Soccer News
Spain beat Russia
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| Spanish midfielder Juan Carlos Valeron (R) scores a goal against Russia,12 June 2004 at Faro stadium, during their opening match at the European Nations football championships. Spain and Russia are competing in Group A with Greece and host Portugal. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS |
Second-half substitute Juan Carlos Valeron scored within 36 seconds of taking the field as Spain beat Russia 1-0 on Saturday in Group A's second tie.
Valeron scored in the 60th minute during a goalmouth scramble after coming on for Fernando Morientes.
It was a close match and both sides had several chances on goal. Russia's Roman Sharonov was sent off for a second bookable offence late on. The result leaves Greece top of Group A on goal difference from Spain, both on three points while Russia are third and Portugal fourth, both on zero points.
Greece shock hosts 2-1
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| Greece's midfielder Angelis Basinas celebrates after scoring the second goal for his team12 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during the Euro 2004 group A football match between Portugal and Greece. AFP PHOTO Aris MESSINIS |
Greece showed Olympic form beating Portugal 2-1 in the opening match of Euro 2004 with goals from Georgios Karagounis and Angelos Basinas.
Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo pulled a goal back in injury time but it was too little too late.
With the defence backing off Karagounis scored with a long range shot after just seven minutes, then with the hosts pushing forward, Greece counter-attacked and forced a penalty when Ronaldo accidentally clipped the heels of a charging Greek forward on 51 minutes.
Midfielder Angelos Basinas made no mistake from the spot.
Swiss injury woe grows
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| (FILES) Swiss replacement goalkeeper Fabrice Borer holds up a ball during a training session in Obidos 09 June 2004. Fabrice Borer broke his arm during a training session in Leiria 12 June on the eve of the Switzerland vs Croatia match of the Euro 2004 group B first phase match. AFP PHOTO JOHN MACDOUGALL |
Switzerland's third string goalkeeper Fabrice Borer is out of Euro 2004 after breaking an arm during training on Saturday.
He is the fourth Swiss to drop from the squad for Euro through injury after striker Marc Streller broke a leg, Leonard Thurre dropped out with a calf strain and midfielder Johann Lonfat suffered a back injury.
Borer's woe is Sebastien Roth's joy as coach Kobi Kuhn calls up the Servette Geneva 'keeper as a replacement.
First choice 'keeper Jorg Stiel of Borussia Munchengladbach and his number two Pascal Zuberbuehler of FC Basel are reportedly both in fine shape.
Fearless Rooney ready for France
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| England's Wayne Rooney is chased by Japan's Keisuke Tsuboi (L) and Shinji Ono (C) during today's FA Summer tournament match at the City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester 01 June 2004. AFP photo by Paul Barker |
England's 18-year-old striker Wayne Rooney is far from intimidated by France's world-class defenders ahead of their tie on Sunday.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "Obviously France are a big team and, as a young lad, you want to be playing against the best."
"It will probably be the biggest game in my career so far, but we've just to prepare ourselves right and go out there."
France have not conceded a goal in more than a thousand minutes of football while Rooney is the youngest man to have ever score for England.
Henry to prove Campbell wrong
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| French defender Marcel Desailly answers journalists' questions during a press conference, 12 June 2004 in Lisbon on the eve of the first Euro 2004 match against England 13 June. France coach Jacques Santini said on Saturday that veteran defender Marcel Desailly would not start in Sunday's Euro 2004 opener against England at Lisbon's Stadium of Light. AFP PHOTO FRANCK FIFE |
France defender Marcel Desailly said he hoped Arsenal's Sol Campbell would change his mind about his clubmate Thierry Henry during England's clash with the French in their opening Euro 2004 match.
"I read in French newspapers that Sol Campbell says he loves to play against Thierry Henry.
"I hope at the end of the game he thinks differently," laughed Desailly, who seems to have shrugged off his own disappointment at not making the starting line-up.
Croatia keeper KO'd
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| Croatia's goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa reacts in front of Tungay Sanu (R) of Turkey during their friendly football match in Zagreb, 31 March, 2004. AFP PHOTO HRVOJE POLAN |
Croatia's first choice 'keeper Stipe Pletikosa has been ruled out of the tournament with a torn thigh muscle and his replacement Vladimir Vasilj, veteran of two World Cups, has been called up to the squad.
Meanwhile his place in goal will go to Tomislav Butina of FC Bruges who has 12 international caps while Australian born Joey Didulica of Austria Vienna steps into the number two position.
Vasilj was third choice Croatia 'keeper at France 1998 and Japan-Korea 2002 but never featured in any matches.
Oranje are sweetness and light
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| Dutch coach Dick Advocaat talks to his players during a training session in Albufeira, 10 June 2004 two days before the start of the European Nations championships in Portugal. The Euro 2004 opens with host Portugal playing Greece 12 June. AFP PHOTO FRANCOIS GUILLOT |
The atmosphere in the Dutch camp is blissful claims striker Ruud van Nistelrooy as he denied the team had dissolved into their usual bickering.
"The atmosphere among the team is very good," said Van Nistelrooy who is looking forward to Tuesday's cruncher against Germany.
"The team that scores the first goal will win the match and it is going to be very tough against an opponent we respect," he said.
Coach Dick Advocaat meanwhile has opted for a 4-3-3 formation. "I think this team functions best with players out wide on the flanks. I tried other schemes during the friendlies but playing with two central strikers did not work out so well".
Desailly won't start for France
France coach Jacques Santini said on Saturday that veteran defender Marcel Desailly would not start in Sunday's opener against England at Lisbon's Stadium of Light.
"I discussed the situation with Marcel for several hours and I have to assume the decision I have made. I was very satisfied with Lilian Thuram and Mikael Silvestre in the warm-up against Ukraine," which France won 1-0 to make it ten games without conceding a goal.
The defending champions are also unbeaten in 18 matches but haven't beaten England in a competitive match since 1963.
Trezeguet agrees new deal
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| Juventus' captain Alessandro Del Piero carries his teammate French forward David Trezeguet after his score the first goal, during the second leg semi-final Champions' League soccer match, 14 May 2003 in Turin. AFP PHOTO / PAOLO COCCO |
Juventus have succeeded in convincing David Trezeguet to stay at the club after offering the France international a lucrative four-year package.
The 26-year-old will earn 5.5 million euros annually and makes him one of the club's top earners alongside Alessandro Del Piero, Pavel Nedved and Gianluigi Buffon.
Trezeguet has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Chelsea, however the arrival at the club of new coach Fabio Capello seems to have helped change his mind.
"He (Capello) telephoned me to say he was counting a lot on me, which was good enough for me," Trezeguet said.
Vieri desperate for success
Striker Christian Vieri said Saturday Italy are desperate to make amends for their World Cup embarrassment two years ago by winning Euro 2004.
"We were a strong team in 2002, but luck was not on our side," said the burly marksman.
"However, I feel we have improved a great deal in the last two years and there is a real determination and a desire to do well here.
"None of us have won anything with the national team and that is motivating everybody. We have prepared well and feel we have as good a chance as anyone to do well."
The last time Italy tasted major success was at the 1982 World Cup.