Footy Highlights

Euro 2008 Golden Boot - Who is going to win?

Italy 0-0 Spain (Spain win 4-2 on penalties) - Euro 2008 - Quarter Final

Italy

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Spain

Spain beat Italy 4-2 on penalties to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2008 after a dour goalless draw in Vienna. Marcos Senna came closest in normal time when Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon fumbled his shot on to a post. Spain keeper Iker Casillas was the hero in the shoot-out, saving from Daniele de Rossi and Antonio di Natale. Daniel Guiza saw his spot-kick saved by Buffon, but Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas slid home the crucial penalty to set up a last four clash with Russia.

Netherlands 1-3 Russia (aet) - Euro 2008 - Quarter Final

Holland

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Russia

Russia’s Andrei Arshavin was the architect as they dumped Netherlands out of Euro 2008 after extra time. Russia took the lead in normal time when Roman Pavlyuchenko volleyed home, only for Ruud van Nistelrooy to head in an 86th-minute leveller for the Dutch. But the brilliant Arshavin tormented Netherlands throughout and he crossed for Dmitri Torbinski to prod home. Arshavin then sealed a semi-final spot in the 116th minute as he ran through and fired low past Edwin van der Sar. Russia almost had to play with 10 men in extra time after Denis Kolodin was sent off by Lubos Michel in stoppage time, only for the referee to reverse his decision after a chat with one of his assistants. It was the first European Championship quarter-final that did not have to be decided by penalties after going into extra time and was just reward for another spellbinding performance from the young Russians and their destroyer-in-chief Arshavin.

Turkey 1-1 Croatia (Turkey win 3-1 on penalties) - Euro 2008 - Quarter Final

Turkey

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Croatia

Turkey will meet Germany in the Euro 2008 semi-final after beating Croatia 3-1 on penalties after a dramatic extra-time finale in Vienna. Ivan Klasnic headed Croatia in front with seconds left - only for Turkey’s Semih Senturk to volley the equaliser with the last kick of the game. Arda Turan, Semih and Hamit Altintop scored in the shoot-out for Turkey. Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic missed for Croatia and Turkey keeper Rustu saved the deciding kick from Mladen Petric. It was astonishing finish to a dreadful game, especially for Turkey keeper Rustu, who made an awful error that looked to have given Crotia victory before his free-kick set up Semih for the leveller as referee Roberto Rosetti prepared to blow the final whistle.

Portugal 2-3 Germany - Euro 2008 - Quarter Final

Portugal

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Germany

Germany booked their place in the semi-finals of Euro 2008 by seeing off a below-par Portugal side in Basel. Bastian Schweinsteiger sidefooted in the first and his free-kick created the second for the head of Miroslav Klose. Nuno Gomes finished from close range to give Portugal hope, but they failed to defend another Schweinsteiger free-kick and Michael Ballack headed their third. Portugal substitute Helder Postiga pulled one back in the dying stages but there was to be no grandstand finish. Portugal had looked so impressive in qualifying for the knockout stages but Luiz Felipe Scolari’s reign ended in disappointing fashion.

Russia 2-0 Sweden - Group D - Euro 2008

Russia

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Sweden

Russia beat Sweden in Innsbruck to set up a clash with coach Guus Hiddink’s native country the Netherlands in the last eight of Euro 2008. Andrei Arshavin, playing his first game of the tournament after suspension, inspired a superb attacking display. He was involved as Aleksandr Anyukov set up Roman Pavlyuchenko for a close-range finish after 24 minutes. And Arshavin then started and finished a sweeping move to slide home Yuri Zhirkov’s pass in the 50th minute. Russia exerted almost total domination and also struck the woodwork through Pavlyuchenko and Konstantin Zyryanov as they threatened to rack up a more emphatic victory margin.

Spain 2-1 Greece - Euro 2008 - Group D

Spain

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Greece

Spain made it three wins out of three at Euro 2008 as Greece bowed out of the tournament with defeat in Salzburg. Defending champions Greece took the lead when Angelos Charisteas headed home a Giorgios Karagounis free-kick. Spain levelled when Ruben De la Red thundered a shot in off the underside of the crossbar. And the Spanish kept up their 100% record when Daniel Guiza headed in a late winner from a Sergio Garcia cross to continue Greece’s misery. Greece had looked like they might salvage some pride from a disappointing defence of their trophy, but Guiza’s goal in the 88th minute means they go home pointless.