Euro 2008: Days 5-8

All the latest from Euro 2008.

Portugal began the second round of games with a hard fought 3-1 win over a Czech Republic side high on graft but low on creativity. Portugal took an early lead, but the Czechs came back well to dominate the first half.

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma secured Portugal’s procession into the Quarter-Finals. The goals in the first half were scored by Deco and Libor Sionko. Co-hosts Switzerland became the first team to be eliminated after losing 2-1 to Turkey in torrential conditions. Switzerland took the lead through Hakan Yakin, though it looked like the game might have been called off as the first half wore on.

Within ten minutes, Yakin had missed another sitter. In the second half, with the pitch drier, Turkey put Switzerland on the back foot and equalised through Semih Senturk’s header. Switzerland had chances, though, and with both sides going for it, Turkey stole the points in the last minute from Arda Turan’s deflected shot. This means that if Turkey and Czech Republic draw, the game will go to a penalty shoot-out.

Croatia provided a major shock by beating Germany 2-1 in group B. The Croats outclassed Germany, and led 2-0 after goals from Darijo Srna and Ivica Olic in each half. Lukas Podolski scored his third of the tournament to give Germany hope; though that ended when Bastian Schweinsteiger was unluckily sent off.

Poland threw away three points against Austria in the later game. Poland led from Roger Geurreiro’s goal that looked offside, but Austria had three great chances in the first half, all of them thwarted by goalkeeper Artur Boruc. In injury time, Mariusz Lewandowski committed a foul in the box, and Ivica Vastic smashed the penalty home. This leaves Austria and Poland with a faint chance of qualification going into the final round of matches.

Romania sprung yet another surprise in Group C by holding Italy to a 1-1 draw. Italy had the best of the chances of play in the first half, and Luca Toni had a goal ruled out incorrectly for offside. Romania actually took the lead in the second half when Adrian Mutu pounced on Gianluca Zambrotta. At that stage, the World Champions were going out, until Christian Panucci equalized two minutes later. Mutu even had a late penalty saved by Gianluigi Buffon.

Holland gave yet another Dutch masterclass by defeating France 4-1. Dirk Kuyt scored in the first half for Holland, in what was a poor first half. Substitute Robin van Persie scored the goal that seemed to wrap the game up with a goal at 59 minutes. However, France should have had a penalty for a handball minutes before the goal. Thierry Henry scored at 71 minutes, but Arjen Robben scored a minute later. Wesley Sneijder finished the scoring in injury time with a great goal. Now, France and Italy face each other in a winner-takes-all match. However, both could be eliminated if Romania beat Holland, who are already qualified top.

Spain reached the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Sweden. David Villa scored a deserved goal in injury time after first half strikes from Fernando Torres and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Ibrahimovic went off at half time, and after that Sweden looked bereft of ideas and content to hold out for a draw.

Champions Greece went out with no points or goals after Russia beat them 1-0. Russia were confident after Konstantin Zyryanov scored a tap-in following Antonis Nikopolidis’ blunder. They were very slick with their passing and now have to beat Sweden to qualify.

By: Ciarán Leinster