First semifinal of EURO 2012, Spain vs Portugal

   
       Old enemies and local rivals Portugal and Spain face each other in Euro 2012’s first semi-final at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk on Wednesday evening 27 June 2012(28^th June 12-15am IST). Portugal have never won this tournament before but Spain are the current holders following their triumph last time out in 2008. Spain also won it the second time it was held, back in 1964.
          Peoples are thinking that is going to be an unequivalent battle between a team full of eleven superstars & one man army Portugal side. But regarding the performances of few other good players like Nani, Postiga in this current EURO the battle of the Iberian peninsula should be a good between them. Spain, the best team in Europe, the obvious favourites. From a fantasy footballing perspective, it’s a dream to see play players like Xavi and Iniesta in a same side though Jordi Alba has also proven his utility in the La Furia Roja side in this tournament.
        There is a classic debate in Vincente Desl Bosque side regarding Fabregas vs Torres, no one knows which one will start from the beginning, which makes their selection a bit dangerous. Perhaps Fabregas will keep his place in the famed 4-6-0 lineup leaving Torres to make another substitute appearance latter. Torres did start two group games and does have two goals in the tournament, however…
        Portugal, of course, rely heavily on Real Madrid superstar Christano Ronaldo as he comes up against a number of his Real Madrid colleagues in this Spanish team. Golden opportunity for him to bring a conclusion on that debate that who is superior Messi or he. Not much more needs to be looked at than that. Meireles and Moutinho are affordable midfield selections who could burst forward but they won’t see much of the ball against Spain.

     Portugal were the first team to advance to the semi-finals – following their 1-0 win against Czech Republic on Thursday , now Paulo Bento is hoping the extra two days rest over Spain will be an added advantage for them. But the question how much they will occupy the possession of ball in that Spanish side.

   The Spanish armada have beaten France in the quarter stage by a clear 2-0 margin in the third quarter final on 23^rd June keeping immense dominance throughout the entire match. Only Vicente del Bosque is quite worried about the fatigue & tiredness factor just before the semis against Portugese side.

    Spain and Portugal met two years ago in the first knock-out round of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Then, a solitary second-half goal from David Villa saw Spain through to the quarter-finals. Spain, of course, went on to win the tournament.

       If we go through the previous records Spain have won most of the matches they played against Portugal. In their previous 35 encounters, Spain have won 17 times  while Portugal managed to win 6 times amongst them & 12 matches remain draw. Only twice they met in UEFA cup before, wayback 1984 they finished in an 1 all draw & in recent time in 2004 Portugal won the match in 1-0 margin.

Spain’s Route to the Semi-Finals

Tournament favourites and reigning world champions Spain continued their charge in the quarter-finals in what looked on paper like a tough match against France, but which ended up being a disappointing event as the French never really got into their stride. A first half header and a last-minute penalty, both from Xabi Alonso, sealed the 2-0 win.

In the group stages, Spain could only draw their opening game against Italy but rallied to demolish Ireland 4-0 in the second game. And they needed a late winner from Jesus Navas to win the final match against Croatia.

Portugal’s Route to the Semi-Finals

Any doubts that Portugal’s captain Ronaldo was now back to form after a poor performance in the first two group games were laid to rest as he tore through the Czech Republic defence in the quarter finals. True, they only won 1-0, but Ronaldo got that goal and the scoreline did not reflect the Portuguese domination of the game.

Portugal lost their opening group game 1-0 to Germany but then won a five-goal thriller 3-2 against Denmark. They fell behind to the Netherlands after 11 minutes, but Ronaldo rescued the day with a brace, one in each half. Portugal came second in the group, three points behind Germany.

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Italy edged past England 4-2 on penalties to set up a semifinal encounter with Germany on 28th midnight

           
  Alessandro Diamanti scores the decisive penalty as Italy edged past England 4-2 on penalties following a goalless draw in 90 minutes & 30 minutes of extra time to set up a UEFA EURO 2012 semi-final encounter with Germany in Warsaw on 28^th midnight. Neither side could secure a margin in the schedule 90 minutes, push the match towards extra-time, match remain goalless after 120 minutes leads towards the penalty shoot-out. Mario Balloteli, Andre Pirlo, Antonio Nocerino & Allexandro Diamanati scored for Italy in the shoot-out while Steven Gerrard & Wayene Rooney only managed to score for the British side. Andre Pirlo taken an awesome spot-kick which might have mentally dislodged the British side.

          Regarding the past records both the sides have nightmare penalty shoot-out record in previous major tournaments. England lost to Germany in the semis stage of Euro 1996, lost to Portugal in the quarter stage of Euro 2004,  in 1992 England lost to West Germany in the semifinal of World Cup 1990, they lost to Argentina in the second round of World Cup 1998, lost to Portugal in the quarter final of the World Cup 2006. While in the other hand the Azzuri side lost the third place match of Euro 1980 against Czechoslovakia in penalty shoot-out, they lost to Spain in the quarter final of Euro 2008, in 1990 World Cup semifinal they lost against Argentina in penalty shoot-out, they lost in the final of World Cup 1994 against Brazil, lost against France in the quarter final of World Cup 1998.

          Italy is the much superior side throughout the night, they had majority of ball possession, they overwhelmed the British side everywhere, only few marginal offside decisions & denial of  barposts saves the British side throughout the entire 120 minutes.

           That has to be told that had a jaw dropping battle between both the sides, either side could have been ahead within the 5 minutes of the game, First Daniele De Rossi rattled the upright from all of 30 metres with a smashing  half-volley that was always arcing beyond the scrambling Joe Hart's hopeful hands. In case of  England, Glen Johnson almost  have broken the deadlock when James Milner's deflected cross perfectly intersected his run. Fortunately the ball rattled under his feet, though, and his weak shot was comfortably clawed away by Buffon.
       Andre Pirlo was awesome throughout the night, it has be told he is the right descendant of Paulo Maldini in this Italian side, wherever the ball goes we found Pirlo in there, he shows some excellent exhibition of ball controlling & sending through passes towards goal, Mario Balloteli misses few golden opportunities from those through balls. Mario Balloteli does everything apart from scoring, somewhere it looks like he might have lost his deadly touch of Man City in this Azzuri side.
       In the absence of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrad was leading the midfield of the Lions, all the counter attacks were dominated form his legs. Sent few great passes but the other player like Roonery failed to convert those chances, Rooney looked a bit of off colour lastnight, in first half it was very hard to found him inside the pitch, in second we merely got him but he was completely inactive,  Rooney also had a chance to make it in stoppage time, firing over with an acrobatic effort after Carroll headed back across goal in a positive passage of play, but the game moved inevitably into extra time.

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Spain brezzes up into the semi stage, Xavi alonos celebrates his 100th cap by scoring 2 goals in either halves of the game.

           

           Xabi Alonso celebrated his 100th cap with a goal in either half as Spain beat France in a competitive game for the first time to book a UEFA EURO 2012 semi-final against neighbours Portugal on Wednesday.

Les Bleus may have been the last team to eliminate Spain from a major tournament – in the 2006 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals – but that mantle must now be taken up by somebody else if Vicente del Bosque's charges are not to retain their title. Alonso, one of five Spain starters also involved from the off in that Hanover defeat six years ago, showed no battle scars and duly made the difference with an emphatic first-half header and a late spot kick.

Laurent Blanc is no soothsayer by trade, but the prescience of his Friday press conference was impossible to ignore. He had called on his side to ride out the opening 20 minutes or risk a stern punishment dished out by their opponents; Les Bleus fell barely 90 seconds short.

Blanc had also dubbed Del Bosque's team "a delight to watch" but he must have found their poise in possession more painful than joyful. Short, sharp and purposeful on the ball, La Roja looked capable of unpicking the French lock whenever they pleased. Alonso chanced his arm from range early on but that is simply not his, or their, style – Spain were never going to batter the door down, simply shimmy it open.

A reinforced France right – Anthony Réveillère and Mathieu Debuchy – looked an unlikely weak spot, but Andrés Iniesta has always seen things others do not. Réveillère had drifted inside from full-back and Iniesta threaded the ball through to Jordi Alba, who shrugged off Debuchy and crossed for Alonso to head down and across Hugo Lloris.

Though the goalscorer, considering the occasion, was a worthy centurion of this particular red army, his midfield cohorts were no less influential. France, by contrast, were compact as demanded but blunt and lacking in numbers getting forward. Yohan Cabaye's first-half free-kick was Iker Casillas's only notable save.

His France counterpart, Lloris, meanwhile, should have been tested when Gerard Piqué headed over having been found in space from a corner. Debuchy made the same mistake from an almost identical position 15 minutes into the second period after Franck Ribéry had wriggled free on the left and crossed precisely.

'Faux' centre-forward Cesc Fàbregas came off and traditional No9 Fernando Torres came on, but the pattern continued. Spain did not have the two-thirds possession the cerebral Blanc had predicted, but they had enjoyed more than their fair share and, most importantly of all, used it with characteristic wisdom.

As if to prove the point, a typically intricate move led to the added-time penalty, dispatched consummately by Alonso, which iced the cake. Spain, though, look to have plenty more in the tank – Paulo Bento's side have been warned.

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Xavi Hernandez the best player & David Villa the top scorer of EURO 2008

This article is written by me in Kolkatafootball.com published on 02.06.12, follow this link http://www.kolkatafootballs.com/euro_2012_story/index.html#7

         Spain won the EURO 2008 crown, Xavi Hernandez nominated the best player of the tournament, David Villa scored the most number of goals by scoring 6 goals individually. EURO 2008 was jointly host by Austria & Switzerland, the final was played at Ernst-Happel-Stadium, Vienna between two Euopean superpowers Spain & Germany. Spain won the game by 1-0 margin, Fernando Torres scored the solitary goal in the 33^rd minute of the match.

          The best player of EURO 2008, Xavi Hernandez was born in Terrassa, Spain on 25th January 1980. He use to play in midfield position. Xavi's abnormally good vision, pinpoint accurate passing and world class ball control allow him to dictate the flow of play whilst rarely relinquishing possession.

        Since 2000 he has been playing in Spain National team, capped 108 times, scored 10 goals for his country yet. In his international career he guided Spain towards their EURO 2008 victory & the maiden triumph in the 2010 World Cup.

        In his club football career he only played for the Catalan giant Barcelona, he played in Barcelona youth side, Barcelona B & currently playing with the Barcelona senior team since 2008. In his journey with Barcelona he participated in 680 matches yet & scored 80 goals for his side.

        He is a part of the golden era of Barcelona side, achieved a record of six titles in a year 2009 under the coaching of Pep Guardiolla. He was nominated the World soccer player of the year 2010 & UEFA Champions League midfielder of the year in 2009.

       David Villa of Spain the golden boot winner of  EURO 2008 is going to miss the EURO 2010 due to injury, he tops the list in 2008 by scoring 6 goals. He was born in Langreo, Spain on 3^rd December 1981. He use to play as a striker but he can also operate from the winger position.

       He made his international debut in 2005, scored 51 international goals in 82 appearances yet. Throughout his career he played with Xavi Hernandez, also the integral part of journey of Spain’s EURO 2008 & World Cup 2010 victory.

      In his club football career he played for different clubs throughout the Europe, scored 226 goals in 433 club matches yet. Since 2008 he is with the Barcelona side, scored 23 goals in 49 matches yet.

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Theodoros Zagorakis, the best footballer & Milan Baros, the top scorer of EURO 2004

 

This article is written by me in Kolkatafootball.com published on 26.05.12, follow this link http://www.kolkatafootballs.com/euro_2012_story/index.html#5 

       Theodoros Zagorakis of Greece nominated the best player of EURO 2004, he captained the Greece side & guided them towards the maiden triumph in any kind of major European competition. Milan Baros of  Czech Republic won the Golden Boot award, scoring the most number of goals, 5 individually. Mystery package Greece won the tournament, Angelos Charisteas sensationally put the tournament underdogs ahead with just under an hour played and the hosts and the most favourite nation could not find an equalizer till the end.

            EURO 2004 was taken place in Portugal, full of surprises from the beginning with Germany, Spain and Italy having failed to qualify from the group stages. Auto Rehegal’s Greece is outstanding from the beginning stage of the tournament, they have shown some solid defensive ability & counter attack based football throughout the entire tournament. Antonios Nikopolidis have shown some effective & sound goalkeeping ability throughout that tournament.

          The best player of EURO 2004 Theodoros Zagorakis was born in Lydia, Kavala on 27^th October 1971. He used to play as a defensive midfielder. Since 1994 to 2007 he played 120 international matches for Greece national team, scored 3 international goals including the most worthy goal in Euro 2004 final.

          In his club football career he played for five different clubs in different countries of Europe. He scored 23 goals in 451 matches in his club football career. He played 114matches for Kavala since 1988 to 1993, scored 6 goals for them. He moved to PAOK in 1993, until 1998 he played 150 matches for them & scored 10 goals. In later he moved to EPL side Leicester City in 1998, until 2000 he played  50 matches for them, scored 3 goals only. In 2000 he moved to his homeland & signed the contract with AEK Athens, till 2004 he spent there, played 101 matches for them scored 4 goals. In 2004 season he moved to Serie A side Bologna for onse season, played 32 matches for them without scoring. In the end of his career on 2005 he moved to homeland, signed a contract with PAOK once again, stayed there till 2007, played 45 matches without scoring any.

         In 2007 he kept his boots aside. Take the responsibility of his former club PAOK, currently he holds the president post of the PAOK.

        Milan Baros of Czech Republic showed some extra-ordinary goal scoring abilities in Euro 2004, he tops the list of scoring on that tournament by scoring 5 goals. He was nominated for the Golden Boot award in Euro 2004.

         Milan Baros was born in Valasske Mezirici on 28^th October 1981. He has been playing with the Czech national team since 2001, played  87 matches & scored 40 international goals yet.

        In his club football career since 1998 he has been playing for 6 major clubs yet, scored 106 goals in 316 matches. He played for different major clubs throughout the Europe. He played in Banik Ostarava, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Lyon & Portsmouth, currently he is playing in Galatasaray since 2008.

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Zinedine Zidane, the best footballer & Savio Milosevic, the top scorer of EURO 2000

 
This article is written by me in Kolkatafootball.com published on 27.05.12, follow this link http://www.kolkatafootballs.com/euro_2012_story/index.html#5 
          The great Zinedine Zidane is nominated the best player of EURO 2000. Patrick Kluivert of The Netherlands &  Savo Milosevic of Yugoslavia jointly become the top scorer by scoring  5 goals each.

          Euro 2000 was held in Belgium and The Netherlands, in the history of the tournament that is the first time tournament is co-hosted. France won the tournament by beating Italy in the final with a “golden goal” in extra-time. This is the second time that the championship had been decided by a golden goal following Germany’s win over the Czech Republic in Euro 1996.

          Delvecchio scored for the Azuri side in the 55^th minute of the game & put Italy 1-0 ahead, Alexandeo Del Piero missed few golden opportunities or else the Fench side would have fallen further behind. The Italians looked certain to be crowned Euro 2000 winners when they led 1-0 deep into stoppage time, only for Wiltord to stun them with an equaliser in the 94th minute. David Trezeguet scored the Golden goal in the 103rd minute of the extra time & crowne France the winner of EURO 2000. It was a second tournament victory for the French following their previous success in 1984. Zinedine Zidane is nominated the UEFA EURO player of the tournament.

           Zinedine Zidane the name count just after the legends like Pele & Maradona was born in Marseille, France on 23^rd June 1972. His parents shifted in France on 1983 from the African nation Algeria. He is born & grown up in the slums of Marseille, France.

         He used to play as an attacking midfielder with an excellent goal scoring ability. He played for 15 years(1992-2006) in the France national team, represented in 108 matches, scored 31 goals including two goals in the 1998 world cup final against mighty Brazil. He singlehandedly guided France towards their maiden world cup triumph in homesoil on 1998, guided France towards the Euro 2000 victory & guided France towards the final of world cup 2004 at the end of his career.

       In his club football career he scored 201 goals in 506 matches. He started his senior club football career in Cannes, spent four seasons(1988-1992) in there, scored 10 goals for them in 61 matches. In 1992 he moved to Bordeaux, spent four seasons(1992-1996) also in there, scored 58 goals in 139 matches. In 1996 he moved to Italy, signed in Serie A club Juventus, scored 47 goals for them in 151 matches in five seasons(1996-2001). In 2001 he signed  a five years contract(2001-2006) with the Spanish giant Real Madrid, scored 86 goals for them in 155 matches.

         He always remain controversyless throughout his entire career apart from the nasty incident in the final of world cup 2006 against Italy, regarding few poor comments of Italian defender Matarazzi, he attacked him inside the ground, Matarazzi had fallen on the pitch, Zidane got marching order, France lost the world cup final in penalty shoot-out.

        In his career he is awarded by countless rewards. He got the golden ball award in World Cup 2006, got the man of the match award in the final of the world cup 1998. Zidane got FIFA player of the year three times in 1998, 2000 & 2003. Got the Ballon D’ior award in 1998. Got man of the match award in UEFA Champions League final 2002.

        He is a God gifted talent, a magician of the football, regarded one of the best player of alltime. He is currently attached with Real Madrid as The Director of Football.

        The two top scorers of the Euro 2000 is Patrick Kluivert of Holland & Savo Milsevic of Yugoslovia, both of them scored 5 goals in Euro 2000.

       Savo Milsevic of Yugoslovia was nominated for the golden boot award of  Euro 2000, was born in Bijeljina, Yugoslovia on 2^nd September 1973. He used to play as a striker. He played for Yugoslovia for fifteen years(1994-2008), scored 37 international goals in 102 matches. He has a bright club football record, in his career he played for Partizan Belgrade, Aston Villa, Zaragoza, Parma, Espanyol, Celta Vigo, Osasuna & Rubin Kazan, scored 206 goals in 476 club appearances. Currently he is working as an assistant coach of Serbia Montenegro.

      Patrick Kluivert, another top scorer of Euro 2000 was born in Amsterdam on 1^st July 1976. He used to play in striker position. In his ten years(1994-2004) international career Kluivert scored 40 goals for his country in 79 matches. He played so many different clubs & different major leagues throughout the Europe, in his club football career he played for Ajax, AC Milan, Barcelona, Newcastle United, Valencia, PSV Eindhoven & Lille, scored 149 goals in 343 matches.

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