Soccer News
Relief for Portugal in 2-0 win
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| Portugal's forward Luís Figo (L) fights for the ball with Russian defender Vadim Evseev, 16 June 2004 during their European Nations Championship football match at the Da Luz stadium in Lisbon. Portugal and Russia are competing in Group A with Spain and Greece. |
Porto marksman Maniche swept home an opportunist goal on 7 minutes and Rui Costa sealed the points with time running out to ease Portugal towards a 2-0 win over Russia on Wednesday.
The result reignites the host nations' chances of reaching the quarter-finals while Russia are the first team to be eliminated.
The visitors compounded their misery of conceding an early goal by having goalkeeper Sergei Ovhinnikov sent off for handling outside the box on the stroke of half-time.
Rui Costa wrapped up the points in the dying seconds after some fine build-up play from substitute Cristiano Ronaldo clipping home a cross from the Manchester United winger.
History can wait for Rooney
Wayne Rooney has insisted that writing another piece of history will mean nothing to him if England crash out of Euro 2004 on Thursday.
The 18-year-old, already the youngest player to play and score for England, can become the youngest player from any country to score in a European Championship finals if he finds the net against Switzerland.
"Obviously looking back in years to come it will be a big thing or whatever but I just want to go and win the game with England and not really concentrate on that one thing," Rooney said.
"I just want to win the game, I don't care who scores."
Greece force draw with Spain
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| Spain's striker Fernando Morientes (R) celebrates, 16 June 2004 at Bessa stadium in Porto, after scoring the opening goal during his team's Euro 2004 Group A football match against Greece at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Dimitar DILKOFF |
The searing heat of a Porto afternoon did nothing to hinder a blood and thunder 1-1 draw between Greece and Spain on Wednesday to set Group A up for a thrilling finale.
The two sides now have four points each, while pointless Portugal and Russia meet later.
Fernando Morientes read a Raul back-heel well before hammering a shot into the far right corner to give Spain a deserved 1-0 lead after 28 minutes.
But Greece were all business after the break and Angelos Charistaes fired the ball between Iker Casillas' legs to draw level to cap a 20 minute period of domination.
Desailly hints at Croatia role
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| French defender Marcel Desailly answers journalists' questions during a press conference, 16 June 2004 in Leiria during the European Nations championship. France will play against Croatia 17 June. AFP PHOTO FRANCK FIFE |
France's most-capped player Marcel Desailly has hinted that he may return to the side for the reigning champions' Group B match against Croatia on Thursday.
"Yes, I know whether I am playing or not. It's not the most important thing, but it's more yes than no... but it could be no too.
"I'm feeling very good. I was injured and I've come back progressively. I'm not 26 any more, it takes me a little more time to come back.
"But I'm 100 percent again. If I'm chosen, I will be able to play,"
Midfielder Claude Makelele however remains a doubt with a shoulder problem.
Trapattoni under pressure
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| Italy's coach Giovanni Trapattoni is seen as he answers journalists' questions during a news conference following a training session at the Restelo stadium in Lisbon 15 June 2004. Italy had a 0-0 draw in the first EURO 2004 match against Denmark in Guimaraes 14 June 2004. AFP PHOTO/ Vincenzo PINTO |
The president of the Italian Football Federation Franco Carraro has given a vote of confidence to his national coach Giovanni Trapattoni despite their toothless 0-0 draw with Denmark at Guimaraes on Monday.
"This result has sparked debate but I have full confidence in Mr Trapattoni. If things turn sour we'll talk about it at the federal council June 25 in Rome," he said, before adding the meeting would be cancelled should Italy qualify for the quarter-finals.
Scholes returns to training
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| England midfielder Paul Scholes (R) dribbles past French defender William Gallas, 13 June 2004 during their opening match at the European Nations football championships at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. France and England are competing in Group B with Switzerland and Croatia. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS |
Paul Scholes resumed training on Wednesday, raising hopes he will be ready to play in England's crucial clash with Switzerland.
The 28-year-old, who had been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury in the 2-1 defeat by France on Sunday, joined his team-mates for a session in the Coimbra stadium that gave them a taste of the searing heat in which Thursday's match, which kicks off at 5pm, is set to be played.
If Scholes suffers no reaction, England are expected to make only one change to the side that started against France, fit-again centre-back John Terry returning at the expense of Ledley King.
Berbatov ready to make amends
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| Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov plays with the ball during a team's training session at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, 13 June 2004, a day before their match against Sweden. Bulgaria plays in the group C of the Euro 2004 with Denmark and Italy and Sweden. AFP PHOTO DIMITAR DILKOFF |
Striker Dimitar Berbatov wants to draw a line under Bulgaria's terrible start by getting on the scoresheet against Denmark on Friday.
"I don't know what happened against Sweden, but if we play like that again Denmark will definitely win," said Berbatov of the 5-0 thrashing.
"We're big outsiders. I saw Denmark's game against Italy, they're very good and should win. But the team is ready to move on and foget that. We've got good players and know we want to show the real Bulgaria. I know my quality and I know the quality of my team.
"I want to score on Friday, I didn't get enough support in the last match."
Totti on spit charge
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| Italian player Francesco Totti controls the ball during the friendly football match against Portugal in Braga, northern Portugal, 31 March 2004. AFP Photo / Miguel RIOPA |
Italian football's goldenboy Francesco Totti faces landing up in hot water with UEFA after Danish broadcaster DR1 showed him appearing to spit at Danish opponent Christian Poulsen in their countries' goalless draw on Monday.
"We are looking at the video evidence," a UEFA spokesman said, adding the body would then decide if its disciplinary committee should consider taking action against Totti, whose skill is matched by a fragile temperament.
This was displayed at the 2002 World Cup when he was sent off in the second round defeat against South Korea for diving.
Ballack and Germany back on song
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| Germany's midfielder Michael Ballack (L) and Netherlands' midfielder Edgar Davids run for the ball, 15 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE |
Michael Ballack inspired Germany to the 2002 World Cup final after a great season at Bayer Leverkusen but heading into the Euro 2004 he was out of form at Bayern Munich.
However, on Tuesday night he was again in inspirational form as Germany once more put on a big stage performance in the 1-1 Group D draw with the Netherlands after two bad freindly losses last month.
"It is nice to be named man of the match but I would have preferred the three points," said Ballack, linked with a move to Barcelona after the Euro.
"But I can not explain this tournament team phenomenon."
Pele encourages Scolari
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| Portuguese football team coach Luiz Felipe Scolari gestures at a press conference after his team's training session at the Academia Sporting, near Lisbon, in preparation for the European 2004 Nations championship, 08 June 2004. Scolari had to reassure the president of the Portuguese football federation (FPF) today that he wanted to stay on in the post of coach till the 2006 World Cup. However Gilberto Madail expressed his frustration that Scolari's agent had evoked the possibility of his client - whose present contract runs till July 31 this year - returning to club football just four days away from Portugal opening their Euro 2004 campaign against Greece. AFP PHOTO / Lluis Gene |
Luiz Felipe Scolari can still lead Portugal's national team to glory in the Euro 2004 finals, despite a shock loss to unfancied Greece over the weekend, Brazil's football legend Pele said on Wednesday.
"Scolari gave much joy to the Brazilian people and he still can do the same for Portugal. But for this to happen the players must give their all on the pitch," he told top-selling Portuguese daily Correio da Manha.
Scolari led his native Brazil to a record fifth world title in 2002 in Japan, winning all seven World Cup matches in the process.