Zidane’s expert eye on EURO
June 24, 2008 at 9:30 am | In France | Leave a CommentTags: Arshavin, France, Zinedine Zidane
He is watching a tournament for the first time since 1994 and former French international Zinédine Zidane is thoroughly enjoying UEFA EURO 2008™, although he freely admits to not having the first idea who will win.
‘Fan’s eyes’
“It’s been a wonderful tournament with fantastic matches,” Zidane, 36 today and who retired two years ago following his side’s defeat by Italy in the FIFA World Cup final, told euro2008.com. “I’ve really enjoyed watching the games. It’s the first tournament for a while in which I’ve not played so I have been following it from the outside and enjoying it with my family. I look with a fan’s eyes and I really enjoy watching these games because they are top-level matches.”
Fàbregas happy to answer country’s call
June 24, 2008 at 9:27 am | In Spain | Leave a CommentTags: Arsene Wenger, Catalan, Cesc Fabregas, Gianluigi Buffon, Luis Aragones, Spain
As Cesc Fàbregas walked up to face Gianluigi Buffon – and strike the penalty that would put Spain into their first senior semi-final for 24 years – what was running through his head was the fact he had not taken a proper spot-kick since he was 15.
Mental obstacle
If only Buffon had known. Eventually the ball went one way and Italy’s goalkeeper the other. Spain had defeated the world champions and rid themselves of many of their notorious mental obstacles to success. But that was not the whole story, not by a long way. Firstly, the midfielder almost missed. “It’s true this was the first senior competitive penalty of my career,” he grinned. “But when I practise, I have a tendency to put it to the keeper’s left. However, this time, and I don’t know why, I just hesitated a split-second longer than usual before pulling the trigger and I sensed Buffon moving to his left. I changed my mind, struck it to his right and the fact he’d just moved, momentarily, did the job. I just wanted to score, to finish them off. Life sometimes presents you with the challenge of your country needing you and that was mine.”
Mertesacker aims to go one better
June 24, 2008 at 9:25 am | In Germany | 1 CommentTags: Christoph Metzelder, Germany, Joachim Low, Torsten Frings, Turkey
Germany centre-back Per Mertesacker is eager to ensure his second appearance in a national-team semi-final is a successful one. Joachim Löw’s side must navigate a potentially hazardous last-four encounter with a Turkey team whose resilience has become their trademark at UEFA EURO 2008™.
Final destination
“I have now played 47 internationals and the match on Wednesday will be my second appearance in the semi-finals of a major tournament,” the 23-year-old Werder Bremen defender said. “Unfortunately, we were defeated by Italy at this stage in the 2006 [FIFA] World Cup. But this time, I definitely want to reach the final. And as part of the defence, I can play a very important role in that. I want my performance on Wednesday to justify my place in the starting eleven.”
Hamit up for final challenge
June 21, 2008 at 12:14 am | In Turkey | Leave a CommentTags: Hamit Altintop, Turkey
Hamit Altıntop is looking further forward than a semi-final reunion with a number of his FC Bayern Munchen team-mates after helping Turkey defeat Croatia in an epic last-eight tie in Vienna. “If we believe in ourselves we can win the tournament,” said the Carlsberg Man of the Match award winner.
Winning penalty
The midfielder covered more ground than any other player – 14.21kms – and came into his own in an unfamiliar role as Turkey’s playmaker following the 76th-minute substitution of Mehmet Topal for Semih Şentürk. Semih went on to rifle in a last-second equaliser after Ivan Klasnić had scored 29 into minutes into extra time for the Croatians, leading to a shoot-out which the team in red won 3-1. Hamit, who drilled in Turkey’s third penalty, said: “We played well as a team and reaching the semi-final is the important thing. It’s vital to be cold-blooded in shoot-outs – you mustn’t show nervousness in football. If we carry on this way, and believe in ourselves, we can win the tournament.”
Turkey triumph in Vienna shoot-out
June 21, 2008 at 12:12 am | In Croatia, Turkey | 4 CommentsTags: Arda Turan, Croatia, Emre Asik, Fatih Terim, Hamit Altintop, Ivan Klasnic, Luka Modric, Mehmet Aurelio, Mehmet Topal, Robert Kovac, Rustu Recber, Semih Senturk, Slaven Bilic, Tuncay Sanli, Turkey, volkan demirel
Turkey are through to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Championship for the first time at Croatia’s expense after a thrilling match in Vienna was decided on penalties after the two sides had swapped goals in the final moments of extra time.
Sensational comeback
When Ivan Klasnić headed in Luka Modrić’s cross with a minute of the overtime period to play, Croatia looked to have booked their place in Wednesday’s semi-final against Germany. However, for the third game running, Turkey sensationally hit back at the death to force the first shoot-out of these finals when Semih Şentürk drove in, with the aid of a deflection, from just inside the area. They went on to win 3-1 on penalties after Rüştü Reçber saved Mladen Petrić’s kick following earlier misses from Modrić and Ivan Rakitić. Turkey coach Fatih Terim, though, will struggle to get a team together to play Germany with Emre Aşık, Tuncay Şanlı and Arda Turan all suspended along with Volkan Demirel after being booked here.
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