Germany 0-1 Spain

Spain claimed their first major title for 44 years after winning Euro 2008 with a deserved victory over Germany. Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was Spain's goal hero, striking after 33 minutes when he cleverly lifted Xavi's pass over Germany keeper Jens Lehmann.

Spain dominated the final throughout, with Torres heading against the post and Marcos Senna almost adding a second from close range after 80 minutes. Michael Ballack came close for Germany, shooting narrowly wide after the break.

Spain have long had a reputation as under-achievers on the big occasions, but this was a richly-merited victory for veteran coach Luis Aragones and a team that played outstanding football throughout the tournament.

Germany were outclassed, and for captain Ballack his catalogue of misery in major finals continues having lost two Champions League finals and also been suspended for the 2002 World Cup final when they lost to Brazil.

Match-winner Torres enhanced the reputation he forged at Liverpool last season, but this was an all-round effort for a side that is young enough to already be marked down among the favourites for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Ballack to miss final?

Something tells me come hell or high water Ballack wont miss the final however if worst does happen it would be a great shame to lose a decent player from one of the largest finals in the world.

If he does play it will add to the list of potential Premier League stars in this Sunday's final. So far Ballack has had sparks of brilliance however has lacked consistency.

Other premiership players that might play in the final-

Fabregas: Has have had an excellent tournament even though he hasn't started most games he would love to add to his single goal tally in this tournament.

Lehmann: Has showed that Wegner made the right decision benching him this season, he has been poor this tournament and is showing his age. Jens Lehmann can become the oldest player ever to appear in a European Championship final. If he plays, Lehmann's record setting age will be 38 years and 232 days, breaking the record set by Arnold Muhren, who was 37 years and 23 days old when he played for the Netherlands in the 1988 final against the Soviet Union.

Torres: Has only scored one goal this tournament and has looked increasingly frustrated being in the shadow of David Villa. He needs a game otherwise any victory would seem slightly hollow.

Alonso: Has done ok when brought on, maybe a good shout for an assist or even a goal towards the end of the game.

I do hope this is a good final and if you asked me who I want to win I would have to go with most and say Spain.

Turkeys Lights go out in Basel

So you might have missed some of the game however you must admit that Turkey where unlucky tonight against a mostly poor German side.

Turkey took the lead in this game. It controlled much of the play. They then fell behind but, once again struck back in the closing minutes. This time maybe the Turks scored their late goal too early. After Semih Semturk scored in the 86th minute, Philipp Lahm hit the winner for Germany in the 90th minute.

Turkey had certainly cemented their place in European and International football and have every right to feel very proud of their performance. Germany however will have to pull a performance out of the bag in the final because if the team that showed up tonight plays that badly in Vienna on June 29th they will have their pants pulled down to their ankles.

The 3-2 result certainly showed that the Germans can play when they want to and maybe that will spur them to play some seriously good football and make this final one worthy of a great tournament.

This competition keeps getting better and better

Who would have thought it Croatia, Portugal and Holland all crashing out of the quarter final stages. I take my hat off to the underdogs who have all made it through the the semi finals.

The Spain versus Italy quarter final has extra importance now as the winner of that game would go into the semi final as favourites to win the tournament. Spain go into this game as favourites but can their lethal strike force break down the dogged Italian defence?

Spain coach Luis Aragones is likely to revert to his first-choice XI having fielded his reserves in the 2-1 win over Greece while Italy midfielders Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo are suspended this may prove to be key on the night.

Head-to-heads

Spain and Italy have played each other on 27 previous occasions. Spain have won eight, Italy nine and there have been 10 draws.

In competitive matches, Spain have been less successful winning just one out of nine. Italy have won five times and there have been three draws. Spain's sole competitive victory was in the very first match between the two, a 2-0 win at the 1920 Olympic Games.

The two teams have played each other twice at European Championships, drawing 0-0 in a group phase match in 1980 and Italy winning another group match 1-0 in 1988. Italy head coach Roberto Donadoni played in the latter of those games.

Spain have not lost to Italy in their last four encounters since a 2-1 defeat in the 1994 World Cup quarter-finals. Donadoni also played in that match.

Form isn't everything.

It certainly was very interesting to see both the teams that where seen as the underdogs in their respective matches win through.

Germany simply took apart a poor Portuguese defence while Turkey simply are the come back kings of this tournament so far. Holland and Croatia who went into their games as slight favourites couldn't find the magic that had propelled them to win their groups.

Normally I am not one to applaud a German victory however the one on Thursday night was a very good performance which has shown that Germany have the potential to go on and win the tournament.

Turkey could very well do a Greece this year, however this believes most a step too far. They have shown some serious weaknesses in their team in their team in the group stages and passion sometimes can only carry a team so far, class will out.

So will Netherlands and Spain fall also over the next few days?

Both Russia and Italy can be very hard to break down and could easily cause the same upset that both Portugal and Croatia have suffered. While Luiz Felipe Scolari's pain might ease because of his juicy new position your heart must go out to Slaven Bilic.

Please have a look at this fantastic piece written on him (click)

Certainly it has been worth listening or watching most of this tournament and I for one am eagerly awaiting the rest of the matches.

Who did that?

It is nice to see the Dutch bench enjoying themselves and to be honest they have every right to. Having defeated France and Italy with relative ease they are going into the quarter finals the favourites with most bookies giving them odds of 7/2. And so they should be favourites having scored on average 3 goals a game while only conceeding 1 goal. No team in this Championship has a better goal difference.

However they are not the only team to be going into the quarter finals with some confidence. Spain definately have the most lethal strike force in the world at the moment. David Villa and Fernado Torres have lived up so far to all expectations and I would not want to be in the Italy defence on Sunday, they will certainly have their work cut out for them.


So far I have been plesently suprised by this tournment. I was very happy to see both Russia and Croatia get through to the QF (maybe the FA sacked McClaren too soon???? yeah right!)But at least if anything it helps me hold unto the fact that England aren't completely useless (yeah right I hear you cry again).

So I advise you to kick back, enjoy the rest of the tournament and watch Italy win it with a bunch of boring 1-0 results.

Crazy bid for Ronaldo?

Real Madrid are ready to make their opening bid for Ronaldo - £40m plus Robinho, according to Marca.

Madrid chief Pedja Mijatovic will apparently travel to Manchester to begin formal negotiations with United.

This opening gambit is likely to be given short shrift by United, who have made it clear that Ronaldo is not for sale - but could be forced to listen if Madrid up their offer.

Meanwhile, reports in the Daily Express have suggested that Sir Alex Ferguson will step down as United manager if Ronaldo is sold without his consent.

But a United spokesperson said: "It is absolute nonsense. It is simply tiresome. We are not selling Cristiano Ronaldo."

Desperate to hold Villa

Valencia insist they have received no offers for star striker David Villa, who is currently setting Euro 2008 alight with Spain.

The 26-year-old has netted four times in two games so far to help his country book their place in the quarter-finals.

The Spaniard's stunning form in La Liga last season, where he scored 18 goals in a campaign to forget for Los Che, had already reportedly attracted the attention of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool and Chelsea among others.

But Valencia technical secretary Juan Sanchez told Spanish newspaper Marca: "He's our player, he's under contract, and the coach is counting on him. We're very calm and we've received no offer for him."

My opinion sell him now and get more than his market value!

Robben and Ronaldo

Arjen Robben would welcome the competition provided by Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid should the Manchester United winger complete a move to the Spanish champions later this summer.

Ronaldo was reported last week as saying he would like to play for Real but the Portugal star has vowed not to discuss the subject further until after Euro 2008 finishes.

If he was to make the switch to the Bernabeu, Ronaldo would be a direct threat to fellow winger Robben.

But the former Chelsea man claims he would be happy to see the Portuguese join him at Real.

"It's only good for me and good for the team," said the 24-year-old. "And it's not that if he plays, I can't play. We can play together."

Ronaldo will currently be weighing up the pros and cons regarding a move to Real, and Robben added: "It's totally up to him - I think he is enjoying himself over there (at United).

"I don't think you can say football is at a higher level (in Spain) because we weren't in the last final of the Champions League like them.

"But, for me, I think Madrid is the biggest club in the world and I can understand if he wants to join them.

"It's a great league - I think you play a bit more football in Spain and I am enjoying myself there."

I am sure that Real Madrid are really pleased Robben opened his gob considering Man Utd complained to Fifa only last week about this whole situation

So England aren't really that bad

Croatia assumed pole position in Group B on Thursday evening with a 2-1 triumph over Euro 2008 favourites Germany in Klagenfurt.

A goal in each half from Darijo Srna and Ivica Olic punished a disappointing German outfit, who were second best for much of the 90 minutes.

Lukas Podolski did pull a goal back for Germany on 78 minutes with a powerful shot from close range, but Croatia hung on as the Germans finished with 10 men.

Midway through the first half the ball found its way into the back of the net in the 22nd minute when Germany striker Mario Gomez slotted home past Stipe Pletikosa but the offside flag had already gone up against the Stuttgart man well beforehand.

The deadlock was broken for real just two minutes after that incident though, when Croatia went ahead through Srna after neat build-up play on the left. Eventually Daniel Pranjic flung over a superb cross and Srna got ahead of Marcell Jansen at the far post to poke the ball home from six yards.

Germany responded well and Jansen's cross from the left was headed over by Gomez, before Niko Kranjcar wasted a golden chance to double Croatia's lead.

Olic managed to head down into the path of the Portsmouth man, but Kranjcar blasted the ball over.

Michael Ballack's free-kick from 25 yards tested Pletikosa, but the Croatian stopper blocked the effort with both hands as Germany attempted to up the tempo.

German centre-back Christophe Metzelder then headed over from a corner, before Olic layed on another chance for Kranjcar, but the midfielder could only rifle his shot straight at Jens Lehmann from 12 yards.

Germany started brightly in the second half without carving through the Croatian defence and they were made to pay when Croatia, albeit slighty fortuitously, made it 2-0 on 62 minutes.

Ivan Rakitic swung over a cross from the right, which was deflected by a German defender on to the near post, leaving Olic with a simple tap in with Lehmann stranded.

Germany kept throwing bodies forward though and when Ballack headed down a hopeful ball into the box, Podolski was on hand to smash it beyond Pletikosa.

And in stoppage time Sub Bastian Schweinsteiger was sent-off after pushing Jerko Leko - an angry reaction after a challenge from the Croatian.

Germany coach Joachim Low insists his side deserved to lose.

"It's clear looking back on the match that we deserved to lose," said Low.

"As a team we were unable to be precise enough and fast enough to really cause Croatia problems.

"We were unable to play our combinations or a fluid game. The Croatians sat back after they scored their first goal and we were unable to penetrate their defence, so we have to accept defeat."

Croatia counterpart Slaven Bilic was delighted by his team's performance.

"I want to congratulate both teams for a great game of football," said Bilic, whose side will now reach the quarter-finals if Poland fail to defeat Austria in Thursday's late kick-off.

"I think we played some outstanding football and nothing less is required to beat Germany.

"I want to especially congratulate my players, not only for the fight they showed but for playing an excellent match.

"There is no other way to beat the Germans. They're still a great team, though, and still one of the favourites for the title.

"We kept going forward throughout and always looked threatening, while our back four held firm when they put us under pressure

McClown gets to go to Euros

I couldn't believe my ears I tuned in to 5 Live commentary of the Euros and I heard the dulcet tones of Steve McClaren.

How can BBC offer a job to that man? Hasn't he had enough money without us paying his fee as well?

5 Live have previously offered roles to other ex England managers, most notably Grahame Taylor. this I believe was actually a good move of theirs, GT has I believe been forgiven because of his open nature.

However McClown has no personality and I for one am not going to listen a single second more to his dull ignorant commentary.

New Favourites

Netherlands took a firm grip on Euro 2008's so-called "Group of Death" by winning a classic encounter with Italy.

Ruud van Nistelrooy put the Dutch ahead in controversial circumstances after 26 minutes when he scored from close range - but looked suspiciously offside.

Wesley Sneijder swept in a second from Dirk Kuyt's header five minutes later.

Edwin van der Sar then denied Italy with stunning saves from Fabio Grosso and Andrea Pirlo before Giovanni van Bronckhorst headed in after 80 minutes.

For the Full report bbc 09/06/08

Meanwhile France drew with Romania.... yawn.

Austria unlucky and Germany emphatic

Croatia were forced to hang on against tournament co-hosts Austria to begin their Euro 2008 campaign with a win.

They were gifted what proved to be a fourth-minute winner when Luca Modric drilled home a penalty after Rene Aufhauser clumsily felled Ivica Olic.

Austria's Joachim Standfest headed their best chance wide as they finished the first half in better form.

And after the break Austria's Umit Korkmaz had a stinging shot well saved and Roman Kienast headed narrowly wide.

An equaliser would not have flattered a plucky Austria side who had to dig deep to recover from a terrible opening spell.

Austria went into the game knowing that if they were to rip up the form book and keep the pre-match party going, it was imperative that they got off to a good start.

For the full report bbc sport 08/06/08

Germany v Poland

Lukas Podolski's double ensured Germany made a winning start to their Euro 2008 campaign against Poland in Klagenfurt.

Polish-born Podolski put Germany on the path to a deserved victory when he slid home Miroslav Klose's pass from close range after 20 minutes.

Germany were dominant, with Poland keeper Artur Boruc saving brilliantly from Germany captain Michael Ballack.

And Podolski added his second with a powerful rising volley that left Boruc helpless with 18 minutes left.

It was Germany's first victory in the tournament since they beat the Czech Republic to win Euro 96 at Wembley.

And their performance at the Worthersee Stadion, in the first 45 minutes in particular, suggested that Joachim Low's side are in the mood to make amends for previous disappointments this time around.

For the full report BBC sport 08/06/08

Unsuprisingly Pleased

Predictable but good start to the Euro's

Portugal's Euro 2008 campaign opened in impressive fashion with a 2-0 victory over Turkey in Geneva.

Pepe opened the scoring after 61 minutes, surging from defence to beat Turkey keeper Volkan Demirel after a slick exchange with Nuno Gomes.

Portugal deserved their win, with Cristiano Ronaldo hitting the post from a first-half free-kick and Gomes twice denied by the woodwork after the break.

And Raul Meireles slid home the second in injury time after a flowing move.

Portugal were runners-up in their own country to Greece four years ago, but this vibrant performance was a clear statement that they intend to go one better this time around.

Full story bbc 07/06/08

Czech Republic v Switzerland

Substitute Vaclav Sverkos gave the Czech Republic a winning start to Euro 2008 with a second-half strike that broke Switzerland's resistance.

Alexander Frei was twice denied by Petr Cech before the Swiss captain was forced off injured and Hakan Yakin headed a chance wide after the break.

On 70 minutes Sverkos slotted in a low volley from 12 yards after latching on to a ball over the top of the defence.

The Swiss were denied an equaliser when Johan Vonlanthen's volley hit the bar.

And it might prove that the width of the woodwork could be the end of the Swiss, with tough matches against Portugal and Turkey to come in Group A.

For full report bbc 07/06/08

European Championships past winners

1960 -- France

The first final was between two nations that no longer exist, with the Soviet Union defeating Yugoslavia 2-1 at the Parc des Princes. However, the real drama though came in the semifinals, where the host nation lost 5-4 to the Yugoslavs, despite being 4-2 up with 15 minutes remaining, in one of the greatest matches in Euro history.

1964 -- Spain

The host nation prevailed when they defeated holders the Soviet Union 2-1 in the final at Real Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium. Midfielder Jesus Pereda's sixth-minute strike for Spain remains the quickest-ever goal scored in a Euro final.

1968 -- Italy

Again the host nation proved victorious as Italy saw off Yugoslavia 2-0 at Rome's Olympic Stadium. This was the only major European final to ever go to a replay, after the first match, two days earlier, ended in a 1-1 draw.

1972 -- Belgium

Two goals from the great Gerd Muller helped West Germany overpower the Soviet Union 3-0 in the final in Brussels. It was the Soviet Union's third final in four tournaments, but they were outclassed against a German side that went on to lift the World Cup on home soil just two years later.

PAST WINNERS

1960: Soviet Union
1964: Spain
1968: Italy
1972: West Germany
1976: Czechoslovakia
1980: West Germany
1984: France
1988: Netherlands
1992: Denmark
1996: Germany
2000: France
2004: Greece

1976 -- Yugoslavia

Czechoslovakia became the first, and so far only team, to win the title on penalties as they deprived West Germany of a third successive major victory. The holders had fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in Belgrade, but the Czechs held their nerve to win the shoot-out 5-3, sealed with Antonin Panenka's cheekily chipped penalty.

1980 -- Italy

The finals returned to Italy after just a 12-year absence, but there was a touch of familiarity about the winners as West Germany, in their third successive final, defeated surprise finalists Belgium 2-1 to regain the title they had lost to Czechoslovakia.

1984 -- France

A Michel Platini-inspired France side thrilled the nation by claiming their first major success with a 2-0 final victory over Spain, 24 years after they had hosted the inaugural tournament. Platini scored a remarkable nine goals in five matches, a finals record, including one in the classic 3-2 semifinal victory over Portugal.

1988 -- West Germany

The host nation were expected to reach their fourth final in five years, but lost out to a thrilling Netherlands side 2-1 in the semis. The Dutch, led by striking sensation Marco van Basten, then went on to defeat the Soviet Union 2-0 in Munich to take the title and ensure the Soviets are the only nation to have lost three Euro finals.

1992 -- Sweden

A fairy tale tournament in which substitutes Denmark -- only called into the tournament at the last minute because of civil war in Yugoslavia -- beat the might of Germany 2-0 in the final in Gothenburg. The Danes -- who had a week to prepare before their first match against England -- saw off the two previous tournament winners, France and the Dutch, en route to their surprise success.

1996 -- England

The hosts had raised the hopes of a nation by thumping the Netherlands in the group stages, but yet again came up short in a semifinal penalty shoot-out, beaten by Germany -- as they had been six years earlier at the 1990 World Cup. The Germans then claimed their third European title by defeating the Czech Republic 2-1, courtesy of an extra time golden goal by Oliver Bierhoff.

2000 -- Belgium/Netherlands

Again a host nation was to bow out on penalties in the semifinals, with the Dutch totally capitulating to Italy. However, the Italians' luck ran out in the final in Amsterdam when Sylvain Wiltord equalized for France in the final minute before David Trezeguet scored the golden goal to give Les Bleus an unlikely 2-1 victory that added European Championship honors to their World Cup crown won just two years earlier.

2004 -- Portugal

A story to rival Denmark's 1992 victory as Greece, with no pedigree of ever achieving anything of note in major tournaments, stunned host nation Portugal 1-0 in the final in Lisbon. But the win was totally deserved, with the well organized Greeks also beating France and the strongly-fancied Czech Republic along the way, as well as scoring a win over the hosts in the opening game.

The "chosen one" is back..... unfortunately not for Chelsea

Inter Milan have confirmed the appointment of former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as Roberto Mancini's successor.

Mourinho, who was sacked by Chelsea in September, has been out of the game since then, biding his time until finding a suitable role to take.

The Serie A champions finally parted company with Mancini last week after months of speculation and the Portuguese boss, a Champions League winner with Porto in 2004, has signed a three-year deal at the San Siro.

Mourinho will be unveiled on Tuesady at a press conference at 11.30am local time. A statement on Inter's website, www.inter.it, confirmed: "Internazionale announce the arrival of Jose Mourinho.

"The Portuguese coach has signed a three-year contract and will work alongside Rui Farias, Silvino and Andrei Villas Boas.

"The assistant coach will be Giuseppe Baresi."

It continued: "Thanking Roberto Mancini and his staff for the success obtained in four seasons as the leader of the team, all of Internazionale has the great pleasure to welcome Jose Mourinho and his coaches."

Mourinho has big shoes to fill as Mancini led Inter to the Serie A title in each of the last three seasons.