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: England top Group D, France lose but move on

The 2012 European Championships continued for the Group D teams tonight with their third and final round group matches in the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Donetsk. France suffered a surprise loss against an eliminated Sweden, while England rode their luck to beat co-hosts Ukraine to top Group D.


GROUP D

Sweden 2-0 (0-0) France
Goals: Zlatan Ibrahimović (54'), 2-0 Sebastian Larsson (90+1')

Sweden, who were eliminated before their final match against France, showed against the Equipe Tricolore what they are capable off as Zlatan Ibrahimović and Sebastian Larsson scored for the Scandinavians, while France still qualified for the quarterfinals though they lost their first match after a 23 match unbeaten streak.

Sweden had the better chances in the game, but they needed a moment of brilliance in the 54th minute from Zlatan Ibrahimović to give them the lead. France tried to get back into the match, but in injury time Sebastian Larsson doubled the lead and sealed the match in Sweden's favour.


England 1-0 (0-0) Ukraine
Goals: 1-0 Wayne Rooney (48')

England overcame fighting co-hosts Ukraine to win 1-0 in Donetsk due to a score from Wayne Rooney on his return from suspension.

Ukraine looked the better of the two sides, but as has been the case for them in recent matches they couldn't utilise their chances as England survived and got goalless into the break. But just three minutes into the second half Rooney headed in a Steven Gerrard cross which got deflected by two Ukrainians which denied the keeper to get hold or clear the ball. Towards the end of the match the Ukraine were denied a clear goal as the ball was put back into play from behind the line but the referee showed play on. Luck was also not on the Ukrainians side.

England won 1-0 in the end and can celebrate finishing surprisingly top of Group D and will now face Italy in their quarterfinal.

Euro2012: France beat Ukraine, England down Sweden

The 2012 European Championships continued for the Group D teams tonight with their second round group matches in the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv and Donetsk. France not only had to overcome co-hosts Ukraine but thunder and lightning in Donetsk which resulted in a 57 minute suspension of play, while England needed a moment of brilliance from Danny Welback to overcome a fighting Sweden.


GROUP D

Ukraine 0-2 (0-0) France
Goals: 0-1 Jérémy Ménez (53'), 0-2 Yohan Cabaye (56')

France showed their potential against the co-hosts Ukraine in a 2-0 win, but the headlines will be about the weather as heavy thunder and a torrential downpour brought proceedings to a halt after less then five minutes. The match was halted for close to an hour as the ground, which was flooded, had to cleared of the water and things brought to some sort of normal level for the match to restart.

Both teams had their problems with the ball, but France looked the better side with the Ukraine also having their chances which were often gifted by the French's lacklustre defending. But two moments of good set-up by Karim Benzema within three minutes gave France the victory. First Benzema set-up Jérémy Ménez in the 53rd minute before he did it for Yohan Cabaye. Cabaye could have made it 3-0 but his shot hit the sidepost.


Sweden 2-3 (0-1) England
Goals: 0-1 Andy Carroll (23'), 1-1 Glen Johnson (49', own goal), 2-1 Olof Mellberg (59'), 2-2 Theo Walcott (64'), 2-3 Danny Welback (78')

England came back from 1-2 down to win 3-2 against a Swedish side who are now out of the competition after what could have been a victory against an England side, whose weaknesses were exposed in the game but an intact team spirit gave them the three points.

England were the better side in the first session and took a deserving lead in the 23rd minute when Andy Carroll headed in a scorcher from a Steven Gerrard cross. Sweden had their problems with their attack close to non-existent.

Things changed after the break as Sweden came out like a different team knowing that only a point would keep them in the tournament. Following a Ibrahimovic free-kick in the 49th minute Olof Mellberg send the ball goalwards and Glen Johnson on the line tries to save but sends the ball over the line. Now Sweden were in the game and put pressure on a cracking English defence. It was again Mellberg who this time headed in Sweden's lead in the 59th minute following a Larsson cross. It was an open game now with Ibrahimovic missing a Swedish third, while Sweden goalkeeper Isaksson made a sensational save from a John Terry header, but the resultant corner was put in by a Theo Walcott long-ranger where Isaksson looked to be misjudging the balls flights.

Now it was an open game with both teams playing for a win and then came the 78th minute when Walcott played a nice ball in from the right with Welback putting in the ball in sublime fashion. Sweden looked shocked and couldn't get back into the game.

Euro2012: England hold France, Ukraine stun Sweden

The 2012 European Championships kicked-off for the Group D teams tonight with matches in the Ukrainian cities of Donetsk and Kyiv.


GROUP D

France 1-1 (1-1) England
Goals: 0-1 Joleon Lescott (30'), 1-1 Samir Nasri (39')

In a disappointing opening Group D encounter England held a more fancied France to a one-all draw in Donetsk with what was a defensive England and an unimaginative France. Defender Joleon Lescott gave England the lead on the half hour mark while Samir Nasri equalised for France in the 39th minute of a long-ranger.

An under-strength England was expected to play a counter-attacking game, while France were expected to show that they are a team to watch, but initially the English combined as the French needed time to settle down. England's James Milner had the first chance as he went past Hugo Lloris but shot wide. England went ahead on the half hour mark after a Steven Gerrard free-kick was headed in by Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott. France thereafter woke-up and Alou Diarra had two heading chances in one attack which first Joe Hart saved and then Diarra put wide. But in the 39th minute another Manchester City player in Samir Nasri equalised with a brilliant strike.

After the break the match slowed down further and it often looked as if both the teams were happy with the one point though France did have some attempts on goal from Karim benzema and Samir Nasri, while Danny Welbeck could gotten the winner for England. It stayed 1-1 after less intense then expected 90 minute.


Ukraine 2-1 (0-0) Sweden
Goals: 0-1 Zlatan Ibrahimović (52'), 1-1,2-1 Andriy Shevchenko (55',62')

The hosts Ukraine upset Sweden 2-1 in their opening match with their ageing 35 year old star Andriy Shevchenko the hero of the night in Kyiv as he scored both of Ukraine's goals.

It wasn't the best of matches in the first session though the hosts Ukraine were the better of the two sides. The first good chance on the night fell to Andriy Shevchenko after a typical Ukrainian counter-attack, but the placed the ball wide. The Swedes had their best chance through a Zlatan Ibrahimović header which touched the outside of the post.

In the second session things got livelier. But Sweden went ahead as Kim Källström retrieved Larsson's deep right-wing cross and his low ball back across goal was tapped-in by Zlatan Ibrahimović in the 52nd minute. But lead did not last long as three minutes later the Ukraine equalised when Yarmolenko played a cross into the middle which Andriy Shevchenko headed in to the delight of the home crowd. And they got even more to cheer about in the 62nd minute as Andriy Shevchenko headed in a Konoplyanka past Lustig at the first post. Thereafter Sweden did put pressure on the Ukraine but they survived the three/four good Swedish chances to celebrate an opening victory which now might take them into the quarterfinals.

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: The Funniest Euro2012 song!

This song 'I Like To Move It' by Los Colorados is likely to be the funniest of the Euro2012 songs!

Ukrainian band Los Colorados rerecorded the classic 'I Like To Move It' with Eastern European Polka sounds, which was a 1994 club hit from Reel2Real and then covered for the animated Madagascar movies.

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: Ukraine name final 23 players squad

Tournament co-hosts Ukraine have named their 23 players squad ahead of the 2012 European Championships. The Ukraine have been drawn in Group D along with France, England and Sweden.

Coach Oleh Blokhin has called on a squad which went as per expected lines with former Barca wingback Dmytro Chygrynskiy a well-known omission while former superstar Andriy Shevchenko has made the squad which contains only two players who play abroad in midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk at German giants FC Bayern Munich and striker Andriy Voronin for FK Dinamo Moscow in Russia.

The three players who did not make the squad are goalkeeper Oleksandr Bandura (Metalurh Donetsk), defender Vitaly Mandziuk (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk) and midfielder Taras Stepanenko (Shakhtar Donetsk).


UKRAINE

Goalkeepers
Oleksandr Goryainov (Metalist Kharkiv), Maxym Koval (Dynamo Kiev), Andriy Pyatov (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Defenders
Bohdan Butko (Illychivets Mariupil), Yevhen Khacheridi (Dynamo Kiev), Olexandr Kucher (Shakhtar Donetsk), Taras Mikhalik (Dynamo Kiev), Yaroslav Rakitskiy (Shakhtar Donetsk), Yevhen Selin (Vorskla Poltava), Vyacheslav Shevchuk (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Midfielders
Olexandr Aliyev (Dynamo Kiev), Denys Garmash (Dynamo Kiev), Oleh Gusev (Dynamo Kiev), Yevhen Konoplyanka (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Serhiy Nazarenko (Tavriya Simferopol), Ruslan Rotan (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Anatoliy Tymoshchuk (FC Bayern Munich), Andriy Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kiev)

Forwards
Marko Devic (Metalist Kharkiv), Artem Milevskiy (Dynamo Kiev), Yevhen Seleznyov (Shakhtar Donetsk), Andriy Shevchenko (Dynamo Kiev), Andriy Voronin (FK Dinamo Moscow)

Euro2012: Ukraine name 26 players for camp

Tournament co-hosts Ukraine have named a 26 players probable squad ahead of the 2012 European Championships. Coach Oleh Blokhin has called on a squad which went as per expected lines with former Barca wingback Dmytro Chygrynskiy a well-known omission while former superstar Andriy Shevchenko has made the squad.

The probables squad contains only two players who play abroad in midfielder Anatoliy Tymoshchuk at German giants FC Bayern Munich and striker Andriy Voronin for FK Dinamo Moscow in Russia.

The Ukraine have been drawn in Group D along with France, England and Sweden. Their opening match in Kiev is against Sweden on June 11, then they face France in Donetsk on June 15 and in their final match in Donetsk on June 19 against England.


UKRAINE

Goalkeepers
Oleksandr Bandura (Metalurh Donetsk), Oleksandr Goryainov (Metalist Kharkiv), Maxym Koval (Dynamo Kiev), Andriy Pyatov (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Defenders
Bohdan Butko (Illychivets Mariupil), Olexandr Kucher (Shakhtar Donetsk), Vitaly Mandziuk (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Taras Mikhalik (Dynamo Kiev), Yaroslav Rakitskiy (Shakhtar Donetsk), Yevhen Selin (Vorskla Poltava), Yevhen Khacheridi (Dynamo Kiev), Vyacheslav Shevchuk (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Midfielders
Olexandr Aliyev (Dynamo Kiev), Denys Garmash (Dynamo Kiev), Oleh Gusev (Dynamo Kiev), Yevhen Konoplyanka (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Serhiy Nazarenko (Tavriya Simferopol), Ruslan Rotan (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk), Taras Stepanenko (Shakhtar Donetsk), Anatoliy Tymoshchuk (FC Bayern Munich), Andriy Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kiev)

Forwards
Marko Devic (Metalist Kharkiv), Artem Milevskiy (Dynamo Kiev), Yevhen Seleznyov (Shakhtar Donetsk), Andriy Shevchenko (Dynamo Kiev), Andriy Voronin (FK Dinamo Moscow)

VIDEO: Incredible miss by Shakhtar Donetsk's Luiz Adriano

Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian striker Luiz Adriano made the miss of the weekend in the Ukrainian Premier-Liga in an away tie against Illichevits Mariupol. An just unbelievable miss...

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

Loew names Germany squad for years final friendlies

Germany coach Joachim Loew has named his squad for the final two friendlies of the year, on Friday against the Ukraine in Kiew and then on November 15 against the Netherlands in Hamburg. Both matches continue to be part of the preparations for next years 2012 European Championships.

Loew has given his captain Philipp Lahm a break with Lahm having played nearly every match in the last few months for club and country. Also it gives Loew the chance to test others in the left-back position. Loew will also miss midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger due to injury and another Bayern Munich players in goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will get a break for the Ukraine match and returns against the Netherlands. Loew hasn't decided if Tim Wiese and Ron-Robert Zieler will get a chance to show themselves or only one of the two keepers.

Loew is taking the two international friendlies very seriously, so no experiments with the further squad as regulars find their names in the list of called-up players.


GERMANY

Goalkeepers
Manuel Neuer (FC Bayern München), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96)

Defenders
Dennis Aogo (Hamburger SV), Holger Badstuber (FC Bayern München), Jérôme Boateng (FC Bayern München), Benedikt Höwedes (FC Schalke 04), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund), Per Mertesacker (FC Arsenal London), Christian Träsch (VfL Wolfsburg)

Midfielders Lars Bender (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Mario Götze (Borussia Dortmund), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (FC Bayern München), Thomas Müller (FC Bayern München), Mesut Özil (Real Madrid), Lukas Podolski (1. FC Köln), Marco Reus (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Simon Rolfes (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), André Schürrle (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)

Forwards
Mario Gomez (FC Bayern München), Miroslav Klose (Lazio Rom), Cacau (VfB Stuttgart)

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.