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Free Euro 2008 Virtual Replays at SoccerWay

If you want to experience all the Euro 2008 one more time, SoccerWay now offers you the chance to watch all important match moments as virtual replays!

Preview: France - Romania

Two years after just losing out on World Cup victory, France will be more than motivated to take the European trophy. To do so, a positive result against Romania is necessary.

Preview: The Netherlands - Italy

For many, the Euro 2008 Group C clash between the Netherlands and world champions Italy, will be one of the most attractive in this tournament's group phase.

Penalty fury fires up Swiss

Switzerland will head into Wednesday´s make-or-break clash with Turkey fired up by a belief that poor refereeing robbed them of victory against the Czech Republic.

Away from the Alps, the uninvited dream

2010 fifa world cup | beckham | david beckham | euro 2008 | world cup 2002 | world cup 2006

Now Euro 2008 is in full swing, spare a thought for those not invited to the party. 36 European nations failed to make it to the Alps. England might stand out among them, but also missing is 2006 World Cup quarter-finalists Ukraine, plus nations of th e calibre of Belgium, Serbia, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway and Ireland. \ England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland really should have revived the British Championship this summer and for extra spice added the Republic of Ireland and as a wild card, Gibraltar. A friendly with Gibraltar from any of the four UK nations with an empty diary this month would be a nice affirmation of the peninsula's desires to stay British. The Rock is not affiliated to UEFA, thanks to Spain's filibustering, so like an ugly girl or boy, they are desperate for any date. Given that it is customary to play a reciprocal fixture at your visitors' stadium after inviting them to yours, England could easily drop by for 90 minutes, though the apes would probably nick the half-time oranges. England are on the quayside looking on again but looking tasty too after dispatching the USA 2-0 at Wembley last week. David Beckham is clearly a new man and seemed to be glowing post-match having seen off the challenge of his young pretender David Bentley, with a top-drawer 45 minutes. That Becks could figure in a fourth World Cup finals seemed impossible when he gave his tearful resignation speech in Germany 2006, but now the prospect grows ever likelier. England finally have found a rhythm under Fabio Capello and on that performance, could surely have made more of an impression at Euro 2008 than some of the qualifiers and 'qualifers' (host nations). 2010 now beckons for England fans hopeful of a renewed assault on the big prize. The USA took more of a psychological blow than anything from Wembley. Having lost by the same score 14 years ago at the same venue, the States were looking to prove progress had been made. In the meantime the States have achieved a World Cup quarter-final finish in 2002, have won three of the last four CONCACAF Gold Cups and enjoyed recent away wins over Euro 2008 qualifiers Poland and Switzerland. Barring an almighty catastrophe, the US will be in the World Cup finals forever more, given CONCACAF, one of FIFA's weaker regions, with coincidentally two large TV markets, is handed a generous three and a half places for the finals. But the US is most eager to impress against European nations like England, which makes Wembley's 2-0 defeat all the more depressing. "We're Americans, we want to be the best at everything," said winger DaMarcus Beasley post-game, and he meant it. The Republic of Ireland and Colombia squared up at Fulham a day later in front of a passionate and colourful 18,000 crowd. Both nations have been off the world radar for the past few years. Ireland did reach the second round of the 2002 World Cup where they lost on penalties to Spain, but their campaign was wounded by Roy Keane's furious outburst and exiling from the camp. While the Jack Charlton years were always going to be a one-off era, Giovanni Trapattoni looks to have what it takes make Ireland a regular qualifier for tournaments once again. Trap, a coach of enormous experience, belied his white hair and 66 years, by whistling as loudly as ever to his players (they nickname him 'il fischio' - the whistle, in his native Italy) and gesticulating manically as only he can on the touchline. Post-game, Trap had the enthusiasm of a teenager for the game, speaking as if he was in his first job and certainly in no mood for retirement. He mentioned Greece's unforeseen Euro 2004 win as his inspiration, explaining it thus; "If you are a pianist, you play the piano, if you are a singer, you sing, so I say to my players, 'What are we? We are a team." Eire played a solid, and almost Italian defensive game against Colombia, grabbing an early goal through Robbie Keane and then defending it against an increasingly rampant opponent. But it was no catenaccio night. Ireland showed impressive teamwork and a fluid organisation sadly lacking under previous incumbents Steve Staunton and Brian Kerr. Colombia look to be on the up too after defeating Argentina and drawing with Brazil in their 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Having not qualified for the past two finals, Los Cafeteros seem to be set fair to retake the place behind South America's big two which in the early 1990s seemed would be theirs for some time. Unbelievably, Colombia only entered World Cup qualifying in 1958 but made it to the finals in Chile four years later. Their next appearance in 1990, saw them draw 1-1 with eventual winners Germany in the group stage, a curious game in which captain Carlos Valderrama, the first Colombian ever to play in Europe, appeared to feign injury and be stretchered off before quickly r ecovering during the first half before his team left the soon-to-be world champions chasing shadows with some amazing passing football. Colombia seemed to be toying with the Germans, who then shocked them by taking the lead in the 89th through Pierre Littbarski, sending Colombia towards elimination. Freddy Rincon saved their bacon by nutmegging Bodo Illgner in injury time. Crazy goalkeeper Rene Higuita, he of the scorpion kick, monkeyed around against Cameroon in the next round and was dispossessed a good 40 yards out of his goal by Roger Milla, who went on and scored and sent Colombia home. Colombia hit the headlines for the wrong reasons in 1994 when they lost 2-1 to the USA in a game many have fingered as being fixed by drug baron Pablo Escobar and friends. His namesake Andres Escobar scored an own goal and was promptly murdered on his return to Colombia. Times have changed, Pablo Escobar is dead, the Medellin cartel and the FARC no longer hold sway, and the national team is undergoing renaissance too. Jorge Luis Pinto has fashioned a neat passing team with plenty of pace and technique, although against Ireland they showed the classic shortcoming all great passing teams suffer from, the lack of a powerful striker. Euro 2008 might be underway, but those not at the party still have the future to dream about. (c) Sean O'Conor & Soccerphile World Soccer News Soccer betting tips Soccer Books & DVDs Tags Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting

Portugal set the pace

cristiano ronaldo | euro 2008

EURO 2008: Portugal 2-0 Turkey (Pepe 61, Mireiles 90') 31,000, Geneva Portugal established themselves as one of the favourites for the European Championship with an assured 2-0 win over Turkey in Geneva. Before Pepe fired in after a slick raid just after the hour, Cristiano Ronaldo once and Nuno Gomes twice hit the Turkish woodwork. Raul Mireiles secured the win at the death after Ronaldo had led a counter-attack. Turkey looked distinctly second best in all areas and lost the possession battle 60-40%. The Portuguese tackle fellow winners the Czech Republic in Geneva on Wednesday, while Turkey play Switzerland in Basel. (c) Sean O'Conor & Soccerphile Bet with Bet 365 World Soccer News Soccer betting tips Soccer Books & DVDs Tags Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting

Minute by Minute: Austria - Croatia

Day 2 of Euro 2008 kicks off with the Group B clash between Austria and Croatia. SoccerWay keeps you up to date on the most important events.

Polish, German fans face off in Klagenfurt

The sleepy Austrian town of Klagenfurt was deafened by football chants and blaring music on Sunday as German and Polish fans in full supporter attire invaded the city centre ahead of their countries´ first Euro 2008 match.

Senna - a Brazilian out for Spanish Euro gold

The most successful footballing nation in history has no place at the European Championships - but one Brazilian is still hoping to triumph on the Old Continent at Euro 2008.

Bafana Bafana back on track

World Cup 2010 hosts South Africa made amends for their defeat by Nigeria last weekend when they defeated Equatorial Guinea 4 - 1 at Atteridgeville's Super Stadium on Saturday.

Polish-born Klose ready to fire for Germany

Joint favourites Germany begin their Euro 2008 campaign against neighbours Poland on Sunday with Polish-born striker Miroslav Klose in the form of his life, says German coach Joachim Loew.

Bilic hoping Croats are on song for Austrian venture

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic wrote the theme song for the squad for their Euro 2008 campaign and here on Sunday he will be hoping that they will sing in tune for their opening clash with co-hosts Austria.

Van the Man back in tune with van Basten

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy cuts a much happier figure these days than he did at the 2006 World Cup finals and with him soon to turn 32 he realises that Euro 2008 may well be his last appearance on a major international stage.

Ibrahimovic not certain to play all of Greek encounter

Swedish striking star Zlatan Ibrahimovic admitted on Sunday that he was far from certain whether he would be able to play for all of their opening Euro 2008 Group D clash with titleholders Greece on Tuesday.

Quick Report: Austria 0-1 Croatia

Croatia have won their first match at Euro 2008, thanks to an early penalty kick against tournament co-hosts Austria.

Minute by Minute: Germany - Poland

Day 2 of Euro 2008 continues with the Group B clash between Germany and Poland. SoccerWay keeps you up to date on the most important events.

Croatia beat Austria

Croatia beat co-hosts Austria 1-0 in their Euro 2008 Group B match here on Sunday.

Euro 2008 Kicks Off With A Whimper, Not A Bang

Like most major tournaments, the expectation before a ball is kicked usually far outweighs the actual business of the football in many of the early group games and last night's...

About 140 German fans arrested in Klagenfurt before Euro match

Police said Sunday they had arrested some 140 German fans Sunday evening in Klagenfurt but managed to avoid any violence in the southern Austrian town, ahead of a Euro 2008 group stage match.

Croatia open with unconvincing Austria win

Croatia opened their Euro 2008 account with a predictable but unconvincing 1-0 victory over co-hosts Austria at the Ernst-Happel Stadium here in Vienna on Sunday.