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Euro 2008 Semi-Finals

Euro 2008 Semi-Finals

The entire group stages of 2008 saw only three draws at the end of regulation time as teams went all out for the elusive points that would see them safely through to the knockout stages.

In the four quarter final matches, three of the four games were tied over the 90 minutes. Does this mean that the teams are more evenly matched in the quarter finals or is there a bigger fear of losing?

Both of these instances probably have an impact and this is why the last four games of Euro 2008 have been so evidently tight.

Of the four games, only Germany managed a victory in regulation time and even then they were hanging on a bit as Portugal threatened to haul them back level.

Russia won in extra time whilst Turkey and Spain were triumphant on penalties but as has often been the case in the tournament, the end result barely tells the story of the match.

The first semi-final sees Germany take on Turkey in a match that sees the two un-fancied teams in the quarter final pair up against each other. It seems a bit strange to state that Germany were the second favourite in their match against Portugal(especially as they were the initial tournament favourites) but given how both teams performed in the Group stages, many felt that Portugal were the better bet to win the match up.

Never Rule Out Germany
This never came to fruition as Germany very quickly took a grip on the game and had a two goal lead before half-time. The second half saw Portugal claw their way back into it but further poor defending at set pieces saw Germany score a third through Michael Ballack.

Portugal managed a late counter to set up a nail biting finish but Germany held out for a vital win. The Germans have a knack of grinding out results when it matters but their style of play did merit the victory. There is a saying that you should never discount the Germans and this is very true but the following night showed another team who should never be discounted.

Turkey stunned many people in the Group stages by winning two games incredibly late on as they defeated Switzerland and Czech Republic when many had written them off. These two victories showed the strength of character of the team but that was nothing compared to the Friday night in Vienna.

Croatia v Turkey: Exciting
After 90 minutes where Croatia were by far the better team but were unable to break the deadlock, the game went into extra time and the Turkish team were the one who looked the more likely to win.

However, on 119 minutes the score was still 0-0 when Turkish stand in keeper Rustu went walk abouts in his area and Klasnic turned the ball into an open goal. The Croatian fans and players went wild as they believed they had booked their semi-final slot and had sent the Turkish team homeward. No one obviously told the Turkish team and after Rustu launched a long ball forwards, it bounced and was rammed home by Senturk to send the game into penalties.

The Croatian team was in shock and this carried through to the penalties as they missed three as they slumped to a 3-1 loss. The Turks were seconds away from elimination and yet managed to battle through in an amazing and breathtaking triumph.

Turkey are missing a number of key players through suspension, Nihat is ruled out through injury and will undoubtedly be ranked as outsiders when it comes to the semi-final. They are awaiting the result of the appeal against the two match ban their goalkeeper Demirel received. Although Rustu was a hero with his final penalty stop, he looked extremely nervous throughout the game and was so nearly the villain for Turkey.

If the big German players, particularly Michael Ballack, play to form they should be capable of getting to the final but after the past week and a half no one will rule Turkey out at this stage.

Hiddink the Holland Traitor
The other semi final will see Russia play Spain on Thursday night. Russia were frankly phenomenal in knocking out Holland, who were in scintillating form in the Group stages but could not live with the fast flowing football of the Russians. Guus Hiddink, the Dutch born Russian manager may have concerns about going home to his own country after the tournament but surely even the Dutch will accept they were comprehensively defeated by the better footballing side.

He may have missed the first two group games due to suspension but Andre Arshavin has lit up the tournament in his two games since. He was at the centre of everything good that Russia did in the game and justifiably scored the third Russian goal and finally doused Dutch hopes. A major cause for concern for the Russians is their inability to defend set pieces and this may be a way of getting past them for their opponents. Russia also have a few absences through suspension and will definitely miss the long range shooting of Kolodin.

Spain Slightly Better than Dismal Italians
The Sunday night match was extremely hard going to watch and it took penalties to decide the match before Spain ran out winners. There wasn't much fun to be had from watching the Italy and Spain quarter final but the Spanish were the more attacking team of the two, Mind you, it would have been hard to find a more defensive team than the Italians on the night.

In a tournament where attacking football has come back to prominence, the Italians tried to put football back twenty years. Spain were hardly adventurous compared to many of the teams left in the event but they finally got past their semi final hoodoo and will be facing Russia with a renewed confidence and belief.

With a few days off for the first time since the tournament started, the break before the semi-finals will offer many the chance to catch up and take stock of what has been a great tournament so far. No doubt many managers will be imploring their chairmen to get the cheque book out but most football fans will have a simpler aim than that. To sit back, relax and look forward to Germany versus Turkey on Wednesday night and Russia versus Spain on Thursday.

for The Silver Circle at www.footballtip.co.uk

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