General feed from several areas of discussion http://www.soccerpulse.com/ Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:23:09 -0500 15 http://www.soccerpulse.com/ http://www.soccerpulse.com/newsread.php?id=3519
History an inspiration
Spain had won their only previous piece of silverware in this competition in 1964 and had not been beyond the quarter-finals of any tournament in 24 years, yet Luis Aragonés's men chose to use that history as an inspiration rather than a burden. After a strong start from Germany, seeking a fourth title themselves, Spain were the more dangerous side throughout an entertaining final at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion although it…]]> Soccerpulse.com Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600 3519 http://www.soccerpulse.com/newsread.php?id=3518
Germany set up a showdown in Vienna with either Russia or Spain after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Turkey in Wednesday's first semi-final.

But the tournament favourites were outplayed for long periods of the game in Basel and required a last-minute winner from Philipp Lahm to progress.

Ballack acknowledged the players were heavy-legged against Turkey and hopes Germany will be fresher for Sunday's showpiece.

Build up strength

"Our legs were a bit heavier, the team are tired, but we're…]]> Soccerpulse.com Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600 3518 http://www.soccerpulse.com/newsread.php?id=3517
The Germany captain struck a tight game's only goal on 49 minutes when the midfielder hammered an unstoppable free-kick into the top corner of Jurgen Macho's net.

Germany - knowing a draw would be enough to advance to the last eight - should have taken the lead after just five minutes when Mario Gomez contrived to miss in front of a gaping goal.

Austria could not be faulted for effort in search of the win they…]]> Soccerpulse.com Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600 3517 http://www.soccerpulse.com/newsread.php?id=3516
Nikopolidis error
The only goal will haunt Greece goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis long into the night as he inexplicably chased a cross…]]> Soccerpulse.com Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600 3516 http://www.soccerpulse.com/newsread.php?id=3515
Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder were the heroes for Marco van Basten's side, while Thierry Henry grabbed a scant consolation for Les Bleus.

The Dutch took the lead inside 10 minutes as Kuyt headed home a Giovanni Van Bronckhurst corner from the right.

The Liverpool man was able to muscle his way past Florent Malouda and from six-yards out gave Gregory Coupet no chance as he nodded into the top corner.

France…]]> Soccerpulse.com Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600 3515 http://www.soccerpulse.com/newsread.php?id=3514
Romania took a second half lead through Mutu on 55 minutes after a costly error from Gianluca Zambrotta, but Italy hit back just one minute later as veteran defender tapped home following a header from Giorgio Chiellini.

In an exciting first half, Italy dominated, but Romania had chances of their own to open the scoring, with Mutu being denied by Gianluigi Buffon from close range and Christian Chivu hitting the…]]> Soccerpulse.com Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600 3514 http://www.soccerpulse.com/newsread.php?id=3513
Luis Aragones, who had the luxury of leaving Cesc Fabregas on the bench, watched on as his men carved the Russians open on countless occasions via some exemplary pass-and-move football.

Villa, currently contracted to Valencia, broke the deadlock on 20 minutes, tapping into an empty net after excellent work from Fernando Torres down the left channel.

Just before the break, Spain doubled their lead as Villa latched onto Andres Iniesta's perfectly-timed through-ball to slip…]]> Soccerpulse.com Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600 3513 http://www.soccerpulse.com/newsread.php?id=3512
The so-called 'Group of Death' failed to live up to its billing during a tame opening 45 minutes which was devoid of clear cut chances and attacking panache.

Raymond Domenech decided to go with two holding men in midfield, Claude Makelele and Jeremy Toulalan, and Les Blues struggled to find the creative spark to break through a stubborn Romanian side.

Nicolas Anelka wasted the best of the chances during a cagey first-half, with the Chelsea man…]]> Soccerpulse.com Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600 3512 http://www.soccerpulse.com/newsread.php?id=3511
Star turn
The Polish-born FC Bayern München forward produced a vintage display as the three-time European champions recorded a solid win, putting Germany in front with a simple finish midway through the first half. Poland, in their first EURO finals match, pressed for a way back into the game but struggled to unpick Germany's defence and Podolski finally ended their hopes with an emphatic volley.

Krzynówek chance
With national…]]> Soccerpulse.com Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600 3511 http://www.soccerpulse.com/newsread.php?id=3510
Expectation
Simplistic and probably inaccurate but an indication that the Spanish football public want to believe that they are in the presence of a boy genius. Not only is the weight of expectation massive, it is also a hindrance to the midfield prodigy being allowed to develop his…]]> Soccerpulse.com Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600 3510 http://www.soccerpulse.com/newsread.php?id=3508
Positive atmosphere
The 22-year-old FC Bayern München defender was in positive mood ahead of Sunday's encounter at the Wörthersee Stadion and stressed the need to come out of blocks as quickly as possible. "It is important for us to achieve the objective of our preparations and the first match is always very important," said Jansen. "Over the past few days we have tried to fine-tune our…]]> Soccerpulse.com Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600 3508 http://www.soccerpulse.com/newsread.php?id=3507
Just deserts
It was a deserved victory for Luiz Felipe Scolari's men who also rattled the woodwork twice through Nuno Gomes. For Turkey, by contrast, defeat here continues their unhappy sequence of results against not just Portugal but also teams coached by Scolari – his Brazil beat them twice at the 2002 FIFA World Cup – and makes Wednesday's Group A meeting…]]> Soccerpulse.com Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600 3507 http://www.soccerpulse.com/newsread.php?id=3506
Swiss skipper Alexander Frei was twice denied by Petr Cech before he was forced off injured and Hakan Yakin headed a chance wide after the break.

On 70 minutes Sverkos slotted in a low volley from 12 yards after latching on to a ball over the top of the defence.

The Swiss were denied an equaliser when Johan Vonlanthen's volley hit the bar.

And it might prove that the width of the woodwork could be…]]> Soccerpulse.com Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600 3506 http://www.soccerpulse.com/newsread.php?id=3505
High hopes
Köbi Kuhn's side departed the 2006 FIFA World Cup with a whimper, failing to score a single penalty in their shoot-out defeat by Ukraine in the last 16. Now they need to begin with a bang. A positive result will galvanise a nation approaching the tournament more in hope than expectation. Kuhn said the supporters will act as a "12th man" in the tight confines…]]> Soccerpulse.com Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600 3505 http://www.soccerpulse.com/newsread.php?id=3446
Assistant coach Terry Venables has also lost his job in what the Football Association said was a unanimous decision by its board.

The FA brought a swift end to McClaren's 18-match reign as England's head coach at an emergency meeting.

McClaren's position had become untenable after the 3-2 defeat to Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday.

McClaren said at a news conference on Thursday that losing the England manager's job was "the saddest day in my…]]> Soccerpulse.com Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600 3446