WE now have reached the Quarter Final stage of the Euro 2008 tournament and no real surprises here. The favourites have lived up to expectation and they all there for this stage of the tournament.
Unfortunately the co hosts have been knocked out from the Tournament and Germany take on Portugal a crucial game for both since only one of them will be able to progress.
Croatia play against Turkey whilst Holland will meet Russia and Spain play Italy.
One of the early favourites will be elimenated from the tournament and the winner between Portugal and Germany will most likely be there at the final stage, however its not going to be easy since the results of the Quarter Finals will determined the winner for the tournament unless an unexpected surprise is in store
Italy take on Romania and Holland take on France later this evening and an interesting encounter will be on the cards for both matches.
From the results thusfar it seems that both the host Austria and Switzerland will be knocked out from the Tournament and Portugal after winning their two matches will be the likely favourites to win this tournament with a strong challenge from Croatia.
Germany lost to Croatia and will have to win the next match to ensure that they still have a chance to progress.
This evening will be the second round of Group A matches. Czech Republic take on POland and Switzerland play Turkey
Results from yesterdays matches
France and Romania played to a goal less draw in their opening match of Group C and Holland shocked the Italians by defeating them 3 goals to nothing. This was the first real surprise of the tournament thusfar
Spain outplayed Russia and David Villa scored a hat trick and Cesc Fabergas scored the fourth goal for the Spaniards. Pavlyuchenko scored a goal for the Russians. The Swedes defeated the Greeks by two goals to nothing in their match in Group D.
The Euro 2008 is underway with matches already been played in Groups A and B and today two matches will be played from Group C.
Thusfar The Czech Republic defeated host Switzerland by 1 goal to 0 and Portugal outplayed Tyrkey and won the game by a margin of two straight goals.
The match between Germany and Poland was quiote tight but with two brilliant goal from Lucas Podolski, gave the Germans the edge over the Poles.
The second co-host of the tournament Austria were defeated by Croatia. Modric scored from the penalty spot during the 4th minute of the game after an infringment and this was the only goal for th entire match
This evening France play Romania and the Netherlands take on Italy.
My predictions for the matches this evening would be France and Italy to win their respective matches
The Champions League will be an all English one with Manchester United taking on CHelsea to determine who would be the Champions of Europe.
Manchester will look at taking this one and making it a double and this would also be areal test for some of the stars in particular Christiano Ronaldo. Wayne Rooney will also be there when it really matters.
Avon Grant on the other would be using this platform to strengthen his position at the helm of Chelsea and his charges will be all fired up for this match
Micheal Ballack and Frank Lampard will be out to prove to the Reds that they will fight to the end to get Chelsea back into the silverware league
AN interesting encounter with my personal fancies being Chelsea to be victorious here
Wembley Stadium the venue to be at this afternoon for the much awaited clash between Porstmouth and Cardiff.
This will be Harry Redknapp’s moment of joy since this would be the first time in his career to have reached this level both as a player and manager.
The Bluebirds will be going into this game against Pompey as the underdog but should not be written off since in the run up to the finals, they defeated some well know teams.
Kanu,Nugent,David James and Sol Campbell will add some depth to Pompey and may just be the advantage that the favourites need to win this clash.
Robbie Fowler will undergo a fitness test and if fit to play for Cardiff will make an impact on the game
Prediction: A close call Portsmouth to win after extra time
A much improved performance by Arsenals at Old Trafford on Sunday although they lost the match to Manchester United.
The Gunners played well during the first half and did not capitalise on opportunities to take the game away from Manchester United. A much more polished performance by the Gunners
They were rewarded with a goal by Adebayor in the 54th minute , however as before , they did not hold on to the lead for too long when a penalty was awarded to Manchester United when Gallas handled the ball un intentionally.
Hargreaves caught everyone napping with a superb set piece as all were waiting for Ronaldo to take the free kick.
Once United were ahead, they maintained the lead an also strength their posit at the top of the league andthe Gunners will have to see the season out without any silverware
Arsenals travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in an important league match where The Reds have a six point lead against the Gunners for the League silverware.
Sir Alex will field his best squad in order to tame the young Gunners whom Arsene Wengner has the greatest respect for in the soccer today match that will kick off Sunday at 4pm GMT
Abou Diaby will have to watch this game since this would be his second match since receiving a red card recently and Matthew Flamini with his ankle injury will be replaced by Gilberto.
Arsenals will have to be at their level best for this match and play their hearts out in order to win what is really going to be very difficult for them.
Manchester United will have Rooney and Ronaldo playing since Sir Alex rested them for this game.
Arsenals were eliminated from the Champions League by a gallant performance from Liverpool. Diaby in the 13th min scored for Arsenals who were having the better of the first half. From a brilliant set piece in the 30th minute, Hypia reduced the deficit and Liverpool were now on level terms again. The second half, Liverpool play with more purpose and they were reward wit a fine goal by Torres in the 69th minute. Walcott made a brilliant move and pass the ball onto Adebayor who scored with ease and Arsenals were now level and with the away goal rule , they were in line for a shot at the semi finals. A minute later , Liverpool were awarded a penalty when what appeared to be a soft foul by Kalo Toure on Babel and Stevan Gerrad scored from the penalty area and Liverpool were now again in the driving seat and this was finally cemented when Babel scored in the 9oth minute and ensured a spot for Liverpool in the semi finals.
In the other match, Chelsea defeated Fenerbache by two goals and opened a spot for them in the semi finals.
Return leg of the quarter finals tonight and tomorrow evening
Arsenal meet Liverpool at Anfield this evening and it will be the third time they play against each other in a matter of 8 days. Twice now in the Quarter Finals and one Premier League game. The last two matches have ended in a one all draw and this evening they play the second leg. The match will be tight with both teams aiming for a win in order to progress and both managers have plotting their game plans that includes taking of penalties in the event of a draw again this evening after normal and extra time. My view that team that scores first will most probably go forward. IN the other match , Chelsea will have to dig deep to cancel out the advantage that the Turks bring with them this evening and will have to lead by at least two goals or more. They are capable of winning here and going into the finals
