BookMaker Sports News - Latest US and International Sporting News

Halftime report Croatia vs. England

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 16:12:40 GMT

The 18-year-old Rooney, who has thus far been the star of EURO 2004, also figured in Scholes' tally. He headed a ball from the left post over to Scholes at the right post. Scholes headed it into the vacated net for his first international goal in over a year to even the score at 1-1 in the 40th minute.

Rooney then produced a magical strike in extra time when he ripped a shot from outside the area just off the fingertips of Tomislav Butina. The tally in the 46th minute gave England the lead and the massive advantage at the half.

Halftime report Switzerland vs. France

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 15:35:09 GMT

Switzerland's 18-year-old striker Johan Vonlanthen became the youngest player ever to score in the European Championship when he struck in the 26th minute of the contest to even the score. Vonlanthen, who made his first start in the competition in place of the suspended Alexander Frei, took a crafty pass from Ricardo Cabanas and slid the ball past French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.

The Swiss are looking to keep their slim hopes of advancing alive. France, meanwhile, also needs some help in order to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. A win or a tie would guarantee the tournament favorites a place in the knockout phase.

Switzerland's Frei suspended for spitting

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 11:02:42 GMT

UEFA's disciplinary body originally cleared Frei of all charges because television footage could not prove he was guilty. But recently the Swiss channel SF DRS has came forward with new pictures that appear to show Frei spitting at Gerrard.

UEFA officially logged an appeal against the original ruling due to the new evidence, and their decision should come out on Monday afternoon.

Halftime report Russia vs. Greece

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:48:47 GMT

The Russian side is playing for pure pride, having lost their two previous matches and having been already eliminated from the European Championship.

Greece, meanwhile is searching to advance out of group phase for the first time in its history. Either a win or a draw in the match would send the Greek side through.

Halftime report Spain vs. Portugal

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 15:37:07 GMT

The two Group A favorites coming into the competition both need a positive result in order to advance into the quarterfinals of the competition. Spain and Greece, which is currently losing to Russia by a score of 2-1 at the half, are tied atop the table with four points. Portugal currently sits one point back after a win over Russia on Wednesday.

Portugal started its final match of group play with a definite purpose, peppering the Spanish defense with some strong work along the right side of the field. The introduction of youngster Cristiano Ronaldo, starting in place of Simao Sabrosa on the wing, was apparent throughout much of the first half, as he created several promising opportunities with his fancy footwork. Ronaldo continually switched sides w

England's Hargeaves likely to miss Croatia match

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 12:32:53 GMT

Hargreaves has come on as a substitute in each of England's first two matches of EURO 2004. His services, though, likely won't be at Sven-Goran Eriksson's disposal for the match.

"Owen is not very well," Eriksson said. "I'm almost sure he is not available. He has not eaten for 48 hours."

England's Butt ready by semifinals?

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 12:18:11 GMT

"He has started running and is getting better and better," stated Eriksson. "It is very positive for him and for us, If we reach the semifinals he might be better by then, but it is very difficult to say for sure."

The Manchester United midfielder injured his knee during a training session last Monday, and sat out when England faced Switzerland on Thursday.

Croatian striker Olic avoids suspension

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 11:36:32 GMT

Olic tested positive after using a painkiller that includes the banned substance methylprednisolone. UEFA's control and disciplinary board chose to fine the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) instead of suspending Olic.

The 24-year-old Olic tested positive following Croatia's match against France on Thursday. The CSKA Moscow star came on a substitute in that match, which finished in a 2-2 draw.

Switzerland's Frei cleared of charges

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 11:25:34 GMT

Frei denied the charges on Saturday and waited patiently for a response, confident that a positive verdict would be released by UEFA.

"I'm an emotional player and am not an angel, but this is not in my character," Frei said Saturday in his own defense.

UEFA charges Frei for spitting

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 16:09:46 GMT

Frei has denied the charges and will wait for a response later on Sunday.

"I'm an emotional player and am not an angel, but this is not in my character," Frei said in his own defense.

Halftime report Netherlands vs. Czech Republic

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 15:37:01 GMT

Bouma scored his second international goal when he snuck in behind the Czech defense off a set play. Arjen Robben, who was involved in both first-half strikes by his side, sent a perfect inswinging ball from the right endline to Bouma at the far post. The PSV Eindhoven defender then easily headed the ball into the net to open the scoring in the fourth minute.

Robben, who was inserted into the starting lineup after not appearing in Holland's 1-1 draw with Germany in its opener, created constant havoc down the left wing. In the 19th minute he ran unimpeded down the left wing and received a lovely throughball from Dutch midfield partner Edgar Davids. Robben quickly spotted van Nistelrooy in the center of the area for the easy tap-in goa

Halftime report Latvia vs. Germany

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 12:52:40 GMT

Germany came into the Group D match with one point after allowing a late goal in a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in its opening EURO 2004 match. Latvia also stumbled down the stretch of its opener, giving up two late goals to fall to the Czech Republic by a score of 2-1.

The Germans produced little on the offensive end despite adding a second striker to their lineup. Germany coach Rudi Voller selected Fredi Bobic to work alongside Kevin Kuranyi at the top of the attack, but to no avail after 45 minutes.

Halftime report Italy vs. Sweden

Sun, 18 Jun 2006 15:40:58 GMT

Italy, which played to a scoreless draw against Denmark in its EURO 2004 opener, began life without star striker Francesco Totti, who was suspended for three matches after spitting on a Danish player in that match on Monday.

To fill the void created by the absence of Totti, Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni decided to call the 21-year-old Cassano into the starting lineup. The move apparently paid huge dividends in the 37th minute.

Halftime report Bulgaria vs. Denmark

Sun, 18 Jun 2006 13:07:33 GMT

A series of passes in the Bulgarian box resulted with Tomasson being wide open near the penalty spot to touch the ball the empty goal. Martin Jorgensen impressively split the Bulgarian defense with a pass to Thomas Gravesen, who then cut the ball back around the Bulgarian goalkeeper. Tomasson was all alone in front and easily tapped the ball into the net.

Denmark controlled much of the first 15 minutes and forced Bulgarian goalkeeper Zdravko Zdravkov to come up with a a number of big save early on to keep the scoreboard at zeros until the last minute of the half.

Halftime report Croatia vs. France

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 15:42:57 GMT

A questionable foul call on Croatia in the 22nd minute set up the only goal of the first half. French midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who scored twice in a dramatic come-from-behind win over England on Sunday, stepped up to a free kick to the left of the area and sent a cross towards the middle. Mikael Silvestre cut through the area was marked tightly by Croatian defender Igor Tudor. The ball bounced off the back of Tudor's leg and into the net for an own goal that put Croatia in a 1-0 deficit.

France controlled the first 45 minutes of action, spending most of the time in the Croatian end of the field. Even when the Croats possessed the ball they were unable to produce any quality scoring chances, allowing French goalkeeper Fabie

Halftime report England vs. Switzerland

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 12:51:03 GMT

Rooney, 18, became the youngest player to score at a European Championship when he finished a beautifully constructed play in the 23rd minute of the important Group B match at Coimbra Stadium.

England captain David Beckham started the play when he spotted an unmarked Michael Owen in the left side of the area. Beckham's pass swung over to Owen, who brought down the ball nicely before chipping it toward the head of Rooney in front of the net. The youngster had no trouble making history from that distance, easily giving England a 1-0 lead.

Greek midfielder out with injury

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 11:42:04 GMT

Giannakopoulos limped off the field early in the second half of Greece's 1-1 draw with Spain on Wednesday.

The loss could prove costly for Greece, which will advance into the quarterfinals with a positive result against Russia. But Giannakopoulos' services will probably not be available in the midfield, and the same goes for midfielder Georgios Karagounis, who has two yellow cards in the competition and will be forced to sit out the match.

Italy's Totti suspended for three matches

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 11:23:04 GMT

Totti admitted guilt but still pleaded for a less severe suspension, referencing his record of solid past conduct. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has 24 hours to appeal the Thursday morning decision.

"The body considered the player's admission of guilt, the particular circumstances of the tournament as well as the gravity of the offense," UEFA's director of communications and public affairs William Gaillard said. "The decision sends out a message that we will not tolerate this kind of behavior."

Halftime report Russia vs. Portugal

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 10:16:13 GMT

Portugal will also be playing with a man advantage after Russian goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov was sent off right before the halftime whistle for handling the ball intentionally outside the area. Portuguese star midfielder Luis Figo missed the impending free kick, but Russia still faces quite a monstrous task in the second half.

Russia and Portugal both dropped its opening match and are in a must-win situation. The Portuguese side was shocked by Greece on the opening day of EURO 2004. Greece earned a surprising draw earlier Wednesday with Spain, which beat Russia by a score of 1-0 on Saturday. Spain and Greece each have four points after two matches, leaving the loser of the Portugal/Russia match with no chance of advancing into the knock

Italy's Totti in trouble for spitting incident

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 15:41:00 GMT

Italy and Denmark played to a scoreless draw in each countries EURO 2004 opener on Monday.

"We have instigated disciplinary proceedings against Francesco Totti for gross unsporting conduct, notably a spitting offence against the Danish player Poulsen," UEFA, European football's governing board, said in a statement. "(Totti) can submit his statement until midnight (Wednesday). The decision will be taken (Thursday) morning and should be notified to the Italian team."

Halftime report Greece vs. Spain

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 13:09:41 GMT

The Spaniards dominated the opening 45 minutes of action between the two Group A leaders, who both won their opening matches on Saturday. Greece, which shockingly upset host country Portugal in its first EURO 2004 match, was back on its heels right from the opening whistle against Spain.

Still, the strong Greek defense was able to hold Spain's attack at bay over the first 20-plus minutes. A deadly turnover by Greek defender Mihalis Kapsis in his own area, though, proved to be too much for the underdogs to overcome.

Half-time report Germany vs. Netherlands

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 12:54:27 GMT

The German side started off in a 4-1-4-1 formation, this formation gives them structure through the midfield and defense and also allows the wingers to roam freely up front when ever the opportunity presents itself.

The Dutch on the other hand went with a 4-3-3 formation, this also allows them to try to control the midfield as well as up front, but the wingers are not free to roam because they will lose their shape and therefore miss their marks.

Half-time report Czech Republic vs. Latvia

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 15:40:10 GMT

The Czech Republic started their campaign in a 4-1-3-2 formation, while Latvia started their first EURO campaign with a 4-diamond-2 line-up.

As referee Veissiere blow the first whistle, the Czech side placed the Latvian defense under immediate pressure.

Half-time report Sweden vs. Bulgaria

Thu, 15 Jun 2006 13:02:40 GMT

This is the first time these two sides have met in a major final tournament since the 1994 World Cup in the third place play-off match. During that game Sweden walked all over the Bulgarian side winning 4-0.

The two countries have taken two different approaches to the match, Sweden will be playing a 4-diamond-2 formation while Bulgaria will line up in a 4-4-1 offensive forward-1 defensive forward.