The Observers

The Observers predicted a Spanish triumph

Emmanuel F24 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:58:46 +0200

When answering a questionnaire before the competition, the Observers predicted Spain would win the Euro 2008. 60% of them named at least one finalist. History proved them right. Here are their comments before the opening game.

The best of Euro 2008

Emmanuel F24 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:12:27 +0200

The Euro 2008 in 10 pictures. From England's absence to Spain's first victory since 1964, Franck Ribery's injury and France's disqualification, this championship had its moments. Here's our pick of the best.

Spain crowned European champion

Emmanuel F24 — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:07:13 +0200

Spain has won the Euro 2008 championship in Vienna, beating three-time champions Germany 1-0 in the final with a Fernando Torres goal. The team last won the championship in 1964. Luis Aragones became the only professional to have won an European cup as player and manager.

Scintillating Spain set for final showdown

Nandita F24 — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:01:18 +0200

Spain qualified for the finals of the 2008 European Championship for the first time in 24 years after beating Russia 3-0. They meet Germany in Vienna on June 29 for the finals. Spanish striker David Villa is most likely to miss Sunday's match because of a thigh injury.

Germany pip brave Turks to reach final

Marc F24 — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:39:36 +0200

Germany qualified for the Euro 2008 final after a late goal by Philipp Lahm sealed a thrilling 3-2 win over underdogs Turkey. Despite controlling vast swathes of the game, the injury-wrecked Turkish side proved unable to stage yet another upset.

Germany: nags or subtle tacticians?

Marc F24 — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:50:16 +0200

Is the German team a bunch of nags, or a group of subtle tacticians? This is the question we put to our Observers and former French international players Manuel Amoros and Bernard Bosquier, before comparing their point of view with that of Rainer Bonhof, the former German international player and coach.

A game of belief

Marc F24 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:22:57 +0200

With just 14 available players for Wednesday’s semi-final clash, Turkey manager Fatih Terim has precious few options as he picks his team to face Germany. Having held off the Czechs and Turks to claim a surprise place in the last four, will a desperately stretched Turkish side manage to defy ill-luck? Or will the repeated injuries and suspensions dent Turkey’s team spirit and belief?

Return of the Spaniards

Nicolas F24 — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:50:46 +0200

It has been such a long time since Spain reached the semi-finals of the European Nations Championship. That last time was back in 1984. The tournament took place in France and Spain beat Denmark to get to the finals, where they lost against Michel Platini's Bleus.

Sunday's victory against Italy marks the return of the Spanish in the semi finals and lifts a 24-year-old curse that weighed heavily on an entire nation.

Spain set to test Azzurri defence

Nandita F24 — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:40:01 +0200

Spain faces world champions Italy in the tournament's last quarter-final showdown with its dangerous duo of David Villa and Fernando Torres.

The Spanish side have never beaten the Italians in a major tournament outside the Olympics.

While Spanish coach Luis Aragone's team have won all three matches in their group, Italy have dropped down into the last eight. They lost 3-0 to the Dutch in their first group match and scraped a 1-1 draw with Romania before beating 10-man France 2-0.

This evening's winner will face Russia in Wednesday's semi-final match.

Hiddink's Russian heroes send the Dutch packing

Nandita F24 — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 08:09:29 +0200

Russian fans celebrated all through the night after a breathtaking 3-1 victory over the Netherlands. The Dutch, who sailed through the so-called "Group of Death", were battered by Russia when Dmitri Torbinsky and Andrei Arshavin scored two goals during extra-time, sealing their spot in the tournament's semi-final for the first time in history.

Russian fans celebrate all night long

Video posted by polikvilkin on June 21, 2008

"Basel has turned Oranje"

Nandita F24 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 08:25:09 +0200

Today the city of Basel turned orange - or perhaps that should be 'Orenje' - as the most dedicated Dutch fans turned up a day early for their quarter final against Russia.

Well, why spend a couple of hours watching football when you can turn it into a whole weekend? I haven't seen any Russian fans yet, but I know they will make themselves felt once they're here. On previous form at this tournament Holland have to be favourites, but thats probably what people thought about Croatia.

As I went for a very early morning walk, I was hoping to hear birds singing, the wind playing carelessly with the grass in my local park, and perhaps a coffee brewing in my favourite cafe.

Barely had I stepped out of the door that the sound of car horns, trumpets and that tinny sound of car stereos turned up to maximum volume filled the normally peaceful suburban Basel air. Let me explain. I dont live in the centre of town, and I dont live next to the stadium. So why would hundreds of football fans have congregated a hundred metres from my house?

It turns out this is where the numerous coaches making their way from the Netherlands to Basel are dropping off their passengers. The Basel-bound fans have been arriving since the middle of the night, and thats why quite a few had brought blankets to sleep in the first available area they found - my local park. An interruption to my morning walk would normally make me grumpy, but these Dutch fans are in such high spirits its really infectious. I still havent seen any Russian fans though."

Back from the dead, Turkey wins shootout to grab semis

Marc F24 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:02:32 +0200

Turkey qualified for the Euro semi-finals for the first time in their history thanks to a victory on penalties against Croatia. The victory came after a dramatic extra-time period following a goalless draw in which Croatia thought they had snatched a late winner, only for Turkey to equalize with the last kick of the game.

"Germany hasn't shown its true face yet"

Julien — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:19:17 +0200

After a convincing game against Poland, the Germans have shown difficulties in their battles against Croatia and Austria. They nonetheless qualified for the semi-finals, beating Portugal 3-2. Rainer Bonhof, former national player, shares his point of view about the role of Mannschaft's captain Michael Ballack, the failure of striker Gomez and the poor referee decisions made in this tournament.

Referees in the spotlight

Emmanuel F24 — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:16:53 +0200

The referee is always wrong. The man in black is always the target of the losers, but never of the winners.

During France’s fateful last game, Slovakian Lubon Michels was heavily criticized. After Ribery’s injury, the other turning point of the game occurred when Michels sent off Abidal and awarded Italy a penalty. Was he fair? Yes, the rule is clear: Abidal was the last defender and prevented the striker from scoring. The sanction was justified.

Could he consider the consequence of such a momentous decision for the rest of the game? Clearly, the answer to that question depends on which side you are.

Our British Observer and amateur referee Chris Bullock analyses refereeing decisions so far. For him, there is no doubt: the referee is always right.

"You could only appreciate the way our team played yesterday"

Emmanuel F24 — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:58:18 +0200

Russia qualified for the quarter finals by finishing second in Group D thanks to a 2-0 win over Sweden. They will face the Netherlands in the next round. Yuri Semin, actual Dynamo Kiev manager and former Russian selection coach gives his impression.