Tim Wigmore offers a final reflection on an epic three weeks in Austria and Switzerland as Spain emerged as champions, Turkey stole the hearts of all and Russia proved their weight.
Mike Martin reviews a memorable tournament in Switzerland and Austria.
So was it any good, then?
Unquestionably, yes. This was a tournament in which teams got exactly what they deserved; the brave teams, the ones who were prepared to play football, get players forward and attempt to entertain the paying public invariably beat the teams who […]
Yet to select an adopted nation? Recommended choice on the menu is Turkey: packed with flavour and leaves a wonderful aftertaste.
Every team has now played one match at the 2008 UEFA European Championships but what can we deduce from the opening eight games?
It has been a somewhat predictable and unsurprising opening two days to the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland, with all four of the favourites for their games picking up maximum points. In fact, the ‘underdogs’ haven’t even scored a single goal between them although, as ever, the statistics don’t quite tell the entire story.
Like the Czech Republic, Croatia laboured to a one-goal victory when it ought to have been far easier over co-hosts Austria. Tottenham’s Luca Modric scored from the penalty spot to hand a key victory to Bilic’s side.
With an optimistic eye, one could make the case for nine of the 16 teams in this year’s European Championships lifting the trophy on June 29. Emmett Williams offers his predictions -with two firm favourites fighting out the final.
Sam Poplett runs the rule over Euro 2008’s major contenders and believes it could be Portugal’s year.