Euro 2012 Review: Spain and Italy through to the final

Euro 2012 is now reaching it's climax after the finalists for the tournament were decided on Thursday and Friday night.

The first semi-final was between Portugal who had beaten Czech Republic in the quarter-finals against neighbours Spain who had beaten France to make it into the semi-finals. It was a very close match in which Spain were playing their worst football of the tournament and were quite wasteful by their high standards. Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo had most of the chances, mainly from free-kicks but most of them sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. However no goal scorer could be found in normal time and then in extra time either which meant the game went to penalties. The first two penalties were saved and then the centre backs on either side stepped up to take penalties and succesfully scored. However it was a Portuguese centre back who missed a crucial penalty which left Cesc Fabregas to find the net, via the post with the deciding penalty to send Spain into the final. The final score in the shootout finished Portugal 2-4 Spain.

The second semi-final was between Germany who had beaten Greece emphatically in the quarters against Italy who had knocked England out. Germany were favourites to make it through and maybe go on to win the tournament. However it was not to be as Italy sprung a suprise victory to make it through to the final. A brilliant header and a fine striker from outside the area from Mario Balotelli ensured Italy were ahead at the break. Germany fought back but wasted chances through Lahm and Reus. Germany did eventually get their goal in injury time as Mesut Ozil fired home from the penalty spot but it wasn't enough as the final score finished Germany 1-2 Italy.

So the final of Euro 2012 will be between the last two World Champions in Spain and Italy on Sunday night in the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.

Mario Balotelli scored twice to send Italy into the final

Euro 2012 Review: England out as Italy and Spain go through

The quarter finals are now complete and we now know which teams will face each other in the semi-finals of Euro 2012.

The fourth and final quarter final saw England play Italy. Roy Hodgson had stuck with the same team that had beaten Ukraine in their final group game but were far from their best. Italy dominated as they had a host of chances in which to go through. However it went to extra time but a scorer still couldn't be found. The game went to penalties and of course, England lost. Italy missed their first penalty through Montolivo but Ashley Young and Ashley Cole both then missed penalties later on in the shootout. Diamante stepped up to take the deciding penalty which he comfortably converted to send Italy through to the semi-finals. The final score on penalties finished England 2-4 Italy. England deserved to be knocked out on the night but can hold their heads high as with the weak squad they had taken to Poland and Ukraine there is nothing to be ashamed of.

The quarter-final the day before saw Spain play France. The French had Mexes suspended so Laurent Koscielny came into the side for his first game of the tournament. However, arguably their best player of the tournament, Samir Nasri was strangely left out of the starting XI. The Spanish though, as they did in their first group game, played without a striker as Cesc Fabregas lead the line. Spain were the dominant side and deservedly went through. The first goal was set up from a fine piece of play from Jordi Alba who got to the byline before finding the head of Xabi Alonso who gave them the lead. In the dying moments of the game Alonso grabbed his second goal of the game from the penalty spot to send Spain through as the final score ended Spain 2-0 France.


Diamante scored the desicive penalty as England were knocked out

Euro 2012 Review: Portugal and Germany through to Semis

Two of the quarter-finals at Euro 2012 are now complete after the Group A and B winners and runner-ups of the groups played each other on Thursday and Friday night.

The first quarter-final of the tournament was between Group A winners Czech Republic and Group B runners-up Portugal. Czech Republic captain Tomas Rosicky was once again missing the game through injury, which turned out to be crucial as Portugal dominated the game as the Czech's had very little chances. As expected it was the Portuguese who made it through thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo who was finally showing glimpses of his brilliant club form at a major international tournament. He was the loan goal scorer as he headed the ball home brilliantly to send his country through. The final score finished Czech Republic 0-1 Portugal.

The second quarter-final was between Germany and a Greece side trying to replicate the miracles of 2004. Germany gambled with their side as their front three that had played every game of the tournament so far did not play, as Reus, Klose and Schurrle came in for Muller, Gomez and Podolski. The final score though showed no signs that they were missing those players. Germany dominated as was expected and despite missing a host of chances early on still managed to take the lead through a sweetly struck shot from Lahm. However 10 minutes after half time Greece equalised as Salpingidis slipped the ball over to Samaras who tapped the ball home. Germany then scored three goals in quick succession to send the Greeks out as Khedira, Klose and Reus grabbed goals. Late on, Greece got a consolation goal as Salpingidis converted a penalty but the final score finished Germany 4-2 Greece.

Germany captain Phillip Lahm opened the scoring as Germany reached the semi-finals

Euro 2012 Review: England beat Ukraine to reach quarters

England completed a far from convincing win in their final group D game against co-hosts Ukraine as Wayne Rooney returned from suspension to pop up with the vital goal. Rooney was the only change to the side that had beat Sweden last Friday as he came in for Andy Carroll. The England striker was far from his best , missing a free header from 4 yards out in the first half, but early into the second half he made up for it, as he got onto the end of Gerrard's deflected cross to nod the ball home from a yard out. The final score in Donetsk finished England 1-0 Ukraine. The result meant that England had managed to avoid Spain meaning they are to play Italy in the quarter-finals after finishing top of their group.

Wayne Rooney returned from suspension to head England into the quarter-finals

The other game of the day sprung a suprise as France suffered a defeat at the hands of Sweden. Sweden were playing for nothing but pride after already knowing their fate of being knocked out before the game had started. However it was a great performance from the Swedes as goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovich and Seb Larsson meant the final score finished Sweden 2-0 France in Kiev.

Those final group results mean that the lineup for the quarter-finals has now been decided and are as follows...

Czech Republic v Portugal - 21st June in Warsaw
Germany v Greece - 22nd June in Gdansk
Spain v France - 23rd June in Dontetsk
England v Italy - 24th June in Kiev

Euro 2012 Review: Group A, B and C reach conclusions

Group A, Group B and Group C have now all reached conclusions and we now know which teams from those three groups will be going through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.

Group A saw 2004 winners Greece spring a surprise to beat and knockout dark horses Russia to second spot as Karagounis scored a late first half goal to send the Greeks through as they beat Russia 1-0 in their final group game. The other team to make it through from the group was Czech Republic. They were thought to be long shots to make it through after losing their first group game 4-1 to Russia but a well taken goal from Jiracek sent them through as they knocked co-hosts Poland out of the competition with a 1-0 win. 
Group B also sprang a surprise as Holland were beaten and knocked out by Portugal, who beat the Dutch 2-1, thanks to goals from Cristiano Ronaldo. That result meant that the Portuguese went through along with Germany who were victors over a good Denmark side as new Arsenal signing Lukas Podolski along with Lars Bender scored for the Germans to seal a 2-1 win. 

Group C didn't really throw up any shocks as both Spain and Italy, the teams expected to make it through from the group did. The final games finished Italy 2-0 Ireland thanks to goals from Cassano and Balotelli whilst Spain were far less convincing in their final group game but still managed to come away with victory as a single Jesus Navas goal meant the final score finished Croatia 0-1 Spain.

Euro 2012 Review: England come from behind to beat Sweden

Day 8 saw England return to action as they played Sweden in the capital city of Ukraine, Kiev. England made just one change to the side that drew with France as Andy Carroll came in for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The change meant that Ashley Young moved out to the left wing as Carroll partnered Welbeck up front.

England were the first team to score first in their match as Steven Gerrard found the head of Andy Carroll who nodded the ball past Isaksson in the Swedish goal. The score was still 1-0 at half time. However everything changed after the break as a double from defender Olof Mellberg left England fearing yet another defeat to Sweden. Roy Hodgson then brought on Theo Walcott who completely changed the game around as he scored a brilliant swerving effort from outside the box to equalise for England. He then set up the winner as he raced past two Swedish players before finding Welbeck who backheeled the ball into the back of the net to send the fans crazy. The final score finished Sweden 2-3 England.

The earlier game in the day was between England's group D rivals as France took on Ukraine. The game took a while to get going as on 4 minutes the referee had to stop play because of severe weather conditions. A massive rain and lightning storm had hit Donetsk which forced play to be suspended. The players did eventually get back on the pitch though but the game didn't go the co-hosts way as Samir Nasri was once again a key player for the French. However, this time he didn't score as Jeremy Menez and Newcastle United's Yohan Cabaye grabbed the goals which sent France top of the group ahead of England in Group D. The final score in Dontesk finished Ukraine 0-2 France.

Walcott was brought on as a substitute and completely changed the game around for England

Euro 2012 Review: Day 6 and 7

Day 6 of the competition saw Denmark and Portugal play each other whilst the groups 'heavy weights' Holland came up against Germany.

The first match of the day saw a very tight encounter between Denmark and Portugal. Portugal were the team to dominate early as Pepe and Postiga gave them a 2 goal lead. However just before the break Nicklas Bendtner got the Danes back into the game. It was then with 10 minutes remaining that Denmark managed to grab a deserved equaliser as Bendtner grabbed his second of the game. That wasn't before Ronaldo had missed a glorious opportunity to put Portugal further ahead. However the game wasn't over yet Varela struck with 3 minutes remaining to win the game for the Portuguese. The final score finished Denmark 2-3 Portugal.

The second game of the day was between the two fancied teams to make the next round of the competition as Holland played Germany. It was Germany who came out on top though as the Dutch once again failed to take a host of their chances whilst their defence once again was not at its best. Germany were two goals up before the break as Mario Gomez took both of his chances. Despite Van Persie's sweetly right footed strike from outside the box in the second half, Holland were left on the brink of going out of the competition. The final score finished Holland 1-2 Germany.

Day 7 saw Spain turn it on for the first time in the competition as they beat the Republic of Ireland 4-0 thanks to goals from Torres(x2), Silva and Fabregas which meant Ireland were the first team to leave the competition. However the earlier game in the group was a much tighter affair as Italy drew with Croatia 1-1. Pirlo grabbed the Italians goal through a curling free-kick but 18 minutes from time Madzukic fired the ball home to rescue a point.

Robin Van Persie's goal for Holland wasn't enough as they lost to Germany

Euro 2012 Review: Day 5

Day five of the tournament saw the teams from Group A return to action and it didn't disappoint us.

The first game saw Greece take on Czech Republic. It was vital that either team got the win after having drawn and lost their opening group games respectively. It was the Czech's who came out on top though as they scored two goals in the opening 6 minutes through Jiracek and Pilar. However Greece came back fighting once again as another goalkeeping howler gifted them their second goal of the competition as Gekas gave the Greeks some hope. However it wasn't to be as Czech Republic picked up their first points of the tournament as the final score finished Greece 1-2 Czech Republic. However it wasn't all smiles for the Czech's as captain Tomas Rosicky was taken off at half time with an injury.

The second game of the day saw co-hosts Poland play a very impressive Russia side. It was Russia again who played the better football and if it wasn't for Kerzhakov, Russia could have had two or three. However the Russians only got one as Arsenal man, Andrey Arshavin's floated freekick fell to the head of Dzagoev who grabbed his third goal of the tournament. However Poland fought back well in front of their home crowd and it took a brilliant effort from captain Blaszczykowski to equalise and leave things evenly matched in Group A after two games each. The final score finished Poland 1-1 Russia.

Andrey Arshavin assisted the Russian goal from a freekick

Euro 2012 Review: Day 4 - England start with a draw

Day four of the Euro's saw the first round of group matches come to an end as England played France, and Ukraine played Sweden in Group D.

England started their Euro 2012 journey with a draw against a much fancied French side containing the likes of ex-Arsenal man Samir Nasri. However, it was England who strung the first suprise as 18 year old Arsenal man Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started as Theo Walcott was on the bench. Laurent Koscielny was amongst the French substitutes. The game was pretty evenly matched but perhaps France had a bit more possession than England. However it was England who struck first. Gerrard's looping free-kick found the head of Lescott who found the back of the net. France were level just 9 minutes later though as Nasri found room on the edge of the box before firing inside Joe Hart's near post. Before that though Hart had managed to prevent a storming header from Diarra to keep England ahead whilst Milner also missed a great opportunity after going round the keeper. The final score in Donetsk finished England 1-1 France.

The other game in the group saw co-hosts Ukraine take on Sweden in a brilliant end to end game. It wasn't until after the break though that any goals were scored. Sweden were the side who were to open the scoring as Ibrahimovich got ahead of his man to poke the ball past Pyatov. The Swedes weren't ahead for long as Shevchenko rose the highest to head the ball home and then managed to give Ukraine the lead just after the hour mark as he got ahead of Ibrahimovich to once again head the ball past Isaksson. The final score in Kiev finished Ukraine 2-1 Sweden which meant that the hosts went to the top of group D.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made his competitive England debut against France

Euro 2012 Review: Day Three

Day three of the tournament saw World and European champions Spain play Italy, and the Republic of Ireland play Croatia in Group C.

The first game in group C was between the last two World Cup winners in Spain and Italy, in Gdansk. Spain looked a very strong side despite the missing Carlos Puyol and David Villa who miss the tournament through injury. Spain started with no strikers on the pitch which meant ex-Arsenal man, Cesc Fabregas lead the line. Fabregas was indeed the man to score Spain's goal after David Silva flicked the ball through to the Barcelona man to finish beyond Buffon with his left foot. However that wasn't before second half substitute Antonio Di Natale, who had come on for Mario Balotelli, finished brilliantly from just inside the box to give the Italians the lead. It was a very close match which showed off Spain's ability to pass and keep the ball whilst it also showed that Italy will be a match for anyone in the competition. The final score finished Spain 1-1 Italy. 

The second match of the day was between the Republic of Ireland and Croatia. Both sides fielded a mass group of players that play and have played in the Premier League, as players such as Given, Dunne and Doyle started for Ireland, whilst Modric and Jelavic started for Croatia. Ex-Arsenal man Eduardo Da Silva was on the bench for the Croats. Ireland didn't get off to the best of starts and were behind after just three minutes as Madzukic wrong footed Given to head the ball home. The Irish  were soon level though as McGeady's freekick was headed past Pletikosa by Sean St Ledger from close range. However goals either side of half time from Jelavic and then an own goal from Shay Given ensured that Croatia went top of Group C. The final score ended Republic of Ireland 1-3 Croatia.

St Ledger's goal wasn't enough as Ireland lost their opening group game

Euro 2012 Review: Day Two

Day 2 of the Euros wasn't as exciting as day one despite the teams that were playing but we witnessed a big upset as Holland really under performed, whilst Germany and Portugal never really got going in their match.

The first game of the day saw Holland come against Denmark. The outcome was a major shock as Nicklas Bendtner's Denmark beat a much fancied Holland side through a well taken goal from Michael Krohn-Deli. Holland, bolstered by such in form players as Robin Van Persie and Klaas Jan Huntelaar failed to take any of their 29 chances on the Denmark goal, of which only 6 were on target. All those chances would indicate that the Danes were very poor at the back. However that was not the case as Kjaer and Agger were a formidable force at the back, compare that to the Dutch who were very poor defensively. It was an extremely disappointing performance from the Netherlands with all their attacking quality, unfortunately couldn't equal that at the back. Denmark though, do have their defensive efforts to thank as the final score finished Holland 0-1 Denmark.

The second game of the day, and the second game in the supposed 'Group of Death' saw pre-tournament favourites Germany play Portugal. It was the first time for Arsenal fans to see Podolski in action since his proposed move to Arsenal, meanwhile other Arsenal player, Per Mertesacker was on the bench. Both sides failed to really get going and it took a fine header from Mario Gomez, moments before he was about to be taken off, to seal the game for the Germans. Portugal almost looked like coming away with a point as Varela had a great chance near the end but Manuel Neuer made a great stop to keep him at bay. Arguably the best player in the competition, Cristiano Ronaldo didn't have the greatest of games and will look to improve when Portugal next play. The final score ended Germany 1-1 Portugal in a far from convincing days play of football from some of Europe's big teams.

Robin Van Persie had several chances to score in Hollands game against Denmark

Euro 2012 Review - Day One:

Euro 2012 saw one of the most exciting starts to a major tournament in recent years as seven goals were scored, red cards were shown and penalties were missed.

The first game saw co-hosts Poland, the lowest rank side in the competition take on a Greece side that won the tournament back in 2004. Poland looked favourites going into the game as they had the home support and it definately looked like going Poland's way as the game got underway, Greece were terrible at the back and looked like they were going to concede after every Poland break forward. That was eventually the case as Blaszczykowski found the head of Manchester United target Robert Lewandowski who found the net. However the game from then on seemed to be ruined by a poor refereeing performance as Socratis Papastathopoulos was shown a second yellow card and was sent off harshly for blocking off a player that was already slipping. However 6 minutes after the break Greece equalised as they took advantage of a slip up in the hosts defence as substitute Salpingidis fired home for the Greeks. The game then saw its second red card of the match as Szczesny brought down Salpingidis and was sent off whilst also giving away a penalty. However the sub goalkeeper, Tyton, dived the right way to keep the penalty out, much to the relief of Szczesny. The final score ended Poland 1-1 Greece.

The second game of the day saw Andrey Arshavin's Russia against Tomas Rosicky's Czech Republic. Both players are captain's of their respective nations which saw both of them shake hands at the coin toss before the game. Once the match did get started, it was once again a fantastic match, perhaps not as much drama as the days earlier game but football wise it was a fantastic match. Russia showed that they could be dark horses in the competition as they dominated Czech Republic with a very impressive display as Arshavin showed glimpses of his normal self, playing a part in two of the Russian goals. Young CSKA Moscow midfielder, Alan Dzagoev opened the scoring as he grabbed two on the night, meanwhile Shirokov and Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko got one each as Pilar scored the Czech's only goal in a weak performance from them. The final score finished Russia 4-1 Czech Republic.

Wojciech Szczesny was sent off in Poland's game against Greece