Soccer News
Czech's fight back to beat Holland
The Czech Republic qualified for the quarter-finals after overhauling a 2-0 defecit to beat Holland 3-2 in Group D on Saturday in a thrilling match at Aveiro.
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| Netherlands' goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar (L) holds the ball in front of Czech Republic's forward Jan Koller, 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE |
Unmarked Wilfred Bouma headed home an Arjen Robben free-kick after just 4 minutes and Ruud van Nistelrooy added a second in the 19th minute.
Jan Koller soon pulled one back after Milan Barros dribbled past two defenders.
With twenty minutes remaining a Barros wonder goal, which he controlled on his chest and volleyed home, levelled the scores at 2-2 before his Liverpool teammate Vladimir Smicer scored the winner in the 88th minute.
History made easy for Latvia
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| Latvian coach Aleksandrs Starkovs celebrates after his team held Germany to a 0-0 draw, 19 June 2004 after their European Nations Championship football match at Bessa stadium in Porto. Latvia and Germany are competing in Group D with the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. |
Latvia coach Alexsandrs Starkovs said Germany's lack of creativity led to their their first ever Euro finals point in the 0-0 draw on Saturday that kept their quarter-final qualification alive.
"It is a historical point for our team," enthused Starkovs. "It is great for the country and our followers there." Some 3,000 Latvians were watching in Porto.
"It was easier playing against Germany than the Czechs as the Germans were one dimensional."
Latvia can make the last by beating the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Latvia hold Germany to 0-0 draw
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| Germany's defender Christian Worns (L) controls the ball by Latvian midfielder Maris Verpakovskis, 19 June 2004 during their European Nations football championships match at Bessa stadium in Porto. Latvia and Germany are competing in Group D with the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. AFP PHOTO ADRIAN DENNIS |
Germany suffered a major blow to their chances of reaching the quarter-finals when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Latvia in Group D action on Saturday.
In a match of few chances, Rudi Voller's side struggled to break down the packed Latvia defence and must now force a result in their last match against the Czech Republic who play Holland later Saturday.
Latvia could even have stolen a shock upset if English referee Mike Riley had awarded a penalty when Maris Verpakovskis was bundled over in the box when he was on the verge of breaking clear.
The German team are now likely to come in for a blast from media and fans back home after what must be described as a disastrous result.
We were too cautious says Voller
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| Germany's coach Rudi Voller shouts at his team, 19 June 2004 during their European Nations football championships match against Latvia at Bessa stadium in Porto. Latvia and Germany are competing in Group D with the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. |
German coach Rudi Voller refused to savage his team despite a 0-0 draw with Latvia on Saturday that left their Euro 2004 future in the balance.
"We knew it would be hard, but I can't criticise the team," said Voller, who guided Germany to the 2002 World Cup final.
"We were perhaps a little cautious. And when you don't have shots at goal, you can't win games. Latvia had chances too so we had a bit of luck," he said.
Germany need to beat the Czech Republic in their last match on Wednesday to make the quarter-finals.
Lampard dreaming of Gerrard reunion
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| England's midfielder Steven Gerrard (R) jubilates after his goal next to Switzerland's midfielder Christoph Spycher, 17 June 2004 at Coimbra's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group B football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. England won 3-0. AFP PHOTO Aris MESSINIS |
Frank Lampard hopes to be seeing a lot more of his England midfield partner Steven Gerrard next season -- and not just on international duty.
"Steven Gerrard is a fantastic player," Lampard said. "We know that Chelsea are in for a lot of fantastic players. He's another one we're in for. Any players that strengthen our squad and team will be welcome."
Gerrard is top of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's summer shopping list, Lampard added.
Both players have been on the mark at Euro 2004 after just two games.
Spain want Portugal's scalp
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| Spanish coach Inaki Saez talks during a press conference in Vilamoura, 11 June 2004 on the eve of the 2004 European Nations championships in Portugal. The Euro 2004 opens with host Portugal playing Greece 12 June. AFP PHOTO FRANCOIS GUILLOT |
Despite only needing a draw with Portugal to make the quarter-finals on Sunday, Spain and their coach Inaki Saez will be going all out for the win that would eliminate their neighbours.
"The squad are convinced they can win. They know that to win over the Spanish public they must win as well as reach the quarters, " Said Saez.
"Spain doesn't know how to go for a draw anyway. We will go all out for a win."
Portugal need a win from their final Group A tie Sunday to make the quarters while the Greeks will definitely book a berth as long as they avoid defeat to the Russians.
Bitter memories drive Beckham
David Beckham believes bitter memories of England's first round exit at Euro 2000 will fire his side into the knockout stages of this tournament.
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| England captain David Beckham warms up 19 June 2004 during the team's training session at the Estadio Nacional, Lisbon Portugal in preparation for their next match against Croatia in the Euro 2004 Football Tournamnent 21 June. AFP PHOTO Paul BARKER |
"We have been in this position before. At the last championships we beat Germany and ended up losing to Romania, so we are definitely not taking Croatia lightly.
"We know if we make mistakes we are out of the tournament and we know this Croatia team can hurt us."
Frank Lampard added: "I think we know what we are up against and we will have to be at our best. We know what is on the line. If we get a result against Croatia we are three games away from winning the tournament.
"It's war" warns 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 |
Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has angered the Spanish press by refusing to speak to them ahead of the showdown against Spain on Sunday.
Scolari sent a Spanish journalist packing when they asked for his thoughts on the game which will decide which team progresses to the last eight.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not talking to the Spanish press. It's a war and in wars it's better to kill than to be killed," said the Brazilian.
"You are Spanish and I am with Portugal. Let's keep it that way. Anything I say to you could be turned into something different. It's best that we do not talk at all," he added.
Trapattoni rejects criticism
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| Italy's coach Giovanni Trapattoni takes his face in his hands during a press conference following a training session in Lisbon 19 June 2004. Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni, fighting for his job with his side's Euro 2004 hopes hanging by a thread after his side's failure to beat Sweden, on Saturday rejected criticism of his tactics and said the Azzurri would reach the quarter-finals. Successive draw with Denmark and the Swedes mean the Italians are potentially facing a first-round exit even if they beat Bulgaria in their final group match on Tuesday in Guimaraes. AFP PHOTO/ Vincenzo PINTO |
Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni's job hangs by a thread after his side's failure to beat Sweden meaning they must now beat Bulgaria and hope there is a winner between Denmark and Sweden on Tuesday although a low scoring draw might still be enough.
"It is easy to sack the coach because the people who you need most are the players," said the 64-year-old.
"But I am an optimistic person by nature. For me the glass is always half
full. I believe and hope they will play a normal game because they are neighbours and normally neighbours want to beat each other".
Sweden keeper Isaksson to join Rennes
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Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson may be on the move from Djurgaarden to French first divsion outfit Rennes, the club announced Saturday.
Rennes reached an agreeement with the Swedish club on Friday afternoon according to the French club's general manager Pierre Dreossi.
The player said in Porto he had yet to sign but hoped all would go ahead without hitch while Swedish daily newspaper Expressen reported the fee was 1.7 million euros.
The 22-year-old Isaksson, would replaces Czech international keeper Petr Cech who moved to Chelsea, and would join international midfield teammate Kim Kallstrom at the Brittany club.