EURO 2008 is the thirteenth European championship held in Austria and Switzerland. He became the second tournament held in two countries. Passed from June 7 to 29, 2008. The tournament was attended by 16 teams. Combined hostesses are allowed to participate directly. The remaining 14 teams qualified and were divided into groups.
The Russian Federation also fought for the right to host EURO 2008, but quickly withdrew as it claimed to be the 2018 World Cup.
Changes to the regulations
The 2008 European Championship was remembered for a change in the rules. The “golden” and “silver” goals that were valid at previous tournaments were canceled. No qualifiers were held at the qualifying tournament.
Russia in qualifiers
There were no sensations in qualifying matches. All participants were divided into seven groups, of which two teams entered the final part.
The Russian team approached the qualifying matches with a new coach. They became the Dutchman Guus Hiddink. He replaced Semin, who failed to bring the national team to the 2006 World Cup.
The group to Russia included Croatia, England, Israel, Macedonia, Estonia and Andorra. The first three teams were the main rivals in the struggle for access to EURO 2008. The match table turned out to be interesting and in the heat did not concede to the final stage. England began the qualifying round unsuccessfully. At first she could not beat Macedonia (0: 0), and then completely lost to Croatia (0: 2). The Russian team was a plus. She began much better by drawing with Israel and Croatia. The indicators inspired hope in the hearts of fans.
Following the way of the Hiddink team, Estonia and Macedonia got up, who were beaten with the same score (2: 0). Andorra's team did not stop her either. The return matches ended in favor of Russia.
Especially intense fights were against the British. The ancestors of football won the first game at home with a crushing 3-0 score. England was on the second line, ahead of Russia by five points. The return game took place in the Luzhniki Stadium. The match was dubbed "Game of the Year." The British opened an account, but could not keep it. First, he realized a penalty Pavlyuchenko, and then he brought his team forward.
To exit the group, the Russians needed to beat Israel and Andorra. It was then that the players made the fans nervous. In Israel, they could not take the victory, losing 1: 2. Now it was enough for England to play a draw with Croatia and go to EURO 2008 from second place, because with an equal number of points with our team, it had an advantage in other respects.
However, Croatia, which has already left the first place, decided to adequately complete its journey on the completed Wembley. By the 14th minute of the match, the Croats were 2-0. By the second half, the hosts managed to play two goals, but immediately missed. Russia in a parallel match beat Andorra with a minimum score and went to EURO 2008. We can say that Croatia has become a pass to the tournament.
EURO 2008 football
In addition to Austria, Switzerland and Russia, Poland, Portugal, Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Romania and the Netherlands went to the tournament.
Group A
Location: Portugal, Turkey, Czech Republic and Switzerland.
The Czech national team, which analysts considered a favorite in the group at Euro 2008 football, failed in two matches and took only third place. Turkey and Portugal performed best of all, gaining six points each.
Group B
Location: Croatia, Germany, Austria and Poland.
Croats shone here. Without difficulty, they managed to score nine points and go to the playoffs from first place. The second line went to Germany, which not without difficulty kept her. Austria fought to the last minute, but could not get around a more professional opponent.
Group C
Location: Netherlands, Italy, Romania and France.
The worst in the "death group" were the French. They started with an uncertain draw in the match against the Romanians, and then completely lost in two rounds. The Netherlands turned out to be the strongest and easily left the group. The second place went to Italy.
Group D
Location: Spain, Russia, Sweden and Greece.
Euro 2008 Russia began with a major defeat from Spain. Four goals from the Spaniards answered only one Pavlyuchenko in the end of the match. The current European champions (Greece) lost to Russia with a minimum score. Euro 2008 Russia continued to defeat Sweden (2-0). Distinguished then shining Pavlyuchenko and Arshavin. This result has already become an achievement. Prior to this, in the new history of Russia there were no hits in the playoffs of the European championships. Spaniards and Russians continued to conquer EURO 2008. The matches that our team held at this tournament have become classics.
1/4 finals
In the first quarterfinal match, Germany and Portugal met. The game was very hot. By the 25th minute, thanks to the goals of Schweistiger and Klose, the Germans were already in the lead. At the 40th minute, Portugal scored the first goal, but they did not succeed in squeezing the opponent. In the second half, Ballack makes the score 3: 1, and in the end the Portuguese score a comforting ball.
Croatia was considered a duel with Turkey as a favorite. The national team managed to get through the group without losses and was lucky to get on the Turks. However, the main time of the match ended in a draw (1: 1), and on a penalty Turkey went to the semifinals.
In 1/4 of Russia, the Netherlands went into a pair - a team that defeated all the opponents in the group. The chances to win against such a formidable team were zero. However, the “orange” showed unsatisfactory football, for which they were punished. Most of the time ended in a draw (1: 1), but in the extra Russians were able to score two more beautiful goals.
Eternal opponents Spain and Italy issued a boring match, which was decided by the victory of the first in a penalty shootout.
Semifinal
The Russian team again had to compete with Spain. Until the 50th minute, they managed to restrain the Spaniards, but then three goals followed, which sent the Russians home.
In another semifinal match, Germany and Turkey met. The latter, emboldened after the victory over Croatia, threw all their forces into the attack. They did it, but the Germans were still better. The result is 3: 2.
The final
The final match did not live up to expectations for a bright game. Torres scored the only goal and helped Spain take the second European title.