EURO 2008

Spain – Joined the ranks of Netherlands and Croatia to win a game with its reserves showing they too had depth and quality.

Daniel Güiza scores the winning goal, 2-1 to Spain.

Italy – Gets a reprieve with a 2-0 win over France, aided by an early red card to Abidal and having had Franck Ribery being stretchered out which totally tilted the game towards Italy.

Eric Abidal fouls Toni for Italy`s first-half penalty and was red carded.

Verdict – Italy had been inconsistent but seems to have recovered in the last game, that’s Italy. Always illusive. Buffon had done well in front of the goal post too. Spain’s trickery may well be able to knock Italy out of the competition. 3 of the 4 potential Champions of the tournament, Portugal, Netherlands and Croatia had been knocked out in the quater finals, could Spain break the jinx?
Score: Spain 2-1 Italy

Market odds: Spain (-1/4, -0.925), Italy (+0.85)

Netherlands – Despite fielding a largely reserve team, Netherlands demolished a Romania side that did not show much urgency. The Dutch showed that they had the depth and quality to go all the way.

Robin Van Persie delivered.

Russia – The Russians totally dominated the game against the Swedes better then what Portugal did against Sweden. They were quick offensively and strong defensively, living up to their name as a dark horse. They could have score 5 or 6 goals instead of 2. They will give the Dutch a good fight here.

Andrei Arshavin in the thick of every action.

Verdict – Netherlands may be the favourite but Russia sure looked like champion material themselves with the Russia player of the year, Andrei Arshavin, and Roman Pavlyuchenko, providing the threats.
Score: Netherlands 2-1 Russia

Market odds: Netherlands (-3/4, +0.9), Russia (+1.0)

Croatia – Croatia played their last game with reserves and still came out on top confirmed they had depth and quality players in their line up.

Ivan Klasnic eliminated Poland with the solitary goal in the last group game.

Turkey – It was drama all round as the Turks stage an amazing come back from the last group game against the Czechs with 2 goals down and 15 mins to go, they went on to score 3 goals to put the Czechs out of the tournament. Peter Cech and company were devastated. The Turkey goalkeeper, Volkan Demirel, was red carded for pushing an opposing player to the ground in stoppage time will sit out a two match ban. It was the spirit and the perseverence of the Turks that saw them through.

Nihat Kahveci scored two late goals to put the Turks through.

Verdict - The Turks had been lucky with the Czechs in the last outing but will have problem overcoming the more superior Croats. Score: Croatia 2-1 Turkey

Market odds: Croatia (-1/2, +1.0), Turkey (+0.9)

Portugal – Portugal’s reserve team was hammered 2-0 by the Swiss who managed to salvage some pride in their group game. Coach Scolari will be bringing on the first team regulars again, in the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco & Pepe, in the knock out stage of the tournament.

Luiz Felipe Scolari, gifted Swiss a last hoorah by fielding a reserved team, shake hands with Kuhn.

Germany – Came through with a high pressured 1-0 win over Austria. Lukas Podolski may not be available for the game because of a calf problem. Will be sweating on the fitness of Torsten Frings due to a broken rib. Joachim Löw is suspended for arguing with the fourth official and will not be permitted on the bench. Under UEFA regulations, he may follow the match from the stands but is not allowed in the dressing room, tunnel or technical area before and during the game, nor is he allowed to get in contact with his team.

Verdict – This is a clash of the giants. Scolari will be recalling all his fire power. Germany’s performance in the 2nd and 3rd game had not looked like they can overcome the Portugese. Germany’s saviour may come down to the goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann.
Score Portugal 2-0 Germany.

Market odds: Portugal (-1/4 -0.925), Germany (+1.0)