retired_amyslack

Sky Sports
Wednesday June 23, 2004
Richard Keys and Andy Gray are sitting in the Sky Sports studio.

RK - Good evening once again and thanks for joining us as Scotland’s Euro 2004 adventure continues. Before we talk about tonight’s game let’s take a look back at the two Quarter Finals that were played on Sunday. First, the Czech Republic and Italy.

AG - Not the most riveting of matches Richard, I must confess. The Czechs were terribly disappointing and laboured through the 90 minutes without creating a single scoring opportunity. Mind you, the Italians weren’t that much better but it was finally settled in the 65th minute with a goal from Filippo Inzaghi.

RK - And Denmark against Croatia.

AG - This was a much better game, thank goodness. The Danes went two ahead inside 10 minutes with goals from Ebbe Sand and Marc Nygaard. Croatia pulled one back 15 minutes from time through Jurica Vuko but it turned to be a late consolation.

RK - So the Semi Final lineup is Scotland against Spain and Italy against Denmark. Another very tough game for the Scots as they face England’s conquerors and the 2002 World Cup finalists.

AG - They’re all tough games now.

RK - Can the Scots do it again?

AG - I’d love to say yes, but I really feel that this will be a game too far for Berti’s boys. After their fantastic effort against France I just can’t see them being able to raise their game enough to upset the Spanish.

RK - What does the team selection look like tonight?

AG - A lot of the players that played against France are being rested as you can see.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Stevie Nicholas Marc Anthony James McFadden Barry Ferguson (C) Craig EastonBrian McAllister Michael Stewart Robert Malcolm Lee Wilkie Barry Smith Jamie LangfieldSubstitutesDerek McInnesPhil McGuireRobbie NeilsonMark KerrKiegan ParkerScott WalkerCraig Dargo</pre>

RK - Thanks Andy. We’ll go over to Lisbon after the break and return here at half time.

retired_ashleyamber

Oh, yeah, you've beaten the French, great job

Just keep heading south with that victory road...

retired_amyslack

Thanks for your continued support guys.

Euro 2004 Semi Final
Half Time
Scotland 2 (Nicholas 24, Easton 32) Spain 0

RK - You were saying Andy - No chance for Scotland, it’s a game too far!

AG - This is one time when I really don’t mind being wrong!

RK - Talk us through that first half Andy.

AG - Well Spain have had most of the possession, but they haven’t created too many chances. Scotland have had two shots on target and they’ve scored twice. Scotland had a nice little spell of possession early on but it came to nothing. Here’s the first real chance of the game, about 15 minutes gone and Reyes makes a good run down the left, he sends the ball in and Victor gets above Malcolm and flicks the ball on. Raul is steaming in but Langfield is out quickly to smother the ball at his feet. The youngster is full of confidence at the moment and he’s really commanding his area - his handling’s been excellent and he’s not afraid to come and collect the ball. Here’s the first goal now. Ferguson breaks up this attack and plays it long to Nicholas. Good control, shields the ball well. Plays a glorious one-two with Anthony and bang - back of the net. Simple but effective. Spain seeing a lot of the ball now but the Scots are working really hard to close them down and the Spaniards are getting a bit frustrated. Again, an attack breaks down and Stewart sprays it wide to Malcolm who’s motoring down the wing. Plays the early cross to the near post and there’s Easton to shoot home. Spain have struggled to hit the target when they’ve had chances. Diego Tristan heads wide and then Victor does the same. But almost at half time and this is a good chance for Raul, he hits the ball well but Langfield is down smartly to make the save.

RK - What will Berti have told the boys at half time?

AG - He’s probably said let’s have more of the same. Keep working hard and most of all, keep your concentration.

RK - Let’s take a quick look at the other Semi Final.

AG - Well Italy are in a bit of trouble. They’re a goal down and a man down after keeper Francesco Toldo was red-carded for bringing down Ebbe Sand in the area. Thomas Gravesen calmly despatched the penalty and Italy have a lot to do to get back into this game.

RK - Thanks Andy. Time for a quick break and then the second half. See you at full time.

retired_quechulapr

aaah! What happened?

retired_amyslack

Here's your answer LO.

Euro 2004 Semi Final
Full Time
Scotland 2 (Nicholas 24, Easton 32) Spain 1 (Raul 81)

RK - Well Andy that goal from Raul gave us a very tense last 10 minutes but the boys held on.

AG - They did indeed. All thanks to Jamie Langfield again.

RK - Let’s look at that extraordinary double save.

AG - Well this is about 10 minutes after the restart. It starts with a nice piece of control by Victor. He finds the substitute Joaquin who hits that shot with the outside of his right foot. Langfield does really well to parry it but Joaquin is on to the rebound in a flash. But Langfield somehow gets to his second effort too. Now here’s a big let off as the ball falls to Victor this time. With the goal at his mercy he tries to place it, gets a bit too cute and he hits the post when he really should have scored. Scotland are playing really well at this period of the half. They’re not giving Spain time to settle and when they get the ball they’re moving it around nicely, making Spain chase the game. Again Langfield full of confidence and quite happy to come and claim a lot of these balls played in to the box. Here’s Diego Tristan with a shot from distance but it’s comfortable for Langfield. Moving into the last 10 minutes now and here’s a real moment of magic from Raul to give Spain hope. He picks the ball up, jinks past Stewart and then past McAllister and finishes with a great shot into the corner. That’s just seconds after he was only booked for a two-footed lunge at Stewart - he could easily have been sent off for that challenge.

RK - But Spain couldn’t find another goal and Scotland have made it to the Final. Who will they meet there Andy.

AG - Denmark. Although they didn’t add to their score they held on quite comfortably against Italy.

RK - Let’s look at the match stats then.

(Sky Sports Whooshing Noise)

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Scotland Spain4 Shots on Goal 103 On Target 71 Off Target 31 Corners 29 Free Kicks 2012 Offsides 62 Yellow Cards 10 Red Cards 0</pre>

RK - We can now go to Lisbon where Claire Tomlinson is talking to Berti Wogts.


CT - Congratulations Berti, what a wonderful achievement to reach the Final.

BW - Zank you zo much Claire. It is indeed a triumph for ze players - zey were absolutely magficent and no matter what happens in ze Final zey haff done ze whole country proud.

CT - Well good luck against Denmark and don’t forget to wear your lucky lederhosen.

BW - I for sure vill be keeping zem on, even though I cannot zit down at all. Zat is why I am standing up all ze time during ze game - not because ze excitement is too much.


RK - Who is your choice for Man of the Match?

AG - I think that they all deserve a medal Richard. Scotland defended from the front and there were fine performances throughout the team. The two strikers played really well and Wilkie, Smith and Stewart were immense. But I’m going to go with Jamie Langfield again.

RK - That’s great Andy. Well what a great night for Scotland - we hope everyone at home has enjoyed it as much as we have and we’ll see you back on Sky Sports for the final.

retired_bbcarr

great work, old man you'd just better win the final now

retired_michman524

We're in the final \o/\o/

*Tra la la la la*

retired_amyslack

Thanks guys

Sky Sports
Sunday June 27, 2004
Richard Keys, Andy Gray and Charlie Nicholas are sitting in the Sky Sports studio.

RK – Good evening everybody and welcome to Sky Sports exclusive coverage of the Euro 2004 final live from the National Stadium in Lisbon. Tonight I am joined in the studio by both Charlie Nicholas and Andy Gray. Now Charlie, you’ve been one of Berti Wogts harshest critics since his appointment.

CN – Well Richard my complaint has not been with Berti as such but with Hughie McScrooge and his colleagues at the SFA. To me it was just inconceivable that having made such a monumental mistake in Berti’s initial appointment they were basically too tight-fisted to rectify it. I think that in the circumstances Berti himself has done an outstanding job.

RK – And how do you see tonight’s game going?

CN – Well Scotland have done outstandingly well to get to the final but now they face a team that, on current form, are amongst the best in the world. Denmark have lost only 1 game in the last two years and I don’t expect that record to be spoilt tonight.

RK – So you feel that Denmark will win.

CN – I think they will. There’s just too much experience in their team. Let’s just compare some statistics. For Denmark the average age of their squad is 28; for Scotland it is 25. The Danes have 657 caps between them; Scotland have 219. Their most experienced international is Ebbe Sand with 78 caps; for Scotland it’s Neill Sullivan with 29 and he’s not even playing tonight. And don’t forget that Denmark have already beaten us 2-1 in the group stages.

RK - So do you agree with Charlie’s analysis of the game Andy?

AG – I do to some extent. It’s true that the Danish team does have bags of experience and that their current form is excellent. But we mustn’t forget that Scotland have an great record under Berti Wogts with only 4 defeats in the 26 matches since he’s been in charge.

CN – But it is a very young team Andy.

AG – For sure and I think that’s hugely encouraging for the future. Denmark are definite favourites but I have a feeling that our youngsters might just pull off a shock tonight.

RK – On that note, let’s take a look at the teams. Charlie, how will the Danes line up?

CN – Well Denmark play a system where a sweeper plays behind two centre backs. Their wide midfielders are essentially wingers, not wingbacks and they have a three-man midfield and two forwards, one of whom plays slightly further back. They play a very attacking game and it certainly seems to work well for them. Here’s how they line up tonight.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Ebbe Sand (C) Marc Nygaard Christian Poulsen Claus Jensen Thomas GravesenJesper Grønkjær Martin Jørgensen Martin Laursen Kim Madsen Steven Lustü Thomas SørensenSubstitutesJon Dahl TomassonJesper ChristiansenNiclas JensenSøren ColdingHenrik PedersenDennis RommedahlKim Christensen</pre>

RK – And how about Scotland Andy?

AG – There’s a few changes from the Semi Final as McGuire and Walker pair up at the back, Barry Smith comes in wide right, Mark Kerr is back in midfield, Kiegan Parker plays behind the front two and Craig Dargo starts up front.


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Stevie Nicholas Craig Dargo Kiegan Parker Barry Ferguson (C) Mark KerrRobbie Neilson Michael Stewart Barry Smith Phil McGuire Scott Walker Jamie LangfieldSubstitutesLee WilkieRobert MalcolmDerek McInnesDarren FletcherStephen PearsonJames McFaddenMarc Anthony</pre>

RK – Final thoughts before we go over to Lisbon.

CN – My heart wants Scotland to win but my head says that Denmark are just too experienced for us. But if Kiegan Parker is really on song then you just never know.

AG – Also we need to be really sound at the back as the Danish attack is pretty potent.

RK – Thanks fellas. We’ll take a short break now and when we come back we’ll go straight to our commentary team in Lisbon and Charlie and Andy will be back at half time.

retired_amyslack

Euro 2004 Final
Half Time
Scotland 0 Denmark 0

RK – Not the most eventful 45 minutes of football.

CN – No, you can see that both teams are pretty nervous and to be honest neither of them have really settled down yet.

RK – Let’s take a quick look at the best of the action.

AG – Well it was a really cagey start and as Charlie says, both teams looking tense. The first opening falls to Scotland after 15 minutes or so. Craig Dargo plays a nice one-two with Kerr and then spreads it wide to Robbie Neilson who curls in a nice cross. Parker has timed his run well but he just gets slightly underneath the ball and his header goes over the bar. Denmark then saw a lot of the ball for the remainder of the half but didn’t have too much to show for it. Thomas Gravesen does well to make room for the shot but he doesn’t trouble Langfield. Now this is their best chance of the half. Great work by Martin Jørgensen to get past Neilson and that’s a wonderful cross to the near post. Poulsen meets it at speed and Jamie Langfield does really well to get a hand to that. But then right on the stroke of half time Scotland came very close. This is great vision by Barry Ferguson to pick out Parker in the area. Now look at this technique – he lets the ball drop over his shoulder and catches it on the volley and that’s a brilliant save by Sørensen.

RK – How do you see the second half Charlie?

CN – Well I don’t think that either side will be looking to make any changes at half time but I’m sure that the managers will be trying to clam the nerves and encourage their players to relax and start playing a bit of football.

RK – Right, well we have to take a short break but we’ll be back in Lisbon shortly. Join us back in the stadium at full time.

retired_bbcarr

we'll all be calling for your head if we lose this :p