If Spain perform against Sweden in their second Group D match with the same flair, colour and attitude as coach Luis Aragonés showed while previewing the contest then everyone is in for an exceptional treat. High spirits In theory the meeting with Lars Lagerbäck’s ultra-disciplined side, thorny rivals during qualification for UEFA EURO 2008™, should have been a [...]

The Netherlands secured their place in the UEFA EURO 2008™ quarter-finals with a game to spare after producing another devastating display against France in Berne, with Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder all scoring in a memorable win. Clinical counterattacks Twenty years after his goals led the Netherlands to the European title, Marco [...]

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon superbly saved Adrian Mutu’s penalty with nine minutes remaining to keep the world champions’ UEFA EURO 2008™ hopes alive as the Azzurri and Romania battled out a breathless draw in Zurich. Penalty drama Buffon dived to his left to block the ACF Fiorentina striker’s stinging drive with his arm and foot after Christian [...]

GENEVA — Local police were reinforced by hundreds of officers from France’s gendarmerie and CRS riot police units for Saturday’s match between Portugal and Turkey at the European Championship. “We are very happy to be here,” said Denis Kotnik, commander of a CRS detachment from the city of Metz. “We will offer all our support. It [...]

Croatia sealed their place in the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2008™ as goals from Darijo Srna and Ivica Olić earned a famous win against Germany that took Slaven Bilić’s side three points clear at the top of Group B. Famous win With both teams having won their first game on Sunday each knew victory in Klagenfurt would all [...]

  Ivica Vastic’s last-gasp penalty kept Austria in contention to reach the UEFA EURO 2008™ quarter-finals, salvaging a draw against a Poland side who had looked set to take three points thanks to Roger Guerreiro’s first-half goal and some inspired goalkeeping from Artur Boruc. Late drama Boruc made four crucial interventions to frustrate a vibrant Austria before Roger was in the right place [...]

Ardan Turan’s deflected goal deep in injury time gave Turkey a win that revived their UEFA EURO 2008™ hopes – but ended those of co-hosts Switzerland. Downpour Switzerland, like Turkey beaten on the opening day, dealt better with a first-half Basel downpour and Hakan Yakin put them ahead just past the half-hour with a rain-assisted goal. Semih, [...]

Cristiano Ronaldo scored one goal and set up two more as Portugal qualified for the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2008™ after a 3-1 win over Group A rivals Czech Republic at the Stade de Genève.Sublime finish Deco had given Portugal an eighth-minute lead after good work from Ronaldo before Libor Sionko’s thumping header levelled proceedings. However, Ronaldo turned on [...]

A scintillating hat-trick from David Villa gave Spain a clear-cut 4-1 victory over Russia in their first outing at UEFA EURO 2008™ and confirmed the immense power of the Valencia CF striker’s partnership with Fernando Torres. Thrilling match In a high-quality Group D encounter, Russia provided moments to indicate that Luis Aragonés’s side may still be vulnerable [...]

Holders Greece already have a fight on their hands to maintain their grip on the trophy they won so memorably four years ago after second-half goals from Zlatan Ibrahimović and Petter Hansson gave Sweden all three points in their opening Group D match in Salzburg. On the back foot Otto Rehhagel’s side were always on the back foot as [...]