Euro 2008 Day 9: Cordoba everywhere

As promised it's all over the place. Damn, how many times did I have to listen to this nervewrecking radio broadcast from the 70's. You know, those broadcasts still done by phone? The German media is so predictable. I was also watching the press conference of the German team today and it is always astonishing how they make a fuzz out of nothing. The reporters ask questions, the coaches and the players answer and in the end nothing comes out of it. The only hardly important information was that both Lukas Podolski and Philipp Lahm are both set to play in tomorrow's match against Austria. but apart from that it was just hot air all the way. I mean, if you ask Michael Ballack if he feels pressured by the expectations what would you expect him to answer? Of course he will say that he doesn't feel any pressure. Goddamn.

Turkey vs Czech Republic 3-2 (Group A)
Wow, this one had it all. What a thriller!! The outset was clear, both teams needed a win, a draw would result in an immediate penalty shoot out. Which is why the match was really close and intense. The Czech Republic scored first on a goal by Jan Koller (a header, what else) and Turkey didn't look very convincing in the first half. There was no movement at all up front, but that changed in the second half. Still the Czechs scored again and went up 2-0. but then they made the mistake to barricade themselves in front of their own penalty box and so Turkey came closer and turned the game in the closing minutes. Two goals by Nihat before injury time were enough for them to secure their quarterfinal spot against Croatia. There was mayhem in added time when Turkish goalkeeper Volkan was sent off after shoving Jan Koller, but the Czechs weren't able to capitalize on the Turkish lack of substitutes, since they had used all of their three subs already. Oh boy, this will be a long night for the Turkish comunity in Germany.

Switzerland vs Portugal 2-0 (Group A)
A nice way to end the tournament for the host from Switzerland. Although you have to admit that Portugal wasn't playing with full strength. I was watching this on a live stream on my computer with just half of my attention, because the other game was so exciting. It seemed that Portugal had the better chances in the first half, but Switzerland capitalized on poor defending for the first goal and was rewared a penalty for the second one. Portugal will be the opponent of the second place team in Group B, which will either be Austria or Germany and I see both of them having huge problems with the Portugese team who have shown wonderful skill and technique in their first two matches.