Your Complete Guide to Euro 2008: The Sorcerer Beats The Apprentice

The Sorcerer, Gus Hiddink put the Apprentice, Macro Van Basten to the sword last night as the 'unfancied' Russians beat the Dutch 3-1 after extra-time to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2008.

It is quite a remarkable acheivement. Remember Russia were firmly slaughtered 4-1 by Spain in their first group game.

What is it with Hiddink and International competition? Remember he took South Korea to the World Cup semi-finals in 2002 and got Australia to the World Cup finals!!

Russia will now play either Spain or Italy in the 2nd semi-final, next Thursday.

In the space of a couple of days the competition has lost two of its favourites - Croatia and Holland.

Spain and Italy play tonight in the last quarter-final, kick off 20.45 (local time).

FORZA ITALIA

FORZA ITALIA

FORZA ITALIA

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: 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: Italy Through

FORZA ITALIA

There was no skullduggery, no conspiracy theories and no underhand tricks last night as Holland beat Romania 2-0, despite MvB making nine changes. Italy beat France by the same score to join Holland in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.

After France's defeat, Chelsea's midfield talisman Claude Makelele announced his retirement from International Football for the umpteenth time. Lillian Thuram who didn't even make the squad last night also announced his retirement from International Football.

The quarter-final line-up is almost set and looks like this:

Portugal v Germany

Croatia v Turkey

Holland v Runner up Group D either Sweden or Russia

Spain v Italy