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/ 2 June 2008

Europe gears up for a six-week party

In the week before a major tournament like Euro 2008 the streets of England’s towns and cities take on an unusually unified look. The red and white flag of St George appears everywhere. It can be seen draped in shop displays, fluttering from houses and stuck to the sides of every other car.

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/ 20 May 2008

Goal merchants set sights on Euro glory

They are the men who will reap the plaudits and milk the applause — the goal poachers who can grab glory for their nation in an instant. And they will deserve the adulation if they can rise above the increasingly defensive fare of the modern international game and the fear of losing, which hung heavy over the finals of both Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.

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/ 19 May 2008

Torres looks to break Spain’s title pain

Fernando Torres has established a reputation as vaunted as his own country, Spain, in terms of footballing ability, but like his homeland, equally pressing on his shoulders is the lack of a major title. The 24-year-old is just the latest in a long line of top strikers from Spain to go into battle in search of a senior international title.