retired_amyslack

Thanks bjorn, you are too kind.

Euro 2004 Group Game 3
Half Time
Scotland 0 Germany 0

RK - A scoreless first half Andy, and we hear that the Denmark game is also goalless.

AG - A scoreless half but Germany have had most of the chances so far. Scotland had the first chance of note, a nice one-two between Ferguson and Nicholas gives the skipper a shooting chance and his drive just skims the top of the bar. And now this is Ballack feeding the ball to Bohme who tries his luck from distance and Sullivan has to turn the ball behind. Schneider with the corner, Kehl gets a head to it but Sullivan makes the save. The Germans are pressing hard now and they’re pinging the ball around. Ballack with the ball to the far post, great header by Bohme and McGuire makes the goalline clearance. It’s Miroslav Klose now with a well struck shot - that warmed Sullivan’s hands I’ll bet. Scotland are really having to defend and doing it well. The back five are doing really well with young Michael Stewart in particular breaking up a lot of attacks.

RK - So far so good Andy - how do you see the second half?

AG - We need to get hold of the ball and try to take some of the pressure off. Craig Easton has been quite anonymous and I’d like to see Pearson coming on into midfield.

RK - Time for a short break and the second half in full. See you at the end of the game.

retired_michman524

Come on. What happened in the second half? You've left me hanging

retired_amyslack

Just for you Jambo!

Euro 2004 Group Game 3
Full Time
Scotland 1 (Miller 55) Germany 1 (Bierofka 85)

RK - Andy, the Denmark game has finished with a 2-1 win to the Danes, so the draw is good enough for Scotland to qualify. Holland took the lead when Marc Overmars scored in the 59th minute. But two goals in four minutes from Thomas Gravesen and Ebbe Sand gave Denmark the win.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Group 4Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q Denmark 3 2 0 0 4 2 1 0 0 3 1 9 2nd Q SCOTLAND 3 1 1 0 4 3 0 0 1 1 2 4 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Germany 3 0 0 1 1 3 0 2 0 1 1 2 4th Holland 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 5 1</pre>

AG - It was mighty close though. This was a much better second half performance. Berti must be a mind reader because Pearson replaced Easton at half time just as I suggested and he did make a difference.

RK - Some injury problems though.

AG - It doesn’t look good with both Neil Sullivan and Charlie Miller having to be replaced.

RK - But a good second half nonetheless.

AG - Yes. Much more fluid play from Scotland now. McGuire and Stewart combine to set up Miller but his shot’s just wide. Now watch the build up to the goal. Again it starts from the back, Stewart finding Ferguson who shows great awareness to spot Charlie Miller and pick out his run. Good control there and a sweet finish - pick that one out Oliver! But we all know that the Germans are fighters and they’re soon back on the attack. Ferguson just eases Ballack off the ball but free kick says the referee. It’s Ballack himself to take it, stunning effort but off the bar and out. But it’s Ferguson again, to Miller who tries the shot but can’t keep it on target. McFadden, sets up Pearson and that’s a great save by Kahn. Pearson turns provider this time, picking out Miller, good shot but just over. But Germany rally and the in last fifteen minutes or so there’s a lot of pressure on the Scottish defence. But we dealt with everything they could throw at us with one exception. Now this is as good a goal as you’ll see in the tournament. Substitute Daniel Bierofka picks up the ball on halfway and just weaves his way through midfield, into the area and finished with a powerful shot. That just shows the danger of standing off like that.

RK - So the win wasn’t to be, but a great achievement in qualifying from such a tough group. A quick look at the match stats.

(Sky Sports Whooshing Noise)

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scotland Germany5 Shots on Goal 92 On Target 63 Off Target 30 Corners 312 Free Kicks 93 Offsides 101 Yellow Cards 10 Red Cards 0</pre>

RK - Now I believe that Clare Tomlinson is with Berti in Lisbon.


CT - What a great result for you Berti.

BW - Ja, it really was a vonderful defensive performance. And to qualify from such a group - I am just lost for vords.

CT - But Germany and Holland both eliminated.

BW - Ach but football is a cruel game and zer are vinners und zer are losers. Und tonight ve are ze vinners.

CT - Well done again Berti and good luck in the next game


RK - Andy - time for your Man of the Match selection.

AG - I think that tonight was mostly about the defensive performance, an area that Berti has struggled with to some extent. But Lee Wilkie and Phil McGuire were excellent in the centre this evening - shame about Wilkie's booking as he'll miss the next match. But my choice is Michael Stewart. He sat just in front of the central defenders and not only did he break up a lot of dangerous situations, he also played the ball out very intelligently.

RK- Good choice Andy. Now before we go we should take a look at the Group 3 games.

AG – France had a fairly comfortable 2-0 win over Norway to record their third straight win and progress as group winners. The Norwegians defended in depth but never threatened to score and France had to wait until late on to get their goals. But two strikes in a minute from substitute Didier Agathe was enough for the win. In the key game between Croatia and Sweden, Robert Kovac gave the Croatians an early lead and the Swedes were unable to find a way back. They had keeper Rami Shaaban dismissed in stoppage time but Niko Kovac missed the resulting penalty. The win was enough to take Croatia through and here’s how the final table looks.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Group 3Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st Q France 3 2 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 9 2nd Q Croatia 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 6 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------3rd Sweden 3 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 2 1 3 4th Norway 3 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 2 0 3 0</pre>

RK – Well that wraps up a very exciting night for Scottish football. Don’t forget to join us for coverage of the forthcoming Quarter Final.

retired_amyslack

Sky Sports
Saturday June 19, 2004
Richard Keys and Andy Gray are sitting in the Sky Sports studio.

RK - We welcome you to Sky Sports coverage of one of the biggest nights for Scottish football in recent years as Berti’s boys take on the might of France in their Euro 2004 Quarter Final. This afternoon though the first Quarter Final ended in disappointment for England as they were defeated on penalties by Spain.

AG - It was a story of Owen and Fowler versus Canizares as the Spanish keeper denied the English strikers time and again. Spain didn’t offer very much in the way of attacking threats and dangerman Raul was well policed by Ehiogu and Ferdinand. Robbie Fowler was the poor unfortunate soul who failed to score in the shootout, with Canizares denying him once again.

RK - Is this the end for Sven?

AG - It may be Richard. It certainly gives him an opportunity to leave for pastures new if we wishes.

RK - Now on the to Scots. They have an impossible task tonight don’t they?

AG - Well maybe not impossible but very, very difficult. Having done remarkably well to progress from the group stage they are now up against one of the top teams in the world.

RK - And with a depleted team too.

AG - Yes. Lee Wilkie is suspended and Miller, Paterson and Sullivan are all injured so they’re down to the bare bones. Here’s how they line up.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Craig Dargo Marc Anthony Kiegan Parker Mark Kerr Stephen PearsonBrian McAllister Derek McInnes Darren Fletcher Scott Walker Phil McGuire (C) Jamie LangfieldSubstitutesCraig EastonBarry SmithStevie NicholasMichael StewartJames McFaddenBarry FergusonRobert Malcolm</pre>

RK - No substitute keeper on the bench then.

AG - No, I’m afraid that Berti is paying the price for his brave decision to only travel with two keepers and UEFA have not allowed a replacement to be called up.

RK - And no Barry Ferguson in the starting lineup.

AG - No, he’s not fully recovered from the last game so he takes a place on the bench.

RK - Can the Scots pull off a shock here Andy?

AG - Probably not. An awful lot depends on how well the youngsters in midfield and attack play and if we can be strong enough defensively to keep the French at bay.

RK - Well we’ll go over to the commentary team after this short break and we’ll see you back here for the half time highlights.

retired_michman524

Get intae them frog eatin' lot!!

retired_ashleyamber

"They" don't all eat frogs you know , but Yes: beat them!

retired_amyslack

Thanks guys, we'll do our best.

Euro 2004 Quarter Final
Half Time
Scotland 1 (Fletcher 31) France 0

RK - Now Andy, that’s what you might call an eventful 45 minutes of football.

AG - You’re not kidding Richard.

RK - Let’s look at the penalty incident first.

AG - OK. Midway through the first half and Zidane plays a great ball for the run of Henry, Langfield is off his line quickly and he seems to catch Henry and the referee points at the spot. Now my heart stopped here Richard as Martin Ingvarsson reached into his pocket - remember we don’t have a keeper on the bench. I couldn’t believe it when he showed the Yellow - what a let off for the young keeper. Robert Pires takes responsibility for the penalty. Places the ball carefully, that’s quite a short run up, Langfield dives the right way and what a good stop.

RK - And Scotland took full advantage off the letoff.

AG - Absolutely. Just 5 minutes later and Pearson with the ball, gets to the byline and sends in a good cross. Mark Kerr running in and he gets a powerful header on the ball - brilliant save by Barthez. Fletcher whips the corner in, Barthez comes and just gets there before McInnes but his punch is weak. Zidane picks it up though, his pass intended for Pires but a great interception by Kerr. He feeds Anthony who slips past the defender, great ball behind the defence and there’s Fletcher sliding in to prod the ball home.

RK - Scotland just about deserve the lead though.

AG - Well they’ve created more of the chances but not many have hit the target.

RK - And Langfield’s having a good game.

AG - Yes, the penalty save apart, he’s also saved well from Trezeguet and Vieira.

RK - Thanks Andy. We’ll take a short break now and then return you to Lisbon - see you at full time.

retired_ashleyamber

The excitement..........:thup:

retired_amyslack

Euro 2004 Quarter Final
Full Time
Scotland 2 (Fletcher 31, Anthony 89) France 0

RK - What an unbelievable result.

AG - Astonishing Richard, just astonishing. And well done Jamie Langfield - what a performance.

RK - We expected the French to really attack hard in the second half but they weren’t hugely effective.

AG - Well they did create a few good chances but they never managed to put us under sustained pressure and a lot of the credit for that goes to Derek McInnes. He had a great second half playing just in front of the back two, chasing and harrying, not letting France settle on the ball and get into a rhythm.

RK - Talk us through the highlights then Andy.

AG - Well here’s the first chance of the half. Zidane picks up the ball and shows a sublime piece of skill to get past Parker. He hits a terrific shot - just look at the swerve on that - and Langfield does fantastically well to get a fingertip to the ball. It’s Pires with the corner and McInnes gets up well with Mexes but that’s another corner. Pires again and Trezeguet gets his head to it but he can’t direct it. Up the other end now and Pearson hits it long for Anthony, classic knockdown and what a volley from Dargo and a brilliant stop by Barthez. Scott Walker was winning everything in the air at the back and his header here is picked up by Fletcher. He’s off on a run now, making good progress down the right. Great close control here as he gets past the defender but his cross is blocked. It falls to Pearson though and he puts the ball into the area. Headed out again but this time McAllister picks it up - this is good pressure from Scotland. McAllister sends it in hard and low and Dargo tries the snapshot but he can’t keep it on target.

RK - The young keeper looked unbeatable tonight.

AG - He was inspired Richard. Look at this one. Henry moves forward menacingly, that’s a really well struck shot and Jamie somehow gets a hand to it. It’s Micoud trying his luck now and Langfield well positioned and showing good hands to hold on to that. Here’s the killer goal now though. The 4th official has just indicated two minute of stoppage time and it’s McInnes moving forward, he spots Anthony’s run and picks him out well and the Aberdeen forward finishes superbly to kill of the French.

RK - Andy, I believe that Claire Tomlinson is standing by in Lisbon to talk to Berti Wogts.


CT - Well done Berti, what a fantastic result.

BW - Ja, zank you Claire. I’m not too sure zat I believe in it myself. To zink zat we can beat a great team like France and get to ze semi finals, chust fantastic.

CT - I’m sure you’d like to single out Jamie Langfield for his wonderful goalkeeping tonight.

BW - Jamie did very very vell but zo did all of ze boys - it vas a great team effort out zere.

CT - Berti, I know that you’re anxious to get back and see the team but just before you go, I love the tartan Lederhosen.

BW - Ja, I vas saving zem for a special occasion und zey are very smart no? Of course zey ver originally made for Herr Vogts and he is much shorter zan me. Zo as you say in Schottland "Zey are like ze ballroom in ze Carnegie Hall"

CT - But there is no ballroom in the Carnegie Hall..... (blushing) Oh, I see what you mean Berti.


RK - Time to look at the match statistics then.

(Sky Sports Whooshing Noise)

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scotland France10 Shots on Goal 84 On Target 66 Off Target 31 Corners 511 Free Kicks 136 Offsides 94 Yellow Cards 10 Red Cards 0</pre>

RK - Who’s your Man of the Match Andy?

AG - Well Derek McInnes was magnificent in front of the defence but I’m going to go with Jamie Langfield. The 24-year-old had a huge responsibility tonight in the absence of Neil Sullivan. OK, maybe he was lucky to stay on the pitch following the penalty incident, but he was absolutely superb for us tonight.

RK - Thanks Andy. We will of course be back with Scotland’s Semi Final so we’ll see you then.

retired_michman524

\o/ \o/ Semi Finals here we come