Shining Stars

I really don't know how the 7,000 plus England fans do it. Travel away to see England play no-hopers Andorra in a World Cup qualifier in Barcelona - perhaps the attraction of a weekend in Barcelona did it.

Its bad enough supporting your club every weekend without expending more energy and emotion on a two-bit, two-bob international team who really haven't done anything since Sir Bobby Robson was in charge.

It took England 46 plus mins to break down a stubborn Andorrian side last night and to me a result, anything less than 5-0 is considered a failure, but England have been a failure for many a year.

Two goals in the space of ten minutes from half-time substitute Joe Cole, who still got told off by England manager Fabio Capello, was one shining star of two.

The second shining star was Theo Walcott of Arsenal. Walcott started his first England game and terrorised the Andorrian defence especially in the first-half.

As for the rest.... pah. The biggest culprits were Stewart Downing of Middlesbrough (what on earth is he doing in an England shirt) and Wayne (The Prodigal Son) Rooney!!!

At least Frank Lampard wasn't booed!!

England have to do alot better if they are to overcome Croatia in Zagreb on Wednesday night.

Your Complete Guide to Euro 2008: Croatia Stuffed

In an extraordinary finale to last nights 2nd Quarter-Final between Croatia and Turkey, two goals were scored in the last minute of extra-time. Croatia took the lead 119th minute and with the last kick off the game, Turkey equalised.

The Croats complained bitterly that the referee had blown the final whistle prior to the ball finishing up in the net. He didn't and the match went to a penalty shoot-out.

Croatia showed HOW not to take penalties and Turkey showed HOW to take them. Turkey won 3-1 and now face Germany in the first semi-final on Wednesday.

Your Complete Guide to Euro 2008: Welcome to Chelsea Mr Scolari

WELCOME TO CHELSEA

From a selfish point of view I am glad Portugal lost to Germany last night and therefore Portugal's interest in Euro 2008 is over, because it means Luiz Filipe Scolari can start to forget he is an International manager and concentrate on becoming a club manager with Chelsea.

For the record, Germany won 3-2 and with a 'sneaky' push on club team mate Paulo Ferreira, Michael Ballack scored his 2nd goal of the competition with a header.

Germany play the winners of Turkey and Croatia who play this evening in the first semi-final next Wednesday.

Although 'Big Phil' doesn't start work officially until 1st July, there is nothing stopping him getting himself prepared for the big one and the big challenge. I can just visualise Big Phil retiring to bed last night with dossiers on Chelsea's current players and possible and potential transfer targets.

Wishful thinking or dream on?

Your Complete Guide to Euro 2008: Boring Night

No late drama, no late goals in fact if it wasn't for the heroics of Poland and Celtic's Artur Boruc then Poland would have lost against Croatia by a cricket score instead of
1-0.


Germany beat neighbours Austria also 1-0 after Michael Ballack scored from a 30 yard free-kick.


Germany go into the quarter-finals with Croatia from Group B.

Your Complete Guide to Euro 2008: Germany Beaten!

Undoubtedly the first shock of Euro 2008 came yesterday in Group B as Croatia beat tournament favourites Germany 2-1.

The Croats roared on by a bank of red and white checked shirts, raced into a two goal lead, before is he a German or a Pole, Podolski pulled one back for the ineffective Germans.

Even German coach Joachim Low admitted that Germany were poor.

Slaven Bilic however must be 'rocking all over the World,' well Europe at least anyway.

Austria earned a deserved point in the other Group B game with a late penalty equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Poland.

Your Complete Guide to Euro 2008: Its Scolari for Chelsea

So its official then? 'Big Phil' or Luis Felipe Scolari becomes Chelsea's new coach effective from 1st July 2008.

The announcement of his appointment came soon after 'Big Phil's' Portugal brushed aside the Czech Republic, 3-1 in yesterday's Euro 2008 Group A 2nd round of games.

I felt a bit sorry for Petr Cech. He had hardly anything to do yesterday afternoon and spent most of the time bending his back and picking the ball out of the net three times.

In yesterday's other game, more resembling water polo than a football match, Turkey came from behind to beat Switzerland 2-1 with the winner being scored deep into injury time.

Switzerland's defeat means they are out of the competition and Portugal became the first country to qualify for the quarter-finals.

In today's action Germany play Croatia at 6pm (local time) and Austria face Poland at 8.45pm (local time).

Your Complete Guide to Euro 2008: Sunday's Results

Tottenham's new signing Modric scored a 4th minute penalty as Croatia beat Austria 1-0 in Vienna. Croatia were disappointing and Austria were unlucky.

Prior to the tournament 10,000 Austrian fans signed an online petition requesting the team withdrew from the competition because they felt the team was 'rubbish.'

On yesterday's evidence, the petition should be scrapped me thinks.

Germany beat Poland 2-0 with both goals scored by Poldoski who was born in Poland and is now a German. Wonder what colour his heart is?

At both games there was trouble before and after and all those arrested will be kicked out of the respective countries.

I wonder what the World's reaction would have been had England fans been around?

Your Complete Guide to Euro 2008: Today's Games

Co-Hosts Austria will try to get their Euro 2008 campaign off to a winning start when they take on Croatia in Vienna - kick-off is 6pm (local time).

In the later game Germany play Poland - kick off is 20.45pm (local time).