Euro 2012 Kickstarts Today

The 2012 European Football Championships get underway today in Poland & Ukraine with the top sixteen teams in Europe battling it out for getting crowned the continent’s best team. Billed as the third biggest (er…fourth or fifth, if you believe the yoo-yes-yay doubters who say the Superbowl or NBA finals are bigger) global sporting event after the Olympics and the World Cup, the Euro is a coveted tournament for the football-crazy continent.

Of course Spain are the team to beat this year (reigning World Champions and Euro Champions and all that hoo-haa) and Germany & Netherlands are being touted as the next hot favourites. Italy, France and England the outside bets (why do I hear laughter). But is there a surprise on the cards? Can Croatia or Portugal do a ‘Greece’ and emerge champions of Europe?

All will be revealed on July 1st (too bad it will be revealed on Neo Prime/Sports *shudder*)

Its Germany Vs. Spain in the Euro 2008 Final

    Vs.  

Fiery Spain beat a lacklustre Russia 3-0 in the second Semi Final of the EURO 2008 to book their spot in the final against Germany. The first half ended goalless with Spain carving out many a chances but lacking the finesse to finish it off! Striker David Villa looked subdued and Fernando Torres couldn’t apply the finishing touches to the gilt-edged chances he received. Russia were overtly defensive and never could get their counter-attacking style going. Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko were reined in well by Sergio Ramos and Carlos Puyol and at halftime, the Russians could muster only two shots at goal against the Spaniards five!

Second half started feverishly as both teams were pepped up to finish things off….but it was Spain who landed the opener and with it, the entire momentum of the match. Xavi Hernandez trundled in a neat pass from Iniesta after 50 minutes and the Spaniards gained a ton of confidence after that. Substitute Guiza added a second at the 72nd minute and David Silva sealed the victory with a neat finish from a Cesc Fabregas cross from the left. The Russians were well and truly beaten.

The final is on Sunday between two European powerhouses, each eager to shine on the big stage. Spain have been underdogs for as long as I can remember and Germany haven’t really set the stage alight post their World Cup victory more than 20 years ago. Both teams will be taking an awful lot of confidence after their victories but I feel Spain have the edge, having earned a more decisive victory as compared to the Germans scrappy one.

La victoria de Espana!!!

Flag images courtesy Wikipedia

Clinical Wins for Netherlands and Spain

Yesterday: Netherlands 3 – 0 Italy | Today: Spain 4 – 1 Russia

Two of the tournament favourites kicked off their Euro 2008 campaigns with clinical victories over their opposition. Yesterday evening, the Netherlands team clinically demolished World Cup Champions and highly-rated Italy, and in no uncertain terms. They slotted in 3 goals past one of the most stingiest defence in the world. The match was a highly anticipated one and rightly so, given the composition of group C. With Romania and France having drawn their game, the winner of this game would head the group and have some sorta boost towards progression. The Neds started off well with smooth passes and quick counter-attack moves whilst the Italians were made to sweat. The midfield of Netherlands is so much stronger than the Italians and this showed as the Azzurri struggled to string together winning passes. Netherlands opened the scoring via a contentious goal from Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Wesley Sneijder slotted in a beautiful second 5 minutes later. Italy’s did manage to carve out few chances but either the finishing touch was lacking or the Dutch keeper was saving them finely! The scoreline ended at 3-0 with a Giovanni Von Bronckhorst header ten minutes from time.

Today’s match between Spain and Russia saw a hat-trick from striker David Villa. Coming into the tournament, Fernando Torres was hailed as the marksman to watch out for…but his strike partner showed that he’s no less lethal a force. Torres set up the first goal with a neat flick-on that Villa slotted in comfortably and then added a second on the stroke of halftime. A neat splitting pass from Fabregas found Villa with the Russian ‘keeper & three defenders to beat, and he did that just comfortably to complete the first hat-trick of Euro 2008. Pavlychenko headed in a consolation goal for Russia from a corner but Spain had just enough time to slot in a fourth – courtesy Cesc Fabregas who was in the right position to head-in after the ‘keeper had palmed off a Xavi shot.

With these two matches, Netherlands and Spain are suddenly the new Championship favourites! Of Course, Germany and Portugal have also chalked up wins…but nowhere as efficiently as these two teams! Buck Up Italy!!!

Pix Courtesy: BBC Sport

Euro 2008 Kicks Off

At 1700 21:20 IST later today, the European Championships or Euro 2008 will kick-off in far-off Austria/Switzerland as millions of viewers all across the globe will tune into the coverage and watch eight of the top European countries vie for the Henri Delaunay Trophy. England are not in it but the other European powerhouses are, and it should be a fascinating battle! The European Championships are said to be Football’s second biggest prize after the World Cup and given that UEFA boasts of some of the best teams, clubs and players under its aegis, it should be a cracker of a contest!

My personal favourites are the World Cup holders Italy. But with their talismanic captain and defence-lynchpin Fabio Cannavaro out with an ankle injury, they suddenly seem deflated! Spain have been the perennial under-achievers at this stage but maybe they will come good this time around. France, Netherlands, Germany and Portugal also have a decent chance.I’d predict that Spain, Germany, Portugal and Italy will be the semi-finalists.

A bit of a dampener information is that ESPN-Star, the telecast providers for India, will not be telecasting the Semi-Finals and Finals . At least that is what I gather from their website! Hope they’re negotiating with the broadcasters and we do get to see the finals on the 29th of June! Yay to that!!!

Official Website | Fixtures | Telecast Schedule in India | Tournament History

P.S: Liju beat me to it