PETALING JAYA: Selangor kept their Malaysia Cup quarter-final hopes alive with a convincing 5-2 win over Malacca in a Group A match at the Shah Alam Stadium last night.
National Under-23 midfielder Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal put Selangor in front in the sixth minute before Mohd Saiful Nizam equalised for Malacca in the 42nd minute.
Frank Seator then struck twice in two minutes – 44th and 46th – to put Selangor 3-1 up.
Out of my way: Police’s Nizaruddin Yusof (left) and Sabah’s Mohd Munir Amran fighting for the ball during their match at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium last night. Police won the Group B match 4-3. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/ The Star
Out of my way: Police’s Nizaruddin Yusof (left) and Sabah’s Mohd Munir Amran fighting for the ball during their match at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium last night. Police won the Group B match 4-3. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/ The Star
Although Saiful reduced the deficit for Malacca in the 47th minute, a brace from Mohd Safee Sali in the 77th and 88th minutes sealed a comfortable win for the Red Giants.
The win is a huge relief for Selangor, who had suffered back-to-back defeats after their FA Cup final loss to Kedah (2-3) last month. The result saw Dollah Salleh’s boys suffering a slump in form, going down to Negri Sembilan (0-3) and Kelantan (2-5).
In another Group A match in Kuching, Sarawak snatched a surprise 2-1 over Terengganu at the Sarawak Stadium.
Arshad Ayub scored the winner for the home team in stoppage time from the penalty spot. Piousdinho James had earlier put the Crocs ahead in the 69th minute before Marzuki Yusof equalised for Terengganu in the 86th minute.
Defending champions Kedah failed to register a win for the third straight game in Group B when they could only draw 1-1 with Johor FC at the Jcorp Stadium in Pasir Gudang.
Since winning the FA Cup crown last month, Super League titlists Kedah have fallen to a surprise 0-1 home defeat to Kuala Lumpur and drawn 3-3 with Sabah.
In another Group B match, table-toppers Police edged Sabah 4-3 at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium. The cops are on a roll, having garnered 11 points from three wins and two draws.
In the third Group B match at the City Stadium, Penang and Premier League side Kuala Lumpur drew 1-1 to share the points.
The first-half failed to produce any goals although Penang dominated the game.
Kuala Lumpur took the lead against the run of play when Mohd Hafzairi Azmi finished off a Fahrul Kamaruddin cross with a firm grounder in the 68th minute.
The goal stunned the Panthers into action. But it wasn’t until the 81st minute that they managed to draw level when American Scott Lawson nodded home an Amir Shahreen cross for a face-saving draw.
In Group C, Pahang were forced to eke out a 2-1 win over Armed Forces at the Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan.
Keita Boubacar scored in the ninth minute before Norfazli Alias doubled the tally four minutes later. Mohd Nazri Akui reduced the deficit for the soldiers in the 84th minute.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Football: Red Giants on fire
BY ERIC SAMUEL and RONNIE OH
PETALING JAYA: Selangor kept their Malaysia Cup quarter-final hopes alive with a convincing 5-2 win over Malacca in a Group A match at the Shah Alam Stadium last night.
National Under-23 midfielder Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal put Selangor in front in the sixth minute before Mohd Saiful Nizam equalised for Malacca in the 42nd minute.
Frank Seator then struck twice in two minutes – 44th and 46th – to put Selangor 3-1 up.
Out of my way: Police’s Nizaruddin Yusof (left) and Sabah’s Mohd Munir Amran fighting for the ball during their match at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium last night. Police won the Group B match 4-3. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/ The Star
Out of my way: Police’s Nizaruddin Yusof (left) and Sabah’s Mohd Munir Amran fighting for the ball during their match at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium last night. Police won the Group B match 4-3. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/ The Star
Although Saiful reduced the deficit for Malacca in the 47th minute, a brace from Mohd Safee Sali in the 77th and 88th minutes sealed a comfortable win for the Red Giants.
The win is a huge relief for Selangor, who had suffered back-to-back defeats after their FA Cup final loss to Kedah (2-3) last month. The result saw Dollah Salleh’s boys suffering a slump in form, going down to Negri Sembilan (0-3) and Kelantan (2-5).
In another Group A match in Kuching, Sarawak snatched a surprise 2-1 over Terengganu at the Sarawak Stadium.
Arshad Ayub scored the winner for the home team in stoppage time from the penalty spot. Piousdinho James had earlier put the Crocs ahead in the 69th minute before Marzuki Yusof equalised for Terengganu in the 86th minute.
Defending champions Kedah failed to register a win for the third straight game in Group B when they could only draw 1-1 with Johor FC at the Jcorp Stadium in Pasir Gudang.
Since winning the FA Cup crown last month, Super League titlists Kedah have fallen to a surprise 0-1 home defeat to Kuala Lumpur and drawn 3-3 with Sabah.
In another Group B match, table-toppers Police edged Sabah 4-3 at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium. The cops are on a roll, having garnered 11 points from three wins and two draws.
In the third Group B match at the City Stadium, Penang and Premier League side Kuala Lumpur drew 1-1 to share the points.
The first-half failed to produce any goals although Penang dominated the game.
Kuala Lumpur took the lead against the run of play when Mohd Hafzairi Azmi finished off a Fahrul Kamaruddin cross with a firm grounder in the 68th minute.
The goal stunned the Panthers into action. But it wasn’t until the 81st minute that they managed to draw level when American Scott Lawson nodded home an Amir Shahreen cross for a face-saving draw.
In Group C, Pahang were forced to eke out a 2-1 win over Armed Forces at the Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan.
Keita Boubacar scored in the ninth minute before Norfazli Alias doubled the tally four minutes later. Mohd Nazri Akui reduced the deficit for the soldiers in the 84th minute.
PETALING JAYA: Selangor kept their Malaysia Cup quarter-final hopes alive with a convincing 5-2 win over Malacca in a Group A match at the Shah Alam Stadium last night.
National Under-23 midfielder Mohd Amirulhadi Zainal put Selangor in front in the sixth minute before Mohd Saiful Nizam equalised for Malacca in the 42nd minute.
Frank Seator then struck twice in two minutes – 44th and 46th – to put Selangor 3-1 up.
Out of my way: Police’s Nizaruddin Yusof (left) and Sabah’s Mohd Munir Amran fighting for the ball during their match at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium last night. Police won the Group B match 4-3. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/ The Star
Out of my way: Police’s Nizaruddin Yusof (left) and Sabah’s Mohd Munir Amran fighting for the ball during their match at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium last night. Police won the Group B match 4-3. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/ The Star
Although Saiful reduced the deficit for Malacca in the 47th minute, a brace from Mohd Safee Sali in the 77th and 88th minutes sealed a comfortable win for the Red Giants.
The win is a huge relief for Selangor, who had suffered back-to-back defeats after their FA Cup final loss to Kedah (2-3) last month. The result saw Dollah Salleh’s boys suffering a slump in form, going down to Negri Sembilan (0-3) and Kelantan (2-5).
In another Group A match in Kuching, Sarawak snatched a surprise 2-1 over Terengganu at the Sarawak Stadium.
Arshad Ayub scored the winner for the home team in stoppage time from the penalty spot. Piousdinho James had earlier put the Crocs ahead in the 69th minute before Marzuki Yusof equalised for Terengganu in the 86th minute.
Defending champions Kedah failed to register a win for the third straight game in Group B when they could only draw 1-1 with Johor FC at the Jcorp Stadium in Pasir Gudang.
Since winning the FA Cup crown last month, Super League titlists Kedah have fallen to a surprise 0-1 home defeat to Kuala Lumpur and drawn 3-3 with Sabah.
In another Group B match, table-toppers Police edged Sabah 4-3 at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium. The cops are on a roll, having garnered 11 points from three wins and two draws.
In the third Group B match at the City Stadium, Penang and Premier League side Kuala Lumpur drew 1-1 to share the points.
The first-half failed to produce any goals although Penang dominated the game.
Kuala Lumpur took the lead against the run of play when Mohd Hafzairi Azmi finished off a Fahrul Kamaruddin cross with a firm grounder in the 68th minute.
The goal stunned the Panthers into action. But it wasn’t until the 81st minute that they managed to draw level when American Scott Lawson nodded home an Amir Shahreen cross for a face-saving draw.
In Group C, Pahang were forced to eke out a 2-1 win over Armed Forces at the Darulmakmur Stadium in Kuantan.
Keita Boubacar scored in the ninth minute before Norfazli Alias doubled the tally four minutes later. Mohd Nazri Akui reduced the deficit for the soldiers in the 84th minute.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Another title slips through Ballack's hands
VIENNA, Austria: Michael Ballack shed blood for Germany and still couldn't deliver a title.
The captain wound up with a gash above his right eye in his team's 1-0 European Championship final loss to Spain and now has another runner-up medal to go with the three he collected with Chelsea this past season.
Second place yet again a month after Ballack and his Chelsea teammates lost a penalty shootout to Manchester United in the Champions League final and the Red Devils edged them to the Premier League title.
Add that to a loss to Tottenham in the less prestigious League Cup final at Wembley Stadium, and that makes four runner-up prizes in four months for the Germany captain.
It also means that the nation that has won the title three times and was in its sixth final now hasn't won one of soccer's top international prizes in 12 years.
Make that 14 because the next championship, the World Cup, isn't for another two years. At the end of a game he nearly missed because of a calf muscle injury, Ballack stood near the center circle, almost surrounded by Spanish players celebrating their deserved victory and first European title in 44 years.
At first no one would go near him. Eventually he was consoled by Germany coach Joachim Loew and, slowly, his teammates went up to share the pain he was feeling.
"I am very disappointed, obviously,'' Ballack said.
"We had a great tournament, but made one mistake too many. We were lacking of power against a great Spanish team, we could not keep up with them.''
While Ballack stands every chance of winning trophies with Chelsea next season, he must now wonder when he's going to win a title in national colors.
World Cup qualifying starts for Germany in September and those finals aren't until 2010, when he will be 33.
While Spain thoroughly deserved its victory and long overdue title, it's easy to feel sorry for Ballack.
Although he won Bundesliga and cup titles with Bayern Munich, he also lost in the 2002 Champions League final when Bayer Leverkusen went down to Real Madrid.
Ballack also missed out at the 2000 and 2004 Euros when Germany was knocked out in the first round each time.
He also missed out on playing in the World Cup final in 2002 in Yokohama, Japan, because of suspension and had to watch Germany lose to Brazil 2-0.
But this final should have been made for him.
The possibility of him missing the game through a calf muscle injury that flared up two days ago set up a dramatic story on the day of the final.
Would Germany's captain and inspirational figure run out to lead the team for its biggest game since the 2002 World Cup final?
When the team lineups were announced, there was a collective gasp of relief from the 15,000 German fans in the Ernst Happel Stadium and trepidation among the Spaniards that Ballack might at last produce the performance that would deny them a title they had been waiting for since the 1964 European Championship.
Showing no signs of the calf muscle injury, Ballack was in the game early and Germany created the better chances in the early stages. He pushed the ball through the legs of Spain defender Carles Puyol and delivered a cross but no German was there to take advantage.
But Spain went ahead through Fernando Torres' 33rd-minute goal and, from then on, it became a struggle for Ballack and his team.
When the captain went up to challenge Spain midfielder Marcos Senna for a header, he fell to the turf with blood seeping from a cut near his right eye.
He was up after two minutes and back on the field. But referee Roberto Rosetti ran over to him, examined his eye in the manner boxing referees do to injured fighters, and sent him off again to get more treatment.
Once more Ballack was lying on his leg as German trainers dabbed his eye and tried to stop the flow of blood and, forced to change his bloodstained shirt, was back on the field again.
First the calf muscle scare and now the sight of their captain lying on his back being treated for a cut.
No wonder German fans don't think football gives them many breaks these days after all those years of titles and domination.
Almost as if the blow on the head had affected him, Ballack was involved in a scuffle with Spain defenders Carlos Marchena and Carles Puyol only two minutes before halftime and wound with a yellow card from Rosetti after he fouled one of the Spaniards.
He cooled down enough after the break and almost scored Germany's equalizer in the 59th minute with a first-time shot which flicked the side of the net.
With Spain chasing a second goal, however, Ballack was laboring in his midfield role and struggling to get back to help his overworked defenders. With time running out, he would stand with his hands on his hips wondering how he could manage to turn the game around.
"We wanted to come back in the second half, but we just couldn't do it,'' Ballack said.
"For us, to reach the final was a great achievement. We have to be satisfied with that regarding the quality of the other teams competing.''
Now he has to come to terms with another failure.
All those runner-up medals and semifinals and near misses are a poor return for one of Germany's greats.
This should have been Michael Ballack's day.
The one big chance to show frustrated German fans that he could deliver the title after all those disappointments and letdowns.
But it was another chance that trickled away. A little like the blood that ran down the side of his face.
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The captain wound up with a gash above his right eye in his team's 1-0 European Championship final loss to Spain and now has another runner-up medal to go with the three he collected with Chelsea this past season.
Second place yet again a month after Ballack and his Chelsea teammates lost a penalty shootout to Manchester United in the Champions League final and the Red Devils edged them to the Premier League title.
Add that to a loss to Tottenham in the less prestigious League Cup final at Wembley Stadium, and that makes four runner-up prizes in four months for the Germany captain.
It also means that the nation that has won the title three times and was in its sixth final now hasn't won one of soccer's top international prizes in 12 years.
Make that 14 because the next championship, the World Cup, isn't for another two years. At the end of a game he nearly missed because of a calf muscle injury, Ballack stood near the center circle, almost surrounded by Spanish players celebrating their deserved victory and first European title in 44 years.
At first no one would go near him. Eventually he was consoled by Germany coach Joachim Loew and, slowly, his teammates went up to share the pain he was feeling.
"I am very disappointed, obviously,'' Ballack said.
"We had a great tournament, but made one mistake too many. We were lacking of power against a great Spanish team, we could not keep up with them.''
While Ballack stands every chance of winning trophies with Chelsea next season, he must now wonder when he's going to win a title in national colors.
World Cup qualifying starts for Germany in September and those finals aren't until 2010, when he will be 33.
While Spain thoroughly deserved its victory and long overdue title, it's easy to feel sorry for Ballack.
Although he won Bundesliga and cup titles with Bayern Munich, he also lost in the 2002 Champions League final when Bayer Leverkusen went down to Real Madrid.
Ballack also missed out at the 2000 and 2004 Euros when Germany was knocked out in the first round each time.
He also missed out on playing in the World Cup final in 2002 in Yokohama, Japan, because of suspension and had to watch Germany lose to Brazil 2-0.
But this final should have been made for him.
The possibility of him missing the game through a calf muscle injury that flared up two days ago set up a dramatic story on the day of the final.
Would Germany's captain and inspirational figure run out to lead the team for its biggest game since the 2002 World Cup final?
When the team lineups were announced, there was a collective gasp of relief from the 15,000 German fans in the Ernst Happel Stadium and trepidation among the Spaniards that Ballack might at last produce the performance that would deny them a title they had been waiting for since the 1964 European Championship.
Showing no signs of the calf muscle injury, Ballack was in the game early and Germany created the better chances in the early stages. He pushed the ball through the legs of Spain defender Carles Puyol and delivered a cross but no German was there to take advantage.
But Spain went ahead through Fernando Torres' 33rd-minute goal and, from then on, it became a struggle for Ballack and his team.
When the captain went up to challenge Spain midfielder Marcos Senna for a header, he fell to the turf with blood seeping from a cut near his right eye.
He was up after two minutes and back on the field. But referee Roberto Rosetti ran over to him, examined his eye in the manner boxing referees do to injured fighters, and sent him off again to get more treatment.
Once more Ballack was lying on his leg as German trainers dabbed his eye and tried to stop the flow of blood and, forced to change his bloodstained shirt, was back on the field again.
First the calf muscle scare and now the sight of their captain lying on his back being treated for a cut.
No wonder German fans don't think football gives them many breaks these days after all those years of titles and domination.
Almost as if the blow on the head had affected him, Ballack was involved in a scuffle with Spain defenders Carlos Marchena and Carles Puyol only two minutes before halftime and wound with a yellow card from Rosetti after he fouled one of the Spaniards.
He cooled down enough after the break and almost scored Germany's equalizer in the 59th minute with a first-time shot which flicked the side of the net.
With Spain chasing a second goal, however, Ballack was laboring in his midfield role and struggling to get back to help his overworked defenders. With time running out, he would stand with his hands on his hips wondering how he could manage to turn the game around.
"We wanted to come back in the second half, but we just couldn't do it,'' Ballack said.
"For us, to reach the final was a great achievement. We have to be satisfied with that regarding the quality of the other teams competing.''
Now he has to come to terms with another failure.
All those runner-up medals and semifinals and near misses are a poor return for one of Germany's greats.
This should have been Michael Ballack's day.
The one big chance to show frustrated German fans that he could deliver the title after all those disappointments and letdowns.
But it was another chance that trickled away. A little like the blood that ran down the side of his face.
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Torres ends dream season on a high
VIENNA, Austria (AP) - Fernando Torres was rewarded for not giving up in the European Championship final.
The Spain striker struggled all tournament to rediscover the touch that had brought 24 Premier League goals for Liverpool last season, a record for a foreign player on debut.
But he scored in the 33rd minute Sunday to give Spain a 1-0 win over Germany and only its second football title.
Xavi Hernandez slid a ball through for Torres to touch past Philipp Lahm, before he outpaced the Germany defender and clipped a shot over advancing goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and into the net at Ernst Happel Stadium.
It was enough for Spain to win its first title since beating the Soviet Union in the 1964 European Championship final in Madrid.
"I am happy because my job is to score goals. I have done my job,'' Torres said.
"Lahm was in a better position, but for a moment he relaxed and that was to my advantage.
"It is a privilege to be in the national team and to live through the most beautiful moment of getting the cup. It will be good not only for Spain, but also for football because the team that played best won. We are doubly happy because we won and because the best team won.''
Torres didn't have the best start at Euro 2008, being replaced in the team's opening 4-1 win over Russia in the 54th minute as teammate David Villa scored the first hat trick at the tournament since 2000.
Torres scored in Spain's next match, a 2-1 win over Sweden for Spain to clinch progression to the quarterfinals, where he struggled to make any impact in the scoreless draw with Italy and was replaced before the 4-2 penalty shootout victory.
Spain scored three second-half goals to beat Russia 3-0 in the semifinals and take the team through to its first final since the 1984 European Championship.
However, Torres missed numerous chances on the wet surface at Ernst Happel Stadium and was again replaced before fulltime.
But against Germany, Torres' runs exposed the lack of pace of Germany central defenders Per Mertesacker and Christoph Metzelder, although it was Lahm's error that ended a 44-year title drought for Spain.
"It's a fantastic season for me, a fantastic season with Liverpool and a fantastic season with the national team,'' Torres said.
"It's my best season. I want to win more titles and be the most important player in Europe. Hopefully, this is the first of many.'' - AP
The Spain striker struggled all tournament to rediscover the touch that had brought 24 Premier League goals for Liverpool last season, a record for a foreign player on debut.
But he scored in the 33rd minute Sunday to give Spain a 1-0 win over Germany and only its second football title.
Xavi Hernandez slid a ball through for Torres to touch past Philipp Lahm, before he outpaced the Germany defender and clipped a shot over advancing goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and into the net at Ernst Happel Stadium.
It was enough for Spain to win its first title since beating the Soviet Union in the 1964 European Championship final in Madrid.
"I am happy because my job is to score goals. I have done my job,'' Torres said.
"Lahm was in a better position, but for a moment he relaxed and that was to my advantage.
"It is a privilege to be in the national team and to live through the most beautiful moment of getting the cup. It will be good not only for Spain, but also for football because the team that played best won. We are doubly happy because we won and because the best team won.''
Torres didn't have the best start at Euro 2008, being replaced in the team's opening 4-1 win over Russia in the 54th minute as teammate David Villa scored the first hat trick at the tournament since 2000.
Torres scored in Spain's next match, a 2-1 win over Sweden for Spain to clinch progression to the quarterfinals, where he struggled to make any impact in the scoreless draw with Italy and was replaced before the 4-2 penalty shootout victory.
Spain scored three second-half goals to beat Russia 3-0 in the semifinals and take the team through to its first final since the 1984 European Championship.
However, Torres missed numerous chances on the wet surface at Ernst Happel Stadium and was again replaced before fulltime.
But against Germany, Torres' runs exposed the lack of pace of Germany central defenders Per Mertesacker and Christoph Metzelder, although it was Lahm's error that ended a 44-year title drought for Spain.
"It's a fantastic season for me, a fantastic season with Liverpool and a fantastic season with the national team,'' Torres said.
"It's my best season. I want to win more titles and be the most important player in Europe. Hopefully, this is the first of many.'' - AP
Football: Spain beats Germany 1-0 to win Euro title
VIENNA, Austria: Fernando Torres finally lived up to his billing as one of the world's great strikers Sunday by scoring to give Spain a 1-0 win over Germany and the European Championship title.
Torres, who had been overshadowed by teammate David Villa all tournament, scored in the 33rd minute of the final to down the three-time European champions and earn his nation's first major title in 44 years.
Touching a sliding pass from Xavi Hernandez past Philipp Lahm, Torres turned and ran past his marker on the opposite side, collected the ball and lifted a shot over sliding goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and into the far corner.
"My job is to score goals,'' Torres said.
"I want to win more titles and be the most important player in Europe and the world.''
Spain's Sergio Ramos, center, and Iker Casillas, right, celebrates with the trophy after the Euro 2008 final between Germany and Spain in the Ernst-Happel stadium in Vienna - AP
Spain had more chances but the goal was enough to give the country its first title since the 1964 European Championship.
"Spain played very well during whole tournament. and they were technically excellent,'' Germany coach Joachim Loew said.
"They fully deserve victory.''
In the end, Spain was a deserved winner of the 13th European Championship.
Long known as an underachiever that peaked between tournaments rather than at them, the team reached the final at Ernst Happel Stadium with a string of beguiling attacking displays orchestrated by a vibrant midfield - and held true to its values in the highest pressure match.
Germanfan reacts after the defeat - AP
Xavi, Andres Iniesta and David Silva swapped positions constantly against a midfield marshaled by Michael Ballack and eventually wore out their opponents until it seemed Spain was simply counting down time until the final whistle.
Red-shirted fans started to greet each successful pass with cheers of "Ole!'' before erupting into relieved delirium on the whistle.
The overjoyed players gathered to throw 69-year-old coach Luis Aragones into the air in celebration, while the massed ranks of Spanish fans sang themselves hoarse with "Viva Espana'' as fireworks went off overhead.
"It is the most imporant day in Spanish football in many, many years,'' Torres said.
Germany, playing in its seventh European Championship final, had a strong appeal for a first-half penalty turned down but, despite Ballack's imperious performance, could not find a way past the Spain defense.http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/6/30/sports/fanwithflags.JPG
Ballack's tender right calf had meant that, until right before kickoff, it looked like he was about to add a missed European Championship final to the World Cup final he sat out in 2002.
But he took his place in the lineup and, against a team with even slightly less skill and passion, could have been the driving force in another German win.
A soccer fan with German and Spanish national flags reacts at the ' Fan-Mile', a public viewing zone in central Berlin, Germany on Sunday during the last minutes of the final of the Euro 2008 soccer championships in Vienna - AP
"We had a great tournament, but made one mistake too many,'' Ballack said.
"We were lacking of power against a great Spanish team, we couldn't keep up with them.''
Germany dominated the opening exchanges until a lucky break in the 14th gave the Spanish their first chance on goal and a boost that clearly lifted their play.
"We controlled the game for 15 minutes, but had no answer after Spain found to its rhythm,'' Loew said.
"Spain played better. We couldn't match their level.''
On a rare foray forward, Iniesta sent a cross into the box from the left and Germany defender Christoph Metzelder stuck out a boot to send the ball rocketing toward his own goal.
Only a diving reaction save by Jens Lehmann kept it out and prevented an own-goal. Spain never looked back.
Per Mertesacker had to dispossess Torres in the area with a well-timed sliding tackle before Torres found space for a couple of dangerous headers.
He put the first just over the bar before sending the second against the foot of the post with Lehmann beaten.
Germany then was left to rue its luck in what could have been the decisive moment of the match in the 29th.
Fullback Joan Capdevila mis-controlled the ball and it clearly bounced up to hit his hand, but referee Roberto Rosetti waved away the appeals.
Moments later, Torres showed why he is rated one of the best strikers in the world. With leading tournament scorer Villa absent because of injury, Torres was again the sole outlet in attack.
He took Xavi's pass and finished off his chance by flipping the ball over Lehmann and watching it roll softly into the corner for his second goal of Euro 2008.
http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/6/30/sports/fanwithflags.JPG
Germany replaced the struggling Lahm with Marcell Jansen at halftime but Silva still got in a 54th-minute shot that right back Sergio Ramos almost deflected in with a back heel.
Ballack, who had already received treatment for a head wound and was railing against every decision in Spain's favor, shot past the post and almost set up substitute Kevin Kuranyi with a cross that goalkeeper Iker Casillas just tipped away.
"We wanted to come back in the second half, but we just couldn't do it,'' Ballack said.
"For us, to reach the final was a great achievement. We have to be satisfied with that regarding the quality of the other teams competing.''
But aside from isolated passages of play, it was all Spain.
Ramos sent a diving header onto the bar from Xavi's deep cross, Iniesta almost scored with a near post shot that Torsten Frings just managed to block, and Senna just missed a cross in front of an open goal in the 82nd.
It was a dramatic change from the start of the match, when all the attacking had come from Germany.
Exploiting space left by Ramos, who was pushing forward down the wing and leaving captain Carles Puyol to cover, Miroslav Klose, Lahm and Ballack all found openings.
Klose could have had a shot in the third, but his poor touch took the ball out for a goal kick, Lahm sent a cross too far across the area, and Ballack beat Puyol before the recovering Ramos got a toe to the cross to deflect it from danger.
"We will analyze the next couple of days what went wrong and work on that for the near future,'' Loew said.
"Overall, the team had a great result, considering the other contenders, like Italy, France, or the Netherlands.''
Lineups:
Spain: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Carles Puyol, Carlos Marchena, Joan Capdevila, Xavi Hernandez, David Silva (Santi Cazorla, 66), Marcos Senna, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas (Xabi Alonso, 63), Fernando Torres (Dani Guiza, 78).
Germany: Jens Lehmann, Christoph Metzelder, Per Mertesacker, Philipp Lahm (Marcell Jansen, 46), Arne Friedrich, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Hitzlsperger (Kevin Kuranyi, 58), Torsten Frings, Michael Ballack, Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose (Mario Gomez, 79). - AP
European Championship Champions
2008_Spain
2004_Greece
2000_France
1996_Germany
1992_Denmark
1988_Netherlands
1984_France
1980_Germany
1976_Czechoslovakia
1972_Germany
1968_Italy
1964_Spain
1960_Soviet Union
Torres, who had been overshadowed by teammate David Villa all tournament, scored in the 33rd minute of the final to down the three-time European champions and earn his nation's first major title in 44 years.
Touching a sliding pass from Xavi Hernandez past Philipp Lahm, Torres turned and ran past his marker on the opposite side, collected the ball and lifted a shot over sliding goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and into the far corner.
"My job is to score goals,'' Torres said.
"I want to win more titles and be the most important player in Europe and the world.''
Spain's Sergio Ramos, center, and Iker Casillas, right, celebrates with the trophy after the Euro 2008 final between Germany and Spain in the Ernst-Happel stadium in Vienna - AP
Spain had more chances but the goal was enough to give the country its first title since the 1964 European Championship.
"Spain played very well during whole tournament. and they were technically excellent,'' Germany coach Joachim Loew said.
"They fully deserve victory.''
In the end, Spain was a deserved winner of the 13th European Championship.
Long known as an underachiever that peaked between tournaments rather than at them, the team reached the final at Ernst Happel Stadium with a string of beguiling attacking displays orchestrated by a vibrant midfield - and held true to its values in the highest pressure match.
Germanfan reacts after the defeat - AP
Xavi, Andres Iniesta and David Silva swapped positions constantly against a midfield marshaled by Michael Ballack and eventually wore out their opponents until it seemed Spain was simply counting down time until the final whistle.Red-shirted fans started to greet each successful pass with cheers of "Ole!'' before erupting into relieved delirium on the whistle.
The overjoyed players gathered to throw 69-year-old coach Luis Aragones into the air in celebration, while the massed ranks of Spanish fans sang themselves hoarse with "Viva Espana'' as fireworks went off overhead.
"It is the most imporant day in Spanish football in many, many years,'' Torres said.
Germany, playing in its seventh European Championship final, had a strong appeal for a first-half penalty turned down but, despite Ballack's imperious performance, could not find a way past the Spain defense.http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/6/30/sports/fanwithflags.JPG
Ballack's tender right calf had meant that, until right before kickoff, it looked like he was about to add a missed European Championship final to the World Cup final he sat out in 2002.
But he took his place in the lineup and, against a team with even slightly less skill and passion, could have been the driving force in another German win.
A soccer fan with German and Spanish national flags reacts at the ' Fan-Mile', a public viewing zone in central Berlin, Germany on Sunday during the last minutes of the final of the Euro 2008 soccer championships in Vienna - AP
"We had a great tournament, but made one mistake too many,'' Ballack said.
"We were lacking of power against a great Spanish team, we couldn't keep up with them.''
Germany dominated the opening exchanges until a lucky break in the 14th gave the Spanish their first chance on goal and a boost that clearly lifted their play.
"We controlled the game for 15 minutes, but had no answer after Spain found to its rhythm,'' Loew said.
"Spain played better. We couldn't match their level.''
On a rare foray forward, Iniesta sent a cross into the box from the left and Germany defender Christoph Metzelder stuck out a boot to send the ball rocketing toward his own goal.
Only a diving reaction save by Jens Lehmann kept it out and prevented an own-goal. Spain never looked back.
Per Mertesacker had to dispossess Torres in the area with a well-timed sliding tackle before Torres found space for a couple of dangerous headers.
He put the first just over the bar before sending the second against the foot of the post with Lehmann beaten.
Germany then was left to rue its luck in what could have been the decisive moment of the match in the 29th.
Fullback Joan Capdevila mis-controlled the ball and it clearly bounced up to hit his hand, but referee Roberto Rosetti waved away the appeals.
Moments later, Torres showed why he is rated one of the best strikers in the world. With leading tournament scorer Villa absent because of injury, Torres was again the sole outlet in attack.
He took Xavi's pass and finished off his chance by flipping the ball over Lehmann and watching it roll softly into the corner for his second goal of Euro 2008.
http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/6/30/sports/fanwithflags.JPG
Germany replaced the struggling Lahm with Marcell Jansen at halftime but Silva still got in a 54th-minute shot that right back Sergio Ramos almost deflected in with a back heel.
Ballack, who had already received treatment for a head wound and was railing against every decision in Spain's favor, shot past the post and almost set up substitute Kevin Kuranyi with a cross that goalkeeper Iker Casillas just tipped away.
"We wanted to come back in the second half, but we just couldn't do it,'' Ballack said.
"For us, to reach the final was a great achievement. We have to be satisfied with that regarding the quality of the other teams competing.''
But aside from isolated passages of play, it was all Spain.
Ramos sent a diving header onto the bar from Xavi's deep cross, Iniesta almost scored with a near post shot that Torsten Frings just managed to block, and Senna just missed a cross in front of an open goal in the 82nd.
It was a dramatic change from the start of the match, when all the attacking had come from Germany.
Exploiting space left by Ramos, who was pushing forward down the wing and leaving captain Carles Puyol to cover, Miroslav Klose, Lahm and Ballack all found openings.
Klose could have had a shot in the third, but his poor touch took the ball out for a goal kick, Lahm sent a cross too far across the area, and Ballack beat Puyol before the recovering Ramos got a toe to the cross to deflect it from danger.
"We will analyze the next couple of days what went wrong and work on that for the near future,'' Loew said.
"Overall, the team had a great result, considering the other contenders, like Italy, France, or the Netherlands.''
Lineups:
Spain: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Carles Puyol, Carlos Marchena, Joan Capdevila, Xavi Hernandez, David Silva (Santi Cazorla, 66), Marcos Senna, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas (Xabi Alonso, 63), Fernando Torres (Dani Guiza, 78).
Germany: Jens Lehmann, Christoph Metzelder, Per Mertesacker, Philipp Lahm (Marcell Jansen, 46), Arne Friedrich, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Hitzlsperger (Kevin Kuranyi, 58), Torsten Frings, Michael Ballack, Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose (Mario Gomez, 79). - AP
European Championship Champions
2008_Spain
2004_Greece
2000_France
1996_Germany
1992_Denmark
1988_Netherlands
1984_France
1980_Germany
1976_Czechoslovakia
1972_Germany
1968_Italy
1964_Spain
1960_Soviet Union
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Germany must raise their game if they want to win Euro 2008
Friday June 27, 2008
BASEL: Germany striker Miroslav Klose says the three-time European champions must raise their game if they are going to win the Euro 2008 crown in Sunday’s final.
Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm hit a 90th minute winner to finally break Turkey’s spirit after Turkish playmaker Semih Senturk had equalised just four minutes from time to make it 2-2 to set up a dramatic finish.
Germany will face either Russia or Spain in Sunday’s final and after a lacklustre first-half performance im Basel, Klose says they must fight much harder if they are to add a fourth European crown.
Miroslav Klose: "We're near the summit, but it remains to be seen if we can make it to the top."
“We’re near the summit, but it remains to be seen if we can make it to the top,” said the Bayern Munich striker who scored Germany’s second goal with a bullet-like header.
“I think we need to make a bigger effort in the final.
“The Turks played with real fire, they had real belief.
“I think it showed our strength that we still made a comeback, and scored several goals with so few opportunities.
“We had a lot of lows in the game, we didn’t convert our chances, we didn’t go hard in the personal battles and hung back from the challenges.”
Germany captain Michael Ballack said he had no preference which team his side face in Vienna on Sunday for the European title, but they needed to re-group first.
“Our legs were a bit heavier, the team are tired, but we’re happy, we’re in the final and that’s what counts,” said the Chelsea midfielder.
“We’re going to take a break for a few days and build up our strength because we’ll need it.”
And Germany coach Joachim Loew admitted he would be smoking his customary cigarette to recover from the drama of the late win.
“I’m a little knackered from the game, it was an incredible battle,” said Loew, who was suspended for the quarter-final win over Portugal and had to watch the game from the stands at the St Jakob-Park Stadium.
“There was incredible suspense right up until the last minute, but we made it and of course we’re happy.
“The players are quite tired, they’ve worked hard in the last few weeks but of course they’re also overjoyed.
“We have this winner’s mentality and our aim is to win on Sunday.
“It was a confusing game for everyone, the Turks kept coming at us.
“We had a few opportunities, it was an open game.
“We were always passing the ball back and forth, there was maybe no clear structure in our game, but our team demonstrated great moral.”
And Loew said he was pleased Germany forged a win despite their below-par performance.
“Throughout the tournament, we had one or two games where we weren’t that great but we’ve made it to the final and that is the mark of a good side.” – AFP
BASEL: Germany striker Miroslav Klose says the three-time European champions must raise their game if they are going to win the Euro 2008 crown in Sunday’s final.
Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm hit a 90th minute winner to finally break Turkey’s spirit after Turkish playmaker Semih Senturk had equalised just four minutes from time to make it 2-2 to set up a dramatic finish.
Germany will face either Russia or Spain in Sunday’s final and after a lacklustre first-half performance im Basel, Klose says they must fight much harder if they are to add a fourth European crown.
Miroslav Klose: "We're near the summit, but it remains to be seen if we can make it to the top."
“We’re near the summit, but it remains to be seen if we can make it to the top,” said the Bayern Munich striker who scored Germany’s second goal with a bullet-like header.“I think we need to make a bigger effort in the final.
“The Turks played with real fire, they had real belief.
“I think it showed our strength that we still made a comeback, and scored several goals with so few opportunities.
“We had a lot of lows in the game, we didn’t convert our chances, we didn’t go hard in the personal battles and hung back from the challenges.”
Germany captain Michael Ballack said he had no preference which team his side face in Vienna on Sunday for the European title, but they needed to re-group first.
“Our legs were a bit heavier, the team are tired, but we’re happy, we’re in the final and that’s what counts,” said the Chelsea midfielder.
“We’re going to take a break for a few days and build up our strength because we’ll need it.”
And Germany coach Joachim Loew admitted he would be smoking his customary cigarette to recover from the drama of the late win.
“I’m a little knackered from the game, it was an incredible battle,” said Loew, who was suspended for the quarter-final win over Portugal and had to watch the game from the stands at the St Jakob-Park Stadium.
“There was incredible suspense right up until the last minute, but we made it and of course we’re happy.
“The players are quite tired, they’ve worked hard in the last few weeks but of course they’re also overjoyed.
“We have this winner’s mentality and our aim is to win on Sunday.
“It was a confusing game for everyone, the Turks kept coming at us.
“We had a few opportunities, it was an open game.
“We were always passing the ball back and forth, there was maybe no clear structure in our game, but our team demonstrated great moral.”
And Loew said he was pleased Germany forged a win despite their below-par performance.
“Throughout the tournament, we had one or two games where we weren’t that great but we’ve made it to the final and that is the mark of a good side.” – AFP
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Battle of outsiders
SALZBURG: Russia’s Euro 2008 Group D match against titleholders Greece today will be like a final claimed the Russian coach Guus Hiddink yesterday.
The 61-year-old Dutchman is looking for a markedly improved performance from his team after their 4-1 defeat by Spain in the opening match.
“The Greeks are in the same position as us (they lost 2-0 to Sweden),” said Hiddink.
“This match is a final. We want to qualify for the quarter-finals, but we cannot afford to play like we did against the Spanish.
Going through the drills: Russian players warming up before their training session at the Wals-SiezenheimStadium in Salzburg yesterday. Russia play Greece in their second Group D match today.
“It is not easy to change things in just four days but we have to try and play better as we were totally ineffective against the Spanish.
“Given what happened it is the battle of the outsiders and we (Russia) are the outsiders for this match.
“I just hope the players have learnt a lesson and will not repeat the naive and stupid mistakes, but they are learning what it is like to play at a top international level.”
However, Hiddink, who has established a reputation as being one of the finest coaches in football taking South Korea to the 2002 World Cup semi-finals and his native Holland to the 1998 semis where they lost on penalties to Brazil, said he would not change the starting line-up radically.
“The Greeks are also going to react after their defeat, but I don’t know how they are going to react tactically, if they will be four or five defenders, but I am sure they will react emotionally,” said Hiddink.
“For our part, we are not going to change our tactics, Russian players are accustomed to playing attacking football, I cannot tell them to defend all match and hit the other side on the counter attack.
“There will be some changes of personnel, but not many.”
Hiddink refused to comment on whether he believed his defenders who played against Spain will have recovered their morale.
“This question is off limits,” said Hiddink, who also took Australia to the second round of the 2006 World Cup.
“Tomorrow (Saturday) we have to score as many as possible and win. We will be strong mentally and the attacks on us by journalists are not weighing on our minds. I just hope that the players have learnt from their mistakes, and they have learnt how to play in finals (decisive matches), it is the moment for them to show their qualities.” – AFP
The 61-year-old Dutchman is looking for a markedly improved performance from his team after their 4-1 defeat by Spain in the opening match.
“The Greeks are in the same position as us (they lost 2-0 to Sweden),” said Hiddink.
“This match is a final. We want to qualify for the quarter-finals, but we cannot afford to play like we did against the Spanish.
Going through the drills: Russian players warming up before their training session at the Wals-SiezenheimStadium in Salzburg yesterday. Russia play Greece in their second Group D match today.
“It is not easy to change things in just four days but we have to try and play better as we were totally ineffective against the Spanish.
“Given what happened it is the battle of the outsiders and we (Russia) are the outsiders for this match.
“I just hope the players have learnt a lesson and will not repeat the naive and stupid mistakes, but they are learning what it is like to play at a top international level.”
However, Hiddink, who has established a reputation as being one of the finest coaches in football taking South Korea to the 2002 World Cup semi-finals and his native Holland to the 1998 semis where they lost on penalties to Brazil, said he would not change the starting line-up radically.
“The Greeks are also going to react after their defeat, but I don’t know how they are going to react tactically, if they will be four or five defenders, but I am sure they will react emotionally,” said Hiddink.
“For our part, we are not going to change our tactics, Russian players are accustomed to playing attacking football, I cannot tell them to defend all match and hit the other side on the counter attack.
“There will be some changes of personnel, but not many.”
Hiddink refused to comment on whether he believed his defenders who played against Spain will have recovered their morale.
“This question is off limits,” said Hiddink, who also took Australia to the second round of the 2006 World Cup.
“Tomorrow (Saturday) we have to score as many as possible and win. We will be strong mentally and the attacks on us by journalists are not weighing on our minds. I just hope that the players have learnt from their mistakes, and they have learnt how to play in finals (decisive matches), it is the moment for them to show their qualities.” – AFP
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