England Expects!!

After a pulsating semi-final against Sweden where England nearly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, England face old foes Germany in the European U21 Final tonight in Sweden.

If the semi-final success was done the hard way, tonight will be even harder - No Joe Hart, no Campbell, no Agbonlahor - all suspended and there is a possibility that Theo Walcott won't play due to injury.


COME ON ENGLAND!

Well Did Yer?

As the England game was on 'normal' TV last night - did you bother to watch it?

I know it was only friendly and to be honest a needless and meaningless game to boot, but didn't the 'reserves' do well?

I always treat every England game with contempt, after all they DO flatter to deceive, but I did enjoy last nights action.

Fair play to Captain John Terry - admitting the mistake that led to Germany's equaliser - then goes up the other end and heads the winner.

More of the same JT please starting against Newcastle United on Saturday.

Your Complete Guide to Euro 2008: VIVA ESPANA

The lack of updates have been becuase of some wonderful sunny days recently. Whats the point of being stuck in front of a pc when there is sunshine to be enjoyed?

Euro 2008 came to an end last night. Spain lifted the trophy after a 1-0 win over Germany. Fernando Torres scored the only goal. Germany must be disappointed that they didn't contribute to the game than they did and had Spain won three or four nil, I doubt if anybody from the German quarter would have complained.

The tournament is now over and the countdown to the Football season begins. This is the week that pre-season training starts and now Euro 2008 is finished there will be frantic activity in the transfer market.

So lets get busy

Your Complete Guide to Euro 2008: Cruise for Spain

EURO 2008 THE FINAL: GERMANY v SPAIN SUNDAY 29TH JUNE 2008

Spain cruised past Russia in Vienna tonight to reach their first final in twenty-years. It took Spain until the 50th minute to score and once the door was unbolted, Spain scarpered away and won the game 3-0.

Its the second beating the Spaniards have dished out to the Russians in a few weeks - in their first group game, Spain won 4-1.

So now after three or so weeks of competition the Euro 2008 final will be between Germany and Spain in Vienna, kick-off 20.45pm (local time) on Sunday 29th June 2008.

Your Complete Guide to Euro 2008: Germany Are Through

In a match that had everything, Germany won their place in the Euro 2008 final on Sunday, beating Turkey 3-2 with a last minute goal from Phillip Lahm after being 1-0 down, 2-1 up and pulled back to 2-2 with a few minutes to go.

Bang goes my sweepstake entry - cos I had Turkey.

Roll on Christmas.

The second semi-final between Russia and Spain kicks off later today at 20.45 (local time).

Your Complete Guide to Euro 2008: Yawn, Yawn, Yawn

After the first five minutes of Italy v Spain I just KNEW the game would be decided on penalties. I just knew it!! 2 hours of tedium, 2 hours of boredom, 2 hours of nothing.

It wasn't Spain's fault they just couldn't break down the masters of negative football - 'Let's play for penalties chaps, Spain haven't won a penalty shootout on the 22nd June before."

Oh how the Azzuri have eggs on their faces this morning.

2 hours of boredom, 2 hours of yawning, 2 hours of nothing.

I would have had more fun watching paint dry!!

So the semi-finals are confirmed:

Wednesday 25th June
Germany v Turkey

Thursday 26th June
Spain v Russia

Will He Stay OR Will He Go?

Now that Portugal are out of Euro 2008, the 'winker' Cristiano Ronaldo will soon be announcing his future.

Judging by the press and media reports this morning Ronaldo is 'already on his bike' to Spain, despite the objections and fears shown by his present employers, Man Utd.

Ronaldo said after Portugal's 3-2 defeat against Germany last night.,"I will announce my future plans in two days."

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: Mixed Loyalties

Its Quarter-Final time and I have mixed loyalties as to who I want to win. I want Portugal to win because their squad includes - BIG Phil, Jose Boswinga, Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferriera and I want Germany to win because of Michael Ballack.

So who to choose, who to choose??

Seriously though the answer is simple. I want Germany to win because as soon as Portugal get knocked out, BIG Phil can concentrate his mind of the Chelsea job, even though he doesn't officially start at Stamford Bridge until 1st July.

The game kicks-off at 20.45 (local time), thats 7.45pm UK time and whatever time anywhere else in the world and the venue is St Jakobs Park, Basel.

I have a feeling that this game will go the wire.

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).