Turkey defeated Croatia in yet another late-night thriller in Vienna today to extend their fantasy dream-run at Euro 2008. The Turks had been the only side in the tournament to come back to win after trailing in group play, doing so not only once but twice against co-hosts Switzerland and Czech Republic earlier last week […]
Euro 2008 Quarterfinals: Germany 3-2 Portugal – High-Scoring Thriller in St. Jakob’s Park
The Germans clinched a berth in the semifinals of the tournament after knocking out heavyweights Portugal in Basel today. Germany will face the winner of tomorrow’s quarterfinal matchup between Croatia and Turkey on Wednesday, while Portugal head home and begin their search for a new manager for the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. […]
Russia 1-0 Sweden: Unfancied Russians and Unbeatable Manager Triumph
Wednesday, 18 June 2008 Day twelve of GroundReport’s exclusive on-the-ground coverage of Euro2008. Lucky Guus has done it again. Russia have defeated Sweden 2-0 to clinch a berth in the quarterfinals today. They play Holland in what will be a highly anticipated match for the manager, Guus Hiddink, who is of Dutch origin and […]
Italy 2-0 France: Italians Breathe Sigh of Relief
Tuesday, 17 June 2008 Day eleven of GroundReport’s exclusive on-the-ground coverage of Euro2008. Italy trumped the French decisively in their Group C re-match of 2006 World Cup winners and runners-up Tuesday, moving on to play Spain in the quarterfinals on Sunday after an enlivening display of confidence. Meanwhile Holland, who remain unbeaten in three matches […]
Germany 1-0 Austria: Ballack Pushes Germans Through to Quarterfinals
Monday, 16 June 2008 Day ten of GroundReport’s exclusive on-the-ground coverage of Euro2008. Germany have safely clinched their berth in the quarterfinals of Euro2008 wih a dazzling strike from captain Michael Ballack, eliminating co-hosts Austria and setting a date with Group A winners Portugal on Thursday. In the other Group B match of the day, […]
Turkey 3-2 Czech Republic: Joy for Turks, Heart-Break for Czechs
Sunday, 15 June 2008 Day nine of GroundReport’s exclusive on-the-ground coverage of Euro2008. Turkey’s football fans will celebrate well into the night after what will go down as the greatest comeback stunt in Euro tournament history. The Turks came up with three goals in the final fifteen minutes of play to steal victory from […]