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Euro 2008...OOTP Style!

wisla_krakow

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wisla_krakow

wisla_krakow

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Russia vs Spain - Group C - Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Wien - Tuesday 10th June 2008

Valquez: "Welcome back, and today we have two games from Group C, known to most fans as the "Group of Death". First up, it's Russia vs Spain. A difficult draw for Russia here Bunsen, could they get through?"

Honeydew: "Russia normally could have a chance of qualifying, but with the sides in their groups, it's going to be near impossible for them to do that. Spain, on the other hand, could finally show the world how good they can be, and it'll be an exciting game."

Valquez: "Hopefully it will, but before we start lets look at the teams, first Russia:

Russia: Akinfeev; Ignashevich, V Berezutskiy, A Berezutskiy; Saenko, Biyaletdinov, Zhirkov; Arshavin; Pavlyuchenko, Pogrebnyak, Sychev

Russia line-up with a 3-4-1-3 formation, quite agressive against a side like Spain. Arshavin plays behind the strikers, who are missing Kerzhakov, who is banned. Spain have gone for this team:

Spain: Reina; Ramos, Lopez, Puyol, Albiol; Joaquin, Silva, Fabregas, Iniesta; Torres, Villa

Spain opt for a basic 4-4-2, with Torres and Villa upfront, this partnership could reap goals. Now, onto the action!"

KICK OFF

2 mins:

Valquez: "Puyol heads the long ball clear to Iniesta...who passes onto Villa in the Russia half, back to Iniesta, square to Lopez and forward to Silva...he runs down the wing and lifts in a high cross...which Torres gets his head on! It loops up into the air...and drops into the net! TORRES SCORES FOR SPAIN!! A great header by the Liverpool striker, and they have an early lead against the Russians, 1-0!"

Honeydew: "Good move by Spain, Silva providing the run down the wing and a great cross that Torres could get his head on. Keep this up at this rate and there could be a few goals today!"

6 mins:

SUBSTITUTION (Spain): David Villa OFF Raul ON (injury)

16 mins:

SUBSTITUTION (Spain: Silva OFF Vicente ON (injury)

Valquez: "Joaquin puts in the corner in...but it's headed away...to Puyol who lays it forward to Joaquin once again, crossed to the head of Raul! Cleared away as far as Iniesta, who gives it to Torres just 8 yards out...and he slides the ball in! TORRES SCORES FOR SPAIN!! His second of the match! They kept persisting with the attack and they got a goal to reward their efforts, 2-0!"

Honeydew: "Another great move by Spain, they just kept going at Russia until they broke through, and Torres is on course for a hat-trick!"

HALF TIME: RUSSIA 0-2 SPAIN

Valquez: "Spain have the lead at half-time, but Russia have had chances, haven't they Bunsen?"

Honeydew: "They have, Russia have even created more shots and more on target, but to no avail, Reina and the Spanish defence are having a good game, and Torres is doing well up front with two goals already."

SECOND HALF

51 mins:

Valquez: "Vincente throws it long towards Torres...he turns on the ball to gain a bit of space, and curls a shot at goal! What a goal! TORRES SCORES FOR SPAIN!! A fine finish from just inside the box, he turned brilliantly and used it to curl one into the bottom right hand corner, and he's got his hat-trick! 3-0."

Honeydew: "Congratulations Mr. Torres, he's been on fine form today and gets himself a hat-trick thanks to several assists, it's important to note that it's not just one player assisting their chances, but several."

58 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Cesc Fabregas (Spain) is booked for a trip on Dimitri Sychev (Russia).

Valquez: "Saenko takes the corner for Russia, towards Pogrebnyak at the back post...who powers it home! POGREBNYAK SCORES FOR RUSSIA!! A possible lifeline for the Russians, and it's the striker playing in Kerzhakov's absence who gets it!"

Honeydew: "It's been deserved for Russia, they've had more than enough chances to be 3-1 up themselves, but at least the striker has given the Russian manager a selection dilemma for the next game."

73 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Yury Zhirkov (Russia) booked for a trip on Joaquin (Spain).

81 mins:

Valquez: "Saenko's throw is poor...and Fabregas can intercept, and quickly feeds it onto Iniesta...Torres to Fabregas and out wide to Joaquin...who cross it towards the feet of Raul, who's able to take time to control the ball...and shoot! RAUL SCORES FOR SPAIN!! The substitute has done the job, with a sublime finish!"

Honeydew: "It's 4-1, and a fine goal from Raul, controlled expertly by the Real Madrid striker and he calmly slotted the ball past the Russia keeper."

90 (of 3) mins:

YELLOW CARD: Ivan Saenko (Russia) is booked for holding on Vicente's (Spain) shirt.

FULL TIME: RUSSIA 1-4 SPAIN

Valquez: "Russia could perhaps feel they could have done better here, Bunsen. But Spain come away with a deserved result and 4 very good finishes."

Honeydew: "Russia will be disappointed, by looking at the stats, it shows them to be dominating. But that also reflects well on Spain, they can score with fewer chances and defend well all game, they could do very well this year."

Valquez: "Some hope for the Spaniards perhaps, could they break their hoodoo this year? Only time will tell, coming up later, Italy vs Germany."

Overview and Match Stats

Russian Stats

Ignashevich's Reaction

Spanish Stats

Puyol's Reaction

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wisla_krakow

wisla_krakow

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Italy vs Germany - Group C - Tivoli-Neu, Innsbruck - Tuesday 10th June 2008

Valquez: "Tonight it's the second of tonight's double header, and it's a big one at that, Italy vs Germany. Two giants of the game clash in the "Group of Death", and I'm sure they'll produce quite a game for us, what do you think Bunsen?"

Honeydew: "I hope it will be Luis, but normally when it's a game as big as this, it can disappoint. It'll be interesting to see how both sides perform, a revamped Italy and a Germany side off the back of some poor friendly results."

Valquez: "Indeed it will. Now onto tonight's team, starting with Italy:

Italy: Buffon; Zaccardo, Chiellini, Barzagli, Bonera; De Rossi, Gattuso; Rosina, Grosso; Toni, Iaquinta

It's a 4-2-2-2 for Italy, but with the central midfielders playing just in front of the defence, leaving Toni and Iaquinta quite isolated, but will the tactic work? And now for the Germans:

Germany: Lehmann; Lahm, Jansen, Mertesacker, Metzelder; Frings; Schneider, Ballack, Schweinsteiger; Klose, Podolski

Germany opt for a 4-1-3-2 formation, but with Frings in front of the defence to the right of Ballack in the center of midfield. We're set for kick-off!"

KICK OFF

7 mins:

Valquez: "Frings' free-kick is saved by Buffon...and he boots it long towards Iaquinta...but Lahm heads it away as far as Chiellini, who gives it back to Iaquinta but this time he has a bit of space...played around in a triangle by Gattuso, De Rossi and Chiellini and the former sprays it out wide to Grosso...who plays in a deep cross, for Toni to get a head on! TONI SCORES FOR ITALY!! The Bayern striker gives Italy the lead, with a fine header just 4 yards out, getting past Ballack. Great start for Italy!"

Honeydew: "Good play by Italy, some nice passing moves, and it ended with a simple wide cross for Toni to nod in from barely any distance out at all. Just not what the Gemans needed!"

32 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Cristian Zaccardo (Italy) is booked for tripping up Lukas Podolski (Germany).

HALF TIME: ITALY 1-0 GERMANY

Valquez: "It's a fairly even game so far, but Italy have carved out the large majority of the chances, but at 1-0 there's still tiem for but sides to get into the game."

Honeydew: "Yes Italy have had several chances, and it's up to Germany now to try and turn it around on the second half, before Italy are able to add a second."

SECOND HALF

57 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Christoph Metzelder (Germany) booked for a trip on Luca Toni (Italy).

Valquez: "Bonera hits in an out-swinging corner which holds in the air...and Barzagli gets a head onto it! BARZAGLI SCORES FOR ITALY!! It's a second goal, and that's just made Germany's job even harder!"

Honeydew: "That could be the nail in the coffin for Germany! Italy had the first-half chances, and they've taken an early one here and they'll be delighted."

SUBSTITUTIONS (Germany): Christoph Metzelder and Lukas Podolski OFF Arne Friedrich and Mario Gomez ON (tactical)

58 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Gennaro Gattuso (Italy) given a yellow card for obstructing Torsten Frings (Germany).

62 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Michael Ballack (Germany) booked for a trip on Alessandro Rosina (Italy).

72 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Bernd Schneider (Germany) booked for holding onto Fabio Grosso's (Italy) shirt.

74 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Marcell Jansen (Germany) shown a yellow card for holding on Alessandro Rosina's (Italy) shirt.

75 mins:

Valquez: "Jansen takes the throw to Schweinsteiger...who lays it back to Ballack, who drives in a low shot! BALLACK SCORES FOR GERMANY!! In off the post! Great strike by Ballack, and it's found the goal from 20 yards, and Germany could get back into this!"

Honeydew: "It's all Germany needed, just that one goal from one spark and Michael Ballack could have lit the fuse. All they need now is another, can they do it!"

81 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Torsten Frings (Germany) booked for holding on Gennaro Gattuso's (Italy) shirt.

88 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Daniele De Rossi (Italy) booked for a trip on Michael Ballack (Germany).

FULL TIME: ITALY 2-1 GERMANY

Valquez: "An even, yet exciting end draws to a close, and Italy just take the victory. Was it deserved Bunsen?"

Honeydew: "I'd say it is, they had more chances and were able to put more away, Germany could have taken the win themselves but they couldn't put away their chances except for Ballack. Better finishing and defending is needed by Germany if they want to have a chance to qualify."

Valquez: "Well now it's the end of the first round of Group Stage games, and the teams now need to look long and hard how they're going to cope for the rest of the Group Stage. Goodnight."

Overview and Match Stats

Italian Stats

Balzaretti's Reaction

German Stats

Frings' Reaction

Group C

I'm a bit busy the next few days, and as it's the end of the first round of Group Stage games, I'll upload a save in case you want to make some changes (or you can go off what you already have via updates/screenies I've given you), and send me changes if you want to make them, you'll have until at least Tuesday evening :thup:.

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wisla_krakow

wisla_krakow

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Right, here's the new download link just after the Italy-Germany game. You've got several options:

1. Download the link, take a look at your side and e-mail me any changes.

2. Go off the screenshots from the matches/information you already have, and let me know about making changes :thup:.

3. Alternatively, no need to make any changes if you're happy with your current setup!

You've got until at least Tueday evening to make your changes, if you want to make any. Here's the fixtures (in date order) for the second round of matches, so you can see who's squads are the ones which are most necessary as their games are first!

Wednesday 11th June 2008

Sweden vs Croatia (Group B)

Thursday 12th June 2008

Portugal vs Switzerland (Group B)

Friday 13th June 2008

Greece vs Czech Republic (Group D)

France vs Romania (Group D)

Saturday 14th June 2008

Austria vs Poland (Group A)

Turkey vs Holland (Group A)

Sunday 15th June 2008

Spain vs Italy (Group C)

Germany vs Russia (Group C)

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wisla_krakow

wisla_krakow

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As both Ridleys and weeman27bob's teams are unchanged, I can go ahead with their game (as well as the Switzerland-Portugal game) today, you still have time to make changes if you need to.

---

Sweden vs Croatia - Group B - Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Bern - Wednesday 11th June 2008

Valquez: "Welcome back to another day of Euro 2008, and the start of the second round of group stage matches. We go back to Group B today, currently topped by Switzerland can you believe, for the clash of Sweden and Croatia. The Croats will be looking to go one better than they did against Portugal and win here, while Sweden will be looking to come back from their shock 4-2 defeat to Switzerland. What will happen here Bunsen?"

Honeydew: "I think this should be a Croatian win tonight, they looked more than a match for Portugal last week and unless Sweden have vastly improved from the Swiss defeat I can see them losing today."

Valquez: "It'll be an interesting clash, but onto the teams now before the match starts, first Sweden:

Sweden: Isaksson; Stoor, Edman, Majstorovic, Mellberg; Andersson; Wilhelmsson, Svensson; Kallstrom; Ibrahimovic, Elmander

The Swedes are unchanged from their loss to Switzerland, the manager keeping faith in his team to turn it around tonight. It's the same 4-1-2-1-2 formation that was deployed last week aswell. Now for Croatia:

Croatia: Pletikosa; Srna, Babic, Simic, Sablic; Vranjes; Safaric, Modric, Kranjcar, Jertec; Eduardo

Like Sweden, the Croatians are also unchanged, keeping their 4-1-4-1 tactic that got them an impressive draw with Portugal. Now, onto tonight's action!"

KICK OFF

19 mins:

Valquez: "Pletikosa boots it long towards Eduardo, but Mellberg wins the header but can only give it back to Croatia at Safaric's feet...who squares it to Modric...feeds to Eduardo 30 yards out from goal with defenders surrounding him, he plays back to Modric, who feeds it to Safaric...back to Eduardo in the box with two defenders on his back...but he turns Mellberg! Shoots! EDUARDO SCORES FOR CROATIA!! Brilliant goal by the Arsenal striker! He had Mellberg and Andersson right behind him but he turned towards the center and drilled the ball past Isaksson, wonderful goal! 0-1."

Honeydew: "Great goal from Eduardo, but it's against the run of play, just only shot on target so far whilst Sweden have had several, they'll feel aggreived that they've conceded. But a brilliant turn by Eduardo and he was rewarded with a goal."

45+1 (of 1) mins:

YELLOW CARD: Anders Svensson (Sweden) booked for holding back Nikola Safaric (Croatia).

HALF TIME: SWEDEN 0-1 CROATIA

Valquez: "Half-time, and Croatia lead 1-0. Since their goal, they've come into the game, can they get a 2nd Bunsen?"

Honeydew: "I think they can, Sweden have been under the kosh since they went behind and the pressure has been building, they'll feel more annoyed they couldn't get an early goal with the chances they had."

SECOND HALF

63 mins:

Valquez: "The ball is played back to Isaksson...who aims it out wide to Svensson...he recieves the ball, but his cross is poor and picked up by Sablic, who plays it to Modric who can run at the Swedish midfield...feeds it to Safaric inside the Sweden half...gives it back to Srna, who gives it to Modric with space to run into on the right...he races on line with the box, and send in a right-footed cross...which is headed home by Eduardo!! EDUARDO SCORES FOR CROATIA!! The Swedes are made to pay for not closing down Modric, and he had space and time to run down the wing and put in a cross for the Brazilian-born striker to finish, 2-0 and this could all but end Sweden's tournament!"

Honeydew: "Brilliant run by Modric down the wing, but Sweden should have picked him up, and they payed for it. Eduardo just nipped in front of Majstorovic, and a powerful header easily beat Isaksson in the goal, Sweden have a hell of a mountain to climb now."

64 mins:

SUBSTITUTIONS (Sweden): Anders Svensson and Johan Elmander OFF Sebastien Larsson and Henok Goitom ON (tactial)

79 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Kim Kallstrom (Sweden) booked for a trip on Niko Kranjcar (Croatia).

86 mins:

Valquez: "Safaric to take the corner for Croatia...Simic is on the move and he gets his head on it! SIMIC SCORES FOR CROATIA!! The defender's got a goal to seal the win for Croatia!"

Honeydew: "That's got to be Sweden pretty much out of this tourrnament now then, and if that first goal hadn't gone in things may have been different, but they've been made to pay, in style."

FULL TIME: SWEDEN 0-3 CROATIA

Valquez: "Croatia's win puts them top with 4 points, but Sweden still on nothing and could go out tommorow couldn't they Bunsen?"

Honeydew: "Indeed Luis, if Portugal win tommorow Sweden will be unable to qualify, and it's a shame as you'd normally expect a team like Sweden to perform a bit better at a major tournament than they have in the past two games. Take nothing away from Croatia, who overcame early Swedish dominance and came back and controlled the game themselves, and they should be able to get through to the knock-out stages."

Valquez: "Thanks for joining us for another enjoyable Euro 2008 clash, we'll be back tommorow with Portugal vs Switzerland, which could decide Sweden's fate, we'll be watching. Goodnight."

Overview and Match Stats

Swedish Stats

Mellberg's Reaction

Croatian Stats

Jertec's Reaction

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wisla_krakow

wisla_krakow

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I wanted the same team, except take out the striker that isn't Linz (I can't remember his name) and replace him with the striker that was injured if he's fit again. Otherwise, the same team will do.

You're thinking of Hoffer, I've put Kienast in his place but he's still got an orange injury, I'll wait and see if his condition has improved come matchday.

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wisla_krakow

wisla_krakow

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Portugal vs Switzerland - Group B - St Jakobspark, Basel - Thursday 12th June 2008

Valquez: "Good evening, and welcome back to Euro 2008, for tonight's clash between Portugal and Switzerland. Portugal would normally be a dead certainty to win this, but after an impressive performance by Switzerland against Sweden, it could be tough, couldn't it Bunsen?"

Honeydew: "It could be, but a side like Portugal should be able to dispose of Switzerland, it depends on whether they can keep up their attacking play and take their chances."

Valquez: "Now onto the teams before we start, and we look at Portugal first:

Portugal: Ricardo; Bosingwa, Valente, Carvalho, Pepe; Tiago, Veloso; Ronaldo, Deco, Nani; Gomes

It's the same 4-2-3-1 formation for Portugal, with two changes, Bosingwa and Tiago coming in for Moutinho and Miguel. Now to Switzerland:

Switzerland: Benaglio; Degen, Magnin, Djourou, Senderos; Fernandes, Gokhan, Schwegler; Geijo, Vonlanthen; Frei

One change for the Swiss, Degen replacing Behrami. They keep their 4-3-2-1 formation. Now, onto the match itself!"

KICK OFF

15 mins:

Valquez: "Ronaldo chases the through ball...but Djourou tackles him and feeds it onto Magnin...back to Djourou who gives it to Vonlanthen, some swift passing sees Magnin have the ball in the wing...gives it back to Vonlanthen who squares it to Gokhan 30 yards from goal...he races into the box unchallenged! He shoots! GOKHAN SCORES FOR SWITZERLAND!! Where was the marking! Gokhan had a clear run into the box and finished smartly past Ricardo, and could there be another shock here!"

Honeydew: "Well Switzerland passed their way into a good position there, it wasn't a breakaway or any luck, they made their own move there and were rewarded by Portugal switching off and letting Gokhan grab a goal. Will Portugal react or can Switzerland hold them off for 75 minutes?"

HALF TIME: PORTUGAL 0-1 SWITZERLAND

Valquez: "Switzerland ahead and they're still having chances, what's happening tonight for Portugal Bunsen?!?"

Honeydew: "It's an interesting game, Portugal can't break Switzerland down, they've had a few chances but Switzerland have had a few more, albeit most off target. It'll be down to the manager's team-talk and they need some players to put in big performances if they're going to get back into this."

SECOND HALF

60 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Philippe Senderos (Switzerland) booked for tripping Nuno Gomes (Portugal).

63 mins:

SUBSTITUTIONS (Portugal): Miguel Veloso and Nani OFF Ricardo Quaresma and Joao Moutinho ON (tactical)

65 mins:

Valquez: "Deco swings in a corner...but Benaglio to make a standard save...HE'S MISSED IT, and GOAL! RONALDO SCORES FOR PORTUGAL!! Oh my Diego Benaglio!! He came to claim the ball but missed it, and Cristiano Ronaldo had an easy header from 6 yards out into an empty net! A horrendous error hands Portugal an equaliser!"

Honeydew: "Portugal needed something to get them back into this, and they've got a massive stroke of luck by Benaglio's error. It was a standard catch to make from the corner, but he's flapped at it and left space for Ronaldo to head into an empty net. The question is whether Switzerland can recover mentally from that or if Portugal can get a winner."

78 mins:

Valquez: "Deco takes the free-kick for Portugal...SHOOTS AT GOAL! Saved by Benaglio, but only parried as far as Ronaldo...AND HE SCORES! RONALDO SCORES FOR PORTUGAL!! He's got his second and Portugal have the lead, and it was another mistake by Benaglio!! He spilled the save, and Ronaldo took his chance from a few yards out, they lead 2-1 now!"

Honeydew: "It was a tough save for Benaglio to make, it was an excellent stop from Deco's shot but he spilled it in exactly the wrong place, straight at Ronaldo's feet. His two errors could have lost this game for Switzerland."

79 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Tiago (Portugal) booked for holding back Johan Vonlanthen (Switzerland).

81 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Deco (Portugal) shown a yellow card for booking Inler Gokhan (Switzerland).

90+2 (of 4) mins:

YELLOW CARD: Johann Djourou (Switzerland) booked for obstructing Nuno Gomes (Portugal).

FULL TIME: PORTUGAL 2-1 SWITZERLAND

SWEDEN ARE OUT OF EURO 2008

Valquez: "Switzerland came so close to a shock tonight, but just couldn't hold on. Is Benaglio to blame Bunsen?"

Honeydew: "Definately for the first goal, though it was a tough save before the second goal, he can't be blamed too much there. But they'll be annoyed at this, they had more chances than Portugal, though most were off target, but better finishing and a less basic keeping errors could have won them this game and put them through."

Valquez: "One thing this result signals is the end of Sweden's tournament, they go out now on no points, with Portugal and Croatia both on 4. We hope you'll join us tommorow where we look to Group D, goodnight."

Overview and Match Stats

Portugese Stats

Deco's Reaction

Swiss Stats

Muller's Reaction

Group B

Well Sweden are technically out now, Ridleys' has one more game to try and get some points on the board! Tommorow we've got Greece vs Czech Republic and France vs Romania, so if markcator3006 or NepentheZ need to make any changes, let me know asap! :)

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haza555

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Damn Benaglio. Still an impressive showing against probably the strongest team on paper in this group. Beating the Croatians could be an achievable task. Just can't believe we conceded two second half goals. On the upside if Sweden can get points from Portugal and we can just scrape a point we qualify, so that's one tournament threat out already of a seemingly winnable group. Down to you Ridley's.

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Greece vs Czech Republic - Group D - St. Jakobspark, Basel - Friday 13th June 2008

Valquez: "It's Friday 13th, and we're back for another intruiging night of Euro 2008, with Group D on show tonight. First up we have Greece vs Czech Republic, the Greeks looking to bounce back after a close defeat to Romania, whilst the Czechs are full of confidence after thrashing France. How will this match play out Bunsen?"

Honeydew: "It's a good afternoon Luis, and we'll have goals tonight. Greece produced lots of chances but couldn't produce the goods against Romania, can that change tonight? And with the Czechs getting four against France, I'm sure we'll see more of their attacking prowess tonight."

Valquez: "Hopefully we'll see plently. And quickly onto the teams now before we kick-off, starting with Greece:

Greece: Chalkias; Seitaridis, Spyropoulos, Dellas, Tavlaridis; Basinas; Tziolis, Katsouranis; Karagounis, Lyberopoulos; Salpingidis

Just one change for the Greeks, Tziolis replacing the injured Vangelis. They retain the 4-1-2-2-1 formation that they used in their defeat to Romania. Now we take a look at Czech Republic:

Czech Republic: Cech; Ujfalusi, Jankulovski, Grygera, Hubschman; Kovac; Jarolim, Sirl; Rosicky; Koller, Baros

It's the same XI and same 4-1-2-1-2 formation that worked so well against France, and now onto today's action!"

KICK OFF

26 mins:

Valquez: "Jankulovksi to take the throw for the Czech Republic...throws it short to Baros, who feeds a short ball to Rosicky on the edge of the box...he curls a shot at goal! ROSICKY SCORES FOR CZECH REPUBLIC!! Fantastic finish by Rosicky! He used his vision to see the gap, and whip the ball around the backs of two players and into the top right-corner, what a strike to open the scoring!"

Honeydew: "Great goal by Rosicky, a real trademarrk strike, whipping a curled shot into the top right corner, and they'll be delighted, that's his second goal of the tournament! It's been fairly even so far, how can Greece react?"

31 mins:

Valquez: "Rosicky stands over the free-kick, 25 yards out from goal, steps up...deflected of the wall...but into the net! ROSICKY SCORES FOR CZECH REPUBLIC!! A slice of fortune aids the Czechs as they go 2-0 up, Rosicky the scorer! His free-kick seemed to clip off the head of Tziolis and went into the right hand corner, when the keeper had been expecting it over to the left, he just couldn't get back in time!"

Honeydew: "Two quick goals for the Czechs and Rosicky, he looked very impressive against France and he's keeping it up tonight so far, an early contender for Player of the Tournament in my eyes. They got a bit of luck with that but I doubt they'll mind as Rosicky bags his second, Greece 0-2 Czech Republic."

41 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Radoslav Kovac (Czech Republic) booked for upending Kostas Katsouranis (Greece).

HALF TIME: GREECE 0-2 CZECH REPUBLIC

Valquez: "Rosicky's been on fine form this half, and this has helped the Czechs into a 2-0 lead. It's deserved isn't it, Bunsen?"

Honeydew: "It's been fairly even Luis, but Czech Republic have had more of the chances and they've taken them so far, and Rosicky is thriving in that attacking midfielder role behind the strikers, I think I'll have to retract my prediction that they wouldn't qualify, so far they seem the best footballing side in the group!"

SECOND HALF

50 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Giourkas Seitardis (Greece) booked for bringing down Radek Sirl (Czech Republic).

62 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Stathis Tavlaridis (Greece) booked for tripping Jan Koller (Czech Republic).

Valquez: "Rosicky takes the free-kick and plays a short ball towards Baros...he holds onto it for a second but then gives it back to the Arsenal midfielder...he plays it forward to Koller who holds off the challenge to square it to Baros...lays it onto Rosicky...who tries another curler! WHAT A GOAL! ROSICKY SCORES FOR CZECH REPUBLIC!! A brilliant goal, just brilliant! That's a hat-trick for Tomas Rosicky, well done lad, well done! Just not what the Greeks had been expecting, he had no right to try that from there but he pulled it off exquisitely!"

Honeydew: "What a goal, what a player and what a game for the Czechs! He's scored two magnificent goals tonight, and perhaps without the deflection on his second goal it could have been three. He's used all his major skills to his advantage, a brilliantly curled shot to complete a well deserved and well earned hat-trick."

65 mins:

SUBSTITUTIONS (Czech Republic): Angelos Basinas and Dimitris Salpingidis OFF Dimitris Mavrogenidis and Angelos Charisteas ON (tactical)

89 mins:

Valquez: "Jarolim takes the corner for the Czech Republic...towards Kovac, but he's being impeded by Tziolis! IT'S A PENALTY!! The referee has pointed to the spot, and it's Hubschman coming up to take the kick. Hubschman...scores! HUBSCHMAN SCORES FOR CZECH REPUBLIC!! It's been against the run of play, but the Czechs have added a late fourth, 0-4!"

Honeydew: "Since their subs, Greece have dominated this match, and deserved a goal, how cruel this must feel. But credit to Hubschman, a well taken penalty into the left hand corner and the keeper was static in the centre of the goal."

90+1 (of 3) mins:

Valquez: "Charisteas picks the ball up on the half-way line, and Karagounis recieves the pass...he squares it to Katsouranis as the Greeks progress up the pitch...back to Tziolis, who gives it to Seitaridis out on the wing...he's got clear space to run into, fires in an early cross...Charisteas gets his head on it! CHARISTEAS SCORES FOR GREECE!! A great header by Angelos Charisteas, but just too late for them!"

Honeydew: "Great move by the Greeks, if only the could have done this half an hour ago when then were dominating! It's a shame, but they've lost this when they had a slim chance of fighting back earlier on."

FULL TIME: GREECE 1-4 CZECH REPUBLIC

Valquez: "Another fantastic performance by the Czechs, a resounding win, but yet again the Greeks came into the game and had chances but failed to take them. Has this cost them a place in the last 16 Bunsen?"

Honeydew: "It must have done Luis, there must be no way they can get back from this now! They'll need a miracle to get there now, and I don't see it happening. It's all down now to whether Romania and France can join the Czechs, they're not technically through but a France win could delay it until next week."

Valquez: "Well we'll be back later for France vs Romania, and see if the fates of both the sides you've just seen are sorted out or not, goodbye for now."

Overview and Match Stats

Greek Stats

Goumas' Reaction

Czech Stats

Kinsky's Reaction

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wisla_krakow

wisla_krakow

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France vs Romania - Group D - Stade de Suisse Wankdorf, Bern - Friday 13th June 2008

Valquez: "Welcome back for tonight's encounter, between France and Romania. This game could be the making or breaking of France's tounament, do you agree Bunsen?"

Honeydew: "It could well be, anything but a win will spell trouble for the French, and the Romanians can be a tricky side, especially with Mutu leading the line. I think it'll be a close, tense match."

Valquez: "At the same time I hate it's exciting. First we take a look at France:

France: Frey; Sagnol, Clichy, Gallas, Mexes; Guily, Vieira; Ribery, Nasri; Henry, Trezeguet

It's the same side and 4-2-2-2 formation that lost to Czech Republic, the manager having faith that they can turn it around. Now we turn to Romania:

Romania: Lobont; Contra, Rat, Goian, Chivu; Nicolita, Dica, Stoica, Codrea; Marica, Mutu

There's also no changes for the Romanians, they remain with the 4-4-2 formation aswell. Now, onto the match!"

KICK OFF

29 mins:

Valquez: "Marica looks for Nicolita...who plays it back to Stoica who squares the ball to Codrea...but he's dispossessed by Guily! Quick pass towards Henry outside the box...he's run into clear space and has time to shoot...goal! HENRY SCORES FOR FRANCE!! A quick attacking move by France after the interception and Henry moves well to finish smartly, the French have a goal that they'll need to hang onto!"

Honeydew: "Great finish by Henry, he accelerated away from Chivu, and slotted the ball back across the keeper into the bottom right hand corner. Though Codrea could be to blame, he lost the ball easily to Guily and he had an easy chance to slip in Henry for the goal."

45+0 (of 1) mins:

YELLOW CARD: Patrick Vieira (France) booked for holding onto Banel Nicolita's (Romania) shirt.

HALF TIME: FRANCE 1-0 ROMANIA

Valquez: "It's a tense game so far, just one shot on target between both sides and France have taken it and scores, will the game liven up a bit in the second half Bunsen?"

Honeydew: "There's been chances, just none of them troubling the keeper. France won't mind one bit, this is the result they want. But as they've shown, it just takes one chance to get you a goal, and Romania could quite easily get back into this."

SECOND HALF

55 mins:

SUBSTITUTIONS (Romania): Alin Stoica and Ciprian Marica OFF Adrian Ropotan and Bogdan Stancu ON (tactical)

58 mins:

Valquez: "Guily feeds it forward to Trezeguet...who smashes a ball out wide for Ribery to give chase...Rat gets there first however, and clears it long, but Gallas recieves and flicks onto Guily...who draws two players, goes round them and passes to Ribery on the right wing, who gives it in Vieira in the centre...who plays a quick ball to Henry, he shoots immediately from the edge of the box! HENRY SCORES FOR FRANCE!! Another quick break from France, and another smart finish by Thierry Henry! Can you believe, jus the second shot on target this match, and France lead 2-0!!"

Honeydew: "Great goal, Henry shot as soon as he got the ball, but it was great build-up play again. Just what France needed, that second goal to probably seal the win for them!"

61 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Razvan Rat (Romania) booked for tripping Frank Ribery (France).

66 mins:

SUBSTITUTION (France): David Trezeguet OFF Karim Benzema ON (tactical)

71 mins:

Valquez: "Mutu takes the corner...but Ribery heads it away, only as far as Nicolita...who squares it to Chivu on the edge of the box...tries to find a gap...takes a crack! CHIVU SCORES FOR ROMANIA!! He found a gap in the defence and rocketed a shot into the left corner from 20 yards! At 2-1, it's really game on now!"

Honeydew: "This could go anyway now, Chivu gets that bit of luck and scores for Romania, just another goal and they've put France in a heap of trouble, once again. Can the French hold on?"

73 mins:

Valquez: "Mutu takes another corner for Romania...this time towards the head of Chivu!! CHIVU SCORES FOR ROMANIA!! Oh can you believe it!! Just two minutes ago, France were on course for a 2-0 victory, but Christian Chivu has bagged a brace and brought the Romanians level! France need a goal or they'll need a miracle to go through!"

Honeydew: "France looked comfortable, it seemed they could do it! But they've crumbled once again, and all credit to Romania, they've siezed on two quick chances and Chivu has put them in pole position to join the Czechs in the knockout stages, as it stands the Czechs go through and the Greeks go out!"

78 mins:

SUBSTITUTION (Romania): Cristian Chivu OFF Gabriel Tamas ON (injury)

81 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Gael Clichy (France) booked for tripping Banel Nicolita (Romania).

84 mins:

YELLOW CARD: Paul Codrea (Romania) booked for holding onto Ludovic Guily's (France) shirt.

90+3 (of 5) mins:

YELLOW CARD: Dorin Goian (Romania) booked for tripping Karim Benzema (France).

FULL TIME: FRANCE 2-2 ROMANIA

CZECH REPUBLIC QUALIFY FOR THE KNOCKOUT STAGES

GREECE ARE OUT OF EURO 2008

Valquez: "Well, the result France didn't need, and nor Greece! They've got a mountain to climb now, don't they Bunsen?"

Honeydew: "They do indeed, with just one point from two games, they need to beat Greece and hope that the Czech Republic beat Romania, which is probable on their current form but it leaves a lot to be desired for that a team like France need other results to go in their favour to go through. They'll need to improve if they can make the next stage. Commiserations to Greece, they performed well and created chances but just couldn't put them away. And we've got our first qualifier of the tournament, the Czech Republic, fully deserved, they've been excellent so far."

Valquez: "Another entertaining day draws to a close here in Switzerland, we hope you'll join us tommorow for Group A, goodnight!"

Overview and Match Stats

French Stats

Gallas' Reaction

Romanian Stats

Chivu's Reaction

Group D

Coming up tommorow: clashes between Austria vs Poland followed by Turkey vs Holland.

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rlipscombe

rlipscombe

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what a recovery by the mighty Romanians!! :D would put it down to my tactical nous, but might struggle to get away with that.....

bring on the Czechs!!

(on a side note i go on holiday on Saturday for a week, so if we progress, i'll need to forward plan my tactics etc with you wisla...)

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wisla_krakow

wisla_krakow

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FAO MANAGERS OF GROUP C (Walcott's Wonderkids, jayatsena, The Golden Boy)

If you'd like any changes made for your matches, can you let me know asap :thup: they should be played and posted tommorow but I've got none of your teams yet (Robert is away so I'll leave his team the same except with the instructions he left me), jayatsena - you mentioned sending me an e-mail, did you send it to the right address as I never recieved it?

Wisla, have you got any idea about how the draw for the next round works? If I know who I might be facing I might decide to field a weakened side.

iirc it'll be Winner of Group A vs Runner Up of Group B, and so forth through out the groups, so the draw should be like this:

Winner Group A v Runner-Up Group B - \
                                                     - Semi-Final 1 - \
Winner Group B v Runner-Up Group A - /                        \
                                                                               - Final
Winner Group C v Runner-Up Group D - \                        /
                                                     - Semi-Final 2 - /
Winner Group D v Runner-Up Group C - /

So at the current rate with you qualifying if you finish top of the Group, you'll face the runner-up of Group C, whoever that'll be. But knowing that Group, a weakened side would be my suggestion (sorry Nep!), but you'd also have to be wary of Romania beating you and going above you to take 1st and giving you a harder draw!

(on a side note i go on holiday on Saturday for a week, so if we progress, i'll need to forward plan my tactics etc with you wisla...)

You may need to send those forward to me beforehand just in-case you do qualify, as I doubt we'll get to the Group D games again by that time.

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NepentheZ

NepentheZ

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Wisla - This may be a bit early for you, but for France's next match (You can make these changes now if you like) - can you please swap Trez and Henry around, so that Trez is the RHS Striker. :thup: - Cheers. I got myself in a mix, and thought the Left Striker was the target man, when as the stats clearly show, its the right, and Henry can't head for Toffee.

Greece : Watch out. The France v Greece match will be embarrassing for you.

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NepentheZ

NepentheZ

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I've already qualified, I'm considering putting out a second string side to rest a few players. Losing that game might even do me a favour depending on what happens in group C.

You deserve to give everyone else in the group a fair shot :mad: - If you field a weak team, I may aswell put my Keepers upfront, as relying on you to bear Romania is keeping my hopes alive. :(

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dafuge

dafuge

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You deserve to give everyone else in the group a fair shot :mad: - If you field a weak team, I may aswell put my Keepers upfront, as relying on you to bear Romania is keeping my hopes alive. :(

I'm going to have to rest at least one player, I've got 35 year old Jan Koller up front who hasn't played a club game all season and is set to retire. He was knackered before the Greece game.

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