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

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: STUNNING TURKEY

I posted yesterday about 'holding onto your hats' and boy was I right, Turkey were 2-0 down with fifteen minutes to go and looked seemingly out of Euro 2008 and ready to 'get on the bus' to go home.

Three goals, two of which came in the last two minutes, saw the Turks progress and the Czech Republic 'get on the bus.'

Poor Petr Cech, even the greatest of sportsmen have a bad day at the office, and didn't Cech have a 'mare.'

In the other Group A game (played at the same time) Switzerland beat Portugal 2-0, Hakin Yakin scoring both goals.

The other day I stumbled across a blog which celebrates the beauty and I mean beauty of Euro 2008. Take a look for yourselves.

Your Complete Guide to Euro 2008: Villa Again!

David Villa scored his fourth goal in Euro 2008 as Spain beat Sweden 2-1 in Group D last night. His winner came deep into injury time.

What is it with this tournament and late late goals? (3 goals have been scored in the last fifteen minutes of games AND 7 goals have been scored in the injury time period).

Greece, the current European Champions, bowed out of the competition after being beaten by Russia 1-0.

So now we have four countries already qualified for the quarter-finals: Croatia, Holland, Portugal and Spain.

Today sees the start of the final group games (and all games will kick-off at the same time - 20:45pm local time)

Group A

Czech Republic v Turkey

Switzerland v Portugal

For the first time in Euro history, there is a possibility of a penalty-shoot out between the Czech Republic and Turkey to decide who joins Portugal in the quarter-finals.

Hang on to your hats we could be in for a roller coaster ride later on today.

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: Saturday's Results

Co-Hosts Switzerland lost in front of a 41,000 crowd 1-0 to the Czech Republic and in the evening game (everybody's favourites it seems) Portugal beat Turkey 2-0.