Alice Jones
BellaOnline's Soccer Editor
EURO 2008 - and then there were four
The road to Vienna.
And then there were four: Germany, Russia, Spain and Turkey will compete in the Semi Finals of Euro 2008 from Wednesday as the competition enters it's final week.
A dramatic round of Quarter Finals produced some upsets as the World Champions Italy were knocked out on penalties and the highly favoured Dutch team came undone at the hands of the resurgent Russians.
Three out of four group winners had been knocked out in the first three days.
The fourth group winner, Spain had to overcome their demons, having been knocked out of three major championships on that date - June 22nd.
Read the full article - Euro 2008 Soccer
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John Arne Riise has ended his seven-year association with Liverpool after Roma said last night that they had signed him on a four-year contract. Riise yesterday had a medical in the Italian capital after Liverpool accepted a deal that could rise to just over £4m.read the full article
Czech Repuplic 1 Switzerland 0
Goal highlights from Day 1 (yesterday) at EURO 2008
0-1 Vaclav Sverkos 70′
Portugal 2 Turkey 0
Portugal opened their Euro 2008 campaign with an emphatic performance to beat Turkey in Geneva.
Pepe scored the first goal after 61 minutes, and Portugal had dominated the match for the most part, Cristiano Ronaldo hit the post in the first half with a free-kick and in injury time went on a dazzling run, linking up well with Moutinho who set up Raul Meireles for the second goal.
The Czech Republic beat the joint hosts Switzerland in the opening game of Euro 2008
Watch the official highlights here
Vaclav Sverkos scored the winner and gave the Czech Republic a winning start to Euro 2008 in the second half of the opening match.
more later ...
Go to the above site to see the fixtures for EURO 2008, which starts this weekend.
The first 2 days of matches:
Saturday 7 June 2008 | |||||
| 1 | Grp A | Switzerland | 18:00 | Czech Republic | Basel - St. Jakob-Park |
| 2 | Grp A | Portugal | 20:45 | Turkey | Geneva - Stade de Genève |
Sunday 8 June 2008 | |||||
| 3 | Grp B | Austria | 18:00 | Croatia | Vienna - Ernst Happel |
| 4 | Grp B | Germany | 20:45 | Poland | Klagenfurt - Wörthersee |
the latest managerial news from the last couple of days in the world of soccer.
Mark Hughes was confirmed as Manchester City manager and unveiled at a Press Conference yesterday.
The former Blackburn manager, who used to play for their fierce local rivals Manchester United told the World's media:
Meanwhile, former Manchester City manager & failed England Head Coach Sven Goran Eriksson has been appointed as Head Coach of Mexico. The Swede will oversee the First Team of their highly rated International Squad.“I am absolutely delighted to be here, I have already had some great support from the fans and I’m pleased with the positive reaction to the appointment.
“They will know from my experiences as a manager that my teams work extremely hard and are committed, but I am an advocate of attacking football. "
"The players that have played for me week-in, week-out in the past are technical players that play the type of football that I want to be played. Hopefully the fans will see that very quickly in the teams that I will produce."
“It was made plain to me very, very quickly that there was a huge project here that I wanted to be part of, it was a very easy decision for me. I am at a club that matches my ambitions.”
"I am Mourinho - period. I believe I am a great coach,"
So the former Chelsea manger is the "Great One" now?
"I need to start a new cycle after that of Mancini, who I consider a great coach, but I am a different tactician," said Mourinho.
"I am the same person I was before with the same mission and the same passion for my work. I want to change the football philosophy of the team, this is my challenge."
Sources close to Carlos Ancelotti have said that he does not want to leave Italy, according to Gabriel Marcotti, on BBC Radio 5 live.
Also in the last few minutes Chelsea have denied making an approach.
read between the lines, he is not going to Chelsea.
more if and when ...
With Sven Goran Erikson being sacked by Manchester City yesterday, the Eastlands, Manchester club have wasted no tim in appointing a replacement. Conraversial owner Thaksin Shinawatra sacked the Swedish former England manager, after just one season in charge.
Manchester City are said to have reached an agreement with Premier League rivals Blackburn Rovers for compensation, and it looks highly likely that Mark Hughes will be on his way to the City of Manchester Stadium.
Meanwhile, Sam Allardyce looks like the favourite for the Blackburn job, if so he will be returning to football after a disastrous short lived term at Newcastle United.
Chelsea have reportedly made their first move for Carlo Ancelotti and it is being widely reported that the London club have opened preliminary discussions with representatives of the AC Milan coach.
Sky Sports | Football | Features | Sven's City exit
Manchester City have confirmed that Sven Goran Eriksson has left the club by mutual consent
