Soccer News
Sweden and Denmark go through, Italy out
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| Denmark's forward Jon Dahl Tomasson (C) celebrates with his teammate midfielder Christian Poulsen (L) in front of Sweden's goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson (R) after his second goal against Sweden, 22 June 2004 during their Euro 2004 football match at the Bessa stadium in Porto. Denmark and Sweden are competing in Group C with Italy and Bulgaria. AFP PHOTO Javier SORIANO |
Sweden won Group C on Tuesday while Denmark finished runners-up after a 2-2 draw that eliminated Italy, who beat Bulgaria 2-1 in vain.
The Danes went in front on 28 minutes when Jon Dahl Tomasson hammered a volley over Andreas Isaksson who was caught of his line.
Sweden hit back just after the break when keeper Thomas Sorensen brought down Henrik Larsson who swiftly got to his feet and smashed home the resulting penalty.
With 24 minutes remaining, Tomasson again put Denmark in front sweeping home a close range shot but Mattias Jonson equalised with time running out to send both teams into the last eight.
Italy's nightmare comes true
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| Italian defender Marco Materazzi (R) vies with Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov, 22 June 2004 at Henriques stadium in Guimaraes, during the Euro 2004 group C football match between Italy and Bulgaria at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Dimitar DILKOFF |
Italy crashed out of Euro 2004 despite beating Bulgaria 2-1 when the other Group C match ended 2-2, a result that saw Sweden and Denmark end up first and second in the group.
Some in the Italian camp had made accusations that Sweden and Denmark may arrange a high scoring draw that would have elimintaed Italy come what may in their own tie.
Bulgaria took the lead after 45 minutes when Martin Petrov converted a penalty. Simone Perrotta equalised after 48 minutes and Antonio Cassano thought he had saved Italy with a 94th minute winner, but Sweden had just equalised at 2-2 in the other match.
Dutch could lack midfield bite
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| Netherlands' midfielder Edgar Davids kicks the ball, 15 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during the Euro 2004 group D football match against Germany at the European Nations championship in Portugal.AFP PHOTO Javier SORIANO |
The Netherlands have suffered a blow on the eve of their must win clash with Latvia as it was revealed midfielder Edgar Davids was in doubt because of a stomach injury.
The Barcelona star - known as the 'Pitbull' suffered the injury during training and underwent treatment on the pitch and then in the dressing room.
John Heitinga is suspended after being sent-off in the 3-2 defeat to the Czech Republic with Michael Reiziger expected to fill in.
Owen confident of ending drought
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| England's Michael Owen gestures as he speaks at a press conference for the European 2004 Nations championships, 08 June 2004 near Lisbon. David Beckham returned to training with England today but fears John Terry could be ruled out of the Euro 2004 opener against France mounted as the Chelsea defender was forced to miss the squad's first workout in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Paul Barker |
Michael Owen is confident he is getting closer to ending his Euro 2004 goal drought.
"It bothers me when I don't score. There is always something missing when you win a game and you haven't scored but if you don't feel that way then you will never reach the top.
"Half of me is overjoyed that we're through to the quarter-finals but five per cent of me is disappointed I haven't scored as well.
"I like to have the responsibility of scoring goals and I haven't done that yet. My all-round game is improving and the bigger the game the more I relish it."
Don't have nightmares says Greece coach
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| Greece's coach, German Otto Rehhagel (L) gives advices to his players during a training session at the Rio Ave stadium, in Vila Do Conde, 10 June 2004, two days before the opening ceremony of the European Nations Championship. Greece will face Portugal in the Euro 2004 opening game. |
Greece coach Otto Rehhagel has made a simple plea to his underdogs ahead of their quarter-final against holders France on Friday.
Don't have nightmares against some of the best players in the world.
"Don't be frightened if you see Thierry Henry in your dreams," smiled the 65-year-old.
"We are really looking forward to it. You'd surely have to stump up a million dollars normally for the experience of taking on the best players in the world,"
"Now we are playing a side whose players have won everything and the expectations are with them," he added.
Bitter Celestini bids farewell
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| Swiss midfielder Fabio Celestini listens to journalists' questions during a press conference in Praia del Rey 22 June 2004 during the 2004 European Nations championship. France meet the tournament's surprise packages Greece on Friday after finishing top of Group B with another late win, this time over outsiders Switzerland, but the 3-1 victory came at a potentially heavy price. AFP PHOTO JOHN MACDOUGALL |
Swiss midfielder Fabio Celestini bid a bitter farewell to international football on Tuesday aiming a broadside at coach Jakob Kuhn.
The Marseille midfielder joined veterans Jorg Stiel and Stephane Chapuisat in calling it a day following their exit from Euro 2004.
"I need to be a leader and to have responsibilities," said Celestini.
"I don't see myself having the chance in this team and prefer to leave with the nice memories I have, although Kuhn can call me if he is in urgent need of help," added Celestini.
Fracture ends Sagnol's Euro
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France right-back Willy Sagnol has a fractured wrist and will play no further part at Euro 2004.
The Bayern Munich defender, 27, broke the same wrist in March while playing for his club and suffered a new break on Monday during France's 3-1 win over Switzerland.
Sagnol was substituted at half-time because of the injury and his replacement Willian Gallas also left the pitch injured, leaving France with only Lillian Thuram to fill the space on the right.
Brazil coach bets on Portugal
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| Brazil's coach Carlos Alberto Parreira (R) talks to Edimilson during a training session at the Mineirao stadium in Belho Horizonte 01 June 2004. Brazil will face 02 June Argentina for the World Cup Germany 2006 Southamerican Qualifying Round. AFP PHOTO/ORLANDO KISSNER |
They already had one Brazilian coach on their side in Luiz Scolari now Portugal have found support from Carlos Alberto Parreira, the current man in the hot seat with the World Champions.
"The Portuguese have the home advantage and are getting slowly but surely better as the tournament progresses. The whole country is mobilising behind them and that can only motivate the players," said Parreira, who took over from Scolari as Brazil coach in 2002.
Cole vows to stop Ronaldo
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| England's defender Ashley Cole answers journalist' questions during a press conference 08 June 2004 in Lisbon ahead of the 2004 European Nations Championship. England will play against France 13 June. AFP Photo Paul Barker |
Defender Ashley Cole has spiced up the build-up to England's quarter-final clash with Portugal by claiming tough tackles are the way to stop Cristiano Ronaldo.
"He looks to be playing with a lot of confidence," Cole admitted.
"But I'm looking forward to it. Last season they gave him the ball in the first 10 minutes, he did his tricks and I slipped over a few times. After that, though, I gave him a hard tackle and he was gone, to be honest.
"He's difficult to mark because he can go inside, outside. You don't want to be too close to him because he will do a stepover and go past you.
England wounded vow to be ready
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| England captain David Beckham (C) takes a free kick, 21 June 2004 during their European Nations football championships match against Croatia at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. Croatia and England are competing in Group B with France and Switzerland. AFP PHOTO PAUL BARKER |
Chelsea centre-back John Terry has vowed to be fit for England's quarter-final against Portugal on Thursday, despite limping off the pitch at the end of the 4-2 win over Croatia.
"It was just that my knee locked up when I went for a header and I landed on one foot. It's all okay -- definitely."
England captain David Beckham also suffered an injury: "I got a kick on my ankle but it shouldn't be a problem for the game," he said.
"It is unfortunate we have just got two days to recover for the next game but we've got to do it."