AFC Bournemouth: 15-point deduction expected

"There are no hard and fast rules."

That's the official line from the Football League, according to AFC Bournemouth joint administrator Gerald Krasner in his press conference earlier today.

Krasner's expectation, however, is that the Cherries will start next season in League Two having been deducted 15 points.

I find Krasner a difficult guy to read, always have done. But I believe that he is currently - and has been since day one - doing a pretty good job at protecting the interests of AFC Bournemouth. And let's face it, it's about time somebody did so.

Many of the people of influence at the club in the last decade have been acting with good intentions, and under impossible conditions. With a bit of luck, Bournemouth have now hit rock bottom - and survived.

Here's the nutshell: Bournemouth are in administration, and hence were relegated from League One due to a 10-point penalty, despite an heroic push during the run in. Meanwhile, former chairman Jeff Mostyn is fronting a consortium, which has a bid on the table (and agreed by Mr Krasner) to buy the club. Some local businessman named Marc Jackson was unwilling/unable to match the financial trousers to the publicity mouth, and Mostyn picked up the reins.

Harry Redknapp (thank God) and Doug Ellis were, despite rumours, nowhere to be seen.

So, back to today. You can view Krasner's press conference here, and read a related story here.

There's lots of talk about the sale of the club to Jeff Mostyn, the forthcoming transferral of the club's Football League share to Mr Mostyn, and the 16-point plan necessary to regain control of that share. Complicated enough?

Krasner said that, following discussions at the Football League Chairmen's Conference in Portugal, Leeds United's infamous 15-point penalty for not having a CVA is not a precedent. The precedent instead is "a list of terms and conditions that the Football League will put out together with any points penalty, which the new company will either accept or reject."

Luton and Rotherham join Bournemouth in a certain level of uncertainty over points penalties for the forthcoming season.

Despite this, Krasner "personally" believes that subject to the acceptance of the new company's (that's Bournemouth's new owners, effectively) 16-point plan by the Football League, a 15-point penalty will be imposed. Along with attached conditions, Bournemouth will also be returned its Football League share, which will be assigned to the 'new company'. That, in theory, will be the end of that.

Complicated rules, conditions and possibilities aside, Krasner came across incredibly well today. He wants AFC Bournemouth to continue. He wants to put the club in a position to pay its staff, and to not sell any more players.

His press conference was open, clear and honest, and that's all you can ask. We can only assume that Krasner has had a strong indication that the penalty is on its way, and has taken it upon himself to soften the blow.

We should, according to Mr Krasner, know more about the 'new company' on Tuesday.

As a post-script, who knew Leeds United have no representative rights in the Football Association? They can't vote on anything. Same probably goes for Bournemouth, as apparently the FA share is very unlikely to be transferred in the same way as the Football League 'golden share'. Wow.

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Euro 2008 takes a break

As UEFA's flagship tournament heads into a couple of days off, we now know the line-up for the semi finals of Euro 2008.

The two pre-Championships favourites have both successfully negotiated their way into the last four.

Luis Aragones' final moments as Spain coach could be glorious ones. He guided his side comfortably through an easy group, and into a quarter final tie with Italy. A dire game was decided on penalties, and the Italians choked. Cesc Fabregas stepped up to stroke home the winning penalty. Guapa!

Germany made it through to the final quartet too. They overcame group stage defeat to Croatia and were impressive in their last eight win over Portugal. Bastian Schweinsteiger stole the show from under Cristiano Ronaldo's nose, and the assumption that Germany will be in at least the semis of any tournament under the sun, no matter what the circumstances, remains safe enough to ease even the doubts of Casey Ryback.

If you got that reference...you shouldn't have.

Wednesday's semi final sees Joachim Low's team facing Fatih Terim's Turkey. The Turks just don't know how to lose, as proven by their stunning turnaround against the Czech Republic and that amazing late equaliser to rob Croatia of victory in the last eight.

Lose they might, though. They face Germany with a decimated squad. Suspensions have taken out a couple of key players, and the injury list keeps growing. Their third choice goalkeeper is expected to get an appearance as an outfield substitute in Basel.

For Spain, Russia await. These two have already met, with Spain destroying Guus Hiddink's men in their first group game. You can be sure their semi final won't finish 4-1.

Russia bounced back by beating Greece and Sweden in Group D. The return of Andrei Arshavin to the side paid off in the quarter final. Russia played the previously impressive Netherlands off the pitch, defending well and creating the better chances. They should have won it in normal time, but they blasted the Dutch in extra time, winning 3-1. Given Spain's turgid game against Italy, Hiddink will be optimistic.

So, here's to a couple of days off. Roll on Wednesday.

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Euro 2008: Netherlands 1 Russia 3 (AET)

Holland headed into their quarter final match with Russia in blistering form, having swept aside World Cup winners Italy, finalists France and plucky Romania in Group C.

For their part, Guus Hiddink’s Russia recovered well from a heavy defeat against Spain and defeated Greece and Sweden to set up a tie with Hiddink’s homeland - on Dutch grass (not that kind), interestingly enough.

Russia were brilliant and, to a certain extent, dominant.

They created the openings, and should have taken more than they did. Extra time should never have occurred. Far from being crippled by Holland’s late equaliser, the Russians simply chose to dominate extra time too.

Two late goals saw Russia march into the semi final. Hiddink is the master, and he showed it tonight.

Perhaps surprisingly Russia looked more dangerous in the first 25 minutes, though the Netherlands were tidier. Shots began to fly in towards the end of the half, Holland making the better opportunities but Hiddink’s team coming closer to goal on several occasions.

Russia continued to have the better of the first half, though it was by no means one-way traffic.

They almost took a surprise lead in the sixth minute. Gio van Bronckhorst up-ended Andrei Arshavin on the edge of the area, and Yuri Zhirkov’s bending free-kick brought a neat save from Edwin van der Sar. Further chances followed and Roman Pavlyuchenko in particular should have done better.

Holland also had some half chances in the first half hour but failed to create anything clear-cut as the game settled into an end-to-end rhythm without being especially incisive.

On the half hour Ruud van Nistelrooy had a fantastic opportunity to put the Dutch ahead. The striker won a free kick out wide, and failed to connect as Rafael van der Vaart swung the set piece into the six yard area. It was more or less an open goal.

A minute later, Arshavin’s attempt at the bottom corner was heading in. Van der Sar saved at full stretch, just as he did seconds afterwards from Denis Kolodin’s stunning 35-yard drive. Astonishingly, the Dinamo Moscow defender did the same again less than a minute later and was just inches away from testing the Manchester United man for a second time.

Netherlands carved Russia open within 30 seconds of the start of the second half, resulting in substitute Robin van Persie slicing a volley wide of Igor Akinfeev’s goal.

The game continued to be a tactical affair, punctuated with a rip-roaring exclamation mark on 55 minutes.

Pavlyuchenko made no mistake with his second big chance. Sergei Semak made himself some space on the left wing and whipped in a perfectly delivered low cross. The Spartak striker wasted no time in tucking the ball past van der Sar to put the Russians into a thoroughly deserved lead, and Holland began to lose their discipline.

Substitute Dmitri Torbinski had a chance to win it for Russia eight minutes from time, but couldn’t connect properly with Zhirkov’s cut back.

It proved costly. The world turned Oranje with just four minutes left. Holland’s delivery had been excellent all night, particularly from van der Vaart. This time, Sneijder swung a free kick from distance into the far post, and Real Madrid hitman van Nistelrooy did what he does best, nodding in a poacher’s goal to drag the disappointing Dutch back to life.

Stoppage time saw a strange piece of refereeing. Kolodin was in receipt of a second yellow card for an idiotic - though not terrible - challenge on Sneijder on the Russian goal line, out near the wing. The assistant referee (on the far side) attracted the attention of the referee, who duly changed his mind.

To my untrained eye, it looked as if the ball had gone out of play. The referee reversed his decision, and extra time began with eleven men versus eleven.

Amazingly, Russia managed to pick themselves up and get on with things after their late, late disappointment. Extra time began in the same vein as the second half, with both teams full of quality and drive, but a little cagey.

With six minutes gone, a great diagonal ball found goalscorer Pavlyuchenko. He cut inside from the left and drilled a right-footed shot against the crossbar from the edge of the area. Van der Sar wouldn’t have got near it. The momentum continued to favour Russia for the rest of the first period of extra time, and a healthy chunk of the second.

Zhirkov was denied a clear penalty in the second period. He cut inside and into the area, and to my mind was pole-axed by John Heitinga. Jim Beglin of ITV, being an utter twonk, continued to argue that this was not the case even having seen a reply which made it abundantly clear that a penalty should have been given.

Torbinski made amends after 21 minutes of extra time, putting Russia back in the lead. Arshavin hit a pearler of a cross over van der Sar, and the substitute poked the ball in at the back post.

The little Zenit genius Arshavin fired Russia into the semi final with four left, exploiting a quick throw in and blasting the ball through van der Sar’s legs for 3-1.

Great scenes ensued at the final whistle, and Russia did their boss proud. Andrei Arshavin is a very special player, and if Russia can beat Holland - which they should have done comfortably inside 90 minutes - you’d be a fool to bet against them.

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Is Ince right for Rovers?

Most neutral fans would argue that former manager Mark Hughes was relatively successful during his time at Blackburn Rovers.

The club was often seen as one which punched above its weight - almost literally - in the years following re-promotion to the Premier League.

Certainly, efficiency was the name of the game. Blackburn were uncompromising and physical, a necessary strategy which resulted in disproportionate criticism from all comers.

Despite this, Rovers have re-established themselves as a top-half club, and Hughes brought in some players capable of providing the entertainment the club was perceived to lack. He bought wisely, too. Morten Gamst Pedersen was inspirational for a while, and David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz were as shrewd a pair of buys as one could hope for.

Hughes did so well, in fact, that his advocates began to look two years into the future and see him taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson in the Manchester United hotseat. More fool them.

With Hughes scampering out of the Ewood Park exit with £50 notes bursting out of his trouser pockets en route to the blue half of Manchester, Blackburn have been put in a very difficult position. There's a dearth of established, affordable, attainable managers. The only man falling into such a category is arguably Sam Allardyce, and with Rovers already having something of a reputation for negative, cynical football, Allardyce is clearly not the man for the job.

Blackburn Rovers are on the brink of appointing former Manchester United, Liverpool and Internazionale midfielder Paul Ince as his ex-colleague's replacement. I think it's a very good decision, so long as he ditches his ridiculous self-inflicted nickname.

Ince played out a highly distinguished and much decorated career. After starting out at West Ham, he became one of the best midfielders in Europe while at Old Trafford. He was pretty impressive for England too, and remains popular with supporters of the national side. From United, Ince made the ambitious move to the San Siro with Inter.

On his return to England, Ince starred in the midfield for Liverpool before seeing in the new millennium at Middlesbrough. From there, his career wound down with several years at Wolves and a leper's handful of appearances for Swindon.

In October 2006 Ince began his managerial career in magnificent fashion with Macclesfield (where he added a final appearance to his playing career).

Most commentators felt Macclesfield were dead certs for relegation, and it was one hell of a battle. The victor? Paul Ince, dragging Town clear of the drop by a distance in points - but only one league position. Macclesfield remain in the Football League, and Ince must take some of the credit for bringing them back from the edge.

Success at Moss Rose earned him a lucrative move to MK Dons, where he helped Franchise to promotion as League Two champions, and a Football League Trophy win at Wembley. By giving Franchise the beginnings of a history - at a time when they also handed 'their' honours back to AFC Wimbledon - Ince went a little way to improving the reputation of this pariah of football.

A big move was inevitable, and the Blackburn job may have come free at exactly the right time for Ince.

After all, he won't have been quaking in his boots at the quality of his competition for the post. Allardyce's reputation took an absolute shoeing at Newcastle United, and Steve McClaren - another man linked at length with the job, since appointed at FC Twente - doesn't have any credibility left at all, on account of him being an incompetent, disrespectful and idiotic buffoon. As for Mary Poppins...

Ince has a proven record in the lower leagues, in achievements if not in longevity. He is a bright, young English manager who has been plucked from the Football League, rather than a highly-paid foreigner. There's nothing wrong with foreign managers, but it's nice to see home-grown talent get a chance once in a while.

He has succeeded against the odds at both previous clubs and, possibly above all else when taking over a bunch of sceptical Premier League stars, he's a highly respected football man.

In my view, that all outweighs the possible drawbacks. Ince has no Premier League experience and, unlike his predecessor, no international experience. He also lacks the required coaching qualification, the UEFA Pro Licence, but that issue has been resolved for the time being.

All in all, I think Ince is ready to make the big step up. A number of the managers around him probably are too, but they don't have the football name to be given the chance. It's a great move for him, and an ambitious one for Blackburn. I think it's going to pay off.

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Turkey into quarters after Geneva thriller

I've just seen one of the very best 20 minutes of football I can remember.

It wasn't the best quality, or the most beautiful. But it was tense, dramatic, gripping stuff.

The first half was pretty dire, particularly when considering a draw between Czech Republic and Turkey would have resulted in a penalty shoot-out after 90 minutes to determine Croatia's quarter final opponents.

Jan Koller thumped in a header for the only goal of the half, putting Czech Republic ahead and seemingly in total control. Turkey offered little in the way of a threat on goal, and it looked like only one team wanted to progress.

Fatih Terim's side came out for the second half looking much more interested and it seemed briefly as if they might eventually wear down the Czech defence and get their reward. It was their opponents who grabbed a second, though. Turkey were down to ten men as they waited angrily to bring on a substitute for the injured Emre Gungor. Jaroslav Plasil pounced for the Czechs, and I thought it was game over.

I have never been more wrong in a footballing assumption. 13 minutes later, the greatest 20 minutes of European Championships football ever began. Arda Turan began the madness, picking up the ball in the Czech box and slotting it neatly into Petr Cech's near post, the Chelsea man getting a touch. 2-1.

With that, the game turned in Turkey's favour, and after 87 minutes Cech - well capable of a dropping a clanger, not that anyone seems to have noticed - made an hilarious hash of a cross, dropping the ball at Nihat's feet for 2-2.

The first ever group game penalty shoot-out was not to be, however. Two minutes later, Nihat escaped the offside trap and beat Cech beautifully, bending the ball up and over the goalkeeper and in off the bar. 3-2 to Turkey, but the drama was not over yet.

As the Czech Republic chased an equaliser, Turkish 'keeper Volkan fell over one of his defenders and missed a catch. No harm done, until the goalkeeper turned to Jan Koller and pushed him in the chest. The red card was inevitable, but the abominable snowman that is Koller fell down as if he were cheat Milan Baros (himself amusingly booked despite being an unused substitute for the Czechs). He should be ashamed of himself.

Fortunately for Turkey, makeshift goalkeeper Tuncay was never called into action. What a fantastic game, and what a tournament. So that's Portugal and Turkey through to the quarter finals from Group A, and Switzerland and Czech Republic out.

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Euro 2008 exceeds expectations

Most football fans knew Euro 2008 was going to be good. Few of us believed it could be this good.

The problem, it seemed, was that much of the group stage was too predictable.

Switzerland and Austria would put up no fight whatsoever, leaving Portugal, Czech Republic, Germany and Croatia to waltz through their groups with ease.

Germany, for their part, had been assumed finalists in the weeks leading up to the tournament. Mario Gomez would score a hatful and Lukas Podolski would have to force his way into the spotlight from the left wing. Spain would walk their group and destroy their opponents along the way.

As for Group C, the much-fabled 'Group of Death' (a phrase I avoid religiously, except for this year when it seemed to fit the bill nicely)...well, Italy and France would take advantage of the usual Dutch in-fighting. I said before the tournament that if Romania or the Netherlands escaped from Group C, I'd be stunned.

And stunned I am. Not just by Group C, but by the whole tournament. So who's going to win it?

Marco van Basten's Netherlands have emerged as surely the favourites to take home the European Championships trophy on June 29th. They're not often a group's underdogs, but it seems to suit them. For those unaware, the Dutch have so far played World Champions and TFT tip Italy, and World Cup finalists France.

Quite frankly, they've mullered both. 3-0 over the Italians and 4-1 against France, Holland have shown that they mean business, they have high expectations (and plenty of ability) and they even, bizarrely, seem united. Maybe, just maybe, the Dutch have hustled us all and are bringing back Total Football after all.

There's no disgrace in losing to a side in such form, but to be pulled apart and - in both cases - to also be held by Romania, Italy and France can probably be written off as possible champions. Italy in particular are lucky to still be in the tournament going in to the final group game, the small matter of a showdown with Raymond Domenech's France side.

Germany were imperious in sweeping aside Poland in their first game, looking every bit the possible winners. Despite dented progress thanks to defeat by Croatia, I believe they are still in great shape to get to the final. Belying his goalscoring record, Gomez has looked extremely poor, but Podolski, struggling for form last season, has exploded onto the Euro 2008 scene with three goals in two games, two of them blistering, no-nonsense left foot volleys.

Still, as long as they have one prolific goalscorer there's every chance they'll make the final. Their next game will not feature Bastian Schweinsteiger following his red card against Croatia, and the defence could do with a bit of a kicking. I imagine they'll get it, and Germany will win big against Austria.

Another pre-tournament favourite, Portugal, have been far more comfortable in progressing through their group. Two very professional performances put the Portuguese into the quarter final, and tonight we see them take on a Switzerland side already eliminated on home turf.

Cristiano Ronaldo, while not quite grabbing those games by the balls, has been very good. His team-mates have been pretty special too, and there will be plenty of people out there with a lot of money on them winning the whole thing.

While Holland have caught my eye, the pundits at the tournament seem to have chosen Portugal's nearest neighbours as favourites from this point onwards. Spain were also hotly tipped as the tournament began. There's no Raul-inspired disruption, and in his absence Fernando Torres and, particularly, David Villa have shown that they are the best in the business.

Winners then? Perhaps, but their defence still looks...well, Spanish. So it's Holland for me, but don't be surprised if my original tip Italy scrape through the group and then hit a bit of form in the next round.

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TFT predicts...

Romania 1 - 3 France
Netherlands 1 - 1 Italy

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Euro 2008: Germany 2 Poland 0

With trouble between the two sets of supporters in the 24 hours leading up to the match, not to mention the shit-stirring of the Polish tabloids in the week, this promised to be a spicy affair.

Germany picked up the predicted win, but they were made to work for it. Poland played well in phases, and Germany’s forwards were all short on finishing.

The exception was Lukas Podolski, who started on the left wing and scored, and then moved into the centre…and scored. 2-0 only flattered the Germans slightly, but they must improve if they’re to win Euro 2008.

A turgid opening slowly settled into a scrappy match. Both teams created chances early on but neither was clinical enough to take the lead until the 20th minute.

The Germans settled into a comfortable, pulsing rhythm after the goal and looked much the better side. Poland’s poor defending did little to prevent Germany running away with the game.

It took Jens Lehmann but 30 seconds to perform his butterfingered party piece, but Poland failed to take advantage. Germany hilariously missed an unbelievable chance on four minutes. Miroslav Klose beat the offside trap and Mario Gomez missed a tap-in. The debate would’ve raged: Gomez was in an offside position when the ball was played to Klose and surely became active when putting the ball…well, missing.

Germany finally took the lead through Lukas Podolski. Klose again beat the trap superbly and passed across goal. Podolski made no mistake and rolled the ball into the empty net. Not bad going for a striker playing out of position.

With ten minutes left of the first half, Maciej Zurawski found himself on the penalty spot in a good deal of space. The ball was cut back to him but he could only drag his shot wide. It was a great chance for Poland to equalise. Shortly after, Mario Gomez scuffed wide from an identical position.

Germany were as comfortable as can be at 1-0 at half time.

Poland improved greatly at the start of the second half and had a good spell of keeping Germany on the back foot. The introduction of Roger Guerreiro for Zurawski at half time seemed to be the catalyst for Poland’s increased influence.

As Poland pressed, Germany began to find spaces going forward. Podolski was in good form working away on the left wing, and right back Philip Lahm looked threatening on the other side. Bastian Schweinsteiger hit what seemed like the first worthwhile shot of the half, testing Artur Boruc in the Polish goal on 66 minutes.

In the 69th minute a fantastic move by the Germans resulted in Lahm cutting the ball back to Ballack on the edge of the box, and the Chelsea man hit a first time shot which forced Boruc into a fingertip save.

Podolski won the game for Germany shortly afterwards. Schweinsteiger chased down a lost cause and the ball flew upwards in the area. Miroslav Klose sliced his effort straight to the excellent Podolski who blasted his volley into the top corner.

Thomas Hitzlsperger almost made it three as Poland chased the game, but his right-footed thunderbolt narrowly evaded the angle of the goal. In the 89th minute Podolski should have sealed his hat-trick but sent a shot over Boruc’s goal.

Four games into Euro 2008, all four have followed the form book to the letter. Germany don’t yet look like tournament winners, but they’re in the easy half of the draw and are unlikely to get into trouble until the final. And in the final, anything can happen.

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Euro 2008: Austria 0 Croatia 1

Croatia, the adopted country for June of many a roving English supporter, got their Group B campaign up and running this evening against an Austria side unfancied to even score a goal in this tournament, never mind win a match.

Aside from confirming that Euro 2008 is to be a competition ridden with diving, this was another gripping game of football.

Austria fought back valiantly as Croatia failed to increase their lead, but their irresistible battling at the end just failed to provide a result.

Croatia led after the first 45 minutes courtesy of a Luka Modric penalty in the opening few minutes.

They dominated the first quarter of the game, but very nearly succumbed to Austrian cunning and determination during the last 20 minutes of the half.

Early pressure and intricate play led to a quick lead for Croatia. Slaven Bilic’s men won a penalty in just the third minute. Ivica Olic was brought down in the penalty area and new Spurs signing Luka Modric played the spot kick down the middle past Jurgen Macho.

Croatia drilled in a free kick from wide on 13 minutes and Macho was again left for dead as Olic and a couple of his colleagues threw themselves towards the sumptuous cross. Any touch at all would have seen the ball in the net once more but Croatia, in the ascendancy, just missed out on a second.

With Olic leading the line brilliantly, the Croats continued to dominate. But the next clear-cut chance fell to Austrian Sebastian Proedl who should have done better with a header on goal.

In the 29th minute, Ivica Olic did his best to get Emanuel Pogatetz sent off by rolling around on the floor as if he’d been shot with a crossbow. The referee did half well in not giving Pogatetz a second yellow (though he perhaps should have been carded for holding Olic in the run up to the dive), but Olic should’ve joined him in the book for outrageous simulation.

Although Austria clawed their way back into the game a little, Mladen Petric should have made it two with 33 minutes gone. His unnecessarily complicated technique led to his shot flying wide of goal.

The hosts picked up the pace before half time, and an incisive attack led to Josep Simunic desperately blocking a pass across goal to concede a corner. Seconds later Joachim Standfest blazed in at the back post and with a better header could have equalised. Croatia were praying for the break by the time it arrived.

The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with both sides going all out for goal. Austria built the better attacks but were unable to capitalise. They were almost punished on the hour, but Niko Kovac was unable to turn Darijo Srna’s corner into the far side-netting with a near post header.

The inevitable pressure from Austria came as the clock counted down to a Croatian win, and several chances went begging as Croatia looked increasingly cagey. Stipe Pletikosa, the goalkeeper, seemed particularly nervous as Austria threatened his goal in the last fifteen minutes. That included a very decent penalty shout which was met with apathy by the Dutch referee.

The final six or seven minutes were ruined by a large amount of cynical time-wasting and play acting by the leading team - not surprising in all honesty. Austria continued to push forward, testing Pletikosa on a couple of occasions as the game reached the last five minutes.

Right at the death Austria almost nicked a draw. Substitute Roman Kienast headed agonisingly wide in the 93rd minute, but it was not to be.

So that’s three matches down and everything’s going to plan, with Czech Republic, Portugal and Croatia all winning their matches as expected. However, both hosts showed some fantastic determination in their first games - but one has to ask why Switzerland and Austria only started to play once their causes looked lost.

Next up, the small matter of Germany v Poland. The favourites will be confident of a win, but if the trouble off the pitch spills onto it, the match could just be scrappy and dirty enough for Poland to grab a draw.

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TFT predicts...

This evening, co-hosts Austria kick off Group B against Croatia, and tensions will run high between Poland and Germany. Here are my predictions:

Austria 0 - 2 Croatia
Germany 3 - 0 Poland

Score so far: 1/2, no exact matches.

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Euro 2008: Portugal 1 Turkey 0

The second game of the evening and of the tournament saw Luis Felipe Scolari’s Portugal take on a Turkey side devoid, seemingly, of the spiky awkwardness in which they revelled a few years ago.

The two right wingers in Geneva were of interest to English viewers. Cristiano Ronaldo will spend his entire tournament under the spotlight, but a surprise selection for Turkey was one Kazim Kazim, also known as Colin Kazim-Richards.

The Leytonstone boy currently plays for Fenerbahce having signed from Sheffield United.

An engaging match saw Turkey threatening much more than expected, with Colin Kazim-Richards really doing the business for them down the right. But it was Portugal’s night. Aside from the goals, they hit the woodwork three times and had a goal disallowed, and Deco’s complete and utter incompetence prevented them getting more.

The opening fifteen minutes were remarkably shaky for both sides. Touch wasn’t good, tackles were poorly timed and penetration was minimal and mostly fortuitous. The only real moment of note was Tuncay Sanli’s dive in the penalty area which was easily worthy of a yellow card or, if one were to consider these things morally rather than in relation to the rules, a kick in the bollocks. Cheat.

Portugal’s class in comparison with their opponents was apparent throughout the first half. That’s class on the ball. With three Chelsea defenders it was hardly surprising to see them, Jose Bosingwa in particular, hitting the deck the instant they came under pressure they weren’t talented enough to deal with. It also wasn’t entirely shocking to see a large amount of comedy defending from the Chelsea boys.

The best effort of the half came with a free kick from that man Ronaldo, just as a few chances started flowing. Portugal definitely looked more like scoring than Turkey, and were unlucky to go in at half time level.

Portugal did hit the net in the 17th minute. Pepe’s header from a well worked corner was ruled out for offside, and what a superb decision it was. However, the ease with which he rose to thump the ball home will have worried Turkish coach Fatih Terim. That worry will not have abated before Pepe again won a header in the area late on in the half. A better touch would have resulted in a goal.

A 28th minute free kick from Simao flew past Volkan Demiral’s goal, though the ‘keeper probably had it covered. The idea of Ronaldo not taking the free kicks from that distance seems faintly ridiculous.

An incisive, twinkling run from the Manchester United man caught the Turkish defence out seconds later, but the finish lacked the quality to trouble Volkan. It was a sign of Portugal’s ever increasing domination of the half. They looked dangerous, but they weren’t quite ruthless enough.

In the 37th minute, Portugal won another free kick in very promising territory on the corner of the penalty area. This time, it was Ronaldo’s turn and, somehow, he spanked a thundering low strike against the far post. It had a little help along the way from the ground and, as evidenced by action replays, a stunning fingertip save from by Volkan.

Joao Moutinho was another unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet, foiled by a last ditch challenge as the first half drew to a close.

Shortly after the break, Simao terrorised the Turkish defence, and was pole-axed on the edge of the box. The referee played the advantage as Nuno Gomes picked up the play and blasted the ball against the post. It marked the end of the night for culprit Gokhan Zan, but the beginning of some fantastic end-to-end football.

Ronaldo again looked sharp and clever, prevented from scoring once more by Volkan on 55 minutes, but Deco’s farting around cost Portugal a chance or two. Fancy Dan nonsense, mostly. Kazim, on the other hand, was full of both skill and efficiently down the Turkish right, putting in a very impressive performance indeed, particularly in the second period.

Right on the hour mark, Real Madrid centre half Pepe finally got his goal, and what a beauty it was! Ronaldo found him forty yards out. A quick one-two with Nuno Gomes as the defender bombed forward led to a one on one for Pepe, and he held firm as he was tackled and managed to turn the ball home. Cracking stuff.

Five minutes later the brilliant Ronaldo worked some space out wide and bent a wonderful cross in for Nuno Gomes, whose header became the third Portuguese effort to hit the woodwork. The goal had really turned Portugal’s fortunes, and Turkey’s influence waned.

The closing minutes saw Turkey create a few chances, with Kazim-Richards shining like nobody could have predicted. Portugal retained plenty of possession, but time and again Deco’s unnecessary showboating saw him lose the ball, misplace passes and generally annoy the hell out of me and, presumably, his colleagues. No wonder Barcelona can’t usher him out of the back door fast enough.

Turkey’s Aurelio produced a sickening moment at the death, with what should have been a red card challenge on Portuguese sub Nani. Very poor refereeing indeed, as not even a free kick was given.

Joy was forthcoming for Portugal, Raul Meireles pouncing to round off a fantastic break with an easy roll into the net with almost the last kick off the game. That’s three goals in the tournament so far, all scored by men netting for the first time for their countries.

Can Portugal win this tournament? Yes. But they won’t. Turkey consistently exposed their defence, and the team which wins Euro 2008 will be far more clinical than Portugal managed to be this evening.

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Euro 2008: Switzerland 0 Czech Republic 1

As Euro 2008 launched, almost nobody would have credited Switzerland or the Czech Republic with the slightest chance of emerging victorious on June 29th.

However, the opening game was vital for both sides.

In a tight group - completed by Portugal and Turkey - getting off to a winning start would be essential as three teams fight it out for second spot in the group behind a highly-rated Portugal side.

Czech Republic became the first match winners of Euro 2008, despite plenty of erratic goalkeeping and an impressive performance from their opponents.

On balance the teams were about equal, and although Switzerland had a good deal of quality, one moment of excellent attacking positioning from Czech sub Vaclav Sverkos was enough for Karel Bruckner’s side.

The Swiss started brightly and piled on some early pressure, contributing to what became very open early exchanges. Czech Republic hit back, but as the game settled down Switzerland began to carve out some promising opportunities.

Earlier today, Mark Lawrenson said that the first group games are traditionally about not losing, but that this year they could be about winning. That seems to have been born out in the attitude of the teams.

Sadly, a riveting first period was marred at the end by injury to Switzerland captain Alexander Frei (pictured). It looked at the time very much like his tournament is over - he appeared in the dugout in the second half on crutches.

After the usual nonsense of the opening ceremony, the first chance fell to Switzerland after just 2 minutes. Jan Polak misjudged a pass in his own half and the Swiss broke, only for Alexander Frei to send a confident shot just wide from 20 yards. Make no mistake, they know how to play.

In the 19th minute, Kobi Kuhn’s men created their second good chance of the match. After some clever play out on the right, Gokhan Inler found himself in space running at goal. He rushed his shot, having run into trouble with a poor touch, and Petr Cech made a comfortable save.

Not so routine was the excellent save he made one minute later from Frei, saving with his leg as the Swiss striker raced into the six yard box.

After 35 minutes Petr Cech’s worst nightmare very nearly came true. Alexander Frei took a shot from 25 yards after another Czech mistake, and Cech could only parry to an oncoming striker. Being a typical moaning, bitching Chelsea-type, the goalkeeper will doubtless blame the movement of the ball. In truth there was very little of the sort, and Cech was lucky to be saved by a raised flag from the assistant referee.

Alexander Frei suffered the ultimate heartbreak just before the break. A tough tackle from Zdenek Grygera felled the Swiss striker. He was stretchered off and as the half-time whistle went he seemingly limped out of the tournament with his knee in heavy strapping.

Switzerland made a blistering start to the second half, much like the first. Cech made another save from distance - again with dodgy handling - this time from left back Ludovic Magnin.

The game remained intriguing, though chances were few and far between after half time. Czech winger Libor Sionko should have scored with a header from a free kick just before the hour mark, but failed to get any kind of worthwhile purchase on his effort.

The best chance so far came in the 66th minute. Neat wing play from Switzerland resulted in an inch-perfect cross for Frei’s replacement, Yakin. He could only send his free header wide.

The first goal of Euro 2008 came from a Czech substitute who replaced Jan Koller and then brilliantly beat the offside trap to pick up his first international goal. Vaclav Sverkos pounced in the 71st minute after Switzerland failed to clear a corner. A lofted header found him on the edge of the area with only Diego Banaglio to beat. He did beat him - with his shin - and the hosts were behind.

Inevitably, Switzerland pressed and Karel Bruckner’s side tried to stifle the game.

On 79 minutes an almighty goalmouth scramble almost created an equaliser. A huge (and correct) handball shout in the area met with no reaction from the referee. Tranquillo Barnetta blasted the rebound towards the bottom corner of the Czech goal, but Petr Cech saved - parrying to an opponent once more. Substitute Johan Vonlanthen’s effort rattled the bar. He really should have buried it.

A frantic last few minutes saw Switzerland desperately attacking Petr Cech’s goal, but to no avail. For the second time, Czech captain Tomas Ujfalusi got away with a blatant handball. This one was on the edge of the box, prompting furious protests from the Swiss players.

Portugal and Turkey kick off in the second Group A game shortly, and we might well just get a glimpse of whether this is indeed to be the Cristiano Ronaldo championships.

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TFT predicts...

So it's finally here. Euro 2008 kicks off in two hours and...eight minutes. Throughout the tournament I'll be writing as many match reports as I can muster, keeping the little scoreboard (eyes right) up to date, and predicting the scores for each game.

This evening, co-hosts Switzerland get the action underway in Group A against the Czech Republic, and Portugal face Turkey. Here are my predictions:

Switzerland 0 - 2 Czech Republic
Portugal 1 - 1 Turkey

Stay tuned folks!

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Quick Hits 2nd June 2008

Been a while, so here's some other stuff to read. Remember to come back, mind.

• This is why you now love the Milwaukee Brewers (Sniffing the Touchline)
• Dirty River top the league (Argie Bargy)

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Euro 2008 Preview

The countdown is, finally, coming to an end. On Saturday Switzerland and Czech Republic will raise the curtain on Euro 2008, a summery festival of football.

The prospect is mouthwatering. On 29th June, UEFA will crown the (probably) new champions of Europe, and there's some exceptional teams eyeing up the trophy - not to mention some fantastic matches in store.

So excited am I that I've taken some time out of my busy schedule (that's watching Peep Show, doing my washing and eating Doritos) to put together this little tournament preview.

Don't forget to swing by TFT over the coming month for some Euro 2008 news and views, and as many match reports as I can muster. I can't wait!

Why is it going to be so great?

Without wishing to put too fine a point on it, it's going to be great largely because England aren't there. Sure, Steve McClaren should've been deported for failing to get out of the easiest qualification grouping in football history, and it's ever-so-slightly upsetting that there is no English interest in Austria and Switzerand this summer.

But it's also very refreshing to be heading into this summer tournament without the hype, the pressure that engulfs this country every time England's latest 'golden generation' goes abroad. White Van Pikey hasn't painted St George's Cross on his bonnet. There aren't any England flags anywhere and nobody, thankfully, is assuring us that England are finally going to come up with the goods. They're not. They never will.

All of which allows us to concentrate on the very best of European talent, without being too partisan.

And there's plenty of it. The anticipation is actually rather higher than I predicted in England, and I think that's because so many of Europe's best players are in the Premier League. We know them. We know what they can do, and we know how they play. More to the point, we're interested in their teams as a result, so we do get to follow the whole shebang with a certain allegience to one nation or another.

The added bonus is we'll also get to see some fantastic players we haven't seen close up before. There are some world class players who haven't graced the Premier League, believe it or not, and it'll be a pleasure to see them performing on the big stage. Even if the inanity of our commentators will take the shine off it slightly.

The best bit is that Euro 2008 is going to be incredibly competitive. There's a whole raft of possible winners, and some very credible claims on success have already been presented. Italy are World Champions. France are after revenge. Spain have ditched Raul, and their new-found squad harmony could prove the catalyst to them winning something at last. There's the Ronaldo factor for Portugal. Germany are favourites and are, as usual, the full package.

So, who's going to win?

Let's start with the favourites: Germany. I think they've got a decent shout, and I can see why they're currently sitting at such short odds.

Germany are very predictable. Every metric going shows that the Bundesliga is falling behind the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and the Montenegran Third Division. Despite this, you could safely bet your house on them being one of the four teams in the semi-final. As a football nation, Germany has simply learned how to play international tournament football.

Michael Ballack has come into a bit of form at the end of the season, at long last. Ignoring the fact that he is a grade A cheat, and I actually don't think he does the simple things at all well, Ballack is deadly in and around the penalty area, particularly from set pieces and in the air. On top of that, Thomas Hitzlsperger is one of a few players capable of thumping in a goal from nowhere.

Many are tipping Portugal to win the tournament based on the one-man-owning-the-tournament theory. It does, strangely, hold water in a few extreme cases: Cruyff, Pele, Maradona anyone?

Cristiano Ronaldo is the man in question this summer, and to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if he did single-handedly lead Portugal to glory. Of course they have a more than decent squad, and a brilliant manager, so why not?

As mentioned above, Spain have reason to believe they can take the top honour this summer. Pourquoi? Well, Raul's no longer everyone's favourite, and has been dropped. Reportedly his behaviour is none-too-professional when it comes to internationals, and his influence won't be missed. On top of this, Nando Torres is in unbelievable form, and the likes of Andres Iniesta and Xavi are liable to turn it on in the Euros.

France and Holland both have some excellent players and will believe in their ability to pull off a win in Vienna on June 29th. But they won't...because Italy will.

Why Italy? I think they have too much quality for everyone else to compete with. They've got an almost unbeatable goalkeeper in Gigi Buffon. The defence is the best around, and the options they have in midfield and up front are numerous and - for everyone else - terrifying. Luca Toni is a goal machine, Marco Borriello could just be playing well enough to spark the whole competition into life, and that's just two of men. Then, of course, there's Antonio Cassano...

Anyone we should be looking out for?

Course there is. Loads of them. We all know who the leading suspects are already, and we're expecting big things. Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal will have all eyes on him, along with Torres, Toni, Ballack and Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They're all doing great things for their clubs and their national bosses will be keen to harness their form in Euro 2008.

But there are some others to keep an eye on too, and here are the three I think might just make a name for themselves this month:

Lyon striker Karim Benzema is the hottest property in European football. He's been linked with every big club in England and on the continent, and is highly likely to make a big move after the competition. Chelsea and Manchester United will be in the frame, but expect Benzema to stay on the mainland and move to Italy or, most likely, Spain.

Marco Borriello, co-owned by AC Milan and Genoa until May 29th, has impressed so much for the latter this season (Borriello was Serie A's third highest scorer) that the Rossoneri have bought out Genoa's share. Italian boss Roberto Donadoni drafted Borriello into the squad in February, and the Neapolitan could play a big part this June.

Finally, another Italian, and a man who will steal the headlines - for better or worse - at Euro 2008. That's right, readers, it's Antonio Cassano - the brat from Bari. The man's skill is absolutely breathtaking, he really is a wonderful player.

He is also, to put it bluntly, a little shit. He's shown both sides at Sampdoria this season (he was on loan from Real Madrid and has made it clear he will take a 50% pay cut to further his Samp career, such is his recent form and appropriate treatment by his loan club) and I think we'll see both sides again in Austria and Switzerland. Rest assured though, if he turns it on at the right times, he could make this tournament his own. He's that good.

Any other surprises in store?

You bet. My predictions are that Croatia will do exceptionally well, because they have a real team spirit, top-level technical ability and a fantastic manager. On the flipside, Portugal's reliance on Ronaldo will cost them, and they'll struggle to make it past the quarter final. Controversial, I know.

Team by team

Don't say I don't do anything useful!

Austria

Manager: Josef Hickersberger
Hitman: Martin Harnik
Look out for: Andreas Ivanschitz

Croatia

Manager: Slaven Bilic
Hitman: Ivica Olic
Look out for: Luka Modric

Czech Republic

Manager: Karel Bruckner
Hitman: Jan Koller
Look out for: Tomas Galasek

France

Manager: Raymond Domenech
Hitman: Thierry Henry
Look out for: Karim Benzema

Germany

Manager: Joachim Low
Hitman: Miroslav Klose
Look out for: Kevin Kuranyi

Greece

Manager: Otto Rehagel
Hitman: Angelos Charisteas
Look out for: Giorgios Karagounis

Italy

Manager: Roberto Donadoni
Hitman: Luca Toni
Look out for: Antonio Cassano

Netherlands

Manager: Marco van Basten
Hitman: Ruud van Nistelrooy
Look out for: Rafael van der Vaart

Poland

Manager: Leo Beenhakker
Hitman: Maciej Zurawski
Look out for: Roger Guerreiro

Portugal

Manager: Luis Felipe Scolari
Hitman: Cristiano Ronaldo
Look out for: Ricardo Queresma

Romania

Manager: Victor Peturca
Hitman: Adrian Mutu
Look out for: Nicolae Dica

Russia

Manager: Guus Hiddink
Hitman: Andrei Arshavin
Look out for: Yuri Zhirkov

Spain

Manager: Luis Aragones
Hitman: Fernando Torres
Look out for: Xavi

Sweden

Manager: Lars Lagerback
Hitman: Zlatan Ibrahimovic/Henrik Larsson
Look out for: Sebastian Larsson

Switzerland

Manager: Kobi Kuhn
Hitman: Alex Frei
Look out for: Gelson Fernandes

Turkey

Manager: Fatih Terim
Hitman: Tuncay Sanli
Look out for: Kazim-Kazim (snigger!)

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National Team Update: Beckham gets his moment

By quirk of fixture negotiation, inter-association political nonsense, time zone and editorial calendar, this post comes to you between two England international friendlies.

Regular TFT readers will already know that Wednesday's tie against the United States of America was my first visit to the rebuilt Wembley for a football match. Having previously been there to watch Miami Dolphins v New York Giants, and to see Metallica, I already knew that Wembley is mighty impressive.

In terms of atmosphere, Wembley is the same as it ever was. I went to most internationals at the old ground in the mid-late nineties and not much has changed. It still has a weird aura of tacky support. Back in the day it was caused by having a whole load of school kids providing the support, and I suspect that reason remains intact today. Still, it feels like Wembley and that's all that matters. Fantastic.

What's not fantastic is the shower of stupid tosspots which for some reason is allowed to continue to ruin the atmosphere at England matches with what C. Montgomery Burns would rightly describe as "infernal tootling". The Wednesday band are a bubbling, festering, weeping sore - only less pleasant. Their inane racket has no place in football. Far from being encouraged to bring their offensive weapons to Wembley, they should be banned. For life. And that means even without their instruments, as punishment for their heinous crimes.

Unfortunately, with that off my chest, there's not much else to report. It was a great night for me, Wembley was very enjoyable, but in truth the game wasn't up to much. Goals from skipper John Terry (yes, I'm still laughing about his penalty) and Steven Gerrard briefly lit up a dull encounter, ruined by a poor USA team which simply couldn't be arsed. They were an absolute waste of space.

The best moment of the night was of course the presentation made to David Beckham to mark his 100th England cap, picked up in the previous game. A well-deserved award, and a well-deserved ovation for the man who has carried England for large parts of his career.

And tonight, Beckham's ability, loyalty and status will be rewarded once again: he's been named as captain for England's friendly against Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain.

Beckham will be leading a very inexperienced side in the 22.30 kick off this evening, according to reports this weekend. England boss Fabio Capello has hinted that some fringe players will get "a chance for the first time". Joe Hart, David Wheater, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Tom Huddlestone would appear to be the obvious candidates, with Ashley Young and Dean Ashton almost certain to feature too.

An outside bet for an appearance is the shock call-up from Peterborough, Joe Lewis.

The organisation of this game has been riddled with posturing and politicising, but realistically it's meaningless. In matches like that, a few new faces provide possible excitement, and they'll be keen to showcase their talent to Capello as he prepares for the World Cup 2010 qualification campaign. Let's hope we can end this awful season on a high.

Come on England!

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