EURO 2008

the official logo

If you are a football fan, you will surely know what is going on in the football world especially in Europe. Yesterday late night local time 2.45am, the 13th European Championships has come to an end when Spain takes on Germany in Vienna, Austria.

the official mascots, Trix and Flix

well, as a football fan like me but due to the low demand from readers regarding about my football entries. So I had decided to conclude the whole 24 days long tournament in 1 entry. Not bad huh?? Consider as very give face concern about my beloved readers.

Its kind of difficult but I will try my best to cramp everything here. So bare with me if it is confusing...

the co-hosts...

Switzerland who lost their first two games against Czech Republic and Turkey due to injuries on several key players and was the first team to being eliminated from the tournament, eventually beat a weaker Portugal's side who already qualified 2-0 as a gift for their coach.

Austria was a poorer side where they only managed to drew a match against Poland and lost the other 2 against Germany and Croatia. Same as Switzerland, who had automatically qualified due to co-hosting the competition, did not perform well to repay their supporters. Despite being the second team being knocked out in group stage.

did well in qualifying round only...

Poland, who finished on top of Portugal in qualifying round, only managed to drew a match against Austria while lost the other 2 against Germany and Croatia. Both Austria and Poland only managed to scored 1 goal in whole competition. Eventually, been eliminated as well along with both co-hosts.

Greece, the Euro2004 winner and being tipped to show some fantasy football again this term after qualified on top of the table alongside Turkey. But the Greek fantasy does not appear this time and they lost all 3 group matches against Sweden, Russia and Spain. The worst result for a cup holder.

Czech Republic, qualified to the tournament ahead of Germany. After winning the opening match against co-host Switzerland. They lost to Portugal and needed a win against Turkey to qualify to quater-final. But after leading 2-0 for 75minutes, their worst nightmare happened and eventually being knocked out from the tournament.

Sweden, qualified behind Spain and known as one of the dark horse in this tournament with several world class players. They won their first match against cup holder, Greece but got beaten by Spain and Russia on their remaining 2 matches despite playing quite well. Been eliminated as well.

Romania, who qualified ahead of Netherlands. Got drawn into 'Group of Death' alongside with Italy, France and Netherlands. Being the underdog who in the same group with 3 other strong squads with more quality players. They did very well against World Cup finalist, France and managed a draw on their first match. Then did extremely well agaisnt World Cup's winner, Italy and they should qualify if Adrian Mutu scored a late penalty to win the match, but luck was not on their side and they only managed to held a draw. As both World Cup's finalist are under pressure on the last group match, Romania got beaten by already qualified Netherlands and has been eliminated.

France, the World Cup's finalist. The most disappointed display by an European giant with plenty of world class players, been drawn to same group with Italy, Netherlands and Romania. The 'Group of Death'. They drew the match against Romania whereby they should win it in the easiest way. The poor display continued as they been humiliated by Netherlands and lost to World Cup winner, Italy in their final group match and been eliminated. Worst playing from a World Cup's finalist.

Did well in group stage only...

Portugal, another top seeded team who also the finalist of Euro2004 when they hosted the tournament. Won against Turkey and Czech Republic before losing to co-host Switzerland when the coach rests his star players after being guaranteed a place in quarter-final. Facing another top seeded Germany in quarter-final with the full fresh squad after being rested. But the Germans had a better performance and eventually beat the Portuguese 3-2 and knocked them out from the tournament. Another set back from

Croatia, who beaten England in qualifying round and qualified on top of the table ahead of Russia. Won all 3 matches in group stage by beating co-host Austria, top seeded Germany followed by Poland. Another dark horse in the tournament and tipped to do something against the odd. Playing against a weaker side, Turkey in quarter-final. Both side did well enough to hold on until extra time, despite after scoring at last minute of extra time had guaranteed them a place in semi-final. But they cant hold on the lead until the very last second when Turkey equalised in the last kick of the game. The game went on to penalties and the Croatians lost to Turkey 3-1 in the penalties shoot out.

Netherlands, being in the 'Group of Death' and obviously need to work extremely hard in order to get a place in quarter-final. No one would have expected them to play so well in their opening 2 matches against both World Cup's finalist. Beating world champions Italy 3-0 followed by 4-1 against France. Everyone has turn their side towards them and think they could go all the way and win the cup. Although already qualified, they still managed to beat Romania with their second team and have a 100% winning run before facing another dark horse, Russia in quarter-final. They did just enough to bring the game to extra time before the Dutch running out of gas and could not cope with the Russian's attack. Eventually they lost the match in extra time.

Italy, being one of the top seeds to win the cup after being crowned as the world champions 2 years ago. Although being drawn in the 'Group of Death' but the Italians are confident they could do well. But the world champions got beaten by Netherlands 3-0 in their opening match and only managed to drew 1-1 with Romania. Therefore they needed a win against their World Cup's counterpart who needed a win as badly as they did in order to claim a spot in quarter-final. Italians faced Spanish and both side played equally well which only managed to held to a 0-0 draw until extra time. The game went to penalties shootout and Spain did well to break the world champion's dream.

Miracle stops half way...

Russia, despite losing their opening match against Spain. But come back in a good manner by beating Greece and Sweden eventually qualified to quarter-final round with hot shot Netherlands waiting for them. Consider as another dark horse and maintain their good form by beating Netherlands 3-1 and book a spot in semi-final against Spain. Everyone thought that they could against all odd by beating Spain. But the magical moment stop at second half when Spain scored trice passed the Russians and claim a spot in the final for the first time in 44 years. Although they lost to a better side in the semi-final, but the journey is not easy for the Russians and few unknown players in the squad had become top transfer target after this tournament.

Turkey, miracle happened after they lost to Portugal in their opening match. They beat co-host Switzerland followed by a super comeback against Czech Republic. The Czech leads 2-0 for 75mins before Turkey unleashes their never-give-up attitude and eventually scored 3 goals in the final 15mins and grab the quarter-final spot right in front of Czech's nose. Miracle does not stop there, when they faced Croatia in quarter final. Croatia scored on last minute of extra time before Turkey did another comeback again by equalising with few seconds left to played in the extra time and brought the game to penalties shoot out. Turkey won and march on to semi-final facing Germany. Before facing Germany, they have 9 first team players unavailable due to injuries and suspensions which means they have only 14 players. Most of them are second team players. But their hard work paid off by open the scoring against stronger side Germany before the Germans equalised. Then Germany scored again with 10mins left but the Turkey let the football do the talking by equalising with 4mins remaining. Unfortunately, the miracle stop at the final moment when Germany scored the winning goal in the last minute of the game. Even though Turkey been knocked out from the competition, but the team leave the competition with head held high after what they have been through.

so close yet so far...

Germany, who qualified alongside Czech Republic and been tipped as one of the favorites to win the cup. They beat Poland in their opening match followed by a shocked set back when been defeated by Croatia, but they bounce back and beat co-host Austria. Eventually qualified to quarter-final but in a not so convincing way. But they put on a world class performance by beating another top seed, Portugal and march on to face Turkey the super comeback king of the tournament in semi-final. Despite having the full squad available compared to the handicap Turkey side, they still got tested by the Turkish until the very last minute when they managed to score the winning goal. Before they face Spain in final, they are no longer the favorite but some still believe they can do something special to bring the cup home. This happen because of they are having some defensive problems through out the tournament. Most of the match was controlled by Spain and the German could only watch the cup slipped away from them at the final whistle. Another major set back for another favorite.

All the way!!!!

Spain, always being known as big name that could not achieve in big tournament after 44 years since they lifted the European Championships. They always did well at the beginning and got knocked out in the later stage. But this term they are totally different, they beat Russia, Sweden followed by Greece to progress into quarter-final as one of the team with 100% winning streak in group stage. They broke the so called curse when they defeated world champion Italy in penalties shootout after a much defensive game from both side. Waiting for them in the semi-final was their group mate, Russia. But after beating Italy, their confident boost up and easily knocked the Russians out from the competition and move one step closer to the biggest match for the entire squad. Compared to Germany, Spain still maintain their 100% unbeaten record through out the whole tournament and being tipped as the favorite to win the cup ahead of Germany. No doubt, they controlled most of the game and eventually create a history among themselves as they beat Germany 1-0 at Vienna.

VIVA ESPANA!!!!!

phew...long football entry right?? I tried my best already.

I can still go on by talking about the overview on this tournament but I know you guys already had enough. So I decided to stop here...

Football for life!!!!