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Written by The Unlimited
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Friday, 20 June 2008 |
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 vs 
No one expected this quarterfinal pair. Not because of Croatia since
their first place in group B was not so much of a surprise. Even before
the championship started the Blazers were considered to be possible
biggest surprise of the final tournament.
On the other hand we didn’t
give much chance to Turkey one excellent win against Czech Republic got
them among top eight European teams. In group A second game they also
managed to turn over the score against Switzerland; Terim’s side
obviously have mental power and never give up. This will be their
strongest weapon in the duel in Vienna.
Croatia are favourites but the
question is if they can get used to this role. Bilic fielded the
reserve squad against Poland but the players convinced him that he can
count on them at any time. We will see how Croatia will manage
catenaccio; they don’t handle defensive squads well but they rely on
the individual quality of their players.
They are aware of the huge
chance they have in this quarterfinals, for if they managed to qualify
for the top four anything can happen. Duel against Germany showed that
Croatia don’t have to fear anyone; this squad don’t have the eastern
–European losing mentality so it is obvious how these results are no
surprise.
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 19 June 2008 |
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 Khalid Boulahrouz could miss the Netherlands' Euro 2008
quarter-final against Russia after the death of his prematurely-born
daughter Anissa.
 The defender, who played in all three of his side's Group C
victories, left training on Wednesday after his wife, Sabia, was
hospitalised.
Sabia was at the finals with the other players' partners and girlfriends.
A spokeswoman said a decision over Boulahrouz's participation in Saturday's match had yet to be made.
The spokeswoman for the Dutch Football Federation
declined to say whether Boulahrouz would be returning to the squad for
the Netherlands' last-eight match in Basel.
The 26-year-old defender, who spent last season on loan from
Chelsea at Sevilla, was a surprise inclusion in Marco van Basten's
final squad for the tournament but has been among their most consistent
performers.
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Written by The Unlimited
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Thursday, 19 June 2008 |
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 vs 
This is the first great clash in this championship – the quarterfinal
duel between the squads that were considered to be the main favourites
for the crown. Portugal lived up to the expectations regardless of the
defeat in the group A last game when they lost to Switzerland, but the
match bore no significance result wise.
Scolari rested even eight
starters so the failure wasn't painful for them. Germany are meeting
Portugal in the early stage since they have failed to come in first in
group B. The responsible ones are, of course, Croatia. Besides the easy
win over Poland, Germany didn’t demonstrate their power; they were
easily beaten by the Croats and they have only their captain Ballack to
thank for winning Austria in the knock-out match.
The public criticized
the squad a lot since they haven't been much better than the average
co-hosts, but coach Low says that it was hard to play in the tense
atmosphere against inspired hosts and anyway the victory is all that
counts. Pantzers are relying on their experience but also on the fact
that offensive rivals suit them better.
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Written by The Unlimited
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Wednesday, 18 June 2008 |
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 vs 
This match bears no significance result wise: no matter what the
outcome may be, Spain will, as group D winners, play in the
quarterfinals against group C second-placed team, which could be
France, Italy or Romania. It won’t be easy so it is clear why Luis
Aragones wishes to change the whole squad and rest his starters.
We
should expect a combined line-up with most of the reserve players on
the pitch. A victory over Sweden has cost Spain dearly; Puyol got
injured and it is not yet sure if Barcelona captain will recover for
the quarterfinals.
Greece have put an end to their defending of the
title after only two games, having lost to Sweden and Russia so they
will in each case end up last in group D. They gave somewhat better
performance against Russia than in the clash with Sweden but they
failed to score which is the main problem of this disappointing squad,
though most of the experts agree that even the qualification for EURO
was a success.
Rehhagel got the best of the squad in the
qualifications; the squad is old and they lack the warrior spirit from
2004. This is the chance for the fans to say goodbye to the legendary
keeper Nikopolidis who is retiring.
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| Results 9 - 13 of 39 |
ZURICH, Switzerland (AP)—Argentina remained No. 1 in the largely unchanged
FIFA world rankings Wednesday, with the United States at No. 21.
