Soccer News
Greece reach final with silver goal
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| Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky (L) vies with Greek forward Zisis Vryzas, 01 july 2004 at the Do Dragao in Porto, during the Euro 2004 semi final match between Greece and Czech at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV |
Greece continued their unbelievable run at Euro 2004 when they reached the final thanks to a silver goal from Traianos Dellas that sunk the Czech Republic 1-0.
What must go down as one of the greatest surprises in the history of football continues as Greece booked their ticket to Sunday's final against hosts Portugal in Lisbon.
The Czech's had the lions share of scoring chances but some poor finishing let them down and Dellas punished them in the cruellest way.
Aragones takes charge of Spain
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| Newly-appointed coach of Spanish soccer club Real Mallorca Luis Aragones is pictured with his team's players in Palma de Mallorca, 14 October 2003 during a training session on the eve of an UEFA Cup match against Apoel Nicosia. AFP PHOTO/ Oscar PIPKIN |
Veteran Luis Aragones was named coach of Spain on Thursday and will be in charge of the qualifing campaign to reach the 2006 World Cup.
The Real Mallorca handler, who turns 66 on July 28th replaces Inaki Saez, who stepped down as Spain failed to make it past the first round of Euro 2004.
Aragones won the 1975 world club championship, the 1977 league title and four Spanish Cups with Atletico Madrid.
He also coached Barcelona and its city rivals Espanyol, the two Seville clubs, FC Sevilla and Real Betis, Valencia and Oviedo.
Aragones played for Atletico, Oviedo and Betis and was capped 11 times.
Markov steps down as Bulgaria coach
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| Bulgaria's national team coach Plamen Markov reacts after announcing his resignation at news conference in Sofia 01 July 2004. Bulgarian national football team was trashed in its three games during the European Championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO ANTON UZUNOV |
Plamen Markov became the sixth coach to leave his post following a failed Euro 2004 campaign when he announced on Thursday he had rejected a new contract from the Bulgarian federation.
The 46-year-old ended his reign of just over two-and-a-half years accepting responsibility for the team losing all three of their matches.
"I had an offer to sign a new contract with the national team but I replied that I was quitting my post," said Markov. "My mistake was we suffered three defeats. That is the main reason for my resigning. But I think I have done my job".
Golden generation deserve applause
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| Dutch defender Giovanni Van Bronckhorst fights for the ball with Portuguese midfielder Luis Figo (R) 30 June 2004 at the Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, during the Euro 2004 semi final match between Portugal and The Netherlands at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE |
Portuguese striker Nuno Gomes says Portugal's veteran stars Luis Figo, Fernando Couto and Rui Costa deserve special recognition for the country's run to the Euro 2004 final.
"They deserve credit more than anybody," said the Benfica forward.
"We have players aged from 19 to 34 but the great spirit in the squad is very much down to Figo, Rui Costa and Fernando Couto. Nobody deserves to be in the final more than they do," said the striker. "I am really happy we have made the final for their sake as it could be the last chance for the golden generation to win a title."
Portugal will take some stopping: Andrade
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| Portuguese defender Jorge Andrade (L) and Dutch forward Ruud Van Nistelrooy go for a header, 30 June 2004 during their European Nations Championship semi-final football match between Portugal and The Netherlands at the Estadio Jose de Alvalade in Lisbon. AFP PHOTO Hrvoje POLAN |
Portugal centre-back Jorge Andrade has warned that the Euro 2004 hosts will take some stopping in Sunday's final.
"I never thought we were going to lose. We were concentrating very well and neutralising the Dutch attacks."
"I think we are progressing," Andrade added. "We are making great games and we deserve to be in the final.
"It was great that Luis Figo played so well but he was not the only one, the whole team played great.
"It gives us a lot of confidence and it does not matter who we play in the final now. If it the Czech Republic or Greece -- I don't care.
"My greatest goal" beams Maniche
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| Dutch goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar (blue jersey) fails to catch the kick by Portuguese midfielder Maniche (not pictured), 30 June 2004 at the Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, during the Euro 2004 semi final football match between Portugal and The Netherlands at the European Nations championship in Portugal. Maniche scored the second goal after this kick. AFP PHOTO Francois GUILLOT |
Portugal midfielder Maniche saluted his drive for his country's second goal in the Euro 2004 semi-final win over the Netherlands as the best of his career.
"I was so happy to see that one go in, I came over all emotional. It has to be the best goal of my career," said the 26-year-old Porto midfielder.
"I knew it was going in as soon as I hit it," said Maniche, who added he did not want to join the flood of talent leaving European champions FC Porto.
I will wait until the end of the tournament but I have a contract and great respect for the institution of Porto football club," he added.
Hitzfeld turns down Germany job
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| (FILES) A picture taken 15 May 2004 shows former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld during a match of his first division football club against Stuttgart. German national team coach Rudi Voeller announced 24 June 2004 he had resigned after the three-time European champions crashed out of Euro 2004. Hitzfeld's name was brought up in the context of Voeller's succession. AFP PHOTO DDP/OLIVER LANG GERMANY OUT |
Former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has turned down an offer to become coach of the German national side, the German football federation said in a statement on Thursday.
Hitzfeld was offered the job vacated by Rudi Voller who resigned after Germany crashed out of Euro 2004 at the group stage last week.
The 55-year-old former maths teacher had said last week that his wife would prefer he did not accept the offer to prepare Germany for the 2006 World Cup finals which will take place in Germany.
Van calls off Manchester sale
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| Dutch forward Ruud Van Nistelrooy (L) celebrates after Portuguese defender Jorge Andrade (not in picture) scored an own goal, 30 June 2004 at the Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, during the Euro 2004 semi-final match between Portugal and The Netherlands at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE |
Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has dismissed reports he is leaving Manchester United for Real Madrid.
Van Nistelrooy has been linked with the Spanish giants as United were said to be looking for 30 million pounds (55 million dollars) in order to buy England sensation Wayne Rooney.
"Sir Alex Ferguson is going to build his third top team and I want to be a part of that. We are building a new team, a team to win the Champions League.
"United have become my club. United are, for me, the only club.
"I am perfectly satisfied here and the club are satisfied with me. Why on earth would I leave?"
Kluivert fed up after month on the bench
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| Dutch football player Patrick Kluivert (L) is seen during a training session with his team in Albufeira, 08 June 2004 ahead of the European Nations championship in Portugal. The Euro 2004 opens with host Portugal playing Greece 12 June. AFP PHOTO FRANCOIS GUILLOT |
Dutch forward Patrick Kluivert expressed his bitter disappointment after seeing the Netherlands crash out in the semi-finals after spending the entire tournament on the bench.
Kluivert was the only outfield player in the Dutch squad not to see action at the tournament as coach Dick Advocaat doggedly used only Ruud Van Nistelrooy as his attacking spearhead.
"I am frustrated. I am Holland's top scorer. I feel as if I am in form and yet I did not play a single minute," said the Barcelona star.
"Holland did not deserve to get to the final," was Kluivert's parting shot.
Figo proves his point
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| Portuguese forward Luis Figo (R) vies with Dutch defender Wilfred Bouma (L), 30 June 2004 at the Alvalade stadium in Lisbon, during the Euro 2004 semi final football match between Portugal and The Netherlands at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT |
Luis Figo, the man who said he had nothing to prove after being hauled off against England, promptly went out and proved his "galactic" status with a sterling showing to power Portugal into their first ever major final at the Netherlands' expense on Wednesday.
"It is difficult to explain the emotion I feel right now," Figo said. "We have done a lot to get here. To be in the final and to be at home and with our supporters it can't get better than that.
"It is a fantastic night for Portugal. It's a historic achievement for our country. All the group worked hard for this and I am delighted for this moment."