Euro Cup 08 Semi-Finals - Focus on Germany, Italy and Spain
20 June 2008 - UEFA Euro 2008 is nearing that tumultuous end that grips us and turns so many fans throughout Europe into a face-painted and noise-making frenzy. Or at least if you're from one of countries that has qualified into the quarter-finals - Germany, Italy, Turkey, Spain, The Netherlands, Russia or Croatia.
We thought we'd give the rest of you who are a little more quiet about this year's UEFA European Championship (due to a certain country that didn't make it) a few highlights about what we might expect from Germany, Italy and Spain during the qualifying rounds into the semi-finals.
The German Phoenix?
Sending Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the Portugal squad out of the tournament is giving a lot of commentators the itch to claim Germany as the ultimate comeback team. There's some truth to this. Now they've qualified for the semi-finals. They started out on Thursday evening's game weak, but responded to a failing approach with a surprising turn of strategy. It worked. Portugal couldn't adapt and Germany took advantage of their gap in learning. But beyond the fact that Germany has made it into the semi-finals this year, they've made it to the semi-final rounds of the UEFA European Championship and World Cup an amazing 16 times. They've won the Euro Cup three times and the World Cup three times. That's not too bad. It's certainly worth keeping an eye on them. Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will be sure to!
An Italian Adieu to Thuram and Makelele
The qualifier for Italy at Zurich put out France's hope for taking the tournament. It also sent Lilian Thuram and Claude Makelele into retirement. And, despite the nagging in our heads that says, 'Italy cheats their way through tournaments,' it's a reality that they are now a serious contender for the Euro Cup. It was another dramatic head-on that left France's Franck Ribéry, a talented winger, injured and taken out of the game. This set a downcast mood over France that Italy capitalised on to take the victory.
Spain and Italy: Latin Brothers?
Apparently the upcoming quarter final between Spain and Italy will be conducted on a brotherly and friendly basis. Judging from the pressure coming down on the Spanish squad from their fans and critics to take the UEFA European Championship, it somehow seems unlikely that Sunday's match will be just a little kick-about. It may be that the only Latin thing to expect from the match is an old fashioned 'Et tu, Brutus?'
