EURO 2000 - Games, Results, etc.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Group A |
Group B |
Group C |
Group D |
 /
 |
/
 |
 |
 |
| Quarterfinals |
Semifinals |
Final |
SUMMARY |
GROUP
| Place |
Countries |
Played |
W |
T |
L |
Goals |
Diff. |
Pts |
| 1 |
Portugal |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
7-2 |
+5 |
9 |
| 2 |
Romania |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4-4 |
0 |
4 |
| 3 |
England |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
5-6 |
-1 |
3 |
| 4 |
Germany |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1-5 |
-4 |
1 |
Back to Index
GROUP
| Place |
Countries |
Played |
W |
T |
L |
Goals |
Diff. |
Pts |
| 1 |
Italy |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
6-2 |
+4 |
9 |
| 2 |
Turkey |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3-2 |
+1 |
4 |
| 3 |
Belgium |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2-5 |
-3 |
3 |
| 4 |
Sweden |
3 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2-4 |
-2 |
1 |
Back to Index
GROUP
| Place |
Countries |
Played |
W |
T |
L |
Goals |
Diff. |
Pts |
| 1 |
Spain |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
6-5 |
+1 |
6 |
| 2 |
Yugoslavia |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
7-7 |
0 |
4 |
| 3 |
Norway |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1-1 |
0 |
4 |
| 4 |
Slovenia |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
4-5 |
-1 |
2 |
Back to Index
GROUP
| Place |
Countries |
Played |
W |
T |
L |
Goals |
Diff. |
Pts |
| 1 |
Netherlands |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
7-2 |
+5 |
9 |
| 2 |
France |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
7-4 |
+3 |
6 |
| 3 |
Czech Rep. |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3-3 |
0 |
3 |
| 4 |
Denmark |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0-8 |
-8 |
0 |
Back to Index
/
- QUARTERFINALS
Back to Index
/
- SEMIFINALS
Back to Index
- FINAL
Back to Index
10/06/2000, Brussels, 20:45 CET, Group B.
------------------------------------------
BELGIUM 2 (1)
[Bart Goor 43, Emile Mpenza 46]
Sweden 1 (0)
[Johan Mjallby 53, Patrick Andersson RED 81]
********
REFEREE: Dr. Markus Merk (Germany).
********
Not a bad game for an opener. Despite the Swedish pressure at the start, those were the hosts
to open the score after Bart Goor used a bad mistake of Ronald Nilsson and overplayed Magnus
Hedman. Just after the break, Emile Mpenza sent an unstoppable ball under the bar, after a
probable handplay overlooked by the referee. Disappointed and disappointing Sweden could only
reduce the score, after Filip De Vilde badly failed in clearing the ball. The Swedish hopes
for an equalizer were nullified, as Patrick Andersson was sent off for a rude play, with his
2nd yellow card.
Back to Group B
11/06/2000, Arnhem, 14:30 CET, Group B.
---------------------------------------
Turkey 1 (0)
[Okan Buruk 61]
ITALY 2 (0)
[Antonio Conte 52, Filippo Inzaghi 70p]
********
REFEREE: Hugh Dallas (Scotland).
********
The impressive victory of Squadra Azzurra, though the result doesn't fully prove that. It was
nice for a change to see Dino Zoff's team attacking and pressing all the time, showing a very
attractive football; and although the Turks were in no way a cannon meat, they were no match
to Totti, Inzaghi and Co.
3 times a ball was cleared from the line, and 3 times it hit the framework - and only the
spectacular overhead kick of Antonio Conte broke the Italian lucklessness. However, an
unfortunate mistake of the usually reliable Francesco Toldo allowed Okan Buruk to head an
equalizer in after a free kick. Italy scored a winner from a penalty of Filippo Inzaghi,
after he himself was blocked inside the box and then sent a mighty ball under the right hand
of the diving keeper. Di Livio's goal in an injury time was disallowed because of an offside.
Back to Group B
11/06/2000, Bruges, 18:00 CET, Group D.
---------------------------------------
FRANCE 3 (1)
[Laurent Blanc 16, Thierry Henry 64, Sylvain Wiltord 90]
Denmark 0 (0)
********
REFEREE: Guenter Benko (Austria).
********
A very impressive performance of the World Champions. After a good Danish start, during which
Fabian Barthez stopped the Danish forwards several times, the opener came on the other side:
Peter Schmeichel couldn't hold Nicolas Anelka after an offside trap had been broken, and
Laurent Blanc rolled the rebound into an empty net. The sprint of Thierry Henry at the left
wing ended with a precise shot to the left corner of the Danes, and in the injury time, a
combination of Vieira and Wiltord left the keeper no chance again. Imagine what could happen
if Israel was there instead of Denmark...
Back to Group D
11/06/2000, Amsterdam, 20:45 CET, Group D.
-------------------------------------------
NETHERLANDS 1 (0)
[Frank de Boer 89p]
Czech Rep. 1 (0)
[Radoslav Latal RED 90 (on the bench)]
********
REFEREE: Pierluigi Collina (Italy).
********
The breathtaking game should've ended in a justified draw, but the cruel Soccer destiny
thought otherwise in the last seconds. The Dutch hosts of the Championship, even though
disappointing and causing concern to the fans, created a handful of opportunities, but all of
those were destroyed by the incredible Pavel Srnicek, with a fantastic double save from shots
of Kluivert and Zenden, a full confidence against 2 good shots of Dennis Bergkamp and fisting
away a cannon free kick of Jaap Stam. Optically, it might've seemed that the Czechs were
pressed - but they created a handful of brilliant opportunities of their own, all missed as
if misled by some upper force. A far-ranger of Nedved whistling near the crossbar, Nedved's
header to the post, Koller's header to the bar, 2 scandalous misses of Poborsky and Bejbl
near an empty net and 2 stretched meters of van der Sar who blocked with his fingertips a
one-touch-connection of Jan Koller - all of those made me fear the Czechs would cry over
them after the game.
And cry they did, bitterly. 2 minutes from time, there happened a ridiculous pull of Jiri
Nemec on Ronald de Boer, and an ever precise Pierluigi Collina pointed to the white spot,
whatever hesitation he might have had swept away by the roar of the Orange tribunes. The
first flawless keeper's performance of this Championship couldn't stay goalless, as Frank de
Boer left Srnicek no chance to parry his penalty.
Back to Group D
12/06/2000, Liege, 18:00 CET, Group A.
--------------------------------------
Germany 1 (1)
[Mehmet Scholl 28]
Romania 1 (0)
[Viorel Moldovan 5]
********
REFEREE: Kim Milton Nielsson (Denmark).
********
The worst official game of Germany in years, and the first more or less "dull" game of the
Championship. The German team played with virtually no defence, and was completely paralyzed
after a quick opener of Viorel Moldovan, from Adrian Ilie's pass. Only a marvellous strike of
Mehmet Scholl from 18 meters made the Germans wake up, but it wasn't enough. A header of
Oliver Bierhoff hit the post, and Hagi's team created numerous opportunities, most of them
wasted by Moldovan.
Back to Group A
12/06/2000, Eindhoven, 20:45 CET, Group A.
-------------------------------------------
PORTUGAL 3 (2)
[Luis Figo 22, Joao Pinto 37, Nuno Gomes 59]
England 2 (2)
[Paul Scholes 3, Steve McManaman 18]
********
REFEREE: Andres Frisk (Sweden).
********
With no exaggeration, one of the most enjoyable games of the last 2-3 years - and while the
sympathy definitely goes to England, Portugal once again earned love and respect of all the
neutral fans. In a game bringing 90 minutes of pure breathtaking action, the first minutes
belonged to the Spice Boy - David Beckham produced another 2 golden passes, first to the
arched header of Paul Scholes and then to the flawlessly performed volley of Steve McManaman.
Not only the English No. 7 produced sparks, though - his counterpart Luis Figo penetrated
through the center and released from 30 meters a killing beauty contestant that nearly tore
the net under Seaman's left crossbar. The acrobatic flying header of Joao Pinto equalized the
score, and after the break Portugal was a clearly better team. In one of the nonstoppable
Portuguese attacks, Luis Figo sent a young Nuno Gomes into the box, and the talented forward
of Benfica Lisbon overplayed the veterans David Seaman and Tony Adams of Arsenal, scoring a
winner. Judging by the game quality, however, both the winning and the losing side will have
no problems whatsoever in the future to cope with both Germany and Romania.
Back to Group A
13/06/2000, Rotterdam, 18:00 CET, Group C.
-------------------------------------------
Spain 0 (0)
NORWAY 1 (0)
[Stephen Iversen 66]
********
REFEREE: Gamal El Ghandour (Egypt).
********
The first mighty upset of the tournament. The Spanish team, being one of the favourites of
Euro'2000 even despite their long history of constant underachieving in the moments of truth,
showed nothing of class. The cool Scandinavs were disciplined in the defence and patiently
waited for their attacking chance. It came only once, and then Stephen Iversen beat the
hesitant Francisco Molina in the air with an arched header.
Back to Group C
13/06/2000, Charleroi, 20:45 CET, Group C.
-------------------------------------------
Yugoslavia 3 (0)
[Sinisa Mihajlovic RED 59, Savo Milosevic 67, 73, Ljubinko Drulovic 70]
Slovenia 3 (1)
[Zlatko Zahovic 23, 57, Miran Pavlin 52]
********
REFEREE: Vitor Manuel Perreira (Portugal).
********
I still wonder what is a bigger miracle in this incredible game - a multiple-goal feast of
Zahovic-crazy Slovenia, or a fast and lethal retaliation of humiliated, tired and reduced to
10 men Yugoslavia. A low header of the magician Zlatko Zahovic opened the score, and shortly
after the break, Zahovic's free kick landed to an undisturbed head of Miran Pavlin. 5 minutes
later on, a scandalous mistake of Sinisa Mihajlovic left Zahovic at one-to-one with Kralj,
and the Slovenian wonder had no special problems to put another nail into the Yugoslavian
coffin - and 2 minutes afterwards, the nervous Mihajlovic conceded a justified 2nd yellow
card. And then... Suddenly, the Slovenian box became a promenade, as Savo Milosevic and
Ljubinko Drulovic had no problems to knock in 3 retaliating balls from the winning positions
2-3-5 meters from the net.
Back to Group C
14/06/2000, Brussels, 20:45 CET, Group B.
------------------------------------------
ITALY 2 (1)
[Francesco Totti 6, Stefano Fiore 66]
Belgium 0 (0)
********
REFEREE: Jose-Maria Garcia Aranda (Spain).
********
Again proving its class, Italy let Belgium rule optically, but defeated the hosts on the
counterattacks without breaking a sweat. The double save of Filip De Vilde from the shots of
Maldini and Inzaghi was just a prelude - in a minute, Francesco Totti headed in a free kick
and opened the score. The only Belgian achievements were the bar of Bart Goor and the wild
saves of Toldo from the shots of Emile Mpenza and Luc Nilis. Shortly after the abovementioned
free kick of Nilis, Stefano Fiore sent the ball to Filippo Inzaghi, received it back slightly
before the box and released an 18-meters killer at half a height which left De Vilde no
chance. The frustrated hosts managed to score a ridiculous own goal later on, but it was
disallowed because of Del Piero's foul on the scorer. Italy seems to be the first team
steadily going to the quarterfinals. Bravo, Dino Zoff!
Back to Group B
15/06/2000, Eindhoven, 20:45 CET, Group B.
-------------------------------------------
Sweden 0 (0)
Turkey 0 (0)
*********
REFEREE: Dick Jol (Netherlands).
*********
The first nil draw of the Championship, which nearly nullifies the chances of both teams to
make it further. And according to the game, rightly so - it was boring and gave birth to
nearly no goal opportunities. Rustu parried well 2 shots of Kenneth Andersson, and then
reacted in time to a bad roll of Ljungberg in one-to-one; on the other hand, Hakan Sukur
missed the frame with a bicycle kick, and then missed in front of an empty net, after Magnus
Hedman parried badly the shot of Okan.
Back to Group B
16/06/2000, Bruges, 18:00 CET, Group D.
---------------------------------------
Czech Rep. 1 (1)
[Karel Poborsky 35p]
FRANCE 2 (1)
[Thierry Henry 7, Youri Djorkaeff 60]
********
REFEREE: Graham Poll (England).
********
Another impressive victory for France, and another close disappointment to the Czechs who are
eliminated from the tournament too early, in my opinion. Thierry Henry exploited fully the
pitiful mistake of Petr Gabriel, intercepting the back-sent ball and finishing well in front
of Srnicek. The numerous attacks of the European Vice-Champions produced several misses of
Poborsky, several good saves of a rebirthing Fabian Barthez, and a usual bar of Jan Koller;
only once Poborsky managed to score from a white spot, mistakenly awarded by the referee
Graham Poll for the foul on Nedved OUTSIDE the box. In a pretty equal game, France was just
more precise, and the substitute Youri Djorkaeff didn't miss his chance from 14 meters, after
an hour of play.
Back to Group D
16/06/2000, Rotterdam, 20:45 CET, Group D.
-------------------------------------------
Denmark 0 (0)
NETHERLANDS 3 (0)
[Patrick Kluivert 57, Ronald de Boer 66, Boudewijn Zenden 77]
********
REFEREE: Urs Meier (Switzerland).
********
After a dull 1st half, it was a sparkling Dutch performance in the 2nd. Patrick Kluivert sent
a flat rebound to an exposed net, after Schmeichel parried the first ball of Filip Cocu. A
bit later, Ronald de Boer closed the perfect flat crossing of Marc Overmars, and then it was
the turn of Boudewijn Zenden to be left in front of Schmeichel and to send a ball in a truly
arrogant nonchalance under the right Danish crossbar. If it wasn't for Schmeichel in some
sparks, the result could've been doubled. Nobody quite expected the Danes to give such a pale
performance all over the Championship, but the Dutch team still doesn't impress as it should.
Back to Group D
17/06/2000, Arnhem, 18:00 CET, Group A.
---------------------------------------
Romania 0 (0)
PORTUGAL 1 (0)
[Francisco Costinha 90]
********
REFEREE: Gilles Vessieres (France).
********
A total boredom of a game, with a completely unexpected end - when it seemed any team would
not score for 90 days, and not only 90 minutes, Luis Figo raised a free kick into the box,
and the substitute Francisco Costinha headed it in. Mind you, this happened on the 4th minute
of an injury time! Portugal has already won the group, and for Romania, currently the mission
of advancing seems to be very hard, if not impossible. Especially without Hagi, who nervously
conceded his 2nd yellow card in the tournament and will miss the English challenge.
Back to Group A
17/06/2000, Charleroi, 20:45 CET, Group A.
-------------------------------------------
ENGLAND 1 (0)
[Alan Shearer 52]
Germany 0 (0)
********
REFEREE: Pierluigi Collina (Italy).
********
The first official victory of England over Germany in 34 years (!), this time without a
linesman Taufik Bakhramov and the famous goal-no-goal of Jeff Hurst. David Beckham produced
another magic pass of his shortly after the break - his free kick passed the confusion in
the box undisturbed and landed on the head of Alan Shearer, who in his only positive deed in
the whole game caressed the ball against the movement of Oliver Kahn. The Germans were
slightly better than against Romania, but wasted all of their chances; on the other side,
Paul Scholes' volley went too high, and Oliver Kahn made another impossible trademark save of
his from the header of Michael Owen. Kevin Keegan made a mistake, substituting Owen shortly
after the goal and inviting the German attacks by retreating back, but the soccer inventors
preserved the score and have a real chance of qualifying as runners-up. Germany will most
likely be eliminated already in the group stage, for the first time since 1984, and the
German fans already chatter their teeth on the coach Erich Ribbeck.
Back to Group A
18/06/2000, Amsterdam, 18:00 CET, Group C.
-------------------------------------------
Slovenia 1 (0)
[Zlatko Zahovic 59]
SPAIN 2 (1)
[Raul Gonzales 4, Joseba Etxeberria 60]
********
REFEREE: Dr. Markus Merk (Germany).
********
The first and much expected victory of Spain - but another very decent performance of
Slovenia, which exceeds by far all the minor expectations everybody had from this surprising
team. Raul opened the score after just 4 minutes of play, with a tremendous strike from 18
meters under the right crossbar of Dabanovic (who already experienced a similar goal from
Andriy Shevchenko in a knock-out preliminary stage), but the Spaniards failed to build up
their lead. In a great Slovenian counterattack after the break, it was again the golden
Zlatko Zahovic who responded to a cross from the left side; the shot was ridiculous, too
ridiculous for Santiago Canizares to read it well, 1:1. Like in Ramat-Gan, though, the
Spaniards responded with a strike of their own while the other side was still euphoric with
celebrations. This time, it was Gaizka Mendieta who in a truly Maradona-like effort passed 4
players and laid a ball on a silver plate to Joseba Etxeberria; the latter shot a mighty flat
ball without stopping to the close corner of Dabanovic and caught the keeper off-guard.
Back to Group C
18/06/2000, Liege, 20:45 CET, Group C.
--------------------------------------
Norway 0 (0)
YUGOSLAVIA 1 (1)
[Savo Milosevic 8, Mateja Kezman RED 87]
********
REFEREE: Hugh Dallas (Scotland).
********
In not a bad game with many missed opportunities on both sides, it's possible to mention a
decisive, a beautiful and a bizarre moment. The first one happened after 8 minutes of play,
as Savo Milosevic connected to the free kick of the veteran Dragan Stojkovic and heeled the
ball from inside the box confusion to the far corner of Thomas Myhre; the Norwegian team
demanded a free kick as Milosevic allegedly grabbed Dan Eggen by a shirt, but the referee
Hugh Dallas didn't bend. The beautiful moment happened soon afterwards, as Erik Mykland found
Tore Andre Flo inside the box, and the latter curved the ball to the far corner at half a
height - the acrobatic flight of Ivica Kralj and his incredible overhead save with the
fingertips earns him "The Save Of The Tournament" award with no competitors in sight. Last
but not the least, the bizarre moment happened shortly before the end - Mateja Kezman
substituted Predrag Mijatovic, after 20 seconds nearly broke the leg of Erik Mykland and
immediately saw a justified red card from Hugh Dallas, all this without touching a ball.
Back to Group C
19/06/2000, Bruges, 20:45 CET, Group B.
---------------------------------------
TURKEY 2 (1)
[Hakan Sukur 45, 70]
Belgium 0 (0)
[Filip De Vilde RED 84]
********
REFEREE: Kim Milton Nielsson (Denmark) [Minutes 1-39].
Guenter Benko (Austria) [Minutes 40-90].
********
Another major surprise of the tournament - Turkey, the designated outsiders, crashed the
hosts on the counterattacks, eliminated them in a group stage and advanced themselves!
Several saves of Recber Rustu, including an impossible instinct to the killing header of
Emile Mpenza, as well as several extraordinary Belgian misses, were responsible for that.
The Orientals based themselves on some counterattacks, many of them stopped by the keeper
Filip De Vilde, until the bizarre mistake of the hosts' defence just before the break - a
ball was headed back to the keeper, and Hakan Sukur managed to overrun one defender, to reach
the ball before another one and also to overjump De Vilde and to head the ball home, 1:0. The
2nd goal came after a perfect counterattack in which Arif Erdem broke an offside trap and
left Sukur the ball on a golden tray. The Belgian hopes were killed completely when Filip De
Vilde knocked Arif Erdem down outside the box in a really brutal fashion - Arif was
substituted, barely conscious, and the hosts were left without the keeper. [A good decision
by the referee Guenter Benko who substituted the injured Kim Nielsson and showed he was the
man of no tolerated violence.] As all the substitutions have been used, the defender Eric
Deflandre got into the net, but he wasn't threatened.
Back to Group B
19/06/2000, Eindhoven, 20:45 CET, Group B.
-------------------------------------------
ITALY 2 (1)
[Luigi Di Biaggio 39, Alessandro Del Piero 88]
Sweden 1 (0)
[Henrik Larsson 77]
********
REFEREE: Vitor Manuel Perreira (Portugal).
********
Even without some key players, Italy still showed positive pieces of soccer in this game of
no importance for the team of Dino Zoff. Even though it was a great header save of Angelo Di
Livio from the line, as well as several great deeds of Toldo in one-to-one, it was Italy that
opened the score after a corner of Del Piero and a header of Di Biaggio. Sweden managed to
equalize through Henrik Larsson who finally broke an offside trap and overplayed Toldo in
one-to-one. And when the Swedes were pressing to get a winner which might have helped them
qualify, they overlooked a quick counterattack of Del Piero who took care of Italy collecting
all the points. Now Dino Zoff has to decide whether to prefer Del Piero or Inzaghi for the
quarterfinals - but I bet many coaches would like to have his problems.
Back to Group B
20/06/2000, Charleroi, 20:45 CET, Group A.
-------------------------------------------
England 2 (2)
[Alan Shearer 41p, Michael Owen 45]
ROMANIA 3 (1)
[Christian Chivu 22, Dorinel Munteanu 48, Ioan Ganea 87p]
********
REFEREE: Urs Meier (Switzerland).
********
I feel sorry for Kevin Keegan, a very amiable and not a talentless coach, but he's clearly to
blame for the defeat after preferring the nationally unexperienced Nigel Martin in the net to
the veteran David Seaman. Martin was badly mistaken in the first goal, misinterpreting the
cross and allowing Christian Chivu to head the ball into his close corner. Luckily for
England, Alan Shearer equalized from the penalty spot after he himself had been brought down
by Filipescu. Shortly before the break, Michael Owen broke the Romanian offside trap, the
keeper Bogdan Stelea performed a karate kick which missed both the striker and the ball, and
the wonderboy rolled it into an empty net, 2:1. England is through? 3 minutes after the break,
it was once again Nigel Martin who hesitantly intercepted the cross; Dorinel Munteanu stopped
it on his chest 18 meters from the net and fired a volley which narrowly escaped the back of
Martin Keown and the palm of a flying keeper. Both teams were attacking then in order to
break the fragile draw, and finally, it was Phil Neville with a redundant foul on Viorel
Moldovan, 3 minutes from time. The referee Urs Meier was decisive, and so was the Stuttgarter
Ioan Ganea. Romania goes through, England is out.
Back to Group A
20/06/2000, Rotterdam, 20:45 CET, Group A.
-------------------------------------------
PORTUGAL 3 (1)
[Sergio Conceicao 35, 54, 71]
Germany 0 (0)
********
REFEREE: Dick Jol (Netherlands).
********
The most awful game of Germany I remember ever - and it's pretty amazing how helpless the
team of Ribbeck looked against Portugal without Luis Figo, Joao Pinto, Vitor Baia, Rui Costa
and the rest. Hopefully for Germany, Ribbeck will have enough decency to resign immediately.
The first and only chance of the defending Champions belonged to Marco Bode, who was left
undisturbed in the box, but found just the post of Pedro Espigna. Then, Sergio Conceicao of
Lazio used a German deflection that misled Oliver Kahn to head the ball home from 1 meter.
Being injured during this deed, he managed to return to the pitch in order to become a
gravedigger for Germany - first, he shot a hopeless ball from 20 meters which Oliver Kahn
let pass between his hands (a pitiful mistake for allegedly the best keeper in the world),
and then he overplayed Kahn from inside the box. Portugal kept impressing us, and now they
have to beat Turkey in order to advance to the semifinals - mission not impossible at all.
Back to Group A
21/06/2000, Arnhem, 18:00 CET, Group C.
---------------------------------------
Slovenia 0 (0)
Norway 0 (0)
********
REFEREE: Graham Poll (England).
********
Before the game, Zlatko Zahovic stated Norway would play an embarrassing anti-football and
shouldn't advance to the quarterfinals therefore. Looking at the goal difference, it might be
true, and I was also glad that the Scandinavs lost their place to Spain at the end - but
unfortunately, the Slovenians had nothing to do with that and missed the chance to advance
themselves. In the most boring game of the tournament, Zahovic and Co. were a bit better, but
could in no way score. Ironically, Norway could feel now the disappointment of Morocco, which
it eliminated in the last minute against all odds in WC'98, 2 years ago.
Back to Group C
21/06/2000, Bruges, 18:00 CET, Group C.
---------------------------------------
Yugoslavia 3 (1)
[Savo Milosevic 31, Dejan Govedarica 51, Slavisa Jokanovic RED 63,
Slobodan Komljenovic 75]
SPAIN 4 (1)
[Alfonso Perez 38, 90, Pedro Munitis 52, Gaizka Mendieta 90p]
********
REFEREE: Gilles Vessieres (France).
********
The feast of Soccer, and the game that overshadowed even the masterpiece of Portugal and
England. Spain had to win, and for their rivals the draw would be most probably enough - but
the Yugoslavs opened the score through a header of a wonderful Savo Milosevic, after a great
cross of Ljubinko Drulovic from the left wing. Spain reacted quickly, as Raul prepared a good
shot for Alfonso in an obvious self-sacrifice, and the killer of Sevilla didn't miss. A
surprising shot of a fresh substitute Dejan Govedarica from 16 meters to the bar and in was
immediately retaliated by a surprising shot of a fresh substitute Pedro Munitis from 16
meters to the post and in. And even after the 2nd yellow card shown to Slavisa Jokanovic, the
Serbs went ahead after a flying volley of Slobodan Komljenovic. Knowing the other game's
result, Spain knew it needed 2 goals, and even the penalty, coolly converted by Gaizka
Mendieta, wasn't enough. But then, deep in an injury time, a brilliant volley of Alfonso sent
Spain into a collective orgasm and the quarterfinals. While the Norwegian fans cried on the
streets of Arnhem, and the Spanish fans flooded the streets of Madrid, Milosevic and Alfonso
shielded the referee who nevertheless got injured by the metal things thrown by frustrated
Yugoslavian fans. Those protested the dubious penalty awarded.
Back to Group C
21/06/2000, Liege, 20:45 CET, Group D.
--------------------------------------
Denmark 0 (0)
CZECH REP. 2 (0)
[Vladimir Smicer 64, 67]
********
REFEREE: Gamal El Ghandour (Egypt).
********
In a game which didn't decide much, the Danes missed several opportunities of theirs to
score, and after the break the score was opened by Vladimir Smicer, after a magnificent
preparation of Karel Poborsky. 3 minutes later on, Smicer broke an offside trap, passed
Schmeichel and rolled the ball to an empty net. A consolation victory of the Czechs who
leave the tournament too early, and a complete disappointment for the Danish team.
Back to Group D
21/06/2000, Amsterdam, 20:45 CET, Group D.
-------------------------------------------
France 2 (2)
[Christophe Dugarry 8, David Trezeguet 31]
NETHERLANDS 3 (1)
[Patrick Kluivert 14, Ronald de Boer 51, Boudewijn Zenden 59]
********
REFEREE: Andres Frisk (Sweden).
********
France decided to rest its top players, including Fabien Barthez, and it cost the World
Champions 3 points and the group victory. They still opened the score after a header of
Christophe Dugarry, but soon afterwards a solo penetration of Patrick Kluivert and a curved
shot past the hesitant Bernard Lama levelled the score. France went ahead after another
corner - the ball rolled to Patrick Vieira who volleyed it home from 18 meters, and the
touch of David Trezeguet misled Sander Westerveld. The hosts equalized again, after a great
free kick of Ronald de Boer, to which Lama reacted a fracture of a second later than needed.
The winner came from a flat mighty shot of Boudewijn Zenden, Lama reacting late as well.
Back to Group D
24/06/2000, Amsterdam, 18:00 CET, Quarterfinals.
-------------------------------------------------
Turkey 0 (0)
[Alpay Ocalan RED 29, Arif Erdem 45mp]
PORTUGAL 2 (1)
[Nuno Gomes 44, 56]
********
REFEREE: Dick Jol (Netherlands).
********
The favourite was clear before the game, and it advanced with no special difficulties. Turkey
was left in 10 men, after a retaliatory fist attack of Alpay Ocalan on Fernando Couto, and
then, after the numerous attacks of Portugal, Nuno Gomes closed well the great pass of Luis
Figo. The Turks could've equalized the score just after the opener, in an injury time of the
1st half, but Vitor Baia read well the penalty of Arif Erdem and parried it. The Turkish team
was broken, and the 2nd goal of Portugal was only a question of time - and it came from the
legs of Gomes again, after yet another preparation of Figo.
Back to Quarterfinals
24/06/2000, Brussels, 20:45 CET, Quarterfinals.
------------------------------------------------
ITALY 2 (2)
[Francesco Totti 33, Filippo Inzaghi 43]
Romania 0 (0)
[Gheorghe Hagi RED 59]
********
REFEREE: Vitor Manuel Perreira (Portugal).
********
Another clear favourite had no problems against an underdog. Both Totti and Inzaghi scored
their goals after breaking the Romanian offside trap and finishing well. The Romanians had
their best opportunity between the goals, as Hagi lobbed the ball over the mistakenly
advanced Toldo, but hit just his post; in the 2nd half, Bogdan Stelea saved incredibly to the
post a killing shot of Inzaghi. Performing a bad foul on Antonio Conte and getting only
booked for this instead of being sent off, the Romanian legend Gheorghe Hagi was sent off
later on, booked again for diving in the box! Going formally with the book, the referee was
nothing else but mean, especially in the last International match of Hagi.
Back to Quarterfinals
25/06/2000, Rotterdam, 18:00 CET, Quarterfinals.
-------------------------------------------------
Yugoslavia 1 (0)
[Savo Milosevic 90]
NETHERLANDS 6 (2)
[Patrick Kluivert 24, 38, 54, Dejan Govedarica OG 51, Marc Overmars 78, 90]
********
REFEREE: Jose-Maria Garcia Aranda (Spain).
********
The most impressive performance of the hosts that left the Yugoslavs no chances whatsoever.
Dennis Bergkamp, Marc Overmars, Ronald de Boer and Boudewijn Zenden prepared the 4 goals of
Kluivert, one of which was later on ruled as the own goal of Dejan Govedarica. (This way,
Kluivert was denied a pleasure of being the only ever 4-goals-scorer in the history of ECs.
The hattrick he has to share with Klaus Allofs, Michel Platini, Marco van Basten and Sergio
Conceicao, not a bad company to be in). When Kluivert was substituted later on, it was the
turn of Marc Overmars to strike twice more - first, from 16 meters, and then after a shot of
Bergkamp to the post. Savo Milosevic scored then a consolation goal, nearly identical to the
2nd one of Overmars, but it could only console him personally, as he still shares "The Top
Scorer List" top with Kluivert, 5 goals to each of them. If Holland goes on improving like
that, Italy should beware.
Back to Quarterfinals
25/06/2000, Bruges, 20:45 CET, Quarterfinals.
----------------------------------------------
Spain 1 (1)
[Gaizka Mendieta 38p, Raul Gonzales 89mp]
FRANCE 2 (2)
[Zinedine Zidane 32, Youri Djorkaeff 44]
********
REFEREE: Pierluigi Collina (Italy).
********
A great game with a dramatic finish as well. After several Spanish attacks, in which Fabian
Barthez showed us again his top form (especially with his acrobatic flight after a clever
one-touch lob of Raul), Zinedine Zidane opened the score on the other side with a spectacular
free kick. Spain equalized very quickly, with another converted penalty of Gaizka Mendieta -
but France had Youri Djorkaeff, whose killing shot from 15 meters to the close corner of
Canizares sent the World Champions ahead still before the break. The Spaniards tried time and
again to find an equalizer - and finally, just before the end, an incredible blunder of
Barthez gave them a penalty kick completely out of the blue. (Another great decision of
Collina). As Mendieta had been substituted by then, Raul took all the responsibility upon his
shoulders - and missed the frame with sending a ball too high! The last minute is so crucial
for the Spaniards this Championship - but not always for good. France seems ready for the
semifinals.
Back to Quarterfinals
28/06/2000, Brussels, 20:45, Semifinals.
----------------------------------------
Portugal 1 (1, 1, 1) IET
[Nuno Gomes 19, RED 116]
FRANCE 2 (0, 1, 1) IET
[Thierry Henry 51, Zinedine Zidane 116p (Golden Goal)]
********
REFEREE: Guenter Benko (Austria).
********
Another game that no European Championship would be ashamed of. France was a better team, but
Portugal opened the score in its first real attack, after a crazy-looking half-volley of
falling Nuno Gomes from 25 meters at half a height caught Barthez completely off guard.
France managed to level the score early in the 2nd half, after Thierry Henry shot a flat ball
under the confusion of legs after the pass of Nicolas Anelka, ending 392 dry minutes of Vitor
Baia in this Championship. France tried more, and Baia made a great save from the legs of
Emmanuel Petit - but the real hero was Barthez, denying marvellously a killing header of
Abel Xavier in the dying seconds and so forcing an extra-time. When it seemed the game would
go to the penalties, Xavier (after a great and also an unlucky game) touched his ball by hand
in his box. After the long arguments, the referees' consultations and the tides of decisions
taken and reversed, and a bit beforehand a red card shown to Nuno Gomes, the ball was put on
a white spot - Zinedine Zidane, after a truly magic game, curved the Golden Goal under a
right crossbar of Baia and sent his team into a final.
Back to Semifinals
29/06/2000, Amsterdam, 18:00, Semifinals.
------------------------------------------
Italy 0 (0, 0, 0) AET, 3 in penalty shoot-out
[Gianluca Zambrotta RED 33]
[Luigi Di Biagio 1:0, Gianluca Pessotto 2:0,
Francesco Totti 3:0, Paolo Maldini 3:1 (Edvin van der Sar)]
Netherlands 0 (0, 0, 0) AET, 1 in penalty shoot-out
[Frank de Boer 39mp, Patrick Kluivert 62mp]
[Frank de Boer 0:1 (Francesco Toldo), Jaap Stam 0:2 (skies),
Patrick Kluivert 1:3, Paul Bosvelt 1:3 (Francesco Toldo)]
********
REFEREE: Dr. Markus Merk (Germany).
********
Losing a bit of its glamour to a preferrable rival, as well as Gianluca Zambrotta to a 2nd
yellow card, Italy still made its way to the final. It was a determination, a right tactical
game, some clever substitutions of Dino Zoff. Most of all, it was a reliability of Cannavaro,
a good game of Iuliano and Nesta (2 caused penalties notwithstanding) and a pure genius of
Paolo Maldini, the best ever left defender in the history of Soccer. And even more than all
that - it was a remarkable duel between Francesco Toldo and the Dutch penalty takers, in
which Toldo completely devastated the hosts and eliminated them.
An early post of Bergkamp was basically the only play opportunity of the Dutch team; the
attempts of Seedorf and Kluivert were too pathetic to be mentioned. (Italy had also just one
real opportunity in the whole game, but Marco Delvecchio's shot found a long leg of Edvin van
der Sar in an extra-time). And there were the 2 penalties... It took the sharp eye and the
evil book decision of Markus Merk to award the first one, and Toldo dived like a submarine to
deny an effort of Frank de Boer. The next time, it was a brilliant decision of the referee,
and Kluivert decided to break a bad luck - and misled Toldo, but hit his right post.
Needless to say, Italy reached the shoot-out with a huge moral advantage - and the Squadra
Azzurra grew even more confident as Luigi Di Biaggio, who missed the last penalty of Italy
against France 2 years ago (WC'98), sent a bomb under his left crossbar and left no chance to
van der Sar. The great Toldo stopped a pathetic effort of Frank de Boer, and after a clever
misleading shot of Gianluca Pessotto and a shot of Stam which threatened a couple of planes,
the tendency became clear. The shot of Totti, who laid van der Sar down and then arched the
ball over the lying keeper, was already humiliating, and though Kluivert finally broke the
ice as well, the chance Holland had left was only theoretical. Van der Sar still added a
spoonful of suspense, diving extremely well to deflect a shot of Maldini - but Toldo dived
as well to parry the shot of Paul Bosvelt, and gave a final sign to tears of joy and despair.
Thousands of Italians rushed to the Trevi fountain, while Frank Rijkaard quietly stepped into
an early retirement.
Back to Semifinals
02/07/2000, Rotterdam, 20:00 CET, Final.
----------------------------------------
FRANCE 2 (0, 1, 2)
[Sylvain Wiltord 90, David Trezeguet 103 (Golden Goal)]
Italy 1 (0, 1, 1)
[Marco Delvecchio 55]
********
REFEREE: Andres Frisk (Sweden).
********
Building again on a solid defence and the counterattacks, the Italians managed to open the
score after a magnificent heel pass of Totti, a precise cross of Pessotto and an undisturbed
volley kick of Marco Delvecchio. However, they failed to build up their lead after a handful
of opportunities, and that cost them dearly. France, supported by a referee Andres Frisk who
didn't pay any attention to the deeds of Desailly and Barthez deserving red cards at least,
succeeded to equalize the score after the substitute Sylvain Wiltord rushed to the ball
before Cannavaro and shot flatly, beating the great Toldo. All that happened in the dying
seconds of the game, forcing an extra-time, and Italy was devastated after the preliminary
celebrations - even more so, when David Trezeguet hit the face of Toldo with his boot and
was just patted on the head by the referee instead of being sent off immediately. The
arrogance paid off, when the same Trezeguet connected to a perfect pass of Robert Pires and
volleyed another Golden Goal home, France becoming the first World and European Champion
simultaneously after Germany in 1972 and 1974. A huge disappointment for the perfect Italians
and their coach, the legendary Dino Zoff. A huge triumph for France and their coach Roger
Lemerre, especially in the light of his substitutes' (Wiltord, Pires and Trezeguet)
contribution. A great Championship is over, and let's hope for more beautiful Soccer in the
future.
Back to Final
THE DREAM TEAM
--------------
Francesco Toldo
(Italy)
Fabio Cannavaro Lilian Thuram Jaap Stam Paolo Maldini
(Italy) (France) (Netherlands) (Italy)
Sergio Conceicao Luis Figo Zinedine Zidane Boudewijn Zenden
(Portugal) (Portugal) (France) (Netherlands)
Patrick Kluivert Savo Milosevic
(Netherlands) (Yugoslavia)
THE PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT
----------------------------
It's hard to choose between Toldo and Zidane, perhaps impossible.
Back to Index
This page has been visited
times since August 20th, 2004.
 |
 |
| Main Page |
Soccer Page |