Euro 2008 | Footy20

July 8th, 2008

Barcelona priced out of Arshavin move

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Russia’s Andrei Arshavin has become one of the biggest names in the summer transfer talk. The player, who played a stellar role in Russia’s progress in Euro 2008 had indicated earlier that he was interested in moving only to Barcelona.

However, the player’s club, Zenit St Petersburg, have confirmed that Barcelona’s offer of 15 million euros for the star of Guus Hiddink’s team does not meet their valuation of the playmaker. Arshavin is now linked with a movie to London, with Arsenal and Chelsea both showing great interest in the 27 year-old’s signature.

Chelsea’s financial muscle might be to their advantage, and so does Roman Abramovich’s presence - the Russian billionaire can land his countryman. But Arsenal, who have lost or are on the verge of losing some key players, might be where Arshavin prove a better fit.

Will Arshavin become a Gunner? Or will he give them the blues by joining Luiz-Felipe Scolari at Stamford Birdge?

Tags: Andrei Arshavin, Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Euro 2008, Gunners, Guus Hiddink, London, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Roman Abramovich, Russia, Stamford Bridge, Zenit St Petersburg

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July 2nd, 2008

Euro 2008 Final: Germany 0 - 1 Spain

Video highlights

Spain have been crowned the new European champions, after winning the final tonight at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna. The Spaniards were deserving winners of the Euro 2008, as they beat Germany 1-0, thanks to a Fernando Torres goal in the 33rd minute.

Tags: Ernst Happel Stadion, Euro 2008, Fernando Torres, final, Germany, Spain, Vienna

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June 28th, 2008

Euro 2008 Final Preview: Germany v/s Spain

The European Championships draws to a close tomorrow at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna with Germany taking on Spain for the bragging rights. The tournament has proved to be really exciting what with the exciting Turks and Russians providing lots of drama.

On the whole, it has to be said that Germany and Spain are the most deserving two teams for the final showdown. Though Joachim Low’s team lost to Croatia in the group stages, they played some very good football to knock Portugal and Turkey out, the scoreline being 3-2 in both the matches.

Luis Aragones’ men were the second most exciting team after Netherlands in the group stages. They did play out a drab affair against the Italians in the quarterfinals, but against an in-form Russian side, their class showed as Fabregas and company decimated Guus Hiddink’s side. It has to be conceded that Aragones’ decision not to start Fabregas was baffling. But there should be little doubt that the Arsenal midfielder will start the final.

For the Germans though, influential captain Michael Ballack is a doubt. If he does not play, it would be a major blow, because Ballack is one of those people who can change the course of the game. Germany would be hard-pressed to find someone to replace him.

David Villa, though, has surely been ruled out of the final. That puts the onus on Torres who has been surprisingly underperforming in the Euro 2008. Guiza might partner him in attack.

Spain, the perennial underachievers, know that this is a great opportunity for them to shake off that tag, by repeating the success of 1964. Then, they beat the former Soviet Union 2-1. I am expecting Spain to retake the European crown 44 years later with a similar scoreline over Germany.

Prediction: Spain to win 2-1.
Men to watch: Cesc Fabregas, Bastian Schweinsteiger

Tags: 1964, Arsenal, Bastian Schweinsteiger, captain, Cesc Fabregas, Croatia, David Villa, Ernst Happel Stadion, Euro 2008, European, Fabregas, Germans, Germany, Guiza, Guus Hiddink, Italians, Joachim Low, Luis Aragones, Michael Ballack, midfielder, Portugal, quarterfinals, Russians, Soviet Union, Spain, Torres, Turkey, Turks, Vienna

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June 26th, 2008

Lippi back in charge

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Following their exit from Euro 2008, Italy have acted quickly by bringing back Marcello Lippi as the coach of the national side.

Italy lost to Spain on penalties in the quarterfinals of the European Championships, and the Italian Football Federation had stripped coach Roberto Donadoni of his position almost immediately. By reinstalling Lippi, the coach who guided Italy to glory in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the bosses of Italian football have sent a clear message.

In a country where football following is so passionate as to evoke frequent debates in parliament, Donadoni was always under pressure to perform, especially after taking charge when the team was on a high. The Euro 2008 qualifiers started badly for the former AC Milan man, with defeats to Iceland and France, which prompted the media to launch a “Bring Lippi back” campaign. However, Italy bounced back with a string of five successive victories that restored some amount of confidence in Donadoni.

Italy did manage to crawl out of the Group of Death, with an impressive performance against France, but this came after the team’s worst performance in decades, a 3-0 defeat against Marco van Basten’s Netherlands. The defeat against Spain though proved the nail in the coffin.

Marcello Lippi, who has managed Juventus and Inter Milan earlier, turned the Italians around and inspired them to victory in the World Cup, employing what some claim as a siege mentality, following a year of crisis in Italian football. Lippi resigned as national coach following the victory over France. He has been away from management since then, turning down many alleged managerial offers.