Continuity key to German success
June 24, 2008 at 10:02 am | Posted in Germany | 3 CommentsTags: Azzurri, Germany, Joachim Low, Jurgen Klinsmann, Torsten Frings
Joachim Löw believes it speaks volumes for the “continuity and good work” of German football that the Mannschaft are the only team to reach the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2008™ having done likewise at the FIFA World Cup two years ago.
‘Very special’
Four European countries contested those last-four ties – Germany falling to eventual winners Italy and France defeating Portugal – yet only the ever-reliable Germans are still in contention here. Les Bleus failed even to progress from their group while the Azzurri lost their quarter-final to Spain and Portugal were beaten by Germany. Löw, a wily deputy to Jürgen Klinsmann in 2006, said: “For a coach, it is something very special to be in a semi-final with your team. You don’t experience this every day. We are the only side from the semi-finals in 2006 to have reached the semis here. That speaks for continuity and good work.”
Spain rematch a side issue for Semak
June 24, 2008 at 9:59 am | Posted in Russia, Spain | Leave a commentTags: Aleksandr Anyukov, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Guus Hiddink, Russia, Sergie Semak, Spain
“I don’t want revenge, I just want to win,” Russia captain Sergei Semak told euro2008.com ahead of Thursday’s rematch with Spain.
Reversal of fortune
Russia lost their opening UEFA EURO 2008™ Group D game 4-1 to Spain but victories against Greece, Sweden and, in quarter-final extra time, the Netherlands have taken Guus Hiddink’s side to the last four, where they will face their first opponents again in Vienna. However, if thoughts of avenging their Innsbruck reverse preyed on the Russia players’ minds when they watched Sunday’s quarter-final, Semak stated: “It’s not that important whether it was Spain or Italy, the most important thing is that it’s a semi-final.”
‘We are in the final whoever wins’
June 24, 2008 at 9:57 am | Posted in Germany, Turkey | 3 CommentsTags: Arne Friedrich, Association of Turkish Communities, Fan Mile, Fatih Terim, Germany, Hakan Balta, Hamit Altintop, Mehmet Scholl, Michael Wirtz. Kenan Kolat, Nuri Sahin, Sepp Pontiek, Turkey
Germany v Turkey may not appear a local derby, but in a way that is exactly what Wednesday’s UEFA EURO 2008™ semi-final in Basel resembles.
Strong ties
Around seven million foreign citizens live in Germany, and two million of them are Turkish, with 400,000 others having similar roots. In the 1960s the booming West German economy produced a labour shortage, prompting a stream of Turkish arrivals. In reverse, four million German tourists flock to Turkish beaches annually. Ties are strong between the two countries, but the relationship has not always been easy between communities, as is often the case with mass immigration. Things have changed for the better though in recent years. Third and fourth-generation Turkish-Germans have founded successful companies in their new home country, creating jobs and making an important contribution to the gross national product. Integration is now strong.
Volkan Demirel appeal rejected
June 24, 2008 at 9:51 am | Posted in Turkey | 4 CommentsTags: TFF, Turkey, Turkish Football Association, UEFA Appeals Body, UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body, volkan demirel
The UEFA Appeals Body has rejected the appeal made by the Turkish Football Association (TFF) following the Control and Disciplinary Body’s decision to ban goalkeeper Volkan Demirel for two matches for his red card against the Czech Republic.
Decision upheld
Consequently the decision of UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary Body is upheld, and with Volkan Demirel having already served one part of the two-match ban during Turkey’s quarter-final against Croatia, he will complete the suspension in Wednesday’s UEFA EURO 2008™ semi-final against Germany. Turkey’s first-choice goalkeeper at the finals, he was sent off late in his team’s third Group A game, against the Czech Republic on 15 June.
Turkish FA fine
The Appeals Body also upheld the fine imposed on the TFF, amounting to CHF44,000 (€27,000), for crowd disturbances and the improper conduct of the team and officials.
Rosetti ‘delighted’ to referee final
June 24, 2008 at 9:46 am | Posted in Uncategorized | 2 CommentsTags: Alessandro Griselli, Frank De Bleeckere, Massimo Busacca, Paolo Calcagno, Peter Frojdfelt, Roberto Rosetti
Having taken charge of the opening game of UEFA EURO 2008™, Italian referee Roberto Rosetti will also bring the tournament to a close after being appointed for Sunday’s final at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna.
Semi-final appointments
As well as Switzerland’s opening loss to the Czech Republic, the 40-year-old was in the middle for the quarter-final between Turkey and Croatia. He will be accompanied by compatriots and assistants Alessandro Griselli and Paolo Calcagno for the final, with Swedish referee Peter Fröjdfelt acting as fourth official. Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Massimo Busacca will take charge of the semi-final between Turkey and Germany in Basel on Wednesday, while Belgian Frank De Bleeckere has been chosen for Thursday’s other last-four meeting between Russia and Spain in Vienna.
Blog at WordPress.com. | Theme: Pool by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.
