom of Al-Andalus."

Brackets - The Truth: "I am the tech bod who fixed the brackets problem," writes guardian.co.uk's own Ben Parker. "Our main man Gordon has tested that the brackets are now gone. Please tell Ronaldo and the fans that they will be gone as of tomorrow. BTW if there are any other random characters the fans would like to see this can be arranged." I for one will miss their benevolent, smiling gaze over MBMs. Perhaps a couple of {} can be lined up as replacements? I mean, what's the story with those?

Soulmates update: "Not exactly correct - I'm pretty sure there were also a few bottles of nail polish," writes Marie Meyer. "But it has all changed now that I'm in America. California whites and Corona."

Peep No2: And we're off once more.

46 min: "Every time I see Karel Bruckner, I can't help thinking of radical philosopher Herbert Marcuse." Er, me to, Rich Askew. "Could they be one and the same man? Could Marcuse have traded polymorphous peversity in the ivory towers for a radical role as football manager?" Possibly. Anyhow, corner to Portugal ...

47 min: ... odd clearance from Fiorentin hardman Ujfalusi, but it just about does the job.

48 min: A super pass from Matejovsky has Sionko clear down the right, but his pull-back fails to find Plasil or Baros - a real wasted opportunity. Baros shakes the net in fury, giving us an uncomfortable sea-sickness inducing wobbly picture from the 'netcam'.

52 min: "Has anyone else noticed that those brackets look like a small bum, mooning everything you Guardian hacks produce?" It has been noted, Daniel Lett. Slow, slow, quick, quick build-up from Portugal, with a simply gorgeous little reverse pass from Deco allowing Nuno Gomes to poke a shot at goal. Cech holds, though.

55 min: Rozehnal shows all the skills learned in a season at St James' Park, inexplicably allowing the ball to run across him and letting Nuno Gomes in behind. The defender recovers, though, and Portugal waste the corner.

57 min: Jan Koller (the poor man's Carsten Jancker?) is warming up, with Baros likely to make way.

59 min: Simao tests check with a shot inside the box, but the big Chelsea keeper is equal to it. "Did anyone else think it spectacularly insensitive for the ITV commentary team to be laughing and joking about Baros' speeding offences given the events of the weekend?" asks Strathmore Barker. Yes, I can safely say they did.

61 min: Sionko forces another corner ...

62 min: ... Ujfalusi nods on and it just evades the onrushing Baros and Sionko and slides just wide of the post.

GOAL! Czech Republic 1-2 Portugal (Ronaldo 63): A cracking strike too. A quick free-kick, an instant pass from Deco and a first-time shot from Ronaldo. Cech has no chance.

64 min: This is breathless stuff. Free-kick to the Czechs ...

65 min: ... Jankulovksi floats it in, Ricardo flaps (again) and Grygera's volley is charged down. Er, corner to Portugal ...

66 min: ... another well-worked short one, but Pepe is offside from the cross.

68 min: Stanislav Vlcek has been brought off the bench to instill some attacking vigour into the Czechs. "When Rich Askew talks about Marcuse, does he mean the new manager of Man City?" wonders Adam Roberts.

70 min:Nearly an equaliser as Baros and Vlcek almost get on the end of Plasil's nod across the box.

73 min: Koller (the Czech Wayne Allison?) finally trundles on, with Galasek jogging off. Meira replaces Moutinho for Portugal.

75min: Deco and Simao argue like a couple of 11-year-olds over a free-kick. Simao wins and plants his set-piece into the wall. Gubbins.

77 min: Plasil finds Baros with a chipped, inswinging pass. The Portsmouth man confidently plants his header yards wide of the goal. He's looked yesterday's man this evening.

79 min: Hugo Almeida replaces the Portugal captain Nuno Gomes. I'm interested to see how he fares - Gomes has been his usual 7/10 today, but to win this thing they may need a striker who offers a sharper threat in the box.

81 min: Good news for poorly-picked fantasy football teams everywhere as Quaresma makes an appearance.

83 min: Sionko should have equalised. A free header, six yards out, but he gives Ricardo a chance when he should have had none. Tipped over and Portugal scramble the corner away.

85 min: Jankulovski's pass sells Sionko short with the Czechs well placed.

88 min: You've got a free-kick 40 yards from goal. You've got 6"7' Koller and your centre-halves in the box. So what do you do? Play it short? That's what the Czechs do, and it's a waste of time.

89 min: Moments later, from a free-kick in exactly the same spot is curled into the box and Baros, Koller and Sionko are all bearing down on Ricardo, who punches nervously. Three minutes added on - the Czechs need to get it in the mixer.

GOAL! Czech Republic 1-3 Portugal (Quaresma 90): Another quick free-kick catches the Czechs out. Deco puts Ronaldo in the clear and he unselfishly squares for Quaresma to wrap things up. Harsh on the Czechs, this.

Peep No3! That's it. Two pieces of quick-thinking from dead balls, two moments of slumbering in the Czech backline and it's game over. Have your say over at the sportblog where Duncan Castles will analysing the action. And stick around for Tom Lutz's coverage of the Switzerland v Turkey grudge match. That's it from me. Cheerio.

from http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/

Greece 0-2 Sweden

Zlatan Ibrahimovic produced a moment of magic to put Sweden on the path to a crucial Euro 2008 victory against holders Greece in Group D.

Ibrahimovic scored his first goal for Sweden since 2005 with a stunning 25-yard strike after 67 minutes.

Petter Hansson scrambled home Sweden's second six minutes later to end Greece's dogged defensive resistance.

Hansson had almost given Greece the lead earlier, heading just wide of his own goal, but Sweden deserved the win.

Greece looked a shadow of the side that shocked Europe in Portugal four years ago and once Sweden took the lead, Otto Rehhagel's team never looked likely to salvage anything from a dour encounter.

Sweden are now in pole position to qualify along with Spain, while Greece face the prospect of having to beat Russia on Saturday to keep the crown they won in Lisbon's Stadium of Light in 2004.

Greece were the surprise winners in that tournament, with a style based on a fierce discipline and a strong rearguard, and they appeared intent on defending their title in similar fashion.

Angelos Charisteas, whose goal beat Portugal in the last final, was the main Greek danger in the first half and he tested Sweden keeper Andreas Isaksson with a powerful shot after a driving run in the sixth minute.

Inter Milan striker Ibrahimovic almost got the opener the game so desperately needed after 32 minutes.

He stole in on the end of Freddie Ljungberg's cross but could only direct his header on to the roof of the net, with Greece keeper Antonis Nikopolidis stranded.
Ibrahimovic scored his first goal for Sweden since 2005


Charisteas was in the action again three minutes before the interval but once more he shot straight at Isaksson, who then saved well from an awkward, dipping Angelos Basinas effort.

Greece introduced striker Georgios Samaras for Fanis Gekas after the break but the stalemate continued in a game crying out for a goal.

And it almost came in bizarre fashion after 65 minutes when Hansson glanced Traianos Dellas' cross only inches wide of his own goal.

The deadlock was broken two minutes later - courtesy of a goal that was totally out of keeping with what had gone before.

Ibrahimovic played in Henrik Larsson before taking the return pass in his stride and sending a magnificent rising drive past Nikopolidis from 25 yards.

It was his last action of the game but soon after Sweden increased their lead with a scrambled second after 73 minutes.

Nikopolidis saved well from Ljungberg as he raced in on goal but the loose ball sparked an outbreak of mass confusion in the Greek penalty area and Hansson bundled home to effectively seal the win.

Greece had been desperately short of attacking invention but Vassilis Torosidis almost threw them a lifeline with three minutes left, forcing Isaksson into a fine block at his near post.


Greece: Nikopolidis, Seitaridis, Kyrgiakos, Antzas, Dellas (Amanatidis 70), Torosidis, Charisteas, Basinas, Katsouranis, Karagounis, Gekas (Samaras 46).
Subs Not Used: Chalkias, Goumas, Vyntra, Spyropoulos, Patsatzoglou, Giannakopoulos, Tziolis, Salpigidis, Liberopoulos, Tzorvas.

Booked: Charisteas, Seitaridis, Torosidis.

Sweden: Isaksson, Alexandersson (Stoor 74), Mellberg, Hansson, Nilsson, Wilhelmsson (Rosenberg 78), Svensson, Ljungberg, Andersson, Ibrahimovic (Elmander 71), Henrik Larsson.
Subs Not Used: Shaaban, Dorsin, Majstorovic, Granqvist, Kallstrom, Sebastian Larsson, Linderoth, Allback, Wiland.

Goals: Ibrahimovic 67, Hansson 73.

Spain 4-1 Russia

Right, I had to answer some pretty tricky emails about the URLs we're going to use for the Olympics - wait until you read those babies, they'll blow you away - so here's some hastily pasted team news.

Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Marchena, Puyol, Capdevila,
Silva, Senna, Xavi, Iniesta, Villa, Torres. Subs: Palop, Albiol,
Fernando Navarro, Juanito, Arbeloa, Alonso, De la Red, Fabregas,
Santi Cazorla, Guiza, Sergio Garcia, Reina.

Russia: Akinfeev, Aniukov, Shirokov, Kolodin, Zhirkov, Sychev,
Zyryanov, Semak, Semshov, Bilyaletdinov, Pavluchenko. Subs:
Gabulov, Vasili Berezutsky, Yanbaev, Ignashevich,
Alexei Berezutsky, Bystrov, Torbinsky, Ivanov, Saenko, Adamov,
Malafeev.

Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria)

If you think I'm lazy, the BBC haven't even started their coverage yet. Instead, we're treated to Newsround, which has told me some dolphins have died (boo), a kitten has been saved by some fireman (hooray), Harry Hill thinks sports days are good and the presenter has a scandalously low-cut top for a children's show. No wonder the younger generation is going to pot. In Craven's day it was turtlenecks all the way.

Come on then, Naylor, have you say: "Spain are in the weakest group, but have an awkward opening match. They've oceans of talent, but possibly don't know their best XI. And will the mix of players drawn from such diverse clubs and cultures gel on the day? We've been here before haven't we? Spain are amongst the favourites, but you can't help thinking that another car crash of a tournament awaits them. They even lost to England on penalties in 96! (though El Tel was very fortunate not to go out that afternoon)." Now, Spain will coast this game – witness the way they blasted Ukraine and Tunisia away at the beginning of the last World Cup, before melting into a cowering wreck come the quarter-finals. As a mildly diverting, but kind of irrelevant-because-it- happened-four years-ago, footnote Spain's opening game of Euro 2004 saw them win 1-0 against …. Russia.

Now, Russia may have knocked England out but they really were terrible in qualifying – they gave England about 532 chances to get back into it, and only Steve McClaren could have failed to accept their ludicrously generous gifts. Plus, Arshavin - Russia's best player - is suspended today. Expect some Romania-style stonewalling.

1 min: Much ball stroking which almost sees the Russians intercept the ball deep in Spain's half. "Isn't that picture from the knockout stage of a tournament," chuckles George Templeton. "How often are Spain celebrating a goal by that time?"

4 min: Free-kick to Russia that causes a bit of puzzlement in the Spanish area, Casillas attempts to punch, stuffs it up, but his team clear. "Here's some URLs for the Olympics: snore@beijing.com; possdrugcheat@sprint.com; dullsport@bbc.co.uk; whocaresanymore@olympics.hubris.com," writes the ever helpful Naylor. They're email addresses, but we'll forgive you Gary. And you forgot factualerrors@tomlutz.co.uk.

5 min: Now it's Spain's turn for a spot of free-kickery. Villa latches onto it with an odd chest/header move that amuses rather than threatens. "My girlfriend is almost going out of her way to accommodate my need to watch as much of the Euros as possible," chunters Graham. "I'm fearing that the backlash, after the tournament has finished, will be fierce. Should I ditch her now, and enjoy an entirely guilt-free championships, or should I enjoy it while it lasts and ditch her straight afterwards, thus avoiding the backlash?" Force her top watch every single one of Stubbsy's pitchside chats with Marcel Desailly on a 24-hour loop, she should get the message pretty sharpish.

8 min: Shirokov fails to control a ball pinged up to him on the edge of the area, while at the other end Torres scuffs a shot wide of the post. David Hopkins can quote French writers and everything: "Voltaire once said 'If God did not exist it would be necessary to invent Him'. Is that how the Rebranded Website writers think of Gary Naylor? What would you do if you sat down for a commentary and Naylor hadn't helpfully written your introduction for you?" Hmmm, not sure let me email Naylor and see what he thinks.

11 min: "What sort of fool doesn't start Fabregas," demands David Doyle. A racist fool, David. And one that's noticed that Cesc is a bit sleepy after his Premier League excursions this season. England's chum Pavlyuchenko causes a few problems down the left, but he's offside as he hits his cross in (and it's rubbish anyway).

15 min: Shirokov ploughs through Villa and Spain get the free-kick, which comes to nowt. So far nothing has happened in this game and yet it's still five times more interesting than France's game yesterday, featuring as it does, shots, passes and all that good football stuff. Silva has a shot from distance straight at the keeper.

17 min: A busy few moments for Russia as they flirt with the idea of actually having a shot. In the end, they close their eyes, cross their fingers and take the risk: Sychev storms in, but his shot is blocked.

19 min: Villa makes space for himself and shoots when he really should have passed to Torres. He gets a corner though, which arrives smartly on the head of a Russian defender at the near post.

Goal!!!!!!! Spain 1–0 Russia (Villa, 20 min)Now Torres is a lot more unselfish than old grabby-guts Villa. He breaks clear and crosses to the unmarked Villa who taps the ball in.

23 min: Russia strike back! (Almost). They thump the ball against the post as Spain's defenders look on idly. Spain then counter-attack like their names were Holland and Akinfeev has to react smartly to put Torres off his stride.

27 min: As good as all this action is, it's quite hard on the old typing fingers. I almost pine for the long, flat stretches of France v Romania. Villa forces the corner after getting a shot in at the near post. "I'll be at work until 5.45 editing video of the dippy but pretty [namedrops furiously] Agyness Deyn in interview," writes Amir. What, you're not going to stick around for another hour and read the rest of my opus? "As for Graham dilemma, I'm in a similar boat - my other half has taken up online role playing games to counter the tournament. My only concern is that when the footie is over, she will either a/ hate me completely b/ be so engrossed in her online role playing that she's forgotten about me entirely c/ both." Or she'll have run off with a seven-foot purple Viking (that's not a euphemism).

29 min: Spain are playing beautifully at the moment, which makes their inevitable decline in a week or so's time even more tragic. The signs are there too, their defenders seem determined not to defend.

33 min: Zyryanov walks through the Spanish defence before they think to tackle him. Russia have had a bit more pressure of late, but aren't creating any real chances.

36 min: Spain take the pressure off with some exemplary tiki-tak (that's Spanish for knocking it about, if Spanish has Ks, it might not). I get an email to confirm our top tecchie Steven Wells (not that one) is working on the Olympic URLs right now – hold on to the seat of your pants, readers, this is about to get interesting.

39 min: "I didn't realise David Villa was Spanish for John Arne Riise," says James Wells. "Has Villa had a touch where he hasn't shot it? And shot it horribly off target, with the exception of the goal, of course?" Top punditry, Wells: Villa blasts a shot into a Russian defender's shins.

43 min: The BBC elect to show a crucial free-kick from a ridiculous overhead angle, which doesn't obscure the fact that Pavlyuchenko's shot strikes the bar. Having said that, our tools have stopped working, so we're not really ones to talk.

Goal!!!!!!! Spain 2–0 Russia (Villa 44 min)Iniesta cuts in and Villa slides the ball through Akinfeev's legs. OK, so his finishing might be a bit better than John Arne Riise's

Half-timeGreat stuff from Villa (and Torres) who have ripped the Russian centre-halfs apart with their movement.

"Spain play some very pretty football but I'm unconvinced. A better pressing team like Italy would give them great problems," says Gene Salorio. Well, maybe not Italy.

"I popped into crowded local bar just as Spain scored here in Barcelona. Pretty sure I actually heard a pin drop," writes Jim Burke. "The Barcelona cats don't seem to be behind the national team, for some reason." Woah! Even the cats in Barcelona are against Spain, no wonder they implode.

46 min: Russia start the second half. "I love the way Spain play but they are so wee. Lots of wee tricky men in midfield. Plus they have a flapper between the sticks," says Russell Brady, conjuring unhealthy images of Iker Casillas dancing the Charleston (he's a brilliant keeper, by the way). "I predict second round exit at the hands of some big men via set-pieces." Ah, where are England when you need them?

47 min: Zhirkov skips past a defender, but gets carried away and loses the ball when he should have crossed. Still, Russia can claim to have dominated this half.

50 min: Bystrov has a fairly free header, but it goes straight to Casillas, who doesn't flap. An associate professor of Spanish (no less) tells us something we'd kind of figured out already. "It may be that the Barcelona cats may not be behind the Spanish national team on account of the centuries of oppression that the Catalan culture has faced at the hands of those in Madrid," storms Bob Davidson.

54 min: Torres is off and Fabregas is on and we have one striker. There goes the best (only) attacking football we've seen at this tournament. "Can I be the 1,057th person to express astonishment at seeing Villa on the scoresheet twice before half time," says Luke Williams. "I mean, that hasn't happened since Andy Gray left, has it?." Or the last time they played Birmingham. Or Chelsea.

58 min: Villa has another shot. Yep, he's scored two but he could easily have had four or five. My foolish decision to open a whole Cannery Row's worth of worms with Jim Burke's email has resulted in at least 98 diatribes on Spanish/Catalan relations which you can flick through at your pleasure if you send me a tenner. I'm praying Switzerland-Turkey don't have any history behind them for tomorrow' s game.

61 min: Bilyaletdinov shoots just wide, although he really should have done better. Spain are attempting to shut up shop, but keep on letting people in to buy post-pub fags and some Pickled Onion Monster Munch.

62 min: Zhirkov puts in a satisfying crunch of a challenge as Silva advances in on goal.

64 min: Iniesta, who has looked a bit peaky all game, is off and Santi Cazorla in on.

67 min: Senna has a header well saved from a corner, before Silva cracks in a great shot that Akinfeev clutches to his chest. "Speaking as an associate professor of Russian (no less, no more), may I lower the cultural level and note that Tommy Smyth's comments on ESPN are even more inane and inaccurate than usual," fumes Associate Professor of Russian Andrew Reynolds. "I'm amazed there aren't any web petitions aimed at getting him and his bulging onion bags the sack. Perhaps we can persuade our American friends to hire Gary Naylor instead?" I think Naylor's aiming to team up with Obama on a dream politics/football trivia ticket.

70 min: Pavlyuchenko is free in the box, but Spain close him down quickly and his shot can only find a defender's legs.

71 min: Bystrov (who was a sub himself) is off and Adamov is on, dashing my hopes of seeing the end of Bilyaletdinov, whose name takes eight minutes to type.

72 min: Russia seem content to see the end of this game, saving themselves for the gentler arms of Sweden and Greece.

Goal!!!!!!! Spain 3–0 Russia (Villa 75 min)Fabregas rips off his jim-jams and delivers a superb ball that Villa slides past Akinfeev.

77 min: The excellent Silva makes way for Alonso. "Nope, no real animosity between the Swiss and the Turks, although the Saracens (some of whom may have been from what is now Turkey) did overrun the Valais in the 10th century," writes Luke Williams who really should be associate professor of Swiss/Turk relations. "Nowadays, that sort of thing is usually done by eager Brits in bobble hats, keen to sample Swiss hospital food and to contribute to the booming Swiss crutch industry."

80 min: Spain are playing the most luxurious of luxury football, just because they can. Rather charmingly, they're all too polite to shoot, eager to give it to one of their friends to score.

84 min: Steve Forstneger reminds me of the fisticuffs Switzerland and Turkey enjoyed during qualification for the last World Cup, so tomorrow should be fun. Casillas has just been clattered while coming for a cross and isn't looking too well.

Goal!!!!!!! Spain 3–1 Russia (Pavlyuchenko 86 min)Russian corner and Pavlyuchenko stoops to head home. Spain don't look too bothered though.

89 min: A brilliantly bad ball from Ramos as he gives it away to Russia on the edge of the area. Spain have been pretty bad for the last five minutes or so, not that it matters.

Goal!!!!!!! Spain 4–1 Russia (Fabregas 90 min)Spain break and although Akinfeev saves the initial shot from Xavi, Fabregas is there to pick up the rebound.

90 min + 2: Here's Paul McLeroy:
A-Level Football Transfers

Written Exam

Using only your fingers and toes calculate how much David Villas price has just gone up and how much less likely it is that he'll be at Spurs next season.

PEEEEEEEEEEEP!!! Impressive stuff from Spain, they ripped apart Russia and moved beautifully as they did so. Villa and Torres were terrifying. Having said that, their defending was sloppy at times, and they started with four goals at the last World Cup too.

from http://www.guardian.co.uk

"Total Football" Belanda hancurkan Italia

Kemenangan 3-0 yang diraih Belanda atas italia pada laga group c, di Stadion De Suisse, Swiss Selasa dini hari WIB, merupakan hasil terbesar sejak puataran euro 2008 ini dimulai sabtu. Istimewanya lagi Belanda berhasil menumbangkan team juara Piala Dunia 2006 tersebtu dengan angka telak, padahal sejak Piala Dunia 1978 Belanda tidak pernah menang dari Italia.

Mengawali pertandingan, Belanda langsung menggebrak dengan permainan cepat dan lugas. Formasi 4-2-3-1 terbukti efektif menembus pertahanan Italia, sekaligus meredakan gebrakan Luca Toni dan antonio Di Natale.

Sebaliknya Italia seperti terlambat mengantisipasi permainan Belanda. Formasi 4-3-3 yang diterapkan pelatih Roberto Donadoni tidak efektif, karena menggunakan tiga gelandang bertahan, yakni Andrea Pirlo, gattuso, dan Ambrosini. dengan formasi tersebut , lini Italia cenderung bermain sangat hati-hati dan lambat.

Italia dikejutkan oleh gol Ruud van Nistelrooy pada menit ke-26. Tertinggal 0-1, italia mulai meningkatkan serangan, tetapi bukan gol yang diperoleh tetapi malah kecolongan gol ke-2 belanda yang disarangkan Wesley Sneijder.

Belanda semakin berjaya setelah gol dari Van Bronckhorst, memanfaatkan serangan balik yang cepat, sebenarnya Italia memiliki sejumlah peluang emas, salah satunya persis terjadi sebelum gol ke-3 Belanda terjadi yaitu melalui tendangan bebas, namun semua peluang tersebut dapat dimentahkan oleh kiper MU, Edwin Van Der sar yang memang bermain baik malam itu.

"Ini adalah laga terburuk sejak kami kalah 0-3 dari Swedia 12 tahun lalu." sesal kiper Italia, Gianluigi Buffon. Sedang di kubu Belanda, pelatih Belanda Marco Van basten mengaku merasa puas melihat skema "total football" yang dimainkan dengan dengan  sempurna oleh pemain-pemainnya.

Pada laga lain, Perancis bermain imbang tanpa gol melawan Rumania. Pelatih Perancis Raymond domenech mengaku, absennya Thierry Henry dan Patrick Vieira mengurangi daya gedor dan kreatifitas lini tengah. Sedang pelatih Rumania Victor Piturca mengaku kecewa dengan hasil akhir tanpa gol.

Germany 2-0 Poland

LUKAS Podolski scored both goals yesterday to give three-time champions Germany a winning start at the European Championships with a 2-0 win over his native Poland, who remain winless against their bitter rivals.

The Bayern Munich player was born in Poland but came to Germany and took citizenship, but that didn't stop him excelling against the country of his birth.

Normally a striker, Podolski started as a left midfielder and justified the selection by scoring in the 20th minute. The in-demand Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez, who was expected to be the Germans' big star of the tournament, flicked the ball through the defence to Miroslav Klose, who squared to Podolski with Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc scrambling to get back.

In the 73rd minute, Bastian Schweinsteiger shook off a half-hearted challenge by Pawel Golanski and fed Klose, who mis-kicked the ball, but it bounced to Podolski, who volleyed home from close range.

Almost unbelievably, it was Germany's first victory in the European Championship since Euro '96, the only sour note being the combination of flying bottles and raised tempers in the streets. The police detained 140 mostly German fans as it became clear to the people of this unassuming little south Austrian town that, even without England's involvement, there is still the potential for trouble in this tournament.

"Some 140 high-risk fans were detained following dangerous attacks, administrative offences and the suspicion of having committed legal offences," a spokesman for Klagenfurt police said. "Most of them are German, though we are still in the process of checking everyone's identity."

On the list of things you did not want to see on the opening weekend, a group of Poles clutching beer cans in one hand and doing Hitler salutes with the other would be pretty close to the top. The mood was very different to the other cities that are hosting games; in Salzburg, for example, where the lamp-posts are decorated with placards declaring "Fans will be Friends", or in Vienna where visitors to the Stephansplatz find themselves confronted by around 50 men and women holding up posters offering "free hugs". Yet the atmosphere inside the stadium was friendly enough and the din was sufficiently loud to blot out the constant whirring of the police helicopters.

There were also enough moments of open, expansive play to make sure that the focus did not stray too long. Opposing managers will have noted some of Jens Lehmann's more erratic moments, and his apparent inability to control his area makes the former Arsenal goalkeeper prone to embarrassment later in the tournament. Otherwise, this was an impressive opening from the three-time winners, who were quick to the ball, organised and attacked with width and penetration.

They also have an attacking trio of Podolski, Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose who could trouble the most accomplished defences and, even though Poland are entitled to feel that the match officials had a bad night, there could be no real sense that the result was an injustice.

Poland's argument was that an offside flag should have been raised before Klose set up Podolski for the first goal, a six-yard finish that was as simple as his second goal was stunning. Leo Beenhakker, the Poland coach, will also reflect on the moment in the second half, with the score at 1-0, when another generous decision in the Germans' favour denied Euzebiusz Smolarek a chance to run through on Lehmann.

Germany, however, were comfortably the better side. Michael Ballack recovered from a careless start to become the game's most influential midfielder and there were chances to make it an even more handsome win. Joachim Löw's side should also have been ahead before most of the Poles had warmed up, Klose and Gomez contriving to waste a two-on-one with Artur Boruc when it seemed easier to score.

Boruc was left exposed once again for Podolski's first goal whereas the second was a case of supreme talent coming out on the highest stage, a stylish and controlled volley from just inside the penalty area, the ball arrowing into the top right-hand corner. In between, the Celtic goalkeeper saved splendidly to tip a Ballack shot over the bar. Germany do not look like a side willing to say Auf Wiedersehen to Euro 2008 without a prolonged argument.

Germany: Lehmann, Lahm, Metzelder, Mertesacker, Jansen, Fritz, Frings, Ballack, Podolski, Gomez, Klose. Subs: Enke, Friedrich, Westermann, Rolfes, Schweinsteiger, Odonkor, Trochowski, Hitzlsperger, Borowski, Neuville, Kuranyi, Adler.

Poland: Boruc, Wasilewski, Zewlakow, Bak, Golanski, Dudka, Lewandowski, Lobodzinski, Zurawski, Krzynowek, Smolarek. Subs: Fabianski, Jop, Wawrzyniak, Zahorski, Kokoszka, Pazdan, Gargula, Murawski, Roger, Piszczek, Saganowski.

Man of the match Lukas Podolski (Germany)

Austria 0-1 Croatia

AN EARLY Luka Modric penalty and some committed late defending proved enough for Croatia to beat co-hosts Austria and get their Euro 2008

Croatia were worth their win against a team placed 92nd in Fifa's world rankings.

Austria's disjointed efforts in the first hour betrayed a two-year lack of competitive action but they came to life in the latter stages.

In a rousing finale that had the 51,428 crowd roaring, the hosts laid siege to the Croatian area but through a combination of misplaced passes and desperate defending, they rarely threatened goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa, who was surprisingly named man of the match by Uefa.

The game had begun in a great atmosphere as Croatia's 20,000 fans outsung the home supporters, but the die was cast while they were all settling back into their seats after the anthems.

Ivica Olic was chasing a hopeful ball towards the byline when he was clumsily and unnecessarily brought down by Rene Aufhauser, allowing Modric – who will join Tottenham next season after the London club paid Dinamo Zagreb £16.5 million for his services – to convert from the spot with four minutes on the clock.

The goal immediately settled the Croatians, whose neat-passing midfielders began coolly knocking the ball around. Mladen Petric, unmarked in the area, should have doubled the lead late in the half after a deep cross from Vedran Corluka but blasted wide.

Croatia, who finished above England in qualifying thanks in part to the ten goals of injured striker Eduardo, could have done with his finishing yesterday as their dominance failed to produce the killer second goal. They began to sit deeper and deeper after the break as Austria came out looking much more positive and began to swing in some dangerous crosses.

The introduction of Umit Korkmaz on the left for the last 20 minutes added further bite to their attacks and they built an impressive momentum.

Fellow substitute Roman Kienast was within inches of becoming a national hero in injury time when he somehow dragged himself free of the wrestled attentions of the visiting defence only for his glanced header to trickle wide.

Both teams can take something from the game but Croatia will have to be more positive when they face Germany on Thursday, while the Austrians can ill afford to lose to Poland.

Austria: Macho, Prodl, Stranzl, Pogatetz, Aufhauser, Saumel (Vastic 61), Standfest, Gercaliu (Korkmaz 69), Ivanschitz, Harnik, Linz (Kienast 73). Subs not used: Manninger, Ozcan, Katzer, Garics, Patocka, Hiden, Fuchs, Leitgeb, Hoffer. Booked: Pogatetz, Saumel, Prodl.

Croatia: Pletikosa, Corluka, R Kovac, Simunic, Pranjic, Srna, N Kovac, Modric, Kranjcar (Knezevic 61), Olic (Vukojevic 82), Petric (Budan 72). Subs not used: Galinovic, Runje, Simic, Vejic, Rakitic, Pokrivac, Leko, Kalinic, Klasnic. Booked: R Kovac.

from http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Austria-01-Croatia-Croatia-off.4164071.jp

Portugal 2-0 Turkey

The match is playes in Geneva, Stade de Geneve!

Portugal lineup: Ricardo, Bosingwa, Pepe, Carvalho, Ferreira, Petit, Joao Moutinho, Ronaldo, Deco, Simao, Nuno Gomes.

Subs: Rui Patricio, Bruno Alves, Fernando Meira, Raul Meireles, Hugo Almeida, Miguel, Jorge Ribeiro, Quaresma, Veloso, Nani, Postiga, Quim.

Turkey lineup: Demirel, Altintop, Cetin, Zan, Balta, Kazim-Richards, Emre, Aurelio, Erding, Sanli, Nihat.

Subs: Rustu, Zengin, Topal, Senturk, Karadeniz, Metin, Gungor, Turan, Asik, Boral, Akman, Sarioglu.

1′ - The match begins

4′ - Kazim Kazim gets the yellow card.

5′ - Cristiano Ronaldo cuts in from the right and his first shot of the tournament goes high over the bar.

10′ - Pepe commits a foul after challenging Tuncay Sanli

14′ - Chance for Turkey and Tuncay is through on goal - but falls over the challenge.

16′ - Hakan Balta gives away a free kick following a challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo

17′ - Pepe scores but the goal is not validated for off side! Good decision from the referees!

18′ - Tuncay Sanly commits foul after challenging Pepe.

19′ - Nihat shoots and gets a corner

23′ - Simao is flagged for offside

24′ - Hakan Balta gives away a free kick following a challenge on Bosingwa

25′ - Deco fouls.

28′ - Mehmet Aurelio commits a foul after challenging Deco

30′ - Simao has a free kick, but shoots over the goal

30′ - Cristiano Ronaldo dribbles but misses the target

31′ - Ferreira is flagged for offside

34′ - Servet Cetin fouls

38′ - Cristiano Ronaldo hits the post

38′ - Hamit Altintop misses the target

40′ - Nuno Gomes misses the target, Portugal receives corner kick

41′ - Moutinho misses the target, Portugal have started to turn up the pressure on Turkey

44′ - Kazim Kazim gives away a free kick following a challenge on Pepe

46′ - Referee blows for half time

Erdinc out, Sabri in!

46′ - Second Half Begins

47′ - Tuncay Sanli gives away a free kick following a challenge on Pepe

48′ - Nihat asks for penalty kick, but the referee doesn’t think it was a foul

49′ - Nuno Gomes hits the post

49′ - Gokhan receives the yellow card after a foul on Simao

52′ - Cristiano Ronaldo for Nuno Gomes but Aurelio clears

53′ - Emre Asik in, Gokhan Zan out

54′ - Cristiano Ronaldo shoots, Demirel saves

57′ Hamit Altintop gives away a free kick after a foul on Ronaldo

58′ - Joao Moutinho shoots a little over the goal

60′ - Sabri misses the target

61′ - GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAL! Pepe scores!

63′ - Sabri commits foul

65′ - Nuno Gomes hits the crossbar

69′ - Nani in, Nuno Gomes out, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the captain

70′ - Deco has a shot blocked

71′ - Emre Belozoglu gives away a free kick following a challenge on Deco

73′ - Sabri is booked.

74′ - Ricardo makes a mistake, but Turkey doesn’t manage to score

76′ - Semih Senturk in, Hamit Altintop out

79′ - Joao Moutinho commits a foul after challenging Semih Senturk

82′ - Simao out, Meireles in

84′ - Kazim Kazim fouls

85′ - Emre Belozoglu has a shot blocked

87′ - Nani has a shot, Demirel saves

89′ - Nihat Kahveci commits foul on Nani

90′ + 2′ - GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAL! Raul Meireles scores after a superb drible of Cristiano Ronaldo

90′ + 3′ - Final whistle

from http://footballeurocup2008.info/about/portugal-vs-turkey-live-score/

Swiss 0-1 Rep. Ceko

Switzerland's Euro 2008 campaign got off to a catastrophic start as substitute Vaclav Sverkos' second-half strike earned the Czech Republic a smash-and-grab win over the co-hosts in the tournament curtain-raiser in Basle.

Not only did the Swiss lose a Group A match they dominated for large parts at the St Jakob-Park, they also may have lost talismanic striker Alexander Frei for the rest of the competition after he went off injured at the end of the first half.

Frei, the nation's torchbearer when it comes to their football team, was crying as he hobbled off with a knee injury in the 44th minute.

And many of the home team's fans will have done just the same when Banik Ostrava's Sverkos, the top scorer in the Czech top flight this season with 15 goals, poked home a scarcely deserved winner in the 70th minute.

What the defeat, and more importantly Frei's injury, will do to the Swiss remains to be seen, but they already face an uphill struggle to qualify from a group that also includes Turkey and Portugal, one of the favourites for the title.

It had all began so well for Kobi Kuhn's side, who pegged back the below-par Czechs for much of the game.
A colourful, 13-minute opening ceremony - featuring 976 performers and with modern pixel art as its inspiration - preceded the match.

It ended with 900 pyrotechnic shots fired into the sky and when the real action got under way, it was Frei who produced the fireworks in an all-action first-half display before he got injured.

The Borussia Dortmund striker, who became Switzerland's all-time leading scorer with 35 goals following his brace against Liechtenstein in a warm-up match last week, screwed a 25-yarder just wide after only 120 seconds.

The 28-year-old also drew a great save from Petr Cech in the 21st minute, the Chelsea goalkeeper using his feet to deny Frei.

At the other end, the giant Jan Koller - used as a lone striker by Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner - was ploughing a lonely furrow with little success.

Koller was getting scant support from his midfield, who were more comfortable with the ball at their feet than running on to help their isolated frontman.

Indeed, the only time Switzerland goalkeeper Diego Benaglio was troubled in the opening 45 minutes was when he had to turn aside a misdirected, but goalbound, cross from David Jarolim.

Cech also defied Valon Behrami and Gokhan Inler midway through a first half Switzerland shaded, but the injury to Frei had stunned the crowd as the players walked off towards the tunnel for the interval.

The experienced Hakan Yakin replaced Frei, who appeared to jar his left knee in a challenge, for the second period and the substitute almost made an immediate impact when he curled a free-kick just over.

Even without their talismanic striker, the hosts were proving too much for their opponents and Bruckner replaced the ineffective Koller with domestic scoring machine Sverkos just 10 minutes into the half.

It initially made precious little difference. Still it was all Switzerland and left-winger Tranquillo Barnetta, who may now be the country's great hope in the absence of Frei, volleyed over from a good position just after the hour mark.

Yakin was getting himself into some decent positions too and he really should have done better when he planted Stephan Lichtsteiner's textbook cross just wide of the post from eight yards.

Sverkos' winner therefore came against the run of play.

After a Czech free-kick was cleared, Tomas Galasek helped the ball back into the danger area and the 24-year-old reacted the quickest to latch onto the ball and poke a finish to the right of Benaglio from 10 yards.

Sverkos' shot may even have come off his shin but he will not care one jot.

His team-mates then defended stoutly to preserve their lead, although Switzerland forward Johan Vonlanthen will rue only hitting the bar from close range with 10 minutes left.