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David Villa: Two goals for Spain
After 12 days of intense group-stage combat, we've made it to the nitty gritty of the tournament. In case you've forgotten, Portugal and Switzerland progressed from Group A; Germany and Croatia went through from Group B; France and Holland finished in the top two in Group C; and our Group D qualifiers were Spain and Sweden. Let's crack on...
Day 13 - Thursday 19 June
Quarter-final 1, Basel
Portugal v Croatia
Two of the most technically-accomplished midfields in the tournament go head to head, but Croatia are taking a more physical approach to this match in a bid to unsettle Cristiano Ronaldo and co. A Niko Kranjcar shot from a tight angle screams right across the face of goal and it looks as if Slaven Bilic's team are about to make the breakthrough - but then comes disaster.
Croatia are defending too high up the pitch, and when Joao Moutinho finds Nuno Gomes in space with a neat through-ball, it's panic stations. Stipe Pletikosa comes haring out of goal in a bid to close down Nuno Gomes but he takes it round the Croatian goalkeeper and puts Portugal ahead on 35 minutes.
After the break, Luka Modric's effort goes just wide and then at the other end, Pletikosa touches a dangerous Deco free-kick onto the bar.
The woodwork comes to Portugal's rescue soon afterwards as Kranjcar clatters the frame of the goal with a sensational long-range strike.
Croatia's last attack comes through Mladen Petric, who bears down on goal and eludes two defenders before striking a firm shot towards Ricardo - but although the ball gets past the Portuguese keeper, it's narrowly wide of the right-hand upright.
The final whistle goes with Portugal into the semi-finals - but it was a nervous evening for Luiz Felipe Scolari's men.
Final score: Portugal 1 Croatia 0.
Day 14 - Friday 20 June
Quarter-final 2, Vienna
Germany v Switzerland
The Swiss have been the surprise package of the tournament so far, but few give them much hope of rolling over Germany and making it through to the semi-finals - particularly as they are no longer on home soil.
However, they show no signs of fear whatsoever and take the lead after 19 minutes as Marco Streller manages to feed the ball forwards to Alexander Frei, and the skipper lifts a beautiful chip over goalkeeper Jens Lehmann to send the Swiss hordes into raptures.
Germany look certain to equalise minutes later when Miroslav Klose dribbles clear of Diego Benaglio and has an open goal - but he only manages to direct the ball over the bar.
Switzerland plough on in search of a second goal and Valon Behrami forces Lehmann into a good save.
In the second half, the Germans are fuming when a controversial decision goes against them. Philippe Senderos brings down Lukas Podolski right on the edge of the penalty area, and there's some debate even after the TV replays over whether it was inside or outside the box. But a free-kick is all that is given, and although Michael Ballack's effort is on target, Benaglio gets two hands on it.
Germany are now throwing everything at Switzerland in a bid to find an equaliser and keep their Euros dream alive. But when Mario Gomez finally gets clear and looks to go one on one with Benaglio, Patrick Muller commits a professional foul to stop the German in his tracks. There's no argument about the 85th-minute red card, but Muller's decision to sacrifice himself for victory pays off as the Swiss close out the 90 minutes and book a semi-final rematch against the Portuguese.
Final score: Germany 0 Switzerland 1.
Day 15 - Saturday 21 June
Quarter-final 3, Basel
France v Sweden
France have looked a class act in this tournament and are the only team with a 100% record going into the knockout stages.
And they look far too good for Sweden on the evidence of the first half, with Franck Ribery giving Les Bleus the lead on 26 minutes. Nicolas Anelka and Karim Benzema are both involved as a tidy passing move ends with Ribery finishing adroitly at the far post.
Soon after, Benzema's shot strikes the foot of the post and bounces out but Sweden manage to scramble the ball clear.
Following a stern half-time teamtalk, the Swedes emerge with renewed energy and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson set about the French defence with gusto. Cracks emerge as wingers Freddie Ljungberg and Christian Wilhelmsson stage a series of raids down the flanks, but William Gallas and Lilian Thuram clear up all the crosses without any fuss.
It's going to take something special for Sweden to find an equaliser and although Anders Svensson forces Gregory Coupet into a full-stretch diving save on 70 minutes, it's au revoir to Sweden who just can't get on the scoresheet on this occasion.
Final score: France 1 Sweden 0.
Day 16 - Sunday 22 June
Quarter-final 4, Vienna
Spain v Holland
Spain won a penalty shoot-out to confirm their position as Group D winners while the Dutch only qualified for the last eight courtesy of Arjen Robben's stoppage-time winner against Romania.
An exciting clash is in store in Vienna therefore, and it's first blood to Spain on 31 minutes as David Villa jinks down the left wing and into the box before rifling a superb low shot across Edwin van der Sar and into the far corner.
Spain look a good bet for the half-time advantage but Wesley Sneijder has other ideas. He lets fly with a blistering 25-yard drive two minutes before the break and it rockets into the top corner to put Holland on level terms.
The teams can't be separated in a tight and nervy second half, so the match goes to extra-time. And it's Villa who restores Spain's advantage on 108 minutes with a sweet finish that gives van der Sar no chance.
The Dutch refuse to lie down though and after Iker Casillas makes an excellent save down to his right to push Ruud van Nistelrooy's shot round the post, everyone comes up for the corner. And who is there to rise majestically between the defenders but Dirk Kuyt, who heads down and over the line despite Carlos Marchena's desperate attempt to clear.
In the closing stages, Khalid Boulahrouz is sent off for a tackle from behind on Sneijder but it's too late to have any real impact on the game.
So it's another shoot-out for Spain and they are on course for victory when van Nistelrooy's first effort for Holland is saved by Casillas. The other penalties are all scored until round four when Andres Iniesta's effort strikes the inside of the post and bounces along the line and away from goal. Kuyt levels the scoreline, and then Xavi steps up - but scoops his spot-kick horribly over the bar. That leaves Orlando Engelaar with the task of putting Holland into the semi-finals and he does so confidently, handing the shoot-out win to the Dutch 4-3.
Final score: Spain 2 Holland 2 AET; Holland win 4-3 on penalties.
Now we have our final four - it will be Portugal v Switzerland in Basel, followed by France v Holland in Vienna. Only one of these nations can become (virtual) champions of Europe. Join us next time for the semi-finals...
Comments
John Kelly (Manchester United fan) says...
Last night was the first night without a match, is anyone getting withdrawal symtoms from lack of footie on the box, wont know what to do with myself when tournament over, feel like one of those big brother eeijits who need therepy after the show!! Best tournament in years.
Posted 10:29 24th June 2008
Serawit Assefa (Liverpool fan) says...
holand win the ero 2008 and she will be a champion
Posted 14:14 21st June 2008
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