”Football was the winner” is one of the most over-worn cliches in the game but it happened to be true about Spain’s victory in Euro 2008.
Spain ended their 44-year wait for a major international title with a 1-0 victory over Germany at the Euro 2008 final in Vienna on Sunday.
Toni Horcajada is a Catalan and proud of it. But his allegiances are, at least at the moment, complicated. Tonight he will be supporting Spain.
The battle for the Euro 2008 title is encapsulated by the duel between Michael Ballack and Cesc Fabregas, where the German captain’s power is pitted a
Of the eight coaches who led their teams to the quarterfinals of Euro 2008, the youngest is still in his 30s, while the oldest will be 70 next month.
Spain, one of the pre-tournament favourites, ensured they made the Euro 2008 final with a 3-0 demolition of Russia on Thursday.
Rafael Nadal has been granted his wish for an early start at Wimbledon on Thursday so he can watch Spain’s Euro 2008 semifinal against Russia.
Defender Philipp Lahm’s late strike put Germany in Sunday’s Euro 2008 final and sealed a 3-2 win to knock out injury-ravaged Turkey on Wednesday.
If Spain expects the same generosity from Russia in the semifinals that it received in the teams’ first match of the tournament, it must think again.
Russia coach Guus Hiddink has told his players to enjoy themselves in their Euro 2008 semifinal clash against Spain on Thursday.
Turkey’s bid to beat Germany and reach the final of Euro 2008 is in danger of being wrecked by injuries and suspensions.
Spain beat Italy 4-2 on penalties after a goalless Euro 2008 quarterfinal on Sunday to end their shoot-out hoodoo and reach the last four.
Dutchman Guus Hiddink led his young Russian team to a memorable 3-1 win in the Euro 2008 tournament on Saturday over his Dutch compatriots.
The last two minutes of Croatia’s Euro 2008 loss to Turkey will torment Croatia coach Slaven Bilic for the rest of his life.
It is pretty good stuff, this European Championship. In some ways it is better than a World Cup, a tournament that has become too big.
Germany joined the Euro 2008 thrill-seekers on Thursday, beating flamboyant Portugal in a five-goal classic.
Russia set up a Euro 2008 quarterfinal with coach Guus Hiddink’s native Netherlands after a deserved 2-0 win over Sweden in Group D on Wednesday.
Italy came out on top in a tussle for a place in Sunday’s Euro 2008 quarterfinal against Spain as the world champions beat 10-man France 2-0.
Germany dashed the dreams of Austria on Monday, beating the hopeful co-hosts of Euro 2008 1-0 in and dumping them out of the tournament.
Turkey staged one of the greatest comebacks in a major tournament, scoring three times in the last 15 minutes to beat Czech Republic 3-2 on Sunday.
Turkey and Czech Republic take centre stage on Sunday while Switzerland and Portugal meet in a match with little at stake except pride.
David Villa scored a superb stoppage-time winner to give Spain a 2-1 victory over Sweden on Saturday and a place in the Euro 2008 quarterfinals.
World Cup winners Italy and runners-up France were in danger of tumbling out of Euro 2008 at the group stage after the Italians were held 1-1.
Something is missing from Euro 2008 football championships. Where are the female referees?
Croatia underlined their growing reputation as Euro 2008’s most dangerous dark horses by stunning tournament favourites Germany 2-1 on Thursday.
Switzerland saw their Euro 2008 hopes dashed by a last-gasp winner from Turkey’s Arda Turan that secured a 2-1 victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored one goal and made another to give Portugal a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic in Group A on Wednesday.
Only four days after kicking off Euro 2008, co-hosts Switzerland could be out of the competition after their second match against Turkey on Wednesday.
The Netherlands are looking for a repeat dose of the same magic that crushed world champions Italy when they take on a France team beset by doubt in Berne on Friday. Marco van Basten’s Dutch oozed class in their 3-0 drubbing of the Azzurri in their opening Euro 2008 Group C tie on Monday.
The Netherlands lit up Euro 2008 on Monday with a landmark performance to stun world champions Italy 3-0, while their wonderful fans delivered an example of colourful, noisy but peaceful support.
Brawling fans, acts of drunken vandalism and the sight of supporters being dragged off to police cells have marked the start of Euro 2008.
Three finely executed goals, two entertaining matches and two sell-out crowds in Basel and Geneva signalled a positive footballing start to Euro 2008.