Reigning European and World champion Spain made history by winning its third consecutive international tournament, an unprecedented feat that will be hard to match. Spain’s golden generation led by Iniesta, Xavi and Sergio Ramos will probably have one more opportunity…
Category: Euro 2012
Balotelli Delivers All Mediterranean Final
The exciting Euro 2012 has greatly benefited from the economic crisis gripping the continent. Fans have enjoyed games between debtor and creditor countries as political competition rather than just sporting events. The culmination of political soccer was the Euro semifinal…
Ronaldo’s Costly Stardom Fixation
Portugal winger Nani has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo insisted on taking the last penalty in their Euro 2012 semi-final loss to Spain. Portugal went out of the tournament after a 4-2 loss to Spain in the shoot-out which bizarrely did…
Bravo Italia
The tournament’s largest viewing audience was treated to a dramatic match on Sunday, with Alessandro Diamanti scoring the decisive penalty kick to send Italy through with a 4-2 win in the shootout following a 0-0 tie with England. Italy will…
Spain – Portugal in Dynamic Euro Semi
Spain easily brushed aside a disappointing France team to set up a most intriguing encounter against Iberian neighbor and rival, Portugal, on Wednesday in Donetsk. The clash is particularly attractive not only for featuring many of the world’s best players…
France Narrowly Avoids Disaster Thanks to England and Unlucky Ukrainians
France limped into the knockout round of Euro 2012 despite a 2-0 loss to Sweden in their final group game, showing just how much the team still needs to improve to be true contenders in the tournament. The French finished…
Spain and Italy Advance to Quarters
Spain needed a late goal from substitute Jesus Navas to reach the European Championship quarterfinals with a 1-0 win over Croatia on Monday. Andres Iniesta passed to Navas inside the area after Spain broke through an offside trap, and the…
Russia’s Shock Exit Meets Press Fury
(AFP) Russia’s media on Monday spared no mercy for national team manager Dick Advocaat and his players after what they said was a “disgraceful” defeat against Greece to send them out of the Euro 2012 championships. “You broke our hearts,”…
Dutch on the Brink of Shock Exit, As Portuguese Hopes Are Revived
One of the pre-tournament favorites Holland are all but out of Euro 2012 after losing Wednesday to Germany while Portugal kept their campaign alive with a dramatic 3-2 win over Denmark. The Dutch will need a miracle to stay in…
France Rues Missed Opportunity, Uninspiring England to Regroup
France entertained a large global audience with a smooth passing game that left English players chasing the action for long stretches, but the French inability to finish allowed England to take a respectable point and a chance to rekindle its…
Brave Italy Able to Hold Spain
(Ben Smith – BBC Sport, June 11, 2012) Cesc Fabregas salvaged a point for Spain as the champions began the defence of their European title in a pulsating encounter in Gdansk. The Barcelona midfielder fired in after a clever pass…
Divided Dutch Fall to United Danes
RAFA VAN DER VAART admits Holland are in a state of shock after their defeat to Denmark. And the Tottenham playmaker insists they must now take three points against bitter rivals Germany on Wednesday to avoid the humiliation of a…
Chelsea and Real Madrid target Aguero also wanted by Barcelona
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is reportedly keen on seeing Chelsea target Sergio Aguero play alongside Lionel Messi next season. Real Madrid have been linked with the 23-year-old in recent days, although coach Jose Mourinho last week dismissed reports that he…
England FA left outcast by FIFA as Sepp Blatter re-elected by members
The English Football Association has been cast out into the cold by Fifa after delegates voted to keep president Sepp Blatter in office for another four years and passed new legislation that could deny England any future World Cups. Metro…
Euro 2012 Draw
This past Sunday fifty-one countries participated in the draw to determine the qualifying groups for Euro 2012, a competition held every four years and hosted this time around by Poland and Ukraine jointly. The groups will be contested according to…