Euro 2012 Highlights : Czech Republic 1-0 Poland

By Ben Smith BBC Sport

Petr Jiracek scored the only goal of a scrappy game in Wroclaw to break Polish hearts and send Czech Republic into the quarter-finals as winners of Group A. The Wolfsburg midfielder poked the ball beyond Poland goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton 18 minutes from time to dump the co-hosts out of Euro 2012. Poland came into the game knowing that a win would have taken them into the last eight for the first time.

Euro 2012 highlights: Greece 1-0 Russia

By Mandeep Sanghera BBC Sport

Giorgos Karagounis scored the only goal as Greece produced a major shock to knock Russia out of Euro 2012 and seal their place in the quarter-finals. Russia had dominated the game before Karagounis pounced on a Sergei Ignashevich error to drill in a shot. Roman Shirokov had earlier been denied a penalty after claiming a push by Karagounis, who himself had a strong spot-kick shout waved away later on. Giorgos Tzavellas struck the post with a free-kick as Greece secured victory.

Euro 2012 highlights : Sweden 2-3 England

By Phil McNulty BBC Sport chief football writer in Kiev

Danny Welbeck hit a clever winner as England came from behind to beat Sweden for the first time in a competitive fixture after their Euro 2012 campaign flirted with danger in Kiev. Andy Carroll's superb first-half header allowed England to establish comfortable control - but poor defending allowed Sweden to score twice and and take the lead before the hour.

Euro 2012 highlights - Germany defeats Netherlands 2-1

Mario Gomez scored two first-half goals Wednesday to give Germany a 2-1 win over the Netherlands in one of the most anticipated showdowns of the European Championship. Robin van Persie pulled one back for the Netherlands in the second half at Kharkiv, Ukraine, but the defeat left the 2010 World Cup runner-up on the brink of elimination.

Euro 2012 Highlights : Denmark 2-3 Portugal

If only there was some over-used, catchy but not entirely accurate phrase to describe the one group in a major football tournament in which four apparently strong teams with no obvious whipping boys were drawn together, then it could almost certainly be applied to Group B in Euro 2012.

Euro 2012 - Poland and Russia fans fight before match!

Warsaw, Poland: Police used tear gas and water cannon and detained dozens of brawling football fans ahead of a key duel between old foes Poland and Russia in the Euro 2012 football championship. Police said they had detained more than a 100 unruly fans on both sides while about 10 were treated for minor injuries ahead of a match that the authorities say posed the city's "greatest ever" security challenge.

EURO 2012 Results : France vs England draw 1-1

By JEROME PUGMIRE | The Associated Press 

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• England goalkeeper Joe Hart blocks a shot by France's Samir Nasri during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group D match between France and England in …
  
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• England goalkeeper Joe Hart saves in front of France's Samir Nasri during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group D match between France and England in …
  
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• England's James Milner kicks the ball as France's Philippe Mexes watches him during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group D match between France and …
  
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• England's James Milner lies on the pitch during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group D match between France and England in Donetsk, Ukraine, Monday, …
  
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• England goalkeeper Joe Hart applauds the spectators at the end of the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group D match between France and England in Donetsk, …
  
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• during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group D match between France and England in Donetsk, Ukraine, Monday, June 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wiggles …
  
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• England's Scott Parker controls the ball as France's Alou Diarra tackles during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group D match between France and England …
  
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• France's Philippe Mexes, front right, clears a ball in front of England's Danny Welbeck, center left, and France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, right, during …
  
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• England's Steven Gerrard, left, and John Terry applaud the supporters during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group D match between France and England …
  
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  England's Jermain Defoe, right, and France's Adil Rami go for the ball during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group D match between France and England …
  

DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) France dominated England everywhere except on the scoreboard. The English held on for a 1-1 draw with France on Monday at the European Championship, giving the Group D favorites one point each. The French finished the match with 19 shots, 15 on target. England managed only three toward net.

Euro 2012 : Croatia vs Ireland highlights

 

Croatian defender Vedran Corluka (R) and Croatian forward Nikica Jelavic celebrate at the end of the Euro 2012 championships football match Republic of Ireland vs Croatia on June 10, 2012 at the Municipal Stadium in Poznan. Croatia won 3 to 1.

 

By Jonathan Fowler, Agence France Presse June 10, 2012

 

POZNAN, Poland, June 10, 2012 (AFP) — Croatia dealt a major blow to Ireland’s hopes of reaching the Euro quarter-finals beating them 3-1 in their Group C opener here on Sunday, with Mario Mandzukic scoring a double.

Keenly aware that on the road ahead lie heavyweights Italy and defending European champions Spain, both Ireland and Croatia had been clear that they needed a convincing start to the tournament.

Euro 2012 : Germany 1-0 Portugal

It took a long time coming but there was a sense of inevitability that Germany would eventually wear Portugal down. Their slow, methodical approach had failed to deliver reward and Mario Gomez was close to being withdrawn when one more patient buildup yielded a precious goal for the Bayern Munich striker and the breakthrough Germany so badly needed. Miroslav Klose, who was ready to replace Gomez, returned to the bench and Germany's Euro 2012 campaign was up and running.

Euro 2012 highlights : Netherlands 0-1 Denmark

By Owen Phillips BBC Sport

Michael Krohn-Dehli's expertly taken first-half strike earned Denmark a shock win against a Netherlands side who missed a host of chances. Krohn-Dehli drifted away from two defenders to fire home the winner. But the Dutch dominated only to waste numerous efforts, with Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie the main culprits.

Euro 2012 Highlights : Russia 4-1 Czech Republic

By Neil Johnston BBC Sport

Russia produced a powerful performance as two goals by Alan Dzagoev helped dismantle Czech Republic in their opening Euro 2012 game. Dzagoev gave Dick Advocaat's side the lead with a shot after Aleksandr Kerzhakov headed against the post. Roman Shirokov made it 2-0 with a chip following good work by Andrey Arshavin. Vaclav Pilar reduced the deficit before two thunderous finishes by Dzagoev and substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko completed the rout.

Euro 2012 highlights : Poland 1-1 Greece

By Saj Chowdhury BBC Sport

 
Poland and Greece both had a man sent off as an eventful opening match of Euro 2012 ended in a draw. Robert Lewandowski headed Poland into the lead before Greece's woes continued with the sending off of Sokratis Papastathopoulos before the break. Dimitris Salpingidis fired in the equaliser after the restart before he was brought down by keeper Wojciech Szczesny, who was shown a straight red.

Euro 2012 - Hodgson says we can match France

England manager Roy Hodgson insists he will get a team on the pitch that will give France a game in the Euro 2012 opener in Donetsk next Monday. Hodgson has lost three important members of his squad through injury, while also being lambasted by Rio Ferdinand's representative over the Manchester United man's omission. He will hope the dust settles quickly to allow him to concentrate on preparing his team to meet the in-form French, who took their unbeaten run to 21 by beating Estonia on Sunday.

Poland puts final touches to Euro 2012

WARSAW: Exactly one week before Euro 2012 kicks off, tournament co-host Poland is gearing up to welcome almost one million foreign football fans within its borders. With its brand-new stadiums built and huge fanzones ready to welcome  ticketless supporters, Poland is dotting its i’s and crossing its t’s before  the launch of the quadrennial football showcase.
 

Euro 2012 - What to see in Poland’s host cities

The Golden Gate in Gdansk is not to be missed.

LONDON, May 22 — As first-time hosts of football’s Euro tournament, running from June 8 to July 1, Poland and Ukraine are preparing to welcome millions of visitors to their respective countries. Poland’s four major cities — Warsaw, Gdansk, Poznan and Wroclaw — will be the site of numerous matches. A short guide on the cities’ top tourist sites. 

Slaven Bilic to step down as Croatia manager after Euro 2012

Slaven Bilic has announced he will step down as coach of Croatia's national team after Euro 2012. The 43-year-old confirmed the news at a press conference today to unveil a provisional 27-man squad for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Spain can win Euro 2012 without Puyol

Madrid: Talismanic Barcelona defender Carles Puyol's likely absence from the Spanish national team due to injury is a big setback but the squad can still win Euro 2012, Spain captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas said yesterday. "Puyol is a very important player, especially because of the charisma that he has with other players," Casillas told reporters, adding the defender's injury was a "major setback".

Poland's Euro 2012 stadium clears new hurdle

By Jonathan Fowler (AFP) 

 

WARSAW — Poland's national stadium, where Euro 2012 kicks off in two months, cleared a new hurdle on Tuesday with its first ever club game, pitting Polish league leaders Legia Warsaw against Spanish side Sevilla.

The friendly, which ended 2-0 for the Spanish side, was seen by the stadium management as a way for the staff to hone their skills. Drawing 20,000 supporters, it followed the 58,000-capacity arena's February 29 footballing debut, a sell-out friendly between Poland and Portugal that was hailed as a logistical success.

Euro 2012: Racism, anti-Semitism concerns linger in Poland, Ukraine

By Matt Brooks

 

Racism remains a very real problem in European soccer despite widespread campaigns to quash its presence from the world’s most popular sport. But from former England national team captain John Terry to Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, instances of on-field racism remain while rabid fanbases too frequently resort to racist chants and taunts to degrade opposing players and their fans. It’s a troubling reality for a sport build on its global appeal — and its one organizers for the upcoming European Championships must be prepared to tackle.

 

Cheap Trains for Russia's Euro 2012 Fans

Russian fans traveling by train to Ukraine and Poland for Euro 2012 are to get cut-price tickets under an agreement announced Saturday by state-owned Russian Railways. The continent's top national team competition is June 8 to July 1, with matches in the Polish cities of Warsaw, Wroclaw, Gdansk and Poznan; and the Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv, Lviv, Donetsk and Kiev.

Euro 2012 - Balotelli says sorry for red card

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has apologised for his red card at Arsenal on Sunday and says he should not be punished by Cesare Prandelli. The 21-year-old was sent off in the dying seconds of Easter Sunday's 1-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium for clattering into Bacary Sagna, after earlier getting away with a knee-high challenge on Gunners midfielder Alex Song.

Whitehead backs Stoke star for Euro 2012 call

By Sportsmail Reporter

Stoke midfielder Dean Whitehead believes there are few strikers in the top flight better than Peter Crouch at the moment. Crouch headed home the winner from Jermaine Pennant's free-kick in the Potters' 2-1 home victory over Wolves on Saturday to take his goal tally for the campaign to 13 in all competitions.

Euro 2012 in Ukraine and Poland – what to expect from the host venues

By garethmcknight on April 5th, 2012

With Euro 2012 just round the corner, the footballing world will have their eyes on Ukraine and Poland this summer. With Europe’s leading nations competing in June and July, fans and supporters from across the continent and further afield will descend upon the eastern European nations.

However, despite the hosts having some sway in the European game, many fans from the United Kingdom and western Europe will never have been to Ukraine or Poland; here is a definitive guide of where, what and when:

Euro 2012 still a distant dream for Bent

By ESPN staff

Aston Villa striker Darren Bent is on the road to recovery but remains unsure whether he will be fit enough to challenge for a Euro 2012 place. Ruled out for the rest of the domestic season, Bent has begun rehabilitation work after undergoing ankle surgery at the beginning of March.

Poland lacks foreign hooligan list for Euro 2012

WARSAW — Euro 2012 host Poland lacks a database of foreign hooligans banned from stadiums in their homelands, raising the risk of trouble at the looming tournament, monitors warned on Tuesday.

Poland's National Audit Chamber (NIK) said the issue was a cause for concern just two months before the 16-nation European football championships, co-hosted with neighbouring Ukraine, kicks off in the capital Warsaw.

Orange Signs Up Sony Mobile as Handset Partner for UEFA EURO 2012™

If you hadn’t noticed there is a big sporting event in London this summer, but another tournament is also taking place before the Olympic baton is handed over in July.

In June UEFA EURO 2012™ kicks off (boom-boom!) in the Ukraine and Poland, and official sponsor Orange has announced that Sony Mobile will be the global handset partner for the event. The two companies will be running online competitions, in-store promotions, and live events giving football fans hundreds of opportunities to win tickets to the games, Xperia smartphones and ‘other great gifts’.

Ox not thinking about Euro 2012

By ESPN staff

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain believes the success of young English talent at Arsenal bodes well for England, but he insists he is not thinking about his chances of playing at Euro 2012.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has impressed this season since his arrival at the club in the summer, while Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs have also been key members in the Gunners' Premier League campaign.