Euro2012 - Final: Spain vs Italy tonight

The final of the 2012 European Championships will be held tonight between defending champions Spain and former champions Italy at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine. Interestingly this was also the opening Group C match on June 10 in which the Italians had surprised the Spaniards and had held them to a deserving draw.

But now three weeks later we are in the final and the rematch will be played under different circumstances with both teams having played four matches in-between. La Furia Roja has remained the unbeatable Spain which is still a fact, but they no longer look as invincible as in Euro2008 and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Italian Azzuris meanwhile came into the tournament on the back of another betting scandal and nothing much was expected off them, but coach Cesare Prandelli has put together a squad of experience and young talent which has surprised many in the tournament.

Going into the final to name a favourite is difficult this time around, though Spain remain the better candidate without conceding a goal in the knockout stages since losing to France at the 2006 FIFA World Cup though Italy with their different approach to the game have gained a lot of new admirers.

Spain have the big match experience and coach Vicente del Bosque so far has done little wrong with his squad, when he did as against Portugal in the semifinals he corrected it and it did work towards in the end. Spain's problem is that their tiki-taka football for which they and FC Barcelona were praised over the last few years has become boring and tiring for the fans as they knit their passes together but don't really go for the finish playing sometimes without a real striker. Especially Xavi Hernandez had not shown what he is capable off while Andres Iniesta has at least tried and has shown glimpes of his class.

Italy meanwhile operate differently then in the past. Normally they depended on a strong defence with outstanding defenders and somehow they tried to score a goal to win by that goal. This Italian squad is different, then it does not have those calibre of defenders though having an Andrea Pirlo in midfield, who at 33 is playing like he hasn't for years with Cassano, Balotelli and di Natale causing problems to the rival defenders.

I all wish us a fitting final tonight and be this 31st and last match of Euro2012 be remembered for years...

Euro2012: Czechs & Greeks surprise, move into QFs!

The 2012 European Championships continued for the Group A teams tonight with their third and final round group matches in the Polish cities of Wroclaw and Warsaw. Both matches were played simultaneously and they were both high voltage action and brought some surprise as the Czech Republic and Greece qualified from Group A for the quarterfinals. While Greece scored a major upset by winning 1-0 against Russia, the Czechs won by the same scoreline against the co-hosts Poland.


GROUP A

Greece 1-0 (1-0) Russia
Goals: 1-0 Giorgos Karagounis (45+2')

2004 champions Greece scored a decisive lone goal victory against the highly rated Russians to make it into the quarterfinals, while this defeat left the Russian out of the competition. Greek captain Giorgos Karagounis scored the winner in the first half injury time.

Greece made a focused start against Russia after they were caught napping in their first encounters against Poland and the Czech Republic, but after an initial burst the Russians took over but they couldn't score of their chances. When the match seemed to be heading for a draw at the end of the first half it was Giorgos Karagounis who struck for Greece past Vyacheslav Malafeev.

Russia were shocked, but regrouped in the second session and once more had more of the ball but Greece continued to have the better chances as it ended 1-0 for Greece who won their first match since the final of Euro2004, while Russia who showed so much promise could not get the goals against Poland and Greece to take them into the quarterfinals.


Czech Republic 1-0 (0-0) Poland
Goals: 1-0 Petr Jiráček (72')

The Czech Republic defeated co-hosts Poland 1-0 to advance to the quarterfinals by topping Group A, while Poland are out of the competition as the bottom team of their group. The only goal of the night came from midfielder Petr Jiráček in the second session.

The Czech Republic had the better start into the game, but heavy rains and thunder in Wroclaw like yesterday in Donetsk made play difficult, but it suited a fighting Poland more then the technically better Czech team, who got better once the rains cooled down, but Poland keeper Przemysław Tytoń denied them a few times.

After the break Poland looked tired and it seemed only a question of time when the Czech Republic would score. After wasting a few more chances it came in the 72nd minute through a strike from Petr Jiráček following a pass from Milan Baroš. The Polish had a late attempt cleared from the goalline by Michal Kadlec but it wasn't enough as they lost the match and are out of the tournament.

Euro2012: Czech Republic win, Poland hold Russia

The 2012 European Championships continued for the Group A teams tonight with their second round group matches in the Polish cities of Wroclaw and Warsaw. The Czech Republic returned into contention for a place in the last eight with a win against Greece, while co-hosts Poland held Russia to a draw. All teams in the group still have a chance to move into the knockout stages.


GROUP A

Greece 1-2 (0-2) Czech Republic
Goals: 0-1 Petr Jiráček (3'), 0-2 Václav Pilař (6'), 1-2 Theofanis Gekas (53')

The Czech Republic returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win against Greece to stay in contention for a quarterfinal spot as they made a perfect start with two goals within six minutes, but the Greeks came back into contention though it wasn't enough to earn a point.

The Czechs went ahead through a Petr Jiráček strike as early as the third minute and Václav Pilař doubled the lead in the sixth minute as it seemed they had won the match early on. The Czech's could have scored more in the first session, but it remained 2-0 at the break.

After the breather Greece came back into the match with Theofanis Gekas scoring in the 53rd minute following a rare Petr Čech mistake, but it remained 2-1 for the Czech Republic until the end.


Poland 1-1 (0-1) Russia
Goals: 0-1 Alan Dzagoev (37'), 1-1 Jakub Błaszczykowski (57')

Co-hosts Poland came back from a goal down to hold the mighty Russia to a one-all draw. Young Alan Dzagoev gave the Russians a first half lead, which was egalised by Polish captain Jakub Błaszczykowski.

Poland like in their opening match against Greece made a good start into the match, but this time around failed to score. But once the Russians got their act together they were a threat to the vulnerable Polish defence which cracked in the 37th minute when Alan Dzagoev scored his third goal of the tournament.

But Poland wasn't shocked as they tried to get back into the game with Robert Lewandowski having two good chances after restart. Then came Jakub Błaszczykowski's moment of brilliance in the 57th minute as he scored with a beautiful left-footer which beat Malafeev in the Russian goal. Both teams had their chances towards the end, but it stayed one-all until the end.

Euro2012: Poland & Greece draw, Russia win

The 2012 European Championships kicked-off tonight with the Group A matches taking place in the Polish cities of Warsaw and Wroclaw. Hosts Poland took on Greece in the opener but had to settle for a draw, while a potent Russia showed against the Czech Republic what firepower they possess and a threat they could be to the tournament favourites. Euro2012 got of to a good start!


GROUP A

Poland 1-1 (1-0) Greece
Goals: 1-0 Robert Lewandowski (17'), 1-1 Dimitris Salpingidis (51')

Hosts Poland made a perfect start into the tournament as they initially controlled proceedings and went ahead in the 17th minute through a Robert Lewandowski header of a pass from captain Jakub Błaszczykowski, both team mates at German double winners Borussia Dortmund. In the first half hour Poland looked on course for a convincing victory with especially Łukasz Piszczek and Błaszczykowski combining well on the right wing as they do in Dortmund. But thereafter Greece slowly got into the match, but where weakened when defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos received his second yellow of the day for an alleged infringement on Murawski, but replay showed the Polish player slipped and fell. At half-time things looked really good for Poland only the 1-0 lead was to slender.

But after the break things changed as Greece replaced Sotiris Ninis with Dimitris Salpingidis and it was an agile Salpingidis who equalised for the Greek in the 51st minute after the Polish defence could not clear the ball. Suddenly it looked as if Poland could lose this match and things went from bad to worse as their keeper Wojciech Szczęsny brought down Salpingidis to earn himself a red card and give Greece a 71st minute penalty. But captain Giorgos Karagounis' penalty was saved by Polish substitute keeper Przemysław Tytoń. It stayed one-all until the end.

Russia 4-1 (2-0) Czech Republic
Goals: 1-0,3-1 Alan Dzagoev (15',79'), 2-0 Roman Shirokov (24'), 2-1 Václav Pilar (52'), 4-1 Roman Pavlyuchenko (81')

Russia went into their first match against the Czech Republic knowing that they were the favourites to top Group A and they made a flying start into the competition. After allowing the Czechs to try themselves out in the first 15 minutes the Russians upped the tempo and went ahead when first a Aleksandr Kerzhakov attempt hit the post, but Alan Dzagoev was there to give Russia the lead. They they were in control and toyed with the Czechs, who conceded a second in the 24th minute when Roman Shirokov scored of a beautiful cross pass from Andrey Arshavin. Russia could have added one or two more goals but it stayed 2-0 at the break.

After the restart Russia looked arrogant as if they had won the game and this allowed the Czechs to get back into the game as Václav Pilar rounded goalkeeper Malafeev after a perfect through ball. The Czechs looked to be in with a chance to upset the Russians, but Tomas Rosický shot which Malafeev somehow kept hold off ahead of an onrushing Milan Baros kept the lead for Russia. Then came on striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, first he set-up Alan Dzagoev's second of the night in the 79th minute and then only two minutes later Pavlyuchenko sealed the match and the three points with the goal of the opening day as he beat the Czech defence. Towards the end it looked as if Russia could score more, but it stayed 4-1 on the night.

Euro2012: Who are the favourites?

The 2012 European Championships kick-off tonight with co-host Poland taking on 2004 champions Greece at the new National Stadium in Warsaw. We all are hoping for three weeks of great football action, an exciting tournament; but who are the favourites going into the tournament?

On top of the list are surely defending champions Spain, but the Spaniards don't look as strong as they were four years ago in Austria & Switzerland or at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. La Furia Roja seem to have crossed their zenith with dependable star striker David Villa and long-time captain Carlos Puyol missing the tournament due to injuries. Especially upfront Spain looks vulnerable as they often won key matches through Villa goals, now Fernando Torres and the others will need to show what they are capable off but it will be once more about the midfield combination of Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez plus how well Xabi Alonso can cover for them.

2008 runners-up Germany go into the tournament with their youngest team ever in a Euro or World Cup with an average age of 24,4. But Germany is still mainly the same team which played a great tournament at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. These players have gained two years of experience with Germany winning all their Euro2012 qualification matches and young talent like Mario Götze and Marco Reus coming into the team. Their group looks tricky, but if they can survive that then anything is possible.

The Netherlands are in the same group as Germany and need to overcome Portugal, Denmark and their old archrivals from across the border. The Dutch have one of the best attacking units in the world. If you can count Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Ibrahim Afellay and Dirk Kuyt then any opposition will have respect. The only issue is that the Dutch defence looks suspect, which could give chances to their opponents.

The surprise element could be a resurgent France, who are the 2010 FIFA World Cup disaster in South Africa will look to rebuild the positive image of the Equipe Tricolore. Led by Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema the French under coach Laurant Blanc are unbeaten in over 20 matches and have played some good football recently. The question is if they are ready to test the big boys.

And could there be a real upset? Could there be a repeat of 2004 when Greece shocked everyone and went on to win the title. Anything is possible with especially a focus on the co-hosts Poland and the Ukraine. Especially Poland look to have a group from which is could progress and then cause some upsets led by their German double winning trio of Robert Lewandowski, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Lukasz Piszczek from Borussia Dortmund.

The action starts tonight, so lets enjoy the football and let the best team win...

VIDEO: Official UEFA EURO 2012 song

It is now usual for football tournaments to have an official song. "Endless Summer" from Oceana is the official Song for the UEFA EURO 2012 in Poland and the Ukraine. A nice tune, which hopefully will bring a good summer feeling over the duration of the tournament.

VIDEO: BBC Panorama - Euro2012 - Stadiums Of Hate

The BBC Panorama program this week has created a lot of controversy as it shows racism and ultra fans in Euro2012 co-hosts Poland and the Ukraine just days before the tournament is set to kick-off on June 8 under the title "Euro 2012 - Stadiums Of Hate".

With just days to go before the kick-off of the Euro 2012 championships, Panorama reveals shocking new evidence of racist violence and anti-semitism at the heart of Polish and Ukrainian football and asks whether tournament organiser UEFA should have chosen both nations to host the prestigious event.

Reporter Chris Rogers witnesses a group of Asian fans being attacked on the terraces of a Ukrainian Premier League match and hears anti-Semitic chanting at games in Poland. And with exclusive access to a far right group in Ukraine which recruits and trains football hooligans to attack foreigners, Panorama asks: how safe will travelling football teams and their supporters be at this summer's European festival of football?

Euro2012: Co-Hosts Poland announce final 23 players squad

Co-hosts Poland have named their final 23 player squad for the 2012 European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine. Poland plays Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic in Group A of the tournament that runs from June 8 to July 1.

Poland will be led by German Bundesliga and German Cup winning trio Robert Lewandowski, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Lukasz Piszczek from Borussia Dortmund.

Polish national coach Franciszek Smuda had no selection surprises in store when his final 23 were announced as Tomasz Jodlowiec, Michal Kucharczyk and Kamil Glik were left out from the 26 players probables list.


POLAND

Goalkeepers
Grzegorz Sandomierski (Jagiellonia Bialystok), Wojciech Szczesny (FC Arsenal), Przemyslaw Tyton (PSV Eindhoven)

Defenders
Sebastian Boenisch (SV Werder Breman), Marcin Kaminski (Lech Poznan), Damien Perquis (AS Sochaux), Lukasz Piszczek (Borussia Dortmund), Marcin Wasilewski (RSC Anderlecht), Jakub Wawrzyniak (Legia Warsaw), Grzegorz Wojtkowiak (Lech Poznan)

Midfielders
Jakub Blaszczykowski (Borussia Dortmund), Dariusz Dudka (AJ Auxerre), Kamil Grosicki (Sivasspor), Adam Matuszczyk (Fortuna Düsseldorf), Adrian Mierzejewski (Trabzonspor), Rafal Murawski (Lech Poznan), Ludovic Obraniak (Girondins de Bordeaux), Eugen Polanski (FSV Mainz 05), Maciej Rybus (Terek Grozny), Rafal Wolski (Legia Warsaw)

Forwards
Pawel Brozek (Celtic Glasgow), Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund), Artur Sobiech (Hannover 96)

Carlsberg brings the UEFA EURO 2012™ Trophy to India!

For almost a quarter of a century, Danish brewery Carlsberg has been the official sponsor of the UEFA European Championships (EURO) - the world's second largest football event - and, in 2012 Carlsberg continues this successful partnership.

This year, the tournament will be held for the first time in Eastern Europe – in the exciting growth markets of Poland and the Ukraine - from June 8 to July 1, 2012. Carlsberg India, for the first time ever, will bring the UEFA EURO 2012™ Trophy to fans across a few cities in India this year, further endorsing Carlsberg's reputation as one of the most committed sponsors of football in the world.

Announcing this exciting initiative Carlsberg India MD Soren Lauridsen said, "True to our commitment of providing the best possible experience to Indian consumers, this association with UEFA EURO 2012™ represents another milestone to cement the relationship. We are extremely pleased and proud to be able to bring the Trophy to India for the first time and add to this nation's growing enthusiasm for football. Over the next few months, we will be implementing some exciting campaigns which will create further excitement about football and EURO 2012, at the same time allowing consumers and fans to connect with the Carlsberg brand."

Carlsberg India has kicked off a 'Vote to get the Trophy to your city' campaign, encouraging fans to vote for their city in order that it has a chance to qualify and host the Trophy. The three cities out of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Goa, Kochi and Pune will get a chance to host this coveted Trophy.

Fans will battle it out by simply liking the page and voting for their cities. The cities with the maximum votes will host the Trophy. Each fan can track the status of their city through The 'Glass-o-Meter' tracker on the vote to get the Trophy to your city page. To make sure your city hosts the UEFA EURO 2012™ Trophy, log on to www.facebook.com/Carlsberg and cast your vote now.

Euro2012 Groups are out

The draw for the groups for the 2012 European Championships jointly to be co-hosted by Poland and the Ukraine in June 2012 was carried out on Friday night in the Polish capital Warsaw. The 16 participating teams have been split into four groups of four teams each with the top two sides making it to the quarterfinals.

The toughest of the groups, this tournaments 'Group of Death', is certainly Group B which contains 1988 winners Netherlands, three-times former champions Germany, 1992 surprise champions Denmark and formidable Portugal led by superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Another group to look forward to is Group D in which co-hosts Ukraine will meet a strong Sweden, a rebuilding France and England, who are under pressure from their own fans to deliver a title at this tournament.

Defending champions Spain have a relatively weaker group, but will need to watch out when they face Italy, Ireland and Croatia. One of the most interesting encounters could be when Italy take on Ireland, who are coached by seasoned Italian Giovanni Trappatoni.

The most balanced, but also the weakest of all groups looks to be Group A in which co-hosts Poland take on 2004 champions Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic. Anyone of those four teams could advance to the knockout stage and cause an upset.


EURO2012 - GROUPS

Group A: Poland, Greece, Russia, Czech Republic

Group B: Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal

Group C: Spain, Italy, Ireland, Croatia

Group D: Ukraine, Sweden, France, England

Germany held by Euro2012 Co-hosts Poland

Euro2012 Co-hosts Poland held a weakened Germany to a two-all draw in an international friendly at the PGE Arena, a newly opened venue in Gdansk. For Poland it was an emotional game and a real test, while Germany tried out a few of their bench players.

Germany went into the game without Manuel Neuer, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Özil; who all had been allowed to go back to their clubs by coach Joachim Loew as Germany started with seven new players in the starting line-up playing once more the new attacking 4-1-4-1 system.

And that did show though Germany had the better start into the game against a nervous Poland as the Mannschaft put initial pressure on the hosts. Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny came to his teams rescue on a number of occasions with striker Miroslav Klose being denied numerous times to give Germany the lead, while Poland focused more on counter-attacks with FC Cologne's Slawomir Peszko on the left beating Christian Träsch a number of times. It remained goalless at the break.

Things initially remained the same after the break with Germany having two quick chances, but Germany had a problem in falling back through the game which game the Polish side chances to attack and use the gaps. In one such situation in the 55th minute captain Jakub Blaszczykowski moved forward, played a through ball for Dariusz Dudka, who moved past keeper Tim Wiese but was brought down, still the referee allowed the advantage and Robert Lewandowski was there to push the ball in. Germany looked shocked, but Poland couldn't utilise the situation as their neighbours got back into the game when substitute Thomas Müller was brought down in the box for a penalty. Toni Kroos walked up to the spot and slotted home easily in the 68th minute.

Thereafter Germany could have taken the lead, but keeper Wojciech Szczesny got his hands to a brilliant Andre Schürrle shot, which he got onto the crossbar. Poland were reduced to ten men in the 81st minute when Arkadiusz Glowacki got his second yellow card of the night, but Poland fought on. In the last minute of the game keeper Tim Wiese brought down substitute Pavel Brozek, though it wasn't clear if it was a penalty or the striker went down cleverly. A minute into injury time Blaszczykowski scored from the spot and it looked as if Poland would score their first-ever win against Germany, but four minutes into injury-time Thomas Müller played a sharp ball from the right into the middle with Cacau there to push in. Referee Daniele Orsato didn't even restart the game as it ended two-all.


MATCH STATS

Poland 2-2 (0-0) Germany - Goals: 1-0 Robert Lewandowski (55'), 1-1 Toni Kroos (68' penalty), 2-1 Jakub Blaszczykowski (90+1' penalty), 2-2 Cacau (90+4')

PolandWojciech Szczesny - Macin Wasilewski, Damien Perquis (72' Kamil Glik), Arkadiusz Glowacki, Jakub Wawrzyniak - Rafal Murawski, Dariusz Dudka - Jakub Blaszczykowski [C] (90+3' Pawlowski), Adrian Mierzejewski (83' Rybus), Slawomir Peszko (65' Adam Matuschyk) - Robert Lewandowski (79' Pavel Brozek)

Germany
12-Tim Wiese - 15-Christian Träsch, 17-Per Mertesacker, 20-Jerome Boateng, 16-Philipp Lahm [C] (46' 2-Marcel Schmelzer) - 6-Simon Rolfes (77' 4-Lars Bender) - 9-André Schürrle, 19-Mario Götze, 18-Toni Kroos, 10-Lukas Podolski (60' 13-Thomas Müller) - 11-Miroslav Klose (46' 23-Cacau)
Unused Substitutes: 22-Ron Robert Zieler 3-Benedikt Höwedes, 5-Mats Hummels, 14-Holger Badstuber

Referee
Daniele Orsato (Italy)

Poland host Germany in friendly tonight

Last Friday Germany were the first team to qualify for the 2012 European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine. Now later today they face co-hosts Poland in an international friendly in Gdansk and with qualification in their bag the Germans are now set to start their preparations and selection progress for the tournament next summer.

After coming to Gdansk the team management has literary fallen in love with the city and after having inspected all eight host cities for Euro2012 the German have decided to make Gdansk their home during next summers tournament with the five star Hotel Dwor Oliwski their accommodation.

Coach Joachim Loew is in the wonderful situation that he can pick his final 23 players from a huge pool of players. For the game tonight Loew is resting goalkeeper Manuel Neuer plus midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Özil, who all have gone back to their respective clubs; but it will be a test for others in a totally new German side compared to the team which beat Austria 6-2 on Friday.

In goal Tim Wiese will get his chance with centre back Per Mertesacker coming in for for Holger Badstuber with Jerome Boateng or Mats Hummels his partner. On the right wing Christian Träsch could come in for the injured Benedikt Höwedes, while as left-back captain Philipp Lahm retains his position. Simon Rolfes takes Bastian Schweinsteiger's position in defensive midfield, while on the wings we will either see Thomas Müller or Andre Schürrle on the right and Lukas Podolski on the left. In the middle Toni Kroos is joined by teenager Mario Götze for Mesut Özil and Miroslav Klose stays upfront.

Especially for Podolski and Klose it will be special occasion with both players having Polish roots. In the last match between the two nations at Euro2008 Podolski had scored both the goals for Germany in a 2-0 win.

"This is something really special," said an emotional Klose. "We were born there, speak the language. Poldi and I are really looking forward to playing there (in Poland) for the first time."


Likely Germany XI with alternatives

Tim Wiese; Christian Träsch (Benedikt Höwedes), Per Mertesacker, Jerome Boateng (Mats Hummels), Philipp Lahm [C]; Simon Rolfes; Thomas Müller (Andre Schürrle), Mario Götze, Toni Kroos, Lukas Podolski; Miroslav Klose

Neo Sports to show Euro2012 from Poland/Ukraine

The Nimbus Communications owned Neo Sports channel has bought the exclusive rights for the 2012 European Championships from European football governing body UEFA. The rights are for the whole Indian sub-continent which includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives and Bhutan. Earlier the rights had been with ESPN-Star Sports.

The package of the two-year deal between UEFA and Neo Sports includes not only the 2012 UEFA European Championships but also the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship and the 2013 UEFA Women's European Championships. The overall deal is said to be worth around Rs 1 Billion (100 crores).

The 2012 edition of the UEFA European Championships will be co-hosted by Poland and the Ukraine from June 8 to July 1, 2012 across four venues in each hosting nation. Besides the two hosts 14 teams will qualify for the 16 team tournament.

The previous edition in 2008 was telecast live in 203 countries and the average audience figure for a live match exceeded 146 million. There was a substantial increase for the finals where the average audience figure was around 237 million.

Speaking about the acquisition Neo Sports Broadcast Pvt. Ltd COO Prasana Krishnan said, "This acquisition is a significant step towards delivering on the overall brand promise of Neo Sports as a premium sport destination. This is by far one of the most high profile soccer events and will definitely garner high quality viewership for the channel."

Earlier Neo Sports had acquired and shown the 2011 Copa America, the South American Football Championships; while also acquiring the rights of the Tennis French Open (2012 to 2016) and the 2011 Rugby World Cup.