TEMPERATURES and expectations were rising steeply as May petered out 30 years ago. World Cup fever was upon us, and the nation was looking forward with mounting self-confiden

As Poland brace for their first-ever European championships appearance, the Church in this deeply Catholic country is urging fans to pray for the squad, and to behave themselves if they are off to Euro 2008.

Euro 2008 co-hosts Switzerland were waiting anxiously on the fitness of influential playmaker Tranquillo Barnetta on Tuesday just days away from their opener against the Czech Republic.

Russian national manager Guus Hiddink said Tuesday he would be leaving injured forward Pavel Pogrebnyak in the Euro 2008 squad regardless of the advice of doctors.

Veteran Germany striker Oliver Neuville may be back home at the team´s Euro 2008 training camp in Tenero, Switzerland, but his side are already getting down to business.

FIFA have opened up an investigation into the series of events in the aftermath of the football tragedy at the Samuel K. Doe Stadium in Monrovia on Sunday where at least eight football fans died when dozens of people fell from upper-level seats onto spectators below after a metal barrier had given way.

China may be the dominant Asian force in women's football, but having secured their place in the semi-finals of the AFC Women's Asian Cup currently taking place in Vietnam, that is something that Japan are hoping to change. Coach Norio Sasaki's side could hardly have booked their semi-final place in more dramatic circumstances, needing to beat Australia by two clear goals in their final group game at Thong Nat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City on June 2. Early strikes from Kozue Ando, Yuki Nagasato and Aya Miyama eased Japanese nerves, and a late Clare Polkinghorne effort proved academic as both nations progressed to the last four of the tournament. Japan's success comes on the back of their recent East Asian Championship win in China, where they lifted the title following a 3-0 thrashing of the hosts at Yongchuan Stadium in Chongqing. Coach Sasaki credited his country's first ever major women's title to the strength of the domestic Nadeshiko League, where players ply their trade in an increasingly professional environment. Comprised of an eight-team First Division and a nine-team Second Division, the bulk of the current Japan squad contains players from the two dominant forces in Japanese women's football, three-time reigning champions NTV Beleza and Saitama outfit Urawa Reds Ladies. Tokyo Verdy affiliate NTV Beleza are sponsored by Nippon TV and led by stars Homare Sawa - Japan's most capped player and the Most Valuable Player at the recent East Asian Championships, and striker Yuki Nagasato - a mainstay of the national team despite not yet having celebrated her 21st birthday. Urawa Reds Ladies contributed four players to Japan's AFC Women's Asian Cup squad, including veteran goalkeeper Nozomi Yamago and defender Kozue Ando, and both will be looking to wrest the domestic Nadeshiko League trophy away from the dominant NTV Beleza. With the competition currently on hiatus given the national team's quest for continental glory, Urawa Reds Ladies lead the early standings ahead of their main rivals NTV Beleza. They won't have things all their own way, however, with the Okayama Yunogo Belles and the Kobe-based INAC Leonessa also looking to put up a stern challenge in this season's competition. The Nadeshiko League provides an opportunity for players like Saki Kumagai and Michi Goto - both students at Tokiwagi Gakuen High School who were called up for Japan's AFC Women's Asian Cup campaign, to continue training and playing football at an elite level after their school days have ended. While the women's game in Japan hasn't quite reached the level of its male counterpart the J. League, attendances continue to rise - with crowds in excess of 2,000 turning out to watch the stars of NTV Beleza and Urawa Reds Ladies do battle, while teams such as the Fukushima-based TEPCO Mareeze and Tasaki Perule FC continue to hold their own, with funding channelled in from the likes of the league's major sponsor Plenus. Indeed the competition looks set to return to the halycon days of the mid-nineties, when the league achieved national prominence before an economic bust saw a sharp downturn in the fortunes of women's football in Japan. Whether Japan can beat arch-rivals China for a place in the final of the AFC Asian Women's Cup remains to be seen. Japan's players will at least have a vibrant domestic league to return home to, however, as the women's game in Japan continues to go from strength to strength. Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags Bet with Bet 365 World Soccer News Soccer betting tips Soccer Books & DVDs Tags Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting

Swiss coach Kobi Kuhn expressed his relief on Tuesday that his wife´s life was not in danger after she had to be hospitalised on Monday after an epileptic fit.

Dignity and restraint, even in the wake of a scintillating victory or a disastrous loss, are essential during Euro 2008, says Austria´s etiquette guru Thomas Schaefer-Elmayer.

The Dutch squad arrived for Euro 2008 in Geneva on Tuesday albeit rather later than planned after heavy traffic round Amsterdam delayed their departure.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo trained normally with the rest of the Euro 2008 squad on Tuesday a day after he took a knock on his right ankle.

Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner cancelled his press conference on Tuesday after being taken ill suddenly only days before they open their Euro 20087 campaign against co-hosts Switzerland.

Greece are not feeling the pressure ahead of the defence of their European crown claimed number one goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis on Tuesday.

Spanish international midfielder Andres Iniesta had to go to hospital here on Tuesday suffering from a serious bout of food poisoning.

A first-half penalty by Franck Ribery managed not to ruin Thierry Henry´s 100th international appearance and give France a 1-0 win over Colombia in their final warm-up match before Euro 2008.

Injury-hit Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro said Tuesday that he intends to stay with the national side for the duration of Euro 2008 despite being ruled out of the competition with an ankle injury.

FOR RENT Nice, cosy, fully furnished 2 bedroom flat in the heart of the oldtown of Biel-Bienne, Switzerland. Located in a quiet street, spacious rooms, living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. Short-term hire possible; rent 1200 CHF per month (June 6th until June 29th, 2008). 500 CHF per week and 250 CHF for the weekend. Ideal for a couple or for a group of friends as sofabed available in living room (max. 4 people). Please note that the price is an additional 100 to 200 CHF per stay (depending on the duration of the stayover) if more than 2 people. Available as of June 5th until noon of June 29th, 2008. Shops, banks, all commodities within walking distance; public transport on the doorstep. Laundry and dry cleaners are within 5 minutes walking distance. The flat is within 15 minutes walking distance from the main train station in Biel. There are 4 trains per hour heading to Bern - the capital of Switzerland. During Euro 08 there are special rates for the train fares. For further information please contact the members of staff at the train station in Switzerland. The main airports in Switzerland offer direct connections by train from the airport to the city of Biel (1 1/2 hours from Zurich Airport to Biel, 1 hour and 20 minutes from the airport of Basel to Biel and approx. 2 hours from Geneva Airport to the city of Biel). The rental fee has to be paid in advance or upon arrival. A security deposit of CHF 500 has to be advanced for security reasons - the full amount will be refunded to you by handover of the flat including keys etc. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you wish to receive photos of the flat or if you have any further questions. I'll be pleased to answer your questions. My e-mail address is: tanyarenfer[at]yahoo.co[dot]uk UBS Arena - Switzerland's fifth stadium of the UEFA Euro 2008 (Public viewing / Free entrance) The UBS ARENA offers a unique festival of soccer for the whole of Switzerland throughout UEFA EURO 2008™. A small stadium featuring a giant video wall, covered seating and free standing places. Come and enjoy an exclusive range of food and drinks and cultural events. Spectators at the UBS ARENA will experience the UEFA EURO 2008™ matches in a stadium-like atmosphere. Football fans and party people will be getting together in June 2008 in the fan zone and the UBS ARENA right next to the main train station of Biel-Bienne situated next to the lake. The UBS ARENA is a stadium for everyone - join in the party during UEFA EURO 2008™ at the UBS ARENA, Switzerland’s fifth stadium. Basic Information Biel-Bienne Welcome to Biel-Bienne, Switzerland's largest bilingual city. Biel-Bienne is the urban center of the Three Lakes region. Typical features of Biel-Bienne are the urbane Zentralplatz, the bilingual street signs, and the beautiful old town, which is a residential area as well as a magnet for tourists. Sporty persons have the largest free training park in Switzerland right on their doorstep: Everything is possible, from biking and climbing in the Jura mountains to rowing on the lake or rollerblading through the lakeland countryside. Biel-Bienne offers unmistakable savoir-vivre.