Euro 2008

UEFA officials had been very inspired when they choose the official slogan of the Euro 2008 football championship:

“Expect Emotions”

Some qualifier matches confirmed this, but now the draw for the group stages made it a reality.

The groups are somehow polarized, especially Group C, the “group of death”. Judging after the FIFA world rankings, the positions in Group C look like this:

1. Italy - 1498 pts
2. France - 1243 pts
3. Netherlands - 1170 pts
4. Romania - 1080 pts

That is pretty impressive, after all these are among the strongest squads in Europe, and most of their players are well known in UEFA Cup and Champions League.

Good luck to all teams!

Given that today the official Euro 2008 draw had determined the structure of the four starting groups, we also know the schedule for the first stage of the football championship.

All times are in local timezone.

Enjoy!

Today, 2nd of December 2007, UEFA held the draw for the group stages of the Euro 2008 football championship.

The groups are listed below:
Group A:
Switzerland
Czech Republic
Portugal
Turkey

Group B:
Austria
Croatia
Germany
Poland

Group C:
Holland
Italy
Romania
France

Group D:
Greece
Sweden
Spain
Russia

The groups seem to be somehow polarized, especially group C, “Group of Death”, in which we have the world champions and the vice-champions but also two strong European national teams: the Netherlands and Romania.

Good luck to all teams!

It’s been a very looooong football day, especially if you’re a supporter

Today we had 21 qualifier matches for the Euro 2008 football tournament, with 42 squads on the field out of the 50 national teams fighting for the 14 available positions in the group stage of the competition.

For most groups, the position swapped a little but generally, the teams with the lowest odds won. Perhaps the only surprise today is Luxembourg’s win over Belarus.

If you liked the action today, you won’t be missing it much; in four days we’ll have another qualifying round for Euro 2008.

The score table for today follows:

* Match temporarily suspended

Stay tuned folks!

A very difficult match for both sides, perhaps the most intense match of today. Romania finally won thanks to the inspiration of Dorin Goian (FC Steaua Bucharest) whom scored right after a failed attack phase of Codrea in the 72nd minute of the match.

The game itself was full of chances but many of them failed, many players from both sides had probably better evenings than this one

By defeating Netherlands, Romania conserved its position as leader of Group G with 23 points. On the other side Netherlands is on the 2nd position two points away from Bulgaria which in theory can take advantage of this loss and climb up in the group.

The aftermath of this match was easy to foresee. The difference of strength has noticeable both on the field as well as on the scoreboard.

France scored thee times: Anelka (6′), Henry (8′), Benzema (50′, 79′) , Rothen (66′), Arfa (90′).

Henry not only doubled the score in the early moments of the game but also scored his 41st goal in career for France equaling Michel Platini’s record!

France clearly dominated the match while the Faroe Islands team mostly tried to defend, although they had some attack phases as well: 5 shots out of which 3 on target.

France was highly motivated by the unstable position in Group B but also by the Raymond Domenech speech earlier this week.

The playing mood was mild today in Budapest. Hugary defeated Malta with the easiest score that would grant them the 3 points. However, the lack of motivation was easy to spot. Hungary has little theoretical chances to gain a position in Euro 2008 group stage while Malta along with Moldova are last in the group with no chance at all.

Feczesin opened the score for Hungary in the 34th minute of the game with a nice goal. The score stood unchanged until Tőzsér scored from a free-kick in the 77th minute of the match. The Maltese team mostly defended, they had just a single shoot.

Match events:

90+2Leandro (Hungary) misses the target.
90+1R. Bajada (in) - Woods (out) (Malta)
89 Haber (Malta) makes a save.
89 Rajczi (Hungary) has an effort on goal.
88 Szélesi (Hungary) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Woods (Malta).
87 Leandro (in) - Dzsudzsák (out) (Hungary)
87 Scerri (Malta) commits a foul after challenging Vaskó (Hungary).
86 Rajczi (Hungary) is flagged for offside.
84 Buzsáky (Hungary) fouls.
83 Nwoko (Malta) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Buzsáky (Hungary).
82 Scerri (in) - Schembri (out) (Malta)
82 Rajczi (in) - Feczesin (out) (Hungary)
81 Balogh (Hungary) commits a foul after challenging Schembri (Malta).
77 Tozsér (Hungary) scores on free-kick! Hungary double their advantage against Malta with Dániel Tozsér scoring a free-kick from 25 metres. Tozsér’s left-footed strike hit the inside of the right-hand post before going in.
76 Nwoko (Malta) fouls.
75 Tozsér (Hungary) delivers the corner.
75 Haber (Malta) makes a save.
74 Buzsáky (in) - Filkor (out) (Hungary)
74 Tozsér (Hungary) takes the corner.
73 Briffa (Malta) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Vass (Hungary).
71 Filkor (Hungary) misses the target.
71 Haber (Malta) makes a save.
70 Tozsér (Hungary) delivers the corner.
68 Dzsudzsák (Hungary) commits a foul after challenging Scicluna (Malta).
67 Szélesi (Hungary) fouls.
65 Nwoko (in) - Sammut (out) (Malta)
65 Woods (Malta) takes the corner.
65 Szélesi (Hungary) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Mallia (Malta).
63 Dzsudzsák (Hungary) commits a foul after challenging Said (Malta).
62 Tozsér (Hungary) delivers the corner.
60 Michael Mifsud (Malta) fouls.
59 Gera (Hungary) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
58 Tozsér (Hungary) takes the corner.
58 Tozsér (Hungary) delivers the corner.
57 Tozsér (Hungary) takes the corner.
57 Haber (Malta) makes a save.
57 Gera (Hungary) has an effort on goal.
55 Vaskó (Hungary) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Schembri (Malta).
54 Michael Mifsud (Malta) commits a foul after challenging Vass (Hungary).
54 Feczesin (Hungary) misses the target.
54 Tozsér (Hungary) delivers the corner.
54 Haber (Malta) makes a save.
53 Juhász (Hungary) has an effort on goal.
53 Tozsér (Hungary) takes the corner.
53 Fülöp (Hungary) makes a save.
52 Juhász (Hungary) fouls.
52 Juhász (Hungary) is shown a yellow card.
51 Haber (Malta) makes a save.
51 Juhász (Hungary) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Haber (Malta).
51 Haber (Malta) makes a save.
50 Tozsér (Hungary) delivers the corner.
50 Tozsér (Hungary) has an effort on goal.
46 Filkor (Hungary) misses the target.
- The second half begins.
- The referee blows for half-time.
44 Haber (Malta) makes a save.
43 Filkor (Hungary) has an effort on goal.
42 Woods (Malta) takes the corner.
41 Tozsér (Hungary) commits a foul after challenging Schembri (Malta).
41 Szélesi (Hungary) fouls.
34 Feczesin (Hungary) scores! Hungary take the lead through a Róbert Feczesin header placed to the left of Malta goalkeeper Justin Haber. An inswinging corner from the right falls for Balázs Dzsudzsák on the left of the area and he volleys the ball back first time for Feczesin to apply the finish.
34 Tozsér (Hungary) delivers the corner.
32 Schembri (Malta) is flagged for offside.
30 Azzopardi (Malta) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Gera (Hungary).
29 Gera (Hungary) misses the target.
28 Scicluna (Malta) commits a foul after challenging Dzsudzsák (Hungary).
27 Juhász (Hungary) misses the target.
27 Tozsér (Hungary) takes the corner.
25 Balogh (Hungary) fouls.
21 Scicluna (Malta) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
17 Michael Mifsud (Malta) has a shot blocked.
16 Vaskó (Hungary) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Schembri (Malta).
15 Filkor (Hungary) hits the post.
14 Tozsér (Hungary) delivers the corner.
14 Tozsér (Hungary) has a shot blocked.
12 Said (Malta) is flagged for offside.
12 Sammut (Malta) takes the corner.
11 Haber (Malta) makes a save.
11 Feczesin (Hungary) has an effort on goal.
9 Woods (Malta) is cautioned by the referee.
9 Michael Mifsud (Malta) commits a foul after challenging Tozsér (Hungary).
9 Mallia (Malta) fouls.
7 Michael Mifsud (Malta) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Vass (Hungary).
6 Michael Mifsud (Malta) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
5 Feczesin (Hungary) is flagged for offside.
5 Tozsér (Hungary) commits a foul after challenging Mallia (Malta).
2 Feczesin (Hungary) misses the target.

Looks like England did it again … with a little help from from Rähn it’s true

Wright-Phillips (11′) broke the ice on the Wembley Stadium and scored for England; Rooney doubles the advantage in the 32nd minute of the game. This is also the moment of surprise, Rähn (defender) scoring an own “goal defeating” the Estonian goalkeeper Poom (YouTube video).

England’s efforts are rewarded not only with 3 points but also with the confidence they will qualify in the group stage of Euro 2008. The position in the group is uncertain now, as Croatia still has a match to play.

Estonia on the other hand, alongside with Andorra, are unable to progress in Group E.

Match Events:

90+3Gerrard (England) has a shot blocked.
90+1J. Cole (England) misses the target.
90 Rooney (England) misses the target.
86 Rooney (England) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
85 Piiroja (Estonia) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Rooney (England).
84 Rooney (England) takes the corner.
82 Barry (England) delivers the corner.
81 Rooney (England) is flagged for offside.
80 Klavan (Estonia) misses the target.
80 Dmitrijev (Estonia) has a shot blocked.
78 Lampard (England) commits a foul after challenging Jääger (Estonia).
77 Kruglov (Estonia) fouls.
73 Lindpere (Estonia) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Rooney (England).
73 Lindpere (Estonia) is shown a yellow card.
72 Robinson (England) makes a save.
72 Dmitrijev (Estonia) takes the corner.
72 Lindpere (Estonia) delivers the corner.
71 Dmitrijev (Estonia) takes the corner.
70 Dmitrijev (Estonia) delivers the corner.
70 Lampard (in) - Owen (out) (England)
69 Owen (England) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
69 Poom (Estonia) makes a save.
69 Gerrard (England) delivers the free-kick on target.
68 Piiroja (Estonia) commits a foul after challenging Gerrard (England).
67 J. Cole (England) misses the target.
67 Lindpere (Estonia) fouls.
65 Viikmäe (Estonia) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Lescott (England).
63 Robinson (England) makes a save.
63 Lindpere (Estonia) has an effort on goal.
62 Viikmäe (in) - Kink (out) (Estonia)
61 Owen (England) is flagged for offside.
60 Poom (Estonia) makes a save.
60 Barry (England) takes the corner.
59 Poom (Estonia) makes a save.
53 Lindpere (Estonia) misses the target.
53 Campbell (England) commits a foul after challenging Saag (Estonia).
51 Robinson (England) makes a save.
51 Klavan (Estonia) has an effort on goal.
49 P. Neville (in) - A. Cole (out) (England)
47 Poom (Estonia) makes a save.
47 Rähn (Estonia) fouls.
46 Lescott (in) - Ferdinand (out) (England)
- The second half begins.
- The referee blows for half-time.
45+1Rähn (Estonia) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on J. Cole (England).
43 Dmitrijev (Estonia) commits a foul after challenging A. Cole (England).
43 Kink (Estonia) fouls.
40 Robinson (England) makes a save.
40 Dmitrijev (Estonia) has an effort on goal.
37 Wright-Phillips (England) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Klavan (Estonia).
33 Rähn (Estonia) scores an own goal.
32 Rooney (England) scores!
29 Poom (Estonia) makes a save.
28 Rooney (England) delivers the free-kick on target.
28 Piiroja (Estonia) commits a foul after challenging Rooney (England).
24 Jääger (Estonia) delivers the corner.
23 Rooney (England) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
21 Owen (England) is flagged for offside.
20 Poom (Estonia) makes a save.
19 Stepanov (Estonia) fouls.
18 Rooney (England) misses the target.
15 Rooney (England) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Klavan (Estonia).
14 Kink (Estonia) is adjudged to be in an offside position.
12 Jääger (Estonia) takes the corner.
12 Rähn (Estonia) is cautioned by the referee.
11 Wright-Phillips (England) scores!
10 Rooney (England) has a shot blocked.
9 Barry (England) commits a foul after challenging Lindpere (Estonia).
7 Saag (Estonia) handles the ball.
2 Lindpere (Estonia) misses the target.
1 Owen (England) is flagged for offside.

It rained with goals today in Slovakia The first match of the October 13 qualifying round was disastrous for the microstate. As expected, Slovakia took advantage on this match in order to gain a higher position in Group D. This on a longer term of course, since they still are 4th, while San Marino is last with zero points.

Hamšík (24′), Šesták (32′, 57′), Sapara (37′), Škrtel (51′), Hološko (54′), Ďurica (76′) overwhelmed San Marino’s goalkeeper, Valentini.

San Marino had just two important attack phases with two shots, out of which just one was on target.

Overall, the final result was easy to foresee, although the number of goals might be higher than expected

Match events:

90+3Bonifazi (San Marino) commits a foul after challenging Hamšík (Slovakia).
90+2Kozák (Slovakia) takes the corner.
90+1Cech (Slovakia) is flagged for offside.
89 Kozák (Slovakia) delivers the corner.
88 Škrtel (Slovakia) fouls.
88 Ottó Szabó (Slovakia) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Vannucci (San Marino).
87 F Nanni (San Marino) commits a foul after challenging Hamšík (Slovakia).
85 Durica (Slovakia) misses the target.
85 De Luigi (in) - Marani (out) (San Marino)
85 Kozák (Slovakia) takes the corner.
83 Bonifazi (San Marino) fouls.
82 Hesek (Slovakia) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on F Nanni (San Marino).
82 Vašcák (Slovakia) commits a foul after challenging Vitaioli (San Marino).
79 Hesek (in) - Sapara (out) (Slovakia)
78 Marani (San Marino) fouls.
76 Durica (Slovakia) scores from the penalty spot.
75 Sapara (Slovakia) was fouled in the penalty area by Albani (San Marino)
74 Ottó Szabó (Slovakia) delivers the corner.
74 Marani (San Marino) makes a save.
74 Sapara (Slovakia) has an effort on goal.
71 Sebo (in) - Hološko (out) (Slovakia)
71 Škrtel (Slovakia) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Vannucci (San Marino).
68 Bonifazi (in) - Bugli (out) (San Marino)
66 Cech (Slovakia) commits a foul after challenging Marani (San Marino).
65 Sapara (Slovakia) takes the corner.
65 Sapara (Slovakia) fouls.
64 Sapara (Slovakia) is shown a yellow card.
63 Krajcík (Slovakia) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Albani (San Marino).
62 Ottó Szabó (Slovakia) commits a foul after challenging Andreini (San Marino).
62 Sapara (Slovakia) misses the target.
60 Vašcák (in) - Šesták (out) (Slovakia)
59 Marani (San Marino) fouls.
58 Škrtel (Slovakia) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Marani (San Marino).
57 Šesták (Slovakia) scores!
57 Benedettini (in) - Bollini (out) (San Marino)
55 Vitaioli (San Marino) commits a foul after challenging Šesták (Slovakia).
54 Hološko (Slovakia) scores!
51 Škrtel (Slovakia) scores!
51 Durica (Slovakia) misses the target.
51 Ottó Szabó (Slovakia) delivers the corner.
48 Ottó Szabó (Slovakia) misses the target.
47 Ottó Szabó (Slovakia) takes the corner.
47 Kozák (Slovakia) delivers the corner.
- The second half begins.
- The referee blows for half-time.
45+1Cech (Slovakia) fouls.
45 Bollini (San Marino) is cautioned by the referee.
45 Bollini (San Marino) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Hološko (Slovakia).
44 Škrtel (Slovakia) commits a foul after challenging Marani (San Marino).
41 Kozák (Slovakia) misses the target.
40 F. Valentini (San Marino) makes a save.
40 Kozák (Slovakia) has an effort on goal.
37 Sapara (Slovakia) scores!
36 F. Valentini (San Marino) makes a save.
36 Škrtel (Slovakia) has an effort on goal.
36 Sapara (Slovakia) takes the corner.
36 Bollini (San Marino) makes a save.
36 Hamšík (Slovakia) has an effort on goal.
34 Kozák (Slovakia) delivers the corner.
32 Šesták (Slovakia) scores!
31 Hološko (Slovakia) misses the target.
29 Hamšík (Slovakia) fouls.
28 Škrtel (Slovakia) makes a save.
28 Marani (San Marino) has an effort on goal.
27 Sapara (Slovakia) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Albani (San Marino).
24 Hamšík (Slovakia) scores!
24 Cech (Slovakia) takes the corner.
24 F. Valentini (San Marino) makes a save.
24 Šesták (Slovakia) has an effort on goal.
23 Hološko (Slovakia) misses the target.
21 F. Valentini (San Marino) makes a save.
21 Šesták (Slovakia) has an effort on goal.
21 F. Valentini (San Marino) makes a save.
21 Cech (Slovakia) has an effort on goal.
19 Bollini (San Marino) commits a foul after challenging Hološko (Slovakia).
19 Bollini (San Marino) fouls.
18 Hamšík (Slovakia) misses the target.
18 Ottó Szabó (Slovakia) delivers the corner.
17 Ottó Szabó (Slovakia) takes the corner.
16 Marani (San Marino) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Škrtel (Slovakia).
15 Marani (San Marino) misses the target.
14 Cech (Slovakia) delivers the free-kick wide.
14 Bollini (San Marino) commits a foul after challenging Hološko (Slovakia).
12 F. Valentini (San Marino) makes a save.
12 Hološko (Slovakia) has an effort on goal.
11 Šesták (Slovakia) misses the target.
10 Ottó Szabó (Slovakia) delivers the corner.
5 Hamšík (Slovakia) misses the target.
4 F. Valentini (San Marino) makes a save.
4 Hološko (Slovakia) has an effort on goal.
2 Kozák (Slovakia) takes the corner.

Good day football fans!

As we all know today is yet another qualifying round for the Euro 2008 football tournament!
The scheduled 21 matches are likely to change the configurations of the qualifying groups as there are many tight differences in all groups.

Here is the match schedule for today:

Stay tuned, we will get back in the evening with the final results!