Last updated: 29th June 2008
Arshavin and co. have caught the eye
As we reach the final of Euro 2008 the time arrives for a round-up of the best and the worst action from Austria and Switzerland.
The close of this summer's finals will also allow all England supporters still ruing the absence of their team to finally rest easy, if they have not already.
Euro 2008 has been a thoroughly entertaining tournament, to cast aside grudges against a failure to qualify and, bar a few exceptions, all teams have appeared intent on favouring an attackingly open-minded brand of football.
And here, Sky Sports takes a look back at the moments that will live in the memory - for both good and bad reasons.
The first port of call in any round-up undoubtedly has to be the most eye-catching match and we opt not to buck the trend as, in terms of aesthetic pleasure, Marco van Basten's Holland side will be remembered.
The perennially underachieving Dutch predictably ran out of legs having stormed through the dreaded 'Group of Death', but their 4-1 victory over France will live long in the memory.
Having wiped the floor with Italy in their opening encounter, Holland made everyone begin to think that, maybe, the future was Oranje as they produced a master class in counter-attacking football in Berne.
Second only to a birthday-suited pitch invader, there are few things as pure in football as a well worked sucker punch and Holland happily produced many against Les Bleus.
With France talking a good game ahead of the tournament, the two-time champions came into this encounter well aware that, following a goalless draw with Romania, anything less than three points would leave them facing an uphill task.
And as Thierry Henry pulled one back after Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie had handed Holland a two-goal lead, things looked promising for a French side dominating proceedings.
However, almost immediately Arjen Robben - from an impossible angle - netted in clinical rope-a-dope fashion before Wesley Sneijder curled in from range to seal the sort of result which makes you feel warm inside.
Of course the best match has to be accompanied by its evil twin sister - a worst match - and here we have a bit of a toss up.
On one side there is the aforementioned drab stalemate between France and Romania, but the greater offender is Sweden's 2-0 victory over holders Greece in Group D.
Following Greece's slightly less than adventurous tactics, the phrase, 'do you know what? I'd like to see a bit more sideways passing', is likely to see you chased out of EM Stadion.
The fact that Otto Rehhagel's side were defending their 2004 crown in such pessimistic style was perhaps what rankles the most.
But to make matters worse, Zlatan Ibrahimovic's well-taken opener continued the summer trend of players who had been dismissed as 'overhyped' by this writer causing begrudging about-turns, while Petter Hansson's bumbled second summed everything up.
How reassuring that, with messers Terry, Gerrard, Rooney and Beckham all away on their jollies, it is an Englishman who provided us with the most debatable talking point at Euro 2008.
Despite having already invited Poland's Brazilian-born midfielder Roger Guerreiro to put his side in front from what looked a certain offside position against Austria in their second match of Group B, Webb was not finished.
The Rotherham-based official awarded a last-gasp penalty to co-hosts Austria after Marcin Wasilewski was adjudged to have pulled Sebastian Prodl's shirt and 38-year-old Ivica Vastic duly converted from the spot.
Uefa praised the decision to punish Wasilewski's disfigurement of Prodl's attire, while Poland coach Leo Beenhakker slammed Webb for - effectively - costing his side a place in the knock-out stages. The jury is still out.
This one, as the saying goes, writes itself. Despite an alarmingly abject semi-final performance, you do not have to be the manager of Barcelona, Arsenal or Chelsea to recognise that Arshavin has been this summer's stand-out player.
Prior to kick-off in Austria and Switzerland, an air of uncertainty surrounded a slightly unknown character, who had earned a place in Guus Hiddink's Russia squad despite being suspended for the first two games.
However, Hiddink reaffirmed that he does not miss a trick as Arshavin took Euro 2008 by storm.
Despite lacking in inches, the 27-year-old possesses the body and strength of a particularly potent bottle of his country's finest export Vodka, while his pace, skill and awareness allow him to link play with an apparent absence of effort.
Spain striker David Villa deserves mention for his price-inflating goalscoring exploits, while Germany full-back Philipp Lahm has also caught the eye.
No, not any time a camera panned onto a view of Mrs Rafael Van der Vaart, or any glimpse of now retired Turkey goalkeeper Rustu Recber's comedy pony-tail, but the most enthralling single event of Euro 2008.
Holland's counter-attacking play has earned previous high praise and, for any callous neutral, penalty shoot-out heartbreak always makes good viewing.
But Turkey's dramatically late victory over Czech Republic, to book a place in the last eight in the final game of Group A at the expense of their opponents, served the most drama.
With Euro 96 finalists Czech Republic cruising and seemingly on course to progress to the latter stages courtesy of goals from Jan Koller and Jaroslav Plasil, all seemed set for a predictable quarter-final line-up.
However, Arda Turan put the cat amongst the pigeons with 15 minutes remaining and Nihat Kahveci then struck twice (87 and 89) to send Turkey scrambling for extended accommodation, while Czech Republic began to pack their bags.
Turkey, though, were to discover that the boot can be on the other foot as they suffered late on at the hands of Germany in similar style in the semi-finals.
The ruthless among us would be tempted to blast the French team as a whole as they crashed out of Group C with only one point, while 2006 World Cup winners Italy received their quarter-final comeuppance for refusing to recognise that modern football has moved on.
However, Anelka earns especial criticism following his lacklustre performances in Austria and Switzerland.
After playing only 111 minutes in which he did not appear to break sweat, Anelka misses out on his infamous 'Le Sulk' nickname and is instead branded 'Le Flop'.
The Chelsea striker has struggled at Stamford Bridge since a £15million move from Bolton in January and that fee continues to be greeted with a slight hesitancy from all in blue, at club and international level.
The likes of Arshavin and Villa would appear too obvious and, therefore, Modric receives the nod.
Despite helping to oversee two victories over England in qualification, Tottenham supporters were slightly taken aback when a club record fee was splashed on Croatia midfielder Modric in April.
However, Spurs boss Juande Ramos seems to have landed a real star as Modric made Croatia tick and his ability to spot a pass and keep possession will fit nicely with the White Hart Lane faithful next season.
Despite netting his country's opening goal of the tournament from the spot, it is safe to say Modric will not be taking Tottenham's penalties following a rotten miss in Croatia's quarter-final shoot-out defeat to Turkey.
And it remains to be seen if the 22-year-old can survive the rough and tumble of the Premier League, but if played alongside the likes of an experienced and leggy Jermaine Jenas or Didier Zokora, Modric looks set to flourish.
To finish off it seems fitting to have a helping of nostalgia as we reminisce over Turkey's soggy 2-1 victory over co-hosts Switzerland in Group A.
Ever since the torrential first half downpour, the Basel pitch has resembled a patchwork quilt, but the match itself was gripping and fun-filled as players slipped and slid through puddle-based performances.
Not only was the encounter a riveting watch, it brought about flashbacks to rainy day schoolboy football as a ruthless P.E teacher dressed from head to toe in water-proof clobber held an umbrella in one hand and pointed menacingly with the other while barking, 'get stuck in' orders.
As a child sporting ill-fitting kit you battled on, cursing your teacher under your breath, but deep down you loved the experience.
And that appeared to be the case in the opening 45 minutes between Switzerland and Turkey as Hakan Yakin put the former in front only for Semih Senturk and Arda Turan to hit back in the second half.
Despite the grudge match build-up, on paper this was perhaps not the most appealing fixture, but the conditions and the enthusiasm of both sets of players contributed to an entertaining piece which continued the overall trend of an eye-catching tournament.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 10th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Aston Villa vs West Brom |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man City |
| 17:30 | Stoke vs Liverpool |
| Sunday 11th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Wigan vs Tottenham |
| 16:00 | Man Utd vs Chelsea |
| Wednesday 14th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Man Utd vs Wigan |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Newcastle |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs Middlesbrough |
| 17:30 | Hull vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 18th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | West Ham vs Fulham |
| 16:00 | Tottenham vs Portsmouth |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 30th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Monday 29th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Sunday 28th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 2 - 2 Man City | |
| Fulham 2 - 2 Chelsea | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Everton 3 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Arsenal 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| West Brom 2 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Bolton 0 - 1 Wigan | |
| Newcastle 1 - 5 Liverpool | |
| Friday 26th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 2 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Liverpool 3 - 0 Bolton | |
| Wigan 2 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Everton | |
| Man City 5 - 1 Hull | |
| Sunderland 0 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Portsmouth 1 - 4 West Ham | |
| Tottenham 0 - 0 Fulham | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 West Brom | |
| Stoke 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
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Paul Merson expects strugglers West Brom and Spurs to lose to Aston Villa and Wigan this weekend.
Comments
Ramdan Osman says...
In my view Turkey was the winner of euro 2008. Why? This tournament will mostly be remembered from Turkish team determinations and results. You don't have to hold a silver piece to be a winner.
Posted 12:53 30th June 2008
Dice Lefoko says...
My player of the tournament is Marcos Senna of Spain,he was consistent in all the games he played n did his job very well.He shut down Arshavin,Ballack very well
Posted 10:16 30th June 2008
Gachie Steven (Arsenal fan) says...
did the tournament live to its billing? i dont think so. star of the show though has got to be fabregas, that boy perfomed wonderfully every time he came off the bench! the flop of the show has got to be domenech. his lack of tactical acumen cost a vastly talented side. best match's got to be russia v/s spain.
Posted 09:43 30th June 2008
Derek Varley says...
For me the biggest flops of the tournament were the officials. I can't recall seeing so many bad decisions in my life. The time has come to adopt the system used in test cricket - another referee sitting in the stands watching a tv monitor. It's the only way to get rid of the gamesmanship and to give the spectators a flowing game which isn't stopped every 30 seconds by the sound of the whistle. Bring back the good old days when football was a man's game.
Posted 07:27 30th June 2008
Adam Norris says...
Not meaning to put down Arshavin, because he's a damn fine player (clearly). But Star of the Show? Really? He had two good games and one shocker. And his two good games came against a tired, demoralised Dutch defence containing that Oojier bloke from Blackburn and an absolutely awful Sweden side. Sorry, but as Star of the Show goes, he's nowhere near. Villa, Torres, Fabregas, Casillas, Ramos, Iniesta, Senna and Xavi would all be more deserving....and they're just from Spain. Never mind the likes of Ballack, Podolski, Van der Vaart, Sneijder, Buffon, Arda Turan etc. I personally would go for Servet, the big beast of a defender from Turkey. How many injuries can a guy get and stay on the pitch? What an animal, I hope he comes to England.
Posted 02:30 30th June 2008
Will Sumner (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...
Arshavin? Star of the show? I think he deserves the award for most biggest let down as he was simply awful in the semi final after all the hype.
Posted 22:26 29th June 2008
Alex Olliver (Chelsea fan) says...
What a joy of a tournament to watch. No England stinking the place out, no Burberry hats and in the main good looking attacking football (and yes I am English). It has been a tournament that we were able to enjoy as football fans rather than blinkered idiots with bulldog tattoos. If this is the type of football we get when England aren't around, then how about we see if Mr McLaren wants his old job back? So here's looking forward to Fabio forgetting how to coach so we can all enjoy spending June 2010 in South Africa watching quality football for quality football's sake. Hell, I would even cheer on Germany if I thought it would make it happen
Posted 18:00 29th June 2008
L S (Leeds United fan) says...
I agree, France vs Rominia was one off the worst games of football i have ever watched, bar Leeds united performance against Doncaster, but that's another matter. I think player of the tourment should be David Villa.
Posted 15:41 29th June 2008
Mark Sweeney (Celtic fan) says...
i think portugal were rubbish they were one of the favourites and went out quite early
Posted 14:44 29th June 2008
Dean Malone (Newcastle United fan) says...
If Nihat was playing in the semi final i think Turkey would have got through, the Germans were rubbish. Spain to win!!
Posted 14:21 29th June 2008
Omar Zizo (Arsenal fan) says...
Ofcourse Anelka was not the biggest flop....MARIO GOMEZ deserves the tag!! and the star of the show was Podolski
Posted 12:11 29th June 2008
Matthew Schooling (Reading fan) says...
Rob. You just wait and see...Gomes will be a Spurs player before the start of the season! LOL
Posted 09:49 29th June 2008
Matthew Mountford-brock (Chelsea fan) says...
Biggest flop was Gomez! Star Of The Show is Ballack or Sneijder and had Robben not missed 2 games he would be a contender too! Worst game was Romania vs France - I literally fell asleep at half time! I agree with the one to remember but I would like to add to it with Holland vs Italy and Germany vs Portugal!
Posted 02:41 29th June 2008
Max Borchanu (Manchester United fan) says...
Well, of course France - Holland was a thrill, but for me the most extraordinary match was the quarter between the dutch and the russians! Arshavin would look really good in Premier league!
Posted 01:40 29th June 2008
Matthew Towey says...
Dissapointing tournament in my opinion but then again I might just be bitter that Ireland didn't get in.
Posted 23:18 28th June 2008
Julie Uzun (Hartlepool United fan) says...
The "Star of the Show" was the entire Turkey team. Determination, spirit and skill!
Posted 13:36 28th June 2008
Phil K says...
Cesc Fabregas was the player of the tournament. Arshavin is not as good as people think he is. He was rubbish against Spain and looked like a man trying too hard to impress Barcelona!
Posted 10:20 28th June 2008
Stuart Beltson (Arsenal fan) says...
How can you pick Arshavin over Fabregas after the Russia v. Spain game? Cesc had two assists and was involved in the first goal as well. Clinical passing, energy from the midfield. And Arshavin did nothing.
Posted 06:46 28th June 2008
Mark Henderson (Carlisle United fan) says...
Arshavin doesn't deserve the 'Star of the Show' mantle due to his sheer laziness in the semi-final and his absence through suspension of the first two games. There are better candidates in the Turkish, Spanish and Dutch teams, and for me Cesc's displays from the bench make him the star.
Posted 22:23 27th June 2008
Neil Jones (Reading fan) says...
While Greece vs Sweden was a bad match. Romania vs France was terrible! In my honest opinion, the game was dull as the chances were off-target and the football was lacking. I do agree with Arshavin. The lad played a terrific tournament. However, I don't agree with Anelka being the biggest flop (well, he's close). Clearly, the biggest flop was Luca Toni. The lad didn't do much
Posted 22:21 27th June 2008
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