Soccer Euro 2004

English and France's match was one of the best I have ever seen. This game had alot of anticipation and lots of enjoynment. You know Englands spirits were crushed after the penalty screwed up. Oh well i got my 5 bucks. I cant wait till tommorow!!!

 

Sweden - Bulgaria

What can I say? Sweeeeeeeden!

First Half

It was a fight between Henrik "Henke" Larsson and Bulgarias Dimitir Berbatov, the two clincal strikers for each nation.

The game started fast by Sweden. The first 5 mins were dominated by Swedes. They played aggressive, and wanted to do the first goal. But Bulgaria were fast to respond, an amazing performance by Martin Petrov, skipped past Mikeal Nilsson and Teddy Lucic to cross the ball to Jankovic but his shot was so close to the right bar of Isaksson.

Sweden responded with a bliztering attack. Mikeal Nilsson won the ball in the right flank, passed into the middle to Svensson who later shot an amazing cross ball right onto Zlatans feet. He drove into the penalty box, dribbled past, passed to his left, and on came Ljungberg and he netted in 1-0. Sweden 1 - 0 Bulgaria.

Teddy Lucic later left the field due to a leg injury, and in came Christoffer "Chippen" Wihelmsson. He later proved his worth for the starting line-up.

Second Half

Bulgaria started to attack with full speed. Jankovic shot but the ball skimmed Isaksson's left handpost. It was revieled to see that ball went out. The game later slowed it's speed. It started to get slow when suddenly Edman won the ball on the left flank, he passed a long one to Ljungberg, he crossed into the penalty box where Henrik Larsson threw himself, and headed the ball in. 2-0 !!!!

But the savior wasn't done, just after one minute, Svensson dribbled past two players, and cross a low ball...and Henrik Larsson threw himself down again, and 3-0 !!!

What a display from Sweden. The Bulgarian players were all devistated and tired.

Some changes happened, Svensson went out for Kim Källström. Suddenly, a ball from Linderoth catched the legs of Ljungberg, and he ran into the penalty box where he suddenly got tripped. The referee, O'Reily, showed the penalty spot. On came Ajax Youngster Zlatan Ibrahimovic and shot a strong low shot and goal it was. 4-0 !!!

After that, Zlatan changed with Marcus Allbäck, another great sub by the Swedish coaches Lars Lagerbäck and Tommy Söderberg.

The Swedish fans started to sing the National Anthem, we all thought it was over, and so did the Bulgarians. But how wrong we were. The Bulgarians had a chance to score a goal, but Jakobsson saved us in the last minute. Later, Henke got a neat pass from the midfield, he passed on to Allbäck who was free against the goalie, and shot the ball up to the goal. 5-0. It was then everything was over.

Summary

Sweden 5 - 0 Bulgaria

Goals

Ljungberg 32', Larsson 57', 58', Ibrahimovic 72' (P), Allbäck 90+1'

Warnings

Sweden: Ibrahimovic, Linderoth.
Bulgaria: Ivanov, Kirilov, Petkov, Jankovic.

Formation

Sweden (4-1-2-1-2): Isaksson - Lucic, Mellberg, Jakobsson, Edman - Linderoth - Ljungberg, Nilsson - Svensson - Ibrahimovic, Larsson

Bulgaria (4-5-1):Zdravkov - Ivanov, Kirilov, Predrag Pazjin, Petkov - Peev, S.Petrov, Jankovic, Hristov, M.Petrov - Berbatov

Swedish Joy!

 

Great game. But Bulgaria did well enough to deserve at least 1 goal, if not 2. But Sweden. Solid performance solid win. Italy watch out! Larsson is going to get you all over.

Italy drew with Denmark today with Italy's Buffon and Denmark's Sorenson (both goalkeepers) being th star players. Italy looked poor on the whole. Loose passing, not too threatening on goal. Whereas Denmark did the better job. 0-0 draw overall.

- Shen

 

Wow. Bulgaria got whipped & slaughtered.
I wont be suprised if they make semi-finals, Italy better watch out!
I just wish someone had scored a goal in the Danish Italian game, I loooove it when they scream GOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!!

 

Sorry for no rcent update, but here we go.


Czech Republic - Latvia 2 - 1 [Baros/Heinze - Verpakovskis]

Germany - Holland 1 - 1 [Frings - Van Nistlerooy]

Greece - Spain 1 - 1 [Christeas - Morientes]

Russia - Portugal 0 - 2 [Maniche/ Rui Costa]

England - Switzerland 3 - 0 [Rooney(x2)/ Gerrard]

Croatia - France 2 - 2 [Rapaic/Prso - Tudor(OG)/Trezuguet]


Facts:

- Russia is out of the tournament after losing two in a row.
- There has been a total of 4 red cars in the tournament so far. 2 for Russia and 2 for Switzerland.
- Mikael Silvestre (France defender) has conceded a penalty in each of the 2 France games.
- Francesco Totti has been sent home after a spitting incident on Danish defender Poulsen during the Italy/Denmark encounter. He is due to miss a few international matches due to this disgrace behaviour
- Nicky Butt of England has a knee injury and has been sent home as he can not recover in time for any match in portugal.
- Mostovoi of Russia has been sent home after disagreements with Russian mangaer Yartsev.
- 28 goals has been scored in Euro 2004 thus far

- Shen

 

Hold on, Totti never got sent home. He only got 3 matches suspension accourding to the Swedish newspapers. That means he will miss the clash against Sweden, Bulgaria and a semi-final.

- T

 

Yeah, I didn't hear about that until today. Totti, don't really like him, his attitude is appauling. I remember he deliberately elbowed Martin Keown in the Roma/ Arsenal encounter, he was obviously sent off... and Arsenal went on to win it with an Henry hattrick. Then in the world cup he dived in the South Korea match (I think it was that match) and got a red for that, disgraceful player, totally sweps his good things aside. I did hear primarily he was to be sent home with a lengthy ban. But he's now serving a suspension until the Semis. If Italy make it of course... and I am doubting them. Their game against Denmark was below average. Sweden will win tonight...

- Shen

 

So, here are the scores for the last 4 games in Euro 2004.

Denmark knocked out Bugaria with a 2-0 victory. Tomasson with a tap in and a well worked Gronkjaer goal in the dieing minutes.

Italy yet again produced an average performance with only a 1-1 draw with Sweden. Mind you Swden did well to make it a draw after a clever header by Roma youngster Cassano early on. Ibrahimovic scores with a minute to play with a fantasically flick on with his right heel to beat Vieir's head, who wasn't high enough to clear the ball dipping into the top left corner of the goal.

Not much to say with Latvia vs Germany encounter as it ended 0-0 although Latvia's Verpakovskis made the best move of the game but failed to execute the last move. He turned past 2 Germans, paced the first defender and held off the second... all this in a 50-60 yard sprint. Much more impressive if you actually saw it. But his left shot wasn't good enough to beat Oliver Kahn.

Now... here's a big one. One I MUST talk about. A game with a total of 36 shots at goal from both sides. A match where everything from every player from both sides was perfect, all to be partly ruined by a poor decision by the referee... it was the match Holland vs Czech Republic.

This game was in my opinion the best of the tournamoent thus far and quite possibly the best I've seen in my life. The result was a little harsh on the Dutch as they lost 3-2 in a very entertaining game.

Game started off with pace as Baros almost connected with a Rosicky pass to give Czech Republic the lead, then Holland won a freekick with Chelsea winger Arjen Robben to take, his ball swerved into the back line of the Czech defence before finding Wilfred Bouma with a free diving header. No one from the Czech side moved including keeper (and new Chelsea goalkeeper) Petr Cech. More chances came from both sides as they countered each other with fast movement and great passing. Then came a free kick for Holland on the 8th minute for Clarence Seedorf to take. He hits a good effort just past the post. later, Seedorf slams a driving shot wide after good link up play from Davids and Van Nistlerooy. 2 minutes later Robben makes a run down the left flank and finds Van Nistlerooy who taps home an easy one. 4 minutes later Milan Baros of Czech Republic fights his way through the Dutch defence to find Jan Koller, who hits the shot easily past keeper Van Der Sar.

More chances came from both sides and the Czechs make an early sustitution replacing Grygera with Smicer to add a new dimension to the attacking force. The best of chances came from the Dutch, defender Johnny Hetinga hits a half volley directed on target to the top left, Petr Cech makes a fabulous save. Edgar Davids of Holland and Barcelona later hits a low shot from 20 yards out only to see it rebound back from the bottom right hand post. Half time, 2-1 to Holland.

Second half started instantly with goal threats, Andy Van der Meyde almost finding the goal. Equally Poborsky has an effort saved by by Van Der Sar. Van Nistlerooy sees his header saved by Cech's leg marking more frustration on the Dutch. Then came on the 71st minute, Milan Baros volleys a great shot to beat the keeper followed by a sending off for Holland's Hetinga after 2 bookable offences. A decision which was poorly made by the referee. Pavel Nedved then saw his freekick parried by Van der Sar. He later drove a 35 yard effort which cannoned off the bar, to the relieve of Van der Sar.

With 5 minutes to play, Vladamir Smicer, the early Czech substitute hit a close range tap from a Poborsky pass after Van Der Sar made a great save to deny Heinz (another subtitute made in the 2nd half). Final score 3-2 to Czech Republic, and they are the first nation to go through to the quater finals after their 2-1 victory over Latvia 4 days ago. A fantastic game tonight, bit unlucky for the Dutch, but it really has been one hell of a game between these two sides. I hope Holland make it through with Czech Republic, meaning they have to beat Latvia with Germany having a draw or lose against Czech Republic in their last Group D matches.

- Shen

 

The group stags has ended for Groups A and B. The quater finals will be France s Greece and England vs Portugal

Portugal beat Spain 1-0 thanks to substitute Nuno Gomes, who struck a fine low shot pass iker Casillas from outside the box.

Russia go out in style beating Greece 2-1 and set a record by scoring the fastest European championship goal in just 70 seconds of kick off. This was done so by Kirichenko, Bulykin scored a diving header from a corner 15 minutes later. Vryzas knocked in the Greek goal 2 minutes before half time.

France edge out Switzerland with a 3-1 victory to top group B with 7 points. Zidane with one and Henry with two goals for France. Johan Volenthen scored for the Swiss setting another new record of being the youngest European championship goalscorer, which Rooney only held onto for 4 days when he broke the record against Switzerland in their second group match.

England thumped Croatia to a 4-2 defeat. Scholes, Rooney (x2) and Lampard scored for England. Tudor and Niko Kovac scored for Croatia. Although they were defeated, Croatia put on a brave performance and could hve made it 4-4 nearer the end of the match.

Well, the weakest links of each group (Switzerland and Russia) both go home with goals and each grabbing new records for the future nations to break). Not too bad a consolation if you ask me. Now, can Bulgaria make something out of their match tomorrow when they face Italy. I honestly hope they beat Italy, who have played appaulingly in this tournament. They are by no means worthy of making it to the quarters and beyond. They are already without Totti, and Vieri is very doubtful.... come on Bulgaria!!!

- Shen

 

Group C finished in the most complicated scenario today as Italy... who beat Bulgaria 2-1 and have drawn the other two matches 1-1, and 0-0, are OUT of Euro 2004.

At the start of the game, Italy knew they had to beat Bulgaria but the goal difference of their goals scored and conceded relates to the score in the other fixture between Denmark and Sweden, who drew 2-2.If the Scandinavian score is a draw, Italy needs to score 2 clear goals to proceed to the Quater finals, along with Sweden who has scored more goals than Denmark. But whoever wins in that match will mean italy only need 1 goal.

Italy started slow, like they have shown in general in this year's competetion, and showed little progress through the downpours of rain (the worst weather of the tournament so far). At the other match, Tomasson scored a long range effort on the 28th minute, which benefitted Italy as they only need one goal now. However, on the 43rd minute, Marco Materazzi (Fabio Cannavaro's replacement as he's on suspension) brings down Berbatov to earn them a penalty, Petrov sends Buffon the wrong way to score. Italy's mission becomes harder.

Second half, Italy gets a chance in the box. Cassano volleys the ball at the crossbar, which bounces on the line to come back out, Bulgarian keeper fails to catch and Simone Perrota picks the ball and pinches his first international goal... Italy only needs 1 goal now... BUT, Sweden equalises with a Larsson penalty in the other match on the same minute Perrota scores his to make Italy seek that 2 vital goals once again. For most of the second half, Italy bombards the Bulgarian goal and their determination to do so increased when they heard Tomasson scored for Denmark to make it 2-1.

Now if that match stays like that, Italy only needs 1 goal to win and go through... and they know this. They brought on Vieri to replace Corradi and later stuck on Di Vaio, withdrawing Materrazi. They started the match with 4-3-3 formation and ended with a 3-4-3 formation... they were 'that' desperate.

On the 90+4th minute, Cassano hits the winner, joy returns to the Italians... but only until they hear their manager say that the fianl whistle in the other group C has blown and the match finished 2-2. Jonson claiming the Swedish last minute equaliser. Italy go out!

Scandinavian conspiracy? maybe...

In Group D, Holland see off Latvia with a 3-0 victory thanks to Van Nistlerooy and his penalty and header. Roy Makaay rounded off the game with a good low finish.

Germany lose out to Czech Republic in a 2-1 defeat marking the 3rd big gun to exit the competition early, the other two include Italy and Spain. The Czech Republic, who are already through to the quater finals staged a B-team squad with 9 first tam changs to face Germany. Resting their best players and boosting the confidence and performance of the reserves. Ballack got Germany the lead with a fine left foot volley to the top corner outside the area. The Czechs equalised with a superb free kick by Heinz a few minutes later. Germany looked more dominant in the second half and created numerous chances, but failed to penetrate the Czech reserve team. Then came on Milan Baros for injured Lokvenc. He darts around the German defence and eventually finds the net to mark his 3rd goal in 3 games. Germany lost against a Portugese reserve side in the last Euro cup as well... the nightmare returns.

Here are the fixtures for the Quater finals:

FRANCE vs GREECE
ENGLAND vs PORTUGAL
SWEDEN vs HOLLAND
CZECH REUBLIC vs DENMARK

Facts

- Rooney and Van Nistlerooy are currently this tournament's highest goalscorers, each claiming 4 goals. Other high scorers include:

3 goals: Zidane, Larsson, Tomasson, Baros
2 goals: Ibrahimovic, Cassano, Gerrard, Henry, Heinz

New records:
- Youngest ever goal scorer in European championship Johan Volenthen of Switzerland.
- Fastest ever goal in the European championship Kirichenko of Russia (70 seconds from kick off)

- Czech Republic has come back to win all thier group mathces after first conceding their goals. They hold the most points in the group stages.


- Shen

 

Quater finals 1 and 2 quick summary.

England lose yet again to that threaded penalty shootout which has cost them from proceeding to the next stage in many of these competitions. This time's bad luck players are Beckham and Vassel, whose penalty was shot high and wide, while the other was saved respectively.

The game started with an Owen flick past the keeper in the 3rd minute. Rooney limps off and is substitued by Vassel on the 27th minute. This certainly did make the English attacking front a lot less effective. Most of the remaining game was dominated by Portugal as they threatened David James time and time again. Figo was substituted on the 75th minute by Helder Postiga and his face expression was obviously not happy about the decision. Now Postiga, who moved from Porto to Tottenham a season ago has only scored 2 goals at the White hart Lane club. So technically, he is out of form, but now ironic can it yet when he goes and score the equaliser 8 minutes after being staged on field with a decent header from a precise Simao cross. England should have wrapped it up when Sol Campbell leaped to score a header, but the referee rules it out as he supposely saw Terry foul Ricardo, the goalkeeper. An extremely harsh decision.

Extra time kicks in, first half... nothing happens. Second half, substiute Rui Costa hits a belter outside the box to beat James... surely it was over, but no.. Lampard nicks one back at the other end with 3 miunites to play. Match goes to penalties.

Beckham scuffs the first one, and angrily looks at the penalty spot after missing. Presumeably he told everyone that th spot is little 'dodgey' as both sides dug the spot each time they went to kick the ball, by the end the last kicker hit the ball, the white spot literally turned into a heap of grass. Lampard, Hargreaves, Owen and Terry nets all theirs. While Deco, Simao, Maniche and Christiano Ronaldo all score theirs. Then Rui Costa could have settled the game... but he misses, so now it goes down the line of other players to kick the penalty. Ashley Cole scoring his and Postiga cunningly chipped his. Then came the big moment... Vassel takes, and Ricardo saves! with no gloves! Then Ricardo went on to take the deciding kick... and does so very well, best penalty out of the 11 kicked... straight to the left corner with pace... Ricardo is a double hero. England go home...

Defending champions France lose to Greece in a 1-0 defat thanks to a Charisteas header. Greece are performing solidly and this is their best achievement yet in any big tournamnt. They will face Denmark or Czech Republic when those two sides play on Sunday.

- Shen

 

I still cant believe Italy let me down....

Sweden should have whooped Denmark.....that way italy could have advanced.

~sighs~

 

Even Italy's chief executive whose name I can't recall said that Italy deserved to be knocked out at group stage as they simply weren't 'good enough'. As much as I hate to admit, it is true. They rarely pulled off a decent performance in their 3 matches. Added to that Totti who foolishly spat at Poulsen in their first match was suspended for 3 consecutive matches, and serve him right... disgrace.

The only two players worth complimenting on for Italy was Cassano, who has played very well, and their keeper 'Gigi' Buffon, who has in my opinion been the best goalkeeper of the group stages.

Talking about the Denmark/Swden match. Many have predicted that the score will be 2-2. Even during the match their were a number of banners with a 2-2 score... and it was 2-2. Some people, especially the Italians see this as some sort of conspiracy.

- Shen

 

For this "conspiricy" thing....the reason that it said 2-2 was because that could be the only score that could prevent Italy from even getting a chance. that is why it said 2-2 chiao italy!

And I cant blame them...both teams knew that if the score was like this then they would both automatically advance...so what was the point of playing. Plus what was the point of playing 2 more minutes? They just wanted to celebrate....

 

Holland are through after defeating Sweden in a penalty shoot-out in which Holland won 5-4, normal time score 0-0. The Czechs destroy Denmark 3-0 to continue their run of wins in this tournament.

Holland changes history by winning the penalty shootout in which they are known to be bad at... like England. Hving losing on penalty shoot-outs in Euro 2000, World Cup 1998, Euro 1996 and Euro 1992. Sweden's best chaces was in extra time when Ljunberg hit the post and Larsson volleying and ricochetting the bar.

Czech Republic put on a show to see off Denmark's offense. Czech took the lead on the 49th minute from the 6"7 striker Jan Koller header. Milan Baros then hit 2 in 2 minutes to make him the current highest goalscorer of the competition with 5 goals.

Holland will face Portugal in the semi-finals while Czech Republic play Greece on Wednesday and Thursday simultaneously.

- Shen

 

The semi-finals are over, and here are the results:

Portugal 2 : Holland 1

Greece 1 : Czech Republic 0

Holland has had a mediocre tournament and they are considered lucky to get this far. Their performance against the host nation provided little to change that thought. No service for Van Nistlerooy as Robben, Overmars and later Makaay were rendered useless by the Portuguese defence. Portugal's goal came from Christiano Ronaldo as he headed in Deco's corner. Maniche doubled that after the break with an astonishing curler from the edge of the penalty box. Holland's goal was in fact an Andrade own goal as he stretched to prevent Van Nist from scoring... but instead lobbed his own keeper. Holland go out on semis again!

The Czechs were favourites to win the game between them and Greece and indeed the whole tournament. They started off well with Rosicky hammering the bar with a volley. But Greece warmed up and slowly got back into the game. The Czechs by far had more chances including a few from left back Jankulovski. Nedved was injured by self-infliction when he tried to hit a shot but instead whacked his knee into someone else's back, suprisingly doing no damage to him. He limped off before the break and Smicer replaced him. The Greeks played better in the second half and continued to do so in extra time when the score was still 0-0. Then on the 14 minute and 45th second of the first half of extra time, Dellas the defender headed home the winner, and according to the silver goal rule, which ever side is winning the first half of extra time, they will not need to play the second half and will be declared winners... Greece change history and marked an astonishing achievement.

Now... Euro 2004 will finish the way it started. Yes, it is the Greece vs Portugal encounter once again.

- Shen

 

I think that Portugal will take it all the way. Especially with stars such as luis figo and rising stars such as chrisiano ronaldo. It should be a piece of cake.

Or am I to be surprised again?

 

Por do deserve the cup...

well the final of euro2004 is bad

I wish that it was Fra and Por

 

I told you from the beginning it was going to portugal!
They are going to take it all the way!
Im shocked that greece got so far... stupid kabob makers!

 

wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow

what do u know greece won...

gre 1 - 0 por


i don't know from where Greece come from...

They won at por 2 times , at france and at czech..