Pool Party

Big thanks goes out to the Continentalist and his lovely wife and daughters for hosting us all for the Euro 2008 Final.

Banana Island enjoys the Spanish victory (and pool title) with KC Barstow.

Coincidence? Mimosa's made of Cava with the same name as two of the members of Spain's backline.

The Continentalist puzzles over Germany's inability to score.

Insult to Injury: Eastern Influence is marauded by revellers after Spain's historic win. (click to enlarge)

Pool Standings: Euro 2008 Final

1. Banana Island - 45 pts* (12-3)

2. Cantona - 43 pts* (12-3)

3. Real Marin - 41 pts* (11-4)
__Team Auckland - 41 pts* (11-4)

4. Team Jerusalem - 39 pts* (10-5)

5. The Continentalist - 30 pts (11-4)
___Eastern Influence - 30 pts (11-4)
___G.D - 30 pts (8-7)

7. BigMaggie - 29 pts* (7-8)

6. Myron - 20 pts (9-6)
___The Jerver - 20 pts (8-7)

8. JL - 14 pts (6-8)

In a shock to the traditional powers-that-be, Banana Island has emerged as champion in the Euro 2008 Pool by virtue of the fact she was the only one to pick Germany over Portugal in the quarterfinals, but Spain over Germany in the final. Congrats to Banana Island for climbing to the top of the table in only her second outing. She's obviously putting all her football watching to good use - it's just too bad there wasn't something more tangible than prestige on the line to sweeten the victory. It's also worth noting that a full six teams picked Spain as their bonus pick to win-it-all as indicated by the (*) above. Guess this Euro reeked of Spain from the get-go.

Xavi voted Player of the Tournament

Congrats to Barça's Xavi Hernandez on being voted Player of Euro 2008 for his key role in marshaling Spain's midfield. While Xavi certainly was amazing, a strong case could have been made that holding midfielder Marcos Senna was Spain's most important player. Could the fact that Senna's Brazilian born have played a role in the voting?

¡¡Es España!!

Campeones de Europa 2008

Germany 0-1 Spain
link to goal:
Fernando Torres (33)

Spain has finally shaken their decades-long underacheiver tag with their first major trophy in 44 years. It is a far different Spain who celebrates tonight from the nation who won the European title in 1964 under the repressive fascist regime of General Francisco Franco -- a man who saw success in football as a utilitarian way to sow the superficial seeds of national unity. Tonight's win is the first under Spanish democracy, the notion of which was harmoniously reflected in the open, pass-oriented play the national side displayed throughout the Euro 2008 tournament. While they may not have been watching on big screens in the squares of the Basque city Bilbao or the Catalan capital Barcelona, you can bet that the majority of the citizens of even these separatist regions were glued to their TV sets to watch Catalan players (Xavi, Puyol, and Fabregas) join with Castillian players (Torres, Casillas) to cement the nation's place in football history.

Fernando Torres -- who's contributions have been questioned throughout Euro 2008 -- rose to the occasion on the biggest stage and scored the title winner when his nifty touch off a deft pass from Xavi allowed him to run past Philip Lahm and shoot over the charging Jens Lehmann for the match's lone goal. While Germany had the best opportunities in the first 15 minutes, Spain controlled the subsequent 75 with their fluid and creative attack. Though it may not have been the most exciting match to watch, only the most die-hard Gemany supporters will have felt that Spain were undeserved winners. Having won all of their contests in Euro 2008, La Furia Roja consistently showed they were the best side in the tournament with stylish, dynamic, and often impressive attacking play. On the cusp of 70 years, stubborn and controversial coach Luis Aragones rides off into the Spanish sunset (to his new post with Istanbul's Fenerbache) as European Champion -- his much-debated tactics now vindicated for posterity as a resounding success.

All of this is a happy development for those who enjoy the aesthetics of positive, open, free-flowing football. Finally the vibrant attacking team won over negativity, defensiveness, and pragmatism. As for the future, one only need look at the average age of the squad to know that Spain will be major contenders in World Cup 2010. ¡Viva España , Campeones de Europa!

Match Day Showdown

Sunday is shaping up to be a real cracker as The Continentalist and Banana Island vie for the Euro 2008 Pool Title.

Mathematically they are the only two contenders left for a first place finish. Having picked Germany as both his bonus and final pick (for a total of 11 points), The Continentalist is hoping his pragmatic German heavyweights unleash the power he's called for in his Teutonic accent. Does Ballack have one more rocket left in his boot?

Likewise, Banana Island will get the full 11 points and win her first pool title if her fleet-footed Spanish flyweights can Flamenco their way around the German back line. Even sweeter if fair-haired Fernando delivers the game-winner.

The Continentalist will have the home side advantage, but at the moment it appears there will be more roja shirts in the Fan Zone. Fortunately there will be plenty of neutrals and niños to ensure fair play. As the Euro 2008 slogan says, "Expect Emotions."

Final: Germany v. Spain

Germany

v.

Spain


Sunday, June 29, 2008

Pool Standings: Round 3

1. Banana Island- 34 (11-3)

2. Cantona - 32 pts (11-3)

3. The Continentalist - 30 pts (11-3)
___Eastern Influence - 30 pts (11-3)
___Real Marin - 30 pts (10-4)
___Team Auckland - 30 pts (10-4)

4. Team Jerusalem - 28 pts (9-5)

5. G.D - 22 pts (7-7)

6. Myron - 20 pts (8-6)
___The Jerver - 20 pts (7-7)

7. BigMaggie - 18 pts (6-8)

8. JL - 14 pts (6-8)

*. Forza Austin - 10 pts (5-7)

With correct picks worth 6 points in the semifinals, Banana Island and Cantona have claimed first and second place respectively with their picks of a Germany v. Spain final. Interestingly, they both picked Spain to win it all as their Bonus pick at the beginning of the pool.

Quarterfinals: Day 2 Result

Xavi celebrates scoring his first goal of the tournament.

Russia 0-3 Spain
links to goals:
Xavi (50)
Daniel Güiza (73)
David Silva (82)

Spain scored three goals en route to a deserved win over upstart Russia. Apparently mindful of their 4-1 loss to the Spaniards in the group stage, Guus Hiddink played it much more cautiously in the first half with a conservative defensive posture. The tactics seemed to work as the match went into halftime at an 0-0 draw. But when the Spaniards drew first blood in the 5th minute of the second half, the Russians proved unable to shift into a higher gear and find the rhythm or form of their last two energetic matches. Forced to press forward for the equaliser, the Russians inevitably conceded space in the back, which was all the crafty Spanish forwards needed to break away as Cesc Fabregas served up sublime assists on their second and third goals. Spain now prepares to face pre-tournament favorites, Germany, in a final of European juggernauts.

Russia's Rising Star

Not even Andrei Arshavin knows where he'll be playing his club football in September.

During the course of a major tournament, players' and coaches' stars rise and fall on the world stage. In Euro 2008 no star has reached such meteroic heights as Russia's brilliant playmaker Andrei Arshavin. Though he missed the first two matches because of a red card in Russia's last meaningless qualifier against Andorra, he entered the tournament against Sweden as a man possessed, immediately bringing zest and verve into the Russian attack. His virtuoso performance against highly-fancied Holland is already being trumpeted as an historic coming-out party. In the days since, the media have eagerly embraced the story of the 'unknown' Russian footballer who has set Europe's biggest football competition on fire.

A subplot to the unfolding drama is the question of how a player with this much talent has flown so far below the radar. It's not as if he's been hiding. Playing for Zenit St. Petersburg, Arshavin has been the biggest name in Russian football for the last three seasons. In 2006 Arshavin won Russian Player of the year for his versatility in playing as a winger, playmaker and as a striker. In 2007 he led Zenit to the Russian title and followed it up in 2008 by captaining the side to a decisive UEFA Cup title. The fact that he is only now getting the attention of world football speaks volumes about the way the Russian league is viewed in comparison to the traditional power leagues of Europe: England, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and Holland. Euro 2008 may prove to be the opening salvo of a Russian football renaissance.

Now that Arshavin's the breakout star of Euro 2008, he has all the major clubs of Europe competing for his services. Before the tournament started he was linked to Arsenal, but subsequent to his performance against the Dutch there have been rumors of the four big clubs in England as well as both Milan teams pursuing him. As more attention was paid to him by the media, word got out from the head of Russia's Football federation that Arshavin is a big Barcelona fan and would choose to play for the blaugrana above any club in Europe. The following day, Arshavin himself said that he has followed Barça since he was a young boy and that playing at the Camp Nou has been a lifelong dream he never hoped to realize.

Today Arshavin stands on the threshold of something potentially momentous. The amount of pressure and attention on him for this semifinal match against Spain is staggering in terms of the impact for his country and for him personally.

Count me as one culé who wishes him luck and hopes that he will step in for the departing Deco and become a influencial piece of Pep Guardiola's new Barça project.

Semifinals: Day 1 Result

Young defender Philip Lahm scores the 90th minute match winner to send Germany through to the Final.

Germany 3-2 Turkey

links to goals:

Bastian Schweinsteiger (27)__________Ugur Boral (22)
Miroslav Klose (79) _________________Semih Senturk (86)

Philip Lahm (90)

A much depleted Turkish side dominated the first half of play, even grabbing a 1-0 lead by way of Ugur Boral's goal in the 22nd minute. But the inexperience of the Turkish squad was evident when they conceded the equaliser to Schweinsteiger just five minutes later. In the 79th minute, Miroslav Klose -- who's been surprisingly quiet this tournament -- recaptured his goal-scoring form with a well-taken header, giving the Germans the 2-1 advantage. True to form, the Turks did not let down, but continually pressed for the late game equaliser. Amazingly it came for the 4th consecutive match in the form of Semih Senturk's second last minute goal in as many matches. But the spirited Turk's Cinderella story finally came to an end four minutes later when Bayern's Philip Lahm found his way through the defense and decisively buried the match-winner in the upper left corner of Rustu's net.

Millions of people around the world lost the TV feed for the last fifteen minutes of the match because of a lightning strike on Euro 2008's TV headquartes in Vienna, Austria -- even though the match was played in Basel, Switzerland. It seems only the local Swiss cable feed and Al Jazeera were able to maintain live coverage for the epic finale.

Semifinal: Germany v. Turkey

Germany

v.

Turkey

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Semifinal: Russia v. Spain

Russia

v.

Spain


Thursday, June 26, 2008

Pool Standings: Round 2

1. The Continentalist - 24 pts (10-2)
2. Banana Island (9-3) - 22 pts
__Jonathan (aka. Team Jerusalem) (8-4)

3. Cantona - 20 pts (9-3)
4. Eastern Influence - 18 pts (9-3)
__Real Marin (8-4)
__Team Auckland (8-4)

5. GD - 16 pts (6-6)
6. Myron - 14 pts (7-5)
__JL (6-6)
__The Jerver (6-6)

7. BigMaggie - 12 pts (5-7)
8. Forza Austin - 10 pts (5-7)

The Continentalist held first place with a last minute switch from Italy to Spain, while Jonathan was the only one to get three correct picks in the quarterfinals. Banana Island holds her own with 8 pts in the qf's; had she gone with her heart and picked Russia she'd be in first with 26 pts.

Quarterfinals: Day 4 Result

Man of the Match: Captain Iker Casillas makes the first of two penalty kick saves to vanquish the Italians and send Spain through to the semifinals.

Spain (4-2 pk's) 0-0 Italy
links to goals:
shootout

Goal Keeper Iker Casillas made three critical saves -- a hockey-style kick-save during regular play, and two saves in the shootout -- to propel Spain past Italy for the first time in 88 years and take an important step in shedding the Spaniard's dreaded underachiever label. The match was intense, if not dull, as the European juggernauts battled for 120 minutes to a cagey 0-0 stalemate. With the Azzurri content to play a classic catenaccio style defense, the Spaniards seemed the superior team in every way except the score sheet. The Italians appeared to be playing for the shootout from the beginning, effectively clogging up the passing lanes with nine men in the back while taking very few risks in going forward. Time and time again the Italians dove to the ground, feigning injury, to stop the clock or kill Spanish momentum, and they got away with at least three obvious fouls in the box, knocking Spanish attackers to the ground without consequence. The match had all the hallmarks of the negative, last-minute Italian wins of tournaments past, but then an amazing thing happened... two of their penalties were saved; first Daniele De Rossi's, and then Antionio Di Natale's. The latter was complete poetic justice as Di Natale's fake injury in extra time had killed a Spanish break and inspired loud whistles from the stands every time he subsequently touched the ball. While I try to stay objective in these posts, I must admit to complete relief in seeing the cynical, rule-bending Italians exit the tournament. Spain's match against the young guns of Russia promises to be a far more open, entertaining, and goal-scoring match. Arrivederci Italia!

Unsealing Fate

Today's match marks a potentially momentous opportunity for the Spanish national team to shed their reputation as serial underachievers or, less generously, choke artists. Despite having one of the top domestic leagues in Europe and loads of talent, the Spaniards have only managed to win one major tournament, the European Championship in 1964. Historically it is the quarterfinals where La Furia Roja bow out: only once in the World Cup have they made it to the semifinals, and just twice in the Euros (their title in 1964 and a runners-up finish in 1984). To further the burden, the date June 22nd has been particularly unkind to the Iberians with the team suffering quarterfinal shoot-out defeats on this day to South Korea in the 2002 World Cup, England at Euro 96, and Belgium in the 1986 World Cup. The icing on the fate cake: Spain hasn't beaten Italy in an official match since 1920.

Their fellow European chokers, the Dutch, played their part perfectly by laying down for an upstart Russian squad despite having played the most attractive football in the tournament. The Spanish will need to move beyond their national pessimism in all matters futbol and take it to the four time world champions and current title holders Italy if they're to recast the die of their footballing destiny.

Quarterfinals: Day 3 Result

Russian phenom Andrei Arshavin slips goal #3 through Edwin Van Der Sar's legs.

Netherlands 1-3 Russia

links to goals:

Roman Pavluchenko (56)

Ruud van Nistelrooy (86)

Dmitri Torbinsky (112)
Andrei Arshavin (116)

Holy crap! The young Russian gunslingers ran roughshod over the heavily favored Dutch, in what may be the biggest upset of the tournament. Russia built on what they started against Sweden, beating Holland at their own game of lighting quick counter-attacking football. Russia's wily # 10 Andrei Arshavin delivered perhaps the signature performance of the tournament with dangerous runs all day, a stunning cross from an impossible angle to the far-post to set up the go-ahead goal in the second overtime, and finally scoring the third goal which decisively sent his side through to the semifinals. Look for Arshavin to make a splash in the summer transfer period as he's already declared his intention to leave his club Zenit St. Petersburg. The Russians deserved the win, as the Dutch looked nothing like the team which sparkled in winning the Group of Death, but instead were lethargic all day, struggling to get back on defense, and getting their only chances on net from free-kicks. Hiddink and his boys have already exceeded the wildest expectations of their supporters, so they'll enter the match on Thursday against Spain or Italy with nothing to lose. After their last two performances, who'd bet against them?




Even Guus Hiddink can't believe his good fortune.

Lucky Guus

Russia's young side is coached by the brilliant Dutchman Guus Hiddink. Guus is world renowned for his ability to take raw talent and form a cohesive attacking unit wherever he's been.

In 1995 he unified a divided Dutch squad and proceeded to lead them to the semifinals of the 1998 World Cup where they lost to Brazil despite playing some of the most attractive football in the tournament.

In 2002 he met the high expectations of host nation South Korea by leading their national team, not just to their first-ever World Cup victory, but all the way to the semifinals where they lost to Germany. Hiddink's success was so unexpected that the grateful South Korean's made him the first-ever foreigner to be given honorary South Korean citizenship. Banana Island reports that Guus is still beloved in Korea where his career is followed affectionately.

In 2006 he led the Australian national team (the Socceroos) to their first World Cup qualification in 32 years and proceeded to take them out of the Group stage and into the quarterfinals where they lost to the Italians due to one of the most controversial penalties of the tournament, awarded 8 seconds from the end of normal time. Again he was embraced with the Australians chanting "Goooooooooooos!" and creating slogans like "No Guus, No Glory", "Guus For P.M", "In Guus We Trust", and "Guus your Daddy?".

Hiddink continued his run of remarkable success when, after taking over an inexperienced Russian side, they unexpectedly qualified for Euro 2008 -- thanks to their and Croatia's surprise victories over England. Having led them out of the Group stage is already an accomplishment - something the Russians have never done as an independent nation. Now he faces his birth country and the very same tactics he has so adeptly spread around the Eastern hemisphere.

So is Guus simply lucky?

In the words of Louis Pasteur, "Chace favors the prepared mind".

Quarterfinals: Day 2 Result

Bad Omen: Luka Modric sends Croatia's first penalty kick wide.

Croatia 1-1 (1-3 pk's) Turkey

links to goals:

Ivan Klasnic (119)

Semih Senturk (120)

penalties

Unbelievably, Turkey topped their dramatic comeback win against the Czech Republic with an even more stunning come-from-behind win against Croatia. After a nail-biting 0-0 draw through the regulation 90 minutes and the first 15 minute overtime, the match headed to the second overtime and looked destined to be decided by penalty kicks. When Croatia's Ivan Klasnic broke the tie with a goal one minute from the end of the second overtime, the Croatians went wild in jubilation, believing they had sealed their place in the semifinals. But the celebration was short-lived when, in the waning seconds of stoppage time, uber-substitute Semih Senturk rifled a shot into the upper right corner to force penalties. Croatia began inauspiciously when midfield maestro Luka Modric missed the first spot-kick. Ivan Rakitic and Mladen Petric's subsequent misses were the death of Slaven Bilic's dream ride through the Euro's. Thus, the cardiac kids of the tournament, Turkey, completed their third consecutive comeback and will face Germany in the semifinals on Wednesday -- albeit depleted as the Turks will be missing several players due to suspensions and injuries.

Who is Slaven Bilić?

The boss of the unfancied Croatian side has become one of the breakout personalities of Euro 2008. At 39 years of age, the charismatic Croat has gained acclaim for his tactical intellect, incisive press conferences, and laid back style. He's hugely popular with his players and the fans because he's agreed to lead the team through the 2010 World Cup despite getting big offers from European clubs and ugly contract disputes with the Croatian FA over the last couple of years.

"I told them (the Croatian Football Federation) three or four weeks ago I am going to sign whatever they give me. It wasn't like a negotiation. I told them I will sign a blank paper because I've decided to stay. I'm staying because I love my country and, despite really good offers that I have had.I think two years is maybe too little to stay as a national team coach."

Not only has he appeared in 44 matches as a player for the national side, but holds a law degree, is fluent in four languages, and plays guitar in two rock bands -- one of which, Rawbau, performed the Croatian anthem he wrote for this year's Euro campaign, "Vatreno Ludilo" ("Fiery Madness").

Quarterfinals: Day 1 Result

Germany's Michael Ballack heads in the game winner. What was GK Ricardo thinking?

Portugal 2-3 Germany

goals:

Bastian Schweinsteiger (22)

Miroslav Klose (26)

Nuno Gomes (41)

Michael Ballack (62)

Hélder Postiga (87)

Portugal's muffed defense on two set pieces allowed the rock solid Germans the space they needed to take the first quarterfinal match. All things being equal, the Germans just appeared to want it more -- charging and sacrificing their bodies time and time again to get the ball. Of course it's a lot easier to do when you're the tallest team (6' 1" avg.) in the tournament and you're playing the shortest team (5' 9").

The Fractious Distraction of Euro's Star Attraction

Ronaldo and Ballack tangle up with their club sides in England.

Just before Euro 2008 began, Cristiano Ronaldo poured gasoline on the wild fire of speculation about whether he'll leave United for Madrid when he told a Brazilian magazine he'd play for Los Blancos if they pay up -- big time. Fans and Sir Alex are understandably vexed at the prospect of losing their hottest commodity as they go for the CL repeat and the EPL three-peat. There are rumors swirling of rifts in the Portugese camp as players are annoyed with the media's endless questions about Ronaldo's club future. Can the star tune all of this out and add the Euro trophy to a dream year in which he's been showered with individual awards and won his 2nd consecutive EPL title and the Champions League? Not if Michael Ballack has anything to say about it...

Quarterfinal: Portugal v. Germany

Portugal

v

Germany


Thursday, June 19, 2008

Quarterfinal: Croatia v. Turkey

Croatia

v

Turkey

Friday, June 20, 2008

Quarterfinal: Netherlands v. Russia

Netherlands

v

Russia

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Quarterfinal: Spain v. Italy

Spain

v

Italy


Sunday, June 22, 2008

Standings: Round 1

1. Cantona (8-0, 16 pts.)
The Continentalist

2. Banana Island (7-1, 14 pts.)
Eastern Influence
Myron
Real Marin
Team Auckland

3. Forza Austin (5-3, 10 pts.)
JL
Team Jerusalem
The Jerver

4. BigMaggie (4-4, 8 pts.)
GD

Wow. Big nod to Cantona and the Continentalist for perfect scores in Round 1. Looks like the Continentalist is back to his winning ways after coming in mid-table in the last pool. Cantona is already building on his Runner-up finish from CL Pool 2008 and appears to have even called the order (1st and 2nd) that each side would finish. His predictions in the comments are eerily correct and worth a re-read. The man knows his footy. Moving forward the Quarterfinals will separate the wheat from the chaffe as each correct pick is worth 4 pts.

Group D: Day 3 Results

Russia rejoice as they qualify for the quarterfinals of a major tournament for the first time in their existence as an independent nation.

Russia 2-0 Sweden
links to goals:
Roman Pavluchenko (24)
Andrei Arshavin (50)

Russia looked sharp as they sliced and diced through the Swedish backline with lighting quick counter-attacking football. Guus Hiddink continued his improbable streak of bringing all four of the national sides he's coached through to the knockout stage of every tournament he's managed them. Lucky Guus indeed.

Greece 1-2 Spain

links to goals:

Angelos Charisteas (42)

Rubén de la Red (61)

Daniel Güiza (88)

La Furia Rosa demonstrated their class -- and perhaps some of that fighting spirit they're often accused of lacking-- by beating the current title-holders, Greece, with their second string and taking a perfect 9 points from Group D. Even still, they'll be questioning their luck in drawing the ever-dangerous Italians in their quarterfinal match on Sunday.

Group C: Day 3 Results

France's Euro 2008 hopes leave the pitch on a stretcher with Franck Ribery.

France 0-2 Italy
links to goals:
Andrea Pirlo (pen 25)
Daniele De Rossi (62)

Losing dynamo Franck Ribery to injury and Eric Abidal with a straight red card in the first half proved too much for Les Bleus to overcome as they concluded their lacklustre Euro 2008 campaign with a loss to Italy. The Azzurri advance to the knockout rounds by virtue of their win and the Romanians loss to the Dutch.

Netherlands 2-0 Romania
links to goals:
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (54)
Robin Van Persie (87)

The unstoppable Oranje continued to roll -- despite a starting lineup which featured 9 new players-- as they defeated Romania and topped Group C with a perfect record. Romania controlled their own destiny and would have advanced with a win but were outclassed by the Dutch second string.

Group B: Day 3 Results

Michael Ballack's rocket free-kick carries Germany through.

Poland 0-1 Croatia

links to goals:

Ivan Klasnic (52)

Croatia continued their winning ways with an impressive win over Poland, adding an exclamation point on their first place group finish with a perfect nine points from their three wins. Croatia will take on upstart Turkey who finished second in Group A this coming Friday.

Austria 0-1 Germany

links to goals:

Michael Ballack (49)

German captain Michael Ballack delivered the goods with a scorcher of a free kick in the 49th minute which put the Germans through to the quarterfinals. Seriously, that thing looked like it was still accelerating when it hit the back of the net. On Thursday second place Germany will face Group A winners Portugal in a rematch of World Cup 2006's third place playoff match which the Germans won 3-1.

Group A: Day 3 Results

Turkey's Nihat is smothered as he completes the Turk's historic comeback win over the Czech Republic.

Turkey 3-2 Czech Republic

links to goals:

Jan Koller (34)
Jaroslav Plasil (62)

Arda Turan (75)
Nihat Kahveci (87)
Nihat Kahveci (89)

Turkey have established themselves as the comeback kids of the tournament with an astounding come from behind win against the Czech Republic. After dominating the first half, the Czechs were up 2-0 with 15 minutes to play, but the relentless Turkish attack of the 2nd half ultimately proved to be too much. Villareal's Nihat Kahveci became a Turkish hero when he scored two goals in the last four minutes to complete the comeback. The Czech Republic's world-class keeper Petr Cech will feel like the goat as his dropped ball allowed Nihat to toe in the equalizer.


Switzerland 2-0 Portugal

links to goals:

Hakan Yakin (71)
Hakan Yakin (pen 83)

The co-hosts saved a little face in the last match of Group A by winning against the second-string Portugese in a match which had no bearing on the group results.

A Little Crossover

In a cross-promotion of the NBA finals and Euro 2008, Kevin Garnett is given a little surprise in front of the cameras. Turns out KG is a big Chelsea supporter. With the growing internationalization of the NBA, there have been more and more of these stories popping up in the press (hat-tip to liz for calling this relationship a couple of years ago). KG isn't the only NBA player hooked on futbol.

And it's not just basketball... In the other football, the Pats' Wes Welker attributes his sharp receiving routes to the footwork he learned

Group D: Day 2 Results

David Villa's 4th goal of the tournament is a last minute game winner.

Sweden 1-2 Spain

links to goals:

Fernando Torres (15)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (34)

David Villa (90)

Sweden used their size and their backline organization to out-muscle the diminutive but crafty Spaniards in a physical and disciplined performance by the Northeners. The matchup felt similar to many of the Barcelona games from this past season: the Spanish had much possession with their intricate passing, but failed to create clear chances on net. After Zlatan Ibrahimovic was pulled from the match at halftime with an injury the Swedes looked out of ideas in attack, but it took a brilliant bit of finishing from the star of the tournament David Villa to score the last gasp game winner.


Greece 0-1 Russia

links to goals:

Konstatin Zurianov (33)

Greece's opportunity to become the first side to successfully defend it's championship disappeared with Konstatin Zurianov's goal in the first half. Russia now controls their own destiny and could advance with a win on Wednesday's match against Sweden.

Group C: Day 2 Results

Gianluigi Buffon saves Mutu's penalty shot (and the Italians) with his hand and then foot to preserve the draw against Romania.

Italy 1-1 Romania

links to goals:

Adrian Mutu (55)

Christian Panucci (56)

Adrian Mutu (pen miss 81)

Gianluigi Buffon once again proved why he is considered by many to be the best goalkeeper in the world as he saved Italia's Euro 2008 campaign with a late minute penalty save. Fiorentina's striker Adrian Mutu put the Romanian's ahead in the 55th minute, but a desperate Azzurri squad responded straight away with Christian Panucci's 56th minute goal. Romania now controls their own destiny, as a win over the Dutch on Tuesday will mean they go through to the knockout rounds.

Netherlands 4-1 France
links to goals:
Dirk Kuyt (10)
Robin Van Persie (59)

Thierry Henry (71)

Arjen Robben (72)
Wesley Sneijder (90)

The Netherlands continue to be the revelation of the tournament as their electric attacking play has lit up both of the World Cup 2006 finalists by a combined score of 7-1. Wesley Sneijder's stoppage time goal inspired the best call of the tournament to date by ESPN's Adrian Healey: "It's a Dutch oven and the French are TOAST!".

Group B: Day 2 Results

Croatia's Slaven Bilic goes nuts as his side stuns Germany.

Croatia 2-1 Germany
links to goals:
Darijo Srna (24)
Ivica Olic (62)

Lukas Podolski (78)

In arguably the first real upset of the tournament, oddsmaker's favorites Germany lost 2-1 to a an energized Croatian side. Coach Slaven Bilic was thrilled with his player's performance as Croatia takes command of Group B with two wins. Meanwhile Germany can advance with a win over Austria on Monday.

Austria 1-1 Poland
links to goals:
Guerreiro Roger (30)

Ivica Vastic (pen 90)

Lowly hosts Austria's dim hope of surviving the Group stage was given a controversial life-line with a penalty shot in the 3rd minute of stoppage time. Poland looked to have won the match, but English referee Howard Webb awarded a penalty when Mariusz Lewandowski pulled Prodl's jersey as Poland defended a free-kick. The Polish outrage over the call was so acute that the Prime Minister was quoted as saying he wanted 'to kill' Webb.

Group A: Day 2 Results

An ominous sky for the Swiss shrouds the match in Basel.

Czech Republic 1-3 Portugal

Deco (8)

Libor Sionko (17)

Cristiano Ronaldo (63)

Ricardo Quaresma (90)

The Portugese all but guaranteed their place in the quarterfinals in an entertaining win over the Czech Republic. Crafty midfielder Deco showed his creativity, intelligence, and vision as he played a role in all 3 goals: scoring the first, assisting the second, and creating the 3rd with a surprise quick restart on a free kick. To the Czech's credit they played at a much brighter pace than their previous match against Switzerland and could gain second place in the group with a win over Turkey on Sunday.


Switzerland 1-2 Turkey

Hakan Yakin (32)

Semih Senturk (57)
Arda Turan (90)

Arda Turan broke the hearts of Switzerland with his last gasp penalty time goal in rain-drenched St. Jakob-Park in Basel Wednesday. The throngs of Swiss who attended the match were sent into ecstasy when Hakan Yakin put the hosts ahead in the first half, but alas without their talisman Alex Frei they could not hold off the marauding Turks. Thus the Swiss are the first side sent crashing unceremoniously out of the tournament.

Group D: Day 1 Results

Spain's David Villa celebrates his first goal with Fernando Torres en route to an impressive hat-trick.

Spain 4-1 Russia
David Villa (20)
David Villa (45)
David Villa (75)

Roman Pavluchenko (86)

Cesc Fábregas (90)
David Villa showed why he is beloved in Valencia as he kicked off his Euro 2008 campaign with a nifty hat-trick against a clearly overpowered Russian team. Spain's technical prowess was on display as their nimble pass-and-move game (tiki-taka) exploited every inch of space the Russians gave them.

Greece 0-2 Sweden

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (67)
Petter Hansson (73)

Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic ended his international goal drought in style with a hammer-blow strike off a give-and-go with veteran Henrik Larsson. The reigning champs Greece started their title defense inauspiciously as their cynical play could not stem the Swedish tide.