retired_deljo

25th June 2012

McLaren distraught at elimination

England boss Steve McLaren expressed his feelings of pain and humiliation at being eliminated on Sunday night against Croatia, in yet another penalty shootout. John Terry and Rio Ferdinand were the unfortunate players to miss on the night as England once more suffered penalty shoot out anguish. "We're all quite numb to be frank. We know we've blown a massive chance to make the final and retain the crown these lads worked so hard for four years ago. Croatia should and will be given all the credit they deserve, but we really do feel we've thrown it away rather than been beaten. That it was a penalty shoot-out makes it even harder."

Croatia are remaining tight-lipped over their chances. Coach Zoran Maric said "I'm not going to be drawn into discussion over our hopes or chances. We've played well so far, but for the future? Let's wait and see."

Elsewhere, the semi-final line-up is now complete, with the following matches taking place on Wednesday:

Semi Finals
Romania vs Croatia - Trondheim
Italy vs Germany - Bergen

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Jesus, completely forgot to update this recently. :o

Tonight.

retired_deljo

So, erm, delayed a bit
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26th June 2012

Match Previews - Wednesday

Just three matches remain between now and the time when one of Sebastian Kehl, Gianluigi Buffon, Jurica Vranjes or Matei Mirel Radoi will be lifting the European Championship trophy. The semi-final draw presents quite the situation, with the two favourites meeting, allowing one of the tournament outsiders to reach a glorious final.

Romania and Croatia kick things off in the afternoon in Trondheim, with the knowledge they are ninety minutes from a final spot neither ever expected at the start of the year. After a sticky start to qualification and then the tournament proper, Romania are delighted to be at this stage, according to injured captain Cristian Chivu: "On a personal level it kills me to be missing the high point of my international career, but the most important thing is that the team do well, and we have. We lost 2-5 to Italy on the first matchday, but since then we've been ever improving and fancy our chances." Still without Chivu and Serban, Romania haven't looked stronger than in their last two outings, destroying Sweden and Portugal in ruthless fashion.

Croatia are the side who continue to astound the masses. Lucky qualification at the death, and further lacklustre performances in Norway suggest they should have been eliminated far earlier. But to have a chance to be only the fifth nation to have won both the World Cup and European Championship is something they are not ready to throw away. "Admittedly, we've been fairly fortunate to get here, but we've played well too. You can rarely reach a semi-final without deserving it in some way. Romania pose a challenge, but we'll deal with them in the same way we've dealt with other sides." The words of goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa, undisputedly their star of the finals.

In Bergen, they're battening down the hatches as two massive sides, Italy and Germany, come head to head for a place in the final. Both sides, previous winners, have done well in Norway and each have looked worthy winners. But only one can reach Sunday's showpiece spectacle. Italy's mix of the old and new breeds has been successful for Francesco Guidolin, and as they've gone on, they have looked stronger. "We're playing well, and are more confident by the day. We can't say we can or cannot win, but we will do what is possible" says Matteo Brighi. Despite not admitting it outright, the Azzurri do believe they have what it takes, according to Corriere Dello Sport's Gabriele Marcotti: "They're looking strong, and around the camp there is an air of optimism, even arrogance. But that can be expected. They have the best players of the remaining sides, and there is not a reason why they can't win it."

Germany would argue that. Rudi Völler's side have played the typical German economic football, and with success. More recently, within the last week, they have become a touch more entertaining and potent, a sure sign they mean business. An added bonus is that Christoph Metzelder could be back, if he passes a late fitness test. Metzelder spoke of the German mood: "We did always believe we could get there, and that it would take hard work. Confidence is high, and we can always play better. Hopefully, we'll have saved our best football for the important occasion."

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27th June 2012

Romania head for final in style
Take note. Romania are hot. Very hot. And don't Croatia know it. After months of getting by on the bare minimum, they finally met their match in Trondheim in the form of a rampant Romania side who could easily win on Sunday if they show the form they did on Wednesday in hammering Croatia 4-1.

For the umpteenth match in succession, Croatia's tactics heavily relied upon a defensive approach, and the abilities of Stipe Pletikosa. Tiberiu Geoane hit an early volley which the Croatian stopper was forced to punch away due to its sheer venom. But even at the twenty minute mark, Zoran Maric appeared to have his game plan spot on. Romania were struggling to break through, and media members everywhere were busy writing about how Croatia were up to their old tricks once again. Top scorer Marius Niculae looked to add to his tally of four with a powered shot at the top corner, but Pletikosa moved into position once more and saved comfortably.

The Sporting Lisbon forward followed that with a strong header requiring evasive action from the Croatian goalkeeper, once again single-handedly keeping his country alive. Three minutes after the half hour, events took an even more predictable turn when Croatia nipped into the lead. Silvester Sabolcki dribbled and dazzled his way down the left side before pushing a slide-rule pass into the area for Bosko Balaban to finish with ease. Croatia had one foot in the final. Or so they thought. The goal touched a Romanian nerve, and what hit the Croatians next was a sea of yellow. It took just ten minutes for Marius Lacatus' side to draw level, in fine style.

Matei Mirel Radoi, team captain under the absence of Chivu, curled a wonderful long pass in behind the defence for Niculae to chase. He hit the ball on a half volley and crashed home, leaving Pletikosa, for once, with no chance. Balaban nearly put his side back ahead seconds later with a header over the crossbar. How misses can change a game. Three minutes into the second half Romania took the lead with another fabulous effort. Tomislav Sokota upended Stefan Grigorie on the very edge of the area. Usually requiring a powerful drive due to the close range, Florin Cernat executed a wonderful free kick over the wall and in with such a delicate and crisp touch.

It was all Romania, and Niculae could have made it three. His header beat Pletikosa but struck Ostopanj on the line. They needn't have worried. Five minutes after Cernat had given them the lead, he gave them a two goal cushion and one foot in the final with his second and Romania's third. Luca fed him in the area, and he turned before lifting a shot over Pletikosa and into the net. At 3-1 Croatia had lost their game plan, and looked completely bewildered that someone could actually counter the style that had taken them as far as they had.

Further Romanian chances came as they were all over their opponents. Luca and Munteanu both had efforts saved either side of Sokota's volley which required the attentions of Constantin Dumitru. Zahora also hit a volley which had the Romanian fans a little worried, mainly because Croatia had just shown more attacking potency in ten minutes than they had in the previous six months of the year. Fifteen minutes from time it was well and truly over as Romania added their fourth. Radoi and Geoane humiliated the weak Croatia midfield, then clipped a pass through for Niculae to complete another brace and make it six for the tournament, taking him past Miroslav Klose's five goals in 2004, ironically three of which came against Romania.

How the Romanian support partied and celebrated. Their country had finally reached the final of a major footballing event, eighteen years after suffering heartache at their elimination at the hands of Italy in USA '94. Croatia finally received the beating they were always going to get, but a guarantee can be made here and now: Italy and Germany can expect a very competitive match on Sunday, whoever goes through.


Lerkendal Stadion, 27th June 2012

Romania 4 (M.Niculae 43, 75, Cernat 48, 53)
Croatia 1 (Balaban 33)
Attendance - 20,952
Referee - Sergey Frantsuzov (Belarus)

Romania - C.Dumitru, Geoane, Balan, Lupu, Radoi(c), Cernat, Grigorie (F.Dumitru 67), Codrea (Rosu 14, Munteanu 67), G.Niculae, M.Niculae, Luca

Croatia - Pletikosa, Tudor, Vukovic (Seric 67), Ostopanj, Simic, Biscan, Babic (Neretljak 67), Vranjes(c), Balaban (Zahora 54), Sokota, Sabolcki

Man of the Match - Florin Cernat (Romania)

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Rampant Germany crush Italians
In another turn up for the books, Germany reached a record seventh European Championships Final after beating Italy 2-0 in one of the most one sided games seen this summer. It was a refreshing change to see Rudi Völler's side play attractive, attacking football, and in the process beating Francesco Guidolin's Azzurri, who looked favourites to win of the four semi finalists.

Christoph Metzelder was able to return from injury and captain the side, and whilst not lasting the entire match it was a massive boost for Germany, who may have their defence at full strength for Sunday's final. Christian Rahn had a fourth minute volley superbly saved by an already-alert Gianluigi Buffon, which in retrospect should have shown everyone what the game pattern was going to be. Gaetano Porro had Italy's first try with a skidding dead ball effort which had Marco Wrzesczinski fumbling, but fortunately around his own teammates. Italy had their game all wrong, and made a change after only fifteen minutes, Paolo Cannavaro replacing Federico Lazzeri.

They started to create more as a result of the tactical change, but as many have found out, Germany were a tough nut to crack. As hard as Corradi, Porro, and Rossini worked, the Nationalmannschaft were almost as strong as they have ever been. In the twenty-fifth minute Kai Brand was offered a sniff of goal, and although his well hit shot went wide, it was enough to show he was on the prowl, and more importantly, in the goals after his quarter final effort. Ten minutes later another Brand attempt, this one a header, came after more Italian possession with nothing at the end of it. Buffon needed to make another good save from Rahn's headed shot minutes afterwards. On the stroke of half time Jermaine Jones was hacked down inside the penalty area by Francesco Vianello, but not according to the referee, who seemed distinctly uninterested. If Germany had dominated the first half with no reward, they weren't to wait long after the restart.

Three minutes after the restart Dennis Becker was allowed to run at his opposite number, Vianello. He found Kehl in room, and drawing Italian defenders out of position. His cross found Kai Brand, and this time he scored with a header. A glut of substitutions followed, including a triple switch by Germany as they tried to close the game, and Italy trying to counter-act this. Sam Dalla Bona did all he could to test Wrzesczinski, but he couldn't beat the Mannheim stopper. Seconds after the hour mark Germany had their second, and the goal which sealed Italy's fate. Markus Feulner delivered a cross deep to the back post, where nobody had picked up Kehl. He struck a controlled volley across the goal which dipped into the far corner, leaving Buffon only to crash into the goalpost, requiring treatment. Kai Brand picked up a knock on his foot in the move, and had to run it off as all three subs had been used. He should be fit for the final, but nothing is a guarantee.

As the tournament took another twist, Italy were on their way out, and had little luck in the process. Dalla Bona once more was brilliant, but not even he could score, striking the post on seventy-one. With five minutes left Bierofka shot and Buffon parried with the last attempt of the game. Germany awaited the final whistle with baited breath. When it came, they knew they were to join Romania in the Final on Sunday, and their recent football has deserved no less. As for Italy, one of the most entertaining sides Norway has seen this June are heading home disappointed but with heads held high. Guidolin exceeded many an expectation, but they'll feel they could have won.


Brann Stadion, 27th June 2012

Italy 0
Germany 2 (Brand 48, Kehl 61)
Attendance - 34,962
Referee - Frode Sirevåg Lindboe (Norway)

Italy - Buffon(c), Corradi, Porro, Vianello, Lazzeri (Caanavaro 15), Todisco, Guana, M.Rossini (Dalla Bona 55), Gilardino (Pavesi 55), Rabito, Bellini

Germany - Wrzesczinski, Feulner, Berg, Metzelder(c) (Balitsch 55), Krause, Kehl, Grundmann (Fritz 55), Becker (Bierofka 55), Brand, Jones, Rahn

Man of the Match - Sebastian Kehl (Germany)


The Final can now be confirmed as Romania vs Germany on Sunday July 1st at Oslo's Ulleval Stadion.

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28th June 2012

Mixed feelings for Guidolin

With their elimination complete but still fresh in the memory, Italian coach Francesco Guidolin has shown mixed feelings in his dealings with the media. "We've done very well for a squad with players with little experience. We played great football, worked well, and for each other. The foundations are layed for a strong team for the future. But we could have won this tournament. Against Germany we were lacklustre, and a a little jaded. At that, I feel disappointment. Not just me, but the squad as well. They're dejected, and feel that they should be lining up in Sunday's final."

Talking of the Final, and Romanian coach Marius Lacatus has admitted that it is quite a shock that his Romanian side are there. He said "If I was telling the truth, I really wouldn't have expected this at all. We came looking to get out of the group phases, and impress a little. To be in the final, our first ever, is beyond our wildest dreams. We have played some awesome attacking football, and really could win this."

30th June 2012

Final looms large

A little over twenty-four hours from now Germany and Romania will take to the field in the Ulleval Stadion to contest the fourteenth European Championship Final. For Germany, it is nothing new. This will be their seventh final appearance, a clear record, whereas Romania are taking part in their first ever major final, having never won a single trophy. Looking at it like that, it is a clear mismatch, but there is much more to this match than merely that.

Some of Romania's football has been sheer class. In attack they are sharp, have a fluidity about them, and are extremely potent. Impressive wins over Sweden, Portugal, and Croatia in their last three outings present as much. Their defence has improved massively as well, after being submitted to a 5-2 drubbing at the hands of Italy in their opening match of the tournament. A defence without captain Cristian Chivu, a man of over one hundred caps, will miss out on the final through injury. It is a massive blow to the individual and the team, as arguably it is Chivu who has done most for the Romanian national team over the last decade. But veteran defender Cosmin Contra believes that they can find strength in adversity. "Losing Cristian was a massive blow, and for him to miss the biggest game in the history of our country is unspeakably disappointing, but we all feel for him. But in Cosmin Lupu there is an excellent replacement, and we all want to win this for not only Cristian, but for each other too."

For three times winners Germany this is just another match. Not only have they appeared in six previous European Championship finals, but six more World Cup Finals. That experience, no matter what generation, filters through into the mentality of German footballers. They know what it takes for them to win through. After a very conservative start to the tournament, very German-like, they have excelled in their knockout games, playing nice, attacking football. Perhaps most importantly, Kai Brand is back in goalscoring mood, and is certainly a potential match winner for Rudi Völler. "Everyone knows of Kai's abilities, but it doesn't make it any easier to stop him. Like any world class striker, there are times when he is unstoppable. For us, we hope that to be the final."

The Ulleval Stadion is only the second largest in Norway, but has more prestige than Brann's Bergen Stadion, and is a truly fitting venue for the final. The two sides have met four times in the last twelve years, with three German wins to one Romanian. History will make little difference come Sundaty afternoon in a warm and packed stadium in Oslo, as the winners of Norway 2012 will be found.

Team News
Germany have their entire twenty-three man squad available to them, and as such Rudi Völler can field his strongest side, which includes captain Christoph Metzelder, who makes a massive difference to their defence and spine. Romania are without their equivalent, Cristian Chivu, but have been for all but twenty minutes of the championships. Gheorghe Serban, despite needing treatment for damaged knee ligaments and therefore unavailable, is still in the country to experience the moment. Romania are set to make one change, Vlad Munteanu returning for George Daniel Niculae.

Expected Teams:

Germany - Wrzesczinski, Feulner, Ochs, Metzelder(c), Krause, Kehl, Fritz, Becker, Brand, Jones, Walz

Romania - C.Dumitru, Geoane, Balan, Lupu, Radoi(c), Cernat, Grigorie, Codrea, Luca, M.Niculae, Munteanu

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1st July 2012

Ecstacy for Romania as Codrea becomes hero

Paul Codrea will have the freedom of Romania. The 31-year-old Deportivo de La Coruna midfielder became a national hero on Sunday afternoon as he scored the only goal in an enthralling European Championship Final which saw Romania clinch their first ever trophy by defeating Germany in a fairytale match in Oslo. Iin quite unbelievable scenes, tears of joy were etched on the faces of all wearing yellow, as the dream became a reality for a nation.

Even before kick off, a major shock arrived. To the surprise of everyone, no exceptions, Cristian Chivu was named in the Romanian line-up, despite being only around 70% fit. It offered a massive lift to the players and fans that their hero was to return, against all the odds. Germany chose Jorg Maier to don the goalkeeping gloves as Marco Wrzesczinski injured himself in the warm-up. The game started badly for Codrea, who hammered in on Jermaine Jones, earning himself a yellow card. Germany had the first attempt of the game, as Daniel Bierofka drove low, but Bogdan Lobont saved well on his return to the fold.

Chivu showed no signs of lax as he too earned a yellow card for a push on Sven Grundmann. Grundmann himself hit the free kick, which Lobont looked far from comfortable dealing with. On the twenty minute mark Romania found some way through, Florin Cernat dribbling well but only driving wide. As with any Final, this was a very cagey and tense affair, neither side wanting to throw the match away early, preferring to concentrate on getting a rhythm going. As such, there wasn't so much goalmouth activity. Maier needed to make a good save from Munteanu, seeing a shot late and tipping it away. Five minutes before half time Bierofka again tried a powerful shot from distance, but, like many others, misjudged it badly and found the stands. It wasn't too much of a surprise that the scoreline was 0-0 at the break.

A Jermaine Jones overhead kick soon kicking off the second forty-five surely showed German intent. But then so did a weaving run and shot from Golden Boot winner Marius Niculae. Jones was certainly having a better day than strike partner Kai Brand, lost in the occasion seemingly. Jones' header on fifty-six was well saved by Lobont. Chivu lasted an hour, an hour more than he had expected to, and came off to rapturous applause. Minutes later, Germany came closest yet with a very strong shot from Kehl which Lobont managed to save. Somehow. With full time drawing closer, Luca headed over the crossbar from only seven yards out.

As both looked for a goal which would more than likely be a winner in the final fifteen minutes, the game became stretched for the first time. Action swung from end to end. In the space of sixty seconds Jones and Niculae both saw chances miss their destination. Then, with twelve minutes remaining, a breakthrough. Codrea, relatively quiet for much of the game, trapped the ball from Balan's pass. He came forwards, beating away Bierofka and Kehl. From the edge of the area, he struck a shot which found the bottom corner. He went off in celebration which brought back memories of Marco Tardelli for Italy in 1982. Mobbed by teammates and fans alike, he was surely the hero of the hour.

Germany were dead. They couldn't respond. A game which they had put their heart and soul into was gone. Dennis Becker's last ditch header landed on top of the net, but it was too late. Seconds later, Konrad Plautz's full time whistle was drowned out by wild cheers from the Romanian support. Against every odd, Romania clinched the 2012 European Championships. How and why wasn't on the minds of many. The sheer joy and ecstacy of the Romanian party was clear to see. Perhaps a more fitting winner could not have been found. Germany made their way up the steps to receive their runners-up medals, in the knowledge that nobody remembers the losing finalists. Then came the turn of Romania. Norwegian and UEFA President Per Ravn Omdal presented the prestigious and honoured European Championship trophy to both Cristian Chivu and Matei Mirel Radoi, equal captains for their part, and they lifted it in front of a yellow and red ticker tape and pyrotechnic display. A truly fantastic moment to end a wonderful tournament with.


Ulleval Stadion, 1st July 2012

Germany 0
Romania 1 (Codrea 78)
Attendance - 29,981
Referee - Konrad Plautz (Austria)

Germany - Maier, Feulner (Balitsch 59), Kling, Ochs (Krause 52), Metzelder, Kehl(c), Grundmann, Becker, Brand (Schuster 59), Jones, Bierofka

Romania - Lobont, Contra, Balan, Chivu(c) (Lupu 57), Radoi, Cernat, Grigorie (Rosu 52), Codrea, Sânmãrtean (Luca 52), M.Niculae, Munteanu

Man of the Match - Paul Codrea (Romania)


ROMANIA WIN THE NORWAY 2012 UEFA EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

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<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * European Football Championship - Sunday 1st July 2012********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2012 Goals============================================= ================================================== =Pos Player Nation Apps Gls-------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Marius Niculae Romania 6 6 2nd Hélder Postiga Portugal 4 3 3rd Marcus Bent England 1 (3) 2 4th Morten Skoubo Denmark 3 2 5th Kai Brand Germany 5 2 6th Eidur Gudjohnsen Iceland 3 2 7th Samuele Dalla Bona Italy 4 (1) 2 8th Denis Pavesi Italy 4 (1) 2 9th Alieu Norway 4 2 10th Rodrigo Brasao Portugal 3 2 11th Florin Cernat Romania 6 2 12th Marius Luca Romania 5 (1) 2 13th Nicolae Mitea Romania 0 (2) 2 14th Edgar Portugal 3 1 15th François Vincent France 1 (2) 1 16th Mattia Rossini Italy 5 1 17th Martin Petrov Bulgaria 3 1 18th Gaetano Porro Italy 4 (1) 1 19th Kiegan Parker Scotland 2 1 20th Mate Bilic Croatia 0 (2) 1 21st Bosko Balaban Croatia 3 1 22nd Igor Biscan Croatia 5 1 23rd Mads Jørgensen Denmark 3 1 24th Morten Rasmussen Denmark 0 (1) 1 25th Michael Silberbauer Denmark 3 1 26th Christian Timm Germany 2 (3) 1 27th Gary Doherty Ireland 3 1 28th Simon Lake England 0 (1) 1 29th Shaun Maloney Scotland 2 (1) 1 30th Stewart Kerr Scotland 1 1 </pre>

2nd June 2012

UEFA name 16 man Squad of the Tournament
As with tradition, UEFA today named their sixteen best players of the tournament, which can be seen below:

G: Stipe Pletikosa (Croatia), Vasil Kamburov (Bulgaria)
D: Marco Krause (Germany), John Terry (England), Bayram Zeki (Turkey), Cosmin Lupu (Romania), Matei Mirel Radoi (Romania)
M: Samuele Dalla Bona (Italy), François Vincent (France), Florin Cernat (Romania), Rodrigo Brasao (Portugal), Frank Walz (Germany)
F: Marius Niculae (Romania), Thierry Henry (France), Hélder Postiga (Portugal), Marcus Bent (England)

Tournamen Fallout
Sweden, France, and Ireland have all chosen to part company with their managers after campaigns which ended in disappointment for their respective associations. Uno Andersson's dismissal was by mutual consent after the Swede considered his position untenable, whilst Mick McCarthy and Paul Le Guen have had their contracts terminated with immediate effect.

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Norway recovers
As the curtain comes down on a wonderful summer of international football, Norway is slowly returning to a state of normality. Their first major tournament as hosts has generally been approved as a complete success. Logistically, everything went well. Fans were able to travel successfully, ticketing was successful, and the finances were controlled well. The supporters were behaved superbly, a rare thing nowadays, but perhaps the most important thing was the football itself. On the pitch, we saw some absolutely enthralling action, even including Croatia. And at the end of it all, Romania can be considered the people's winners. They have received such immense popularity from the neutral, and were wonderful in victory. Sixteen nations arrived, one survived.

Norway would like to thank everyone involved, and wish them a safe and comfortable journey home.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Group One04.09.10: Wales 1-0 Lithuania04.09.10: Croatia 2-0 Slovakia08.09.10: Slovakia 3-0 Wales08.09.10: Denmark 1-2 Croatia09.10.10: Wales 0-1 Denmark09.10.10: Lithuania 0-1 Slovakia13.10.10: Croatia 2-2 Wales13.10.10: Denmark 2-2 Lithuania26.03.11: Lithuania 0-1 Croatia26.03.11: Slovakia 0-3 Denmark30.03.11: Lithuania 0-1 Wales30.03.11: Slovakia 1-0 Croatia08.06.11: Wales 3-2 Slovakia08.06.11: Croatia 0-1 Denmark03.09.11: Denmark 2-0 Wales03:09.11: Slovakia 4-0 Lithuania07.09.11: Wales 0-1 Croatia07.09.11: Lithuania 1-1 Denmark08.10.11: Croatia 1-0 Lithuania08.10.11: Denmark 1-0 SlovakiaGroup 1Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Denmark 8 2 1 1 6 4 3 1 0 6 1 17 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Croatia 8 2 1 1 5 3 3 0 1 4 2 16 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Slovakia 8 3 0 1 8 3 1 0 3 3 6 12 4th Wales 8 2 0 2 4 4 1 1 2 3 7 10 5th Lithuania 8 0 1 3 1 4 0 1 3 2 8 2 Group Two04.09.10: Hungary 0-1 Bulgaria04.09.10: Georgia 0-2 France04.09.10: Latvia 2-1 San Marino08.09.10: Bulgaria 0-1 Georgia08.09.10: San Marino 0-1 Hungary08.09.10: France 5-0 Latvia09.10.10: Latvia 1-3 Bulgaria09.10.10: Georgia 2-1 Hungary09.10.10: France 3-0 San Marino13.10.10: Bulgaria 2-0 France13.10.10: Hungary 0-1 Latvia13.10.10: San Marino 1-0 Georgia26.03.11: San Marino 0-2 Bulgaria26.03.11: France 5-1 Hungary26.03.11: Latvia 1-1 Georgia30.03.11: Bulgaria 2-0 Hungary30.03.11: France 2-0 Georgia30.03.11: San Marino 1-2 Latvia08.06.11: Georgia 2-2 Bulgaria08.06.11: Hungary 0-0 San Marino08.06.11: Latvia 0-4 France03.09.11: Bulgaria 3-1 Latvia03.09.11: Hungary 2-2 Georgia03:09.11: San Marino 1-3 France07.09.11: France 1-0 Bulgaria07.09.11: Latvia 3-0 Hungary07.09.11: Georgia 1-0 San Marino08.10.11: Bulgaria 2-0 San Marino08.10.11: Hungary 2-2 France08.10.11: Georgia 2-1 LatviaGroup 2Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q France 10 5 0 0 16 1 3 1 1 11 5 25 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Bulgaria 10 4 0 1 9 2 3 1 1 8 4 22 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Georgia 10 3 1 1 7 6 1 2 2 4 6 15 4th Latvia 10 2 1 2 7 9 2 0 3 5 11 13 5th Hungary 10 0 3 2 4 6 1 0 4 3 12 6 6th San Marino 10 1 0 4 3 8 0 1 4 1 8 4Group Three04.09.10: Israel 1-0 Estonia04.09.10: Spain 0-3 Scotland08.09.10: Scotland 3-1 Israel08.09.10: Ukraine 3-2 Spain09.10.10: Israel 1-2 Ukraine09.10.10: Estonia 0-4 Scotland13.10.10: Spain 2-1 Israel13.10.10: Ukraine 3-0 Estonia26.03.11: Estonia 1-7 Spain26.03.11: Scotland 1-1 Ukraine30.03.11: Estonia 0-2 Israel30.03.11: Scotland 2-2 Spain08.06.11: Israel 1-0 Scotland08.06.11: Spain 0-1 Ukraine03.09.11: Ukraine 2-0 Israel03:09.11: Scotland 4-1 Estonia07.09.11: Israel 0-3 Spain07.09.11: Estonia 0-3 Ukraine08.10.11: Spain 1-1 Estonia08.10.11: Ukraine 0-1 ScotlandGroup 3Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Ukraine 8 3 0 1 8 3 3 1 0 7 2 19 2nd Q Scotland 8 2 2 0 10 5 3 0 1 8 1 17 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Spain 8 1 1 2 3 6 2 1 1 14 6 11 4th Israel 8 2 0 2 3 5 1 0 3 4 7 9 5th Estonia 8 0 0 4 1 16 0 1 3 2 9 1 Group Four04.09.10: Greece 1-1 Sweden04.09.10: Belarus 1-1 Italy04.09.10: Luxembourg 1-6 Faroe Islands08.09.10: Sweden 3-0 Belarus08.09.10: Faroe Islands 0-3 Greece08.09.10: Italy 3-0 Luxembourg09.10.10: Luxembourg 0-3 Sweden09.10.10: Belarus 1-2 Greece09.10.10: Italy 3-0 Faroe Islands13.10.10: Sweden 0-1 Italy13.10.10: Greece 5-1 Luxembourg13.10.10: Faroe Islands 1-3 Belarus26.03.11: Faroe Islands 1-3 Sweden26.03.11: Italy 4-2 Greece26.03.11: Luxembourg 0-6 Belarus30.03.11: Sweden 1-0 Greece30.03.11: Italy 3-0 Belarus30.03.11: Faroe Islands 1-0 Luxembourg08.06.11: Belarus 0-3 Sweden08.06.11: Greece 3-0 Faroe Islands08.06.11: Luxembourg 0-5 Italy03.09.11: Sweden 4-1 Luxembourg03.09.11: Greece 0-0 Belarus03:09.11: Faroe Islands 0-5 Italy07.09.11: Italy 1-0 Sweden07.09.11: Luxembourg 0-2 Greece07.09.11: Belarus 1-0 Faroe Islands08.10.11: Sweden 4-0 Faroe Islands08.10.11: Greece 0-1 Italy08.10.11: Belarus 3-1 LuxembourgGroup 4Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Italy 10 5 0 0 14 2 4 1 0 13 1 28 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Sweden 10 4 0 1 12 2 3 1 1 10 3 22 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Greece 10 2 2 1 9 3 3 0 2 9 6 17 4th Belarus 10 2 1 2 6 7 2 1 2 9 7 14 5th Faroe Islands 10 1 0 4 3 14 1 0 4 6 12 6 6th Luxembourg 10 0 0 5 1 22 0 0 5 3 16 0 Group Five04.09.10: Macedonia 3-0 Armenia04.09.10: England 2-0 Austria08.09.10: Austria 3-0 Macedonia08.09.10: Romania 0-2 England09.10.10: Macedonia 1-2 Romania09.10.10: Armenia 0-1 Austria13.10.10: England 4-0 Macedonia13.10.10: Romania 3-0 Armenia26.03.11: Armenia 0-4 England26.03.11: Austria 0-1 Romania30.03.11: Armenia 2-1 Macedonia30.03.11: Austria 0-2 England08.06.11: Macedonia 0-0 Austria08.06.11: England 4-0 Romania03.09.11: Romania 3-0 Macedonia03:09.11: Austria 3-1 Armenia07.09.11: Macedonia 0-2 England07.09.11: Armenia 0-2 Romania08.10.11: England 5-1 Armenia08.10.11: Romania 2-0 AustriaGroup 5Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q England 8 4 0 0 15 1 4 0 0 10 0 24 2nd Q Romania 8 3 0 1 8 2 3 0 1 5 5 18 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Austria 8 2 0 2 6 4 1 1 2 1 4 10 4th FYROM 8 1 1 2 4 4 0 0 4 1 12 4 5th Armenia 8 1 0 3 2 8 0 0 4 2 14 3 Group Six04.09.10: Albania 1-3 Finland04.09.10: Ireland 1-0 Holland08.09.10: Finland 0-2 Ireland08.09.10: Holland 1-1 Serbia & Montengro09.10.10: Serbia & Montengro 0-1 Finland09.10.10: Ireland 0-1 Albania13.10.10: Finland 3-2 Holland13.10.10: Albania 0-2 Serbia & Montengro26.03.11: Holland 1-0 Albania26.03.11: Serbia & Montengro 0-1 Ireland30.03.11: Finland 1-1 Albania30.03.11: Holland 1-1 Ireland08.06.11: Ireland 1-0 Finland08.06.11: Serbia & Montengro 0-1 Holland03.09.11: Finland 6-1 Serbia & Montengro03:09.11: Albania 0-2 Ireland07.09.11: Holland 1-1 Finland07.09.11: Serbia & Montengro 1-0 Albania08.10.11: Albania 1-3 Holland08.10.11: Ireland 3-1 Serbia & MontengroGroup 6Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Ireland 8 3 0 1 5 2 3 1 0 6 1 19 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Finland 8 2 1 1 10 6 2 1 1 5 3 14 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Holland 8 1 3 0 4 3 2 0 2 6 5 12 4th Serbia & Montengro 8 1 0 3 1 3 1 1 2 5 10 7 5th Albania 8 0 0 4 2 10 1 1 2 2 3 4 Group Seven04.09.10: Belgium 2-2 Bosnia04.09.10: Germany 0-2 Slovenia04.09.10: Malta 0-1 Azerbaijan08.09.10: Slovenia 3-3 Belgium08.09.10: Bosnia 4-1 Malta08.09.10: Azerbaijan 0-4 Germany09.10.10: Belgium 2-0 Azerbaijan09.10.10: Bosnia 1-1 Slovenia09.10.10: Malta 0-4 Germany13.10.10: Germany 1-1 Belgium13.10.10: Azerbaijan 0-2 Bosnia13.10.10: Slovenia 4-1 Malta26.03.11: Belgium 4-0 Malta26.03.11: Bosnia 1-3 Germany26.03.11: Slovenia 2-0 Azerbaijan30.03.11: Bosnia 1-1 Belgium30.03.11: Slovenia 0-0 Germany30.03.11: Azerbaijan 2-0 Malta08.06.11: Belgium 2-0 Slovenia08.06.11: Malta 0-5 Bosnia08.06.11: Germany 4-0 Azerbaijan03.09.11: Azerbaijan 0-2 Belgium03.09.11: Slovenia 1-0 Bosnia03:09.11: Germany 6-0 Malta07.09.11: Belgium 1-1 Germany07.09.11: Bosnia 4-0 Azerbaijan07.09.11: Malta 1-1 Slovenia08.10.11: Malta 0-7 Belgium08.10.11: Germany 1-0 Bosnia08.10.11: Azerbaijan 1-3 SloveniaGroup 7Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Germany 10 3 1 1 12 3 3 2 0 12 2 21 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Belgium 10 3 2 0 11 3 2 3 0 14 5 20 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Slovenia 10 3 2 0 10 4 2 2 1 7 5 19 4th Bosnia 10 2 2 1 11 6 2 1 2 9 4 15 5th Azerbaijan 10 1 0 4 3 11 1 0 4 1 12 6 6th Malta 10 0 1 4 1 18 0 0 5 2 20 1 Group Eight04.09.10: Moldova 2-2 N.Ireland04.09.10: Russia 0-1 Portugal08.09.10: N.Ireland 1-1 Russia08.09.10: Portugal 4-1 Turkey09.10.10: Turkey 2-0 N.Ireland09.10.10: Russia 2-0 Moldova13.10.10: N.Ireland 0-2 Portugal13.10.10: Moldova 1-4 Turkey26.03.11: Portugal 2-0 Moldova26.03.11: Turkey 2-0 Russia30.03.11: N.Ireland 2-2 Moldova30.03.11: Portugal 3-0 Russia08.06.11: Russia 3-1 N.Ireland08.06.11: Turkey 1-0 Portugal03.09.11: N.Ireland 1-2 Turkey03:09.11: Moldova 2-3 Russia07.09.11: Portugal 4-1 N.Ireland07.09.11: Turkey 2-0 Moldova08.10.11: Moldova 0-2 Portugal08.10.11: Russia 3-1 TurkeyGroup 8Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Portugal 8 4 0 0 13 2 3 0 1 5 1 21 2nd Q Turkey 8 4 0 0 7 0 2 0 2 8 9 18 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Russia 8 3 0 1 8 3 1 1 2 4 8 13 4th N.Ireland 8 0 2 2 4 7 0 1 3 4 11 3 5th Moldova 8 0 1 3 5 11 0 1 3 2 8 2 Group Nine04.09.10: Iceland 2-1 Cyprus04.09.10: Czech Republic 1-0 Switzerland08.09.10: Switzerland 0-2 Iceland08.09.10: Poland 2-0 Czech Republic09.10.10: Iceland 1-0 Poland09.10.10: Cyprus 0-0 Switzerland13.10.10: Czech Republic 2-0 Iceland13.10.10: Poland 2-1 Cyprus26.03.11: Cyprus 0-3 Czech Republic26.03.11: Switzerland 2-2 Poland30.03.11: Cyprus 0-4 Iceland30.03.11: Switzerland 1-0 Czech Republic08.06.11: Iceland 3-2 Switzerland08.06.11: Czech Republic 1-0 Poland03.09.11: Poland 4-1 Iceland03:09.11: Switzerland 3-0 Cyprus07.09.11: Iceland 3-1 Czech Republic07.09.11: Cyprus 0-2 Poland08.10.11: Czech Republic 4-0 Cyprus08.10.11: Poland 1-0 SwitzerlandGroup 9Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Iceland 8 4 0 0 9 4 2 0 2 7 6 18 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Pl Poland 8 4 0 0 9 2 1 1 2 4 4 16 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Czech Republic 8 4 0 0 8 0 1 0 3 4 6 15 4th Switzerland 8 2 1 1 6 4 0 1 3 2 5 8 5th Cyprus 8 0 1 3 0 9 0 0 4 2 11 1 Second Placed TeamsPos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Turkey 6 3 0 0 5 0 1 0 2 4 8 12 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Q Romania 6 2 0 1 5 2 2 0 1 3 5 12 3rd Q Scotland 6 1 2 0 6 4 2 0 1 4 1 11 4th Sweden 6 2 0 1 4 1 1 1 1 4 2 10 5th Finland 6 2 0 1 9 5 1 1 1 2 2 10 6th Bulgaria 6 2 0 1 5 2 1 1 1 5 4 10 7th Poland 6 3 0 0 7 1 0 1 2 2 4 10 8th Croatia 6 1 1 1 4 3 2 0 1 3 2 10 9th Belgium 6 1 2 0 5 3 0 3 0 5 5 8 PlayoffsFirst Leg12.11.11: Belgium 0-1 Sweden12.11.11: Croatia 0-1 Poland12.11.11: Bulgaria 1-0 Finland16.11.11: Sweden 2-1 Belgium16.11.11: Poland 1-2 Croatia16.11.11: Finland 2-2 BulgariaFinals Tournament:Group One9.6.12: Norway 0-2 Portugal11.6.12: Iceland 2-1 Denmark13.6.12: Denmark 1-1 Norway14.6.12: Portugal 2-2 Iceland19.6.12: Norway 1-0 Iceland19.6.12: Portugal 3-3 DenmarkGroup 1Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Portugal 3 0 2 0 5 5 1 0 0 2 0 5 2nd Q Norway 3 1 0 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 1 4 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Iceland 3 1 0 0 2 1 0 1 1 2 3 4 4th Denmark 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 4 5 2 Group Two10.6.12: Romania 2-5 Italy11.6.12: Sweden 0-0 Scotland14.6.12: Italy 1-0 Sweden16.6.12: Scotland 2-3 Romania19.6.12: Scotland 2-1 Italy19.6.12: Sweden 1-3 RomaniaGroup 2Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Italy 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 6 4 6 2nd Q Romania 3 0 0 1 2 5 2 0 0 6 3 6 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Scotland 3 1 0 1 4 4 0 1 0 0 0 4 4th Sweden 3 0 1 1 1 3 0 0 1 0 1 1 Group Three10.6.12: France 1-0 Croatia12.6.12: Ukraine 1-0 Turkey15.6.12: Turkey 0-0 France17.6.12: Croatia 1-0 Ukraine20.6.12: France 2-0 Ukraine20.6.12: Croatia 1-1 TurkeyGroup 3Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q France 3 2 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 7 2nd Q Croatia 3 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 1 4 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Ukraine 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 3 3 4th Turkey 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 Group Four10.6.12: England 1-1 Germany12.6.12: Bulgaria 1-1 Ireland15.6.12: Germany 2-0 Bulgaria17.6.12: Ireland 0-1 England20.6.12: Ireland 0-0 Germany20.6.12: Bulgaria 0-1 EnglandGroup 4Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q England 3 0 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 2 0 7 2nd Q Germany 3 1 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 1 1 5 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Ireland 3 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 2 4th Bulgaria 3 0 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 2 1 Quarter Finals23.6.12: France 1-2 Germany23.6.12: Italy 2-1 Norway24.6.12: England 0-0 Croatia (Croatia win 4-2 on pens)24.6.12: Portugal 0-3 RomaniaSemi Finals27.6.12: Italy 0-2 Germany27.6.12: Romania 4-1 CroatiaFinal1.7.12: Germany 0-1 Romania</pre>

Many thanks to those of you who have read.

retired_loubou

Superb story :thup:

Will you continue for the newt World Cup or European tournament, or is this story done?