Johannesburg ready for 2009

With almost six months left before the opening game of the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009, the spotlight has now shifted to Johannesburg, the city that will host the tournament's opening game between the hosts and Asian champions, Iraq on 14 June.

Now preparations are underway by the city to create a lasting impression to the scores of visitors who are likely to make the trip to the tip of the African continent to watch the eight top teams as they battle for supremacy in the FIFA Confederations Cup.

So much, rightly or wrongly, has been said and written about Johannesburg but the FIFA Confederations Cup will afford the city a unique platform to market and position themselves as a favourable destination to the scores of visitors expected to flock in the country to watch the world's biggest sporting extravaganza.

"We want to change the misconception some people have about our city, we want showcase to the rest of the world exactly what Johannesburg is capable of doing. I'm confident that we will make the right impression to our visitors," Johannesburg 2010 executive director, Sibongile Mazibuko told FIFA.com.

A double opportunity
It seems as though there is a dual incentive to do well in ‘Joburg'. Bafana Bafana are hoping to win the game against Iraq to give the team greater confidence, while the city also wants to show the world what it is capable of achieving.

Although the recent draw for the Confederations Cup held at Sandton City in Johannesburg went without any hitches, its citizens will realised that they will be even more under the microscope come June 2009.

"People of Johannesburg are very excited about both the Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We understand the work that goes behind organising an event like the Confederations Cup and we are therefore preparing for all situations," said Mazibuko.

"We have already identified places where we will have public viewing facilities because we know that not everyone will get a ticket inside the stadium. This is an African event and we want to make sure that our people get to experience both events."

A vibrant city
Johannesburg is home to the country's biggest football outfits, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

The city has attracted some major international events over recent years, including the forthcoming Miss World gala, something the organisers believe will raise Johannesburg's profile to the rest of the world as its official seek to bolster its claim as being South Africa's main city during the 2009 and 2010 FIFA events.

Last week, Johannesburg hosted the Soccerex exhibition attended by hundreds of footballing executives from different countries and in the past, Johannesburg has played host to both the 1995 Rugby World Cup and the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup.

football home - Bloemfontein: SA

‘Welcome to Bloemfontein, the city of roses,' reads a bold signage as you approach the beautiful artistic city in Mangaung.

The introduction's irony is, besides the dry vegetation that is paraded along the roadside, the only blossoming flowers you are likely to encounter are in the city centre - and even there, they are in a clear minority.

But maybe the signage's creators had their mind on the city's colourful football supporters, often clad in green-and-white hoops of Bloemfontein Celtic, who you will encounter on almost every street corner, irrespective of whether it is a match day. Such is the penchant for the sport that it is, locals will attest, firmly part of the culture.

Situated at the heart of the country, Bloemfontein has transformed itself into a preferred football destination over the past few years, and South Africa will be banking on the excitement consistently generated there to flavour the FIFA Confederations Cup in six month's time. Indeed, Bloemfontein is one of four Host Cities for the competition, along with Johannesburg, Rustenburg and Pretoria/ Tshwane.

Plans are already afoot to raise Bloemfontein's appeal, which include engaging locals in adopting some of the teams who will play their games at the replenished Free State Stadium. "We are satisfied with the upgrading of our stadium and we are looking forward in hosting the football giants and our Bafana Bafana," George Mohlakoana, Mangaung's CEO for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, told FIFA.com.

"Recently we hosted the tour of the world agencies and the feedback we got was very positive. Everyone was impressed with what we have achieved so far. We are not resting, we are working around the clock to make sure we meet all stipulated demands, including IT&T services required for the stadium media centre and outside broadcasting."

Bloemfontein is the capital of the Free State province and also acts as the judicial capital of South Africa. Its city hall is a magnificent sandstone building built by Sir Gordon Leith, and Bloemfontein also has an inner game reserve. The Free State is bordered by four of South Africa's nine provinces, and the country of Lesotho. It has a wealth of culture and history, reflected by its rich architectural heritage, numerous museums and monuments.

The Free State Stadium has hosted major football and rugby union matches before, and Bloemfontein's natives are renowned for their passion for both sports. While the former played second fiddle to the latter for decades, football's popularity explosion - aided by the emergence of Bloemfontein Celtic - is changing this.

The Celtic fans are known as Siwelele, a Sotho term. Sotho is one of the 11 official languages in South Africa and, along with Afrikaans, the most-spoken in the Free State, although English is also widely used. Free State Stars, formerly Qwa-Qwa Stars, are another established team from the area.

A big season for...Michael Tonge - football

No longer merely a promising youngster, midfielder Michael Tonge enters the new season at Sheffield United with nearly 300 appearances under his belt for the Blades.

Now 25-years-old, Tonge came to prominence during an unforgettable 2002/03 season at Bramall Lane as part of the United side that reached two cup semi-finals (netting twice against Liverpool in the league cup semi-final 1st leg) and also came within one game of reaching the Premiership.

Since then his name has regularly cropped up in the transfer gossip pages, something that has not changed this summer with Sunderland in particular named as a potential suitor.

Tonge remains in South Yorkshire however and although his loyalty to the Blades is commendable, the nagging doubt remains that no top-flight club has been sufficiently convinced of his qualities to make a bid that cannot be turned down.

His one season in the Premier League of course saw Sheffield United relegated and like a number of his team-mates, Tonge appeared to be feeling the hangover of that during the first-half of the 2007/08 campaign.

The arrival of Kevin Blackwell revived his fortunes to an extent although a return of only 1 goal during the season was a disappointment.

Now approaching what should be his peak years as a footballer, Tonge will be expected to spearhead a promotion push at Bramall Lane this time around and ensure, whether that is succesful or not, that he is playing top-flight football in the 2009/10 season.

Teething troubles for Rangers ahead of European return

Luton Town go into 2008/09 with a 30 point deduction, unless any of their appeals fall on sympathetic ears. If that penalty stays it begs the question of who would part with money to watch the Hatters next season?

The Football League hierarchy might not have noticed the credit crunch but it's a fair bet that most Luton fans- and crucially their casual followers -have. With spending constricted how many irregular football fans are going to spend their cash watching a team effectively condemned to the drop from August?

Simple geography makes it plain that Luton is in a position to offer many other football options- indeed the League itself plonked a rival club up the road in Milton Keynes.

No one doubts that there were irregularities at Kenilworth Road but the penalties being paid are positively draconian. The League are giving no incentive to the consortium that have taken over the club- or what was left to take over. Presumably the League administrators are cushioned by the knowledge that there are many full-time professional outfits in the Blue Square Premier these days, only too happy to step into the breach.

Luton fans are innocent in this, as were Leeds and Rotherham fans before them, yet they are expected to turn up and pay hard-earned money to watch a competition stacked against them from the start. The diehards wll be there but the next generation and the occasional supporter will be somewhere else every Saturday- and promising young players won't sign contracts with the Hatters, threatening their long-term stability.

Brian Mahwinney claims to protect the 'integrity of their competitions' but in what sense are Luton, now consigned to League Two, trying to gain an advantage at the moment? The 20/20 group is trying to save soccer in Luton not trying to flout rules and extract money from the game.

If the League falls back on the 'rules are rules' argument then the rules are stupid if they continue to penalise a club years after the initial errors were made and the perceived attempt to gain an unfair advantage was happening Luton are two divisions down from where they were so it's hardly been a cunning master plan.

If the League are indifferent to Luton's plight and are sanguine that another club can just be admitted to replace them then they should just say so and we can be spared any crocodile tears about balancing the needs of fans against wider considerations.

The fact is most football fans- even those whose clubs can benefit from the deduction- believe the punishment of Luton has gone too far and is making a farce of the competition whose integrity the league is defending.

If the League is concerned at the number of clubs falling into financial adminstration it might look back on the part it played in ITV Digital fiasco when any knowedgable fan could have told them that the sums promised to clubs from that deal were ridiculous and bound to break down.

Draw a line under the saga from here on in, put an amnesy in place for the current crisis clubs and limit deductions to 10 points in future, or relegation for more serious situations. At least then the demoted sides have a chance to survive and the 'integrity' of the competition is preserved.

Teething troubles for Rangers ahead of European return

Just a matter of weeks after their epic UEFA Cup run ended in defeat at the hands of Zenit St Petersburg, Rangers are back in European action at the end of July with a Champions League qualifier against either Kaunas of Lithuania or Santa Coloma, the champions of Andorra.

Walter Smith moved quickly after the double blow of defeat in Manchester and Celtic's SPL title win to beef up his side's attacking options, signing Kenny Miller from Derby County, Kyle Lafferty from Burnley and former Hearts striker Andrius Velicka.

The transfer trail has since gone cold however with Rangers' status in Scotland and on the European stage counting for little it seems against the backdrop of an increasingly wealthy Premier League and Championship in England.

Fulham's £4m valuation of midfielder Steven Davis has halted progress on a deal for the Northern Ireland man while Watford's Danny Shittu talked himself out a move to Ibrox this week with some hefty wage demands.

That leaves Smith short of bodies in midfield and at the back, a situation worsened by the pre-season injury blow suffered by skipper Barry Ferguson.

And although his options have increased in attack, the return of Miller to his former club (via Celtic) has caused problems, with reports of a negative reaction from some fans during the pre-season tour of Germany.

Star men such as Allan McGregor and Carlos Cuellar remain though, with one of the financial upshots of last season's heroics being that Rangers have not had to fend off too much interest in their key men.

McGregor and Cuellar will again be important figures while David Weir will again be asked to defy his age at the heart of the defence.

Early progress in the Champions League shouldn't be too much of a mission but Smith knows his side need a fast start in the SPL to blow away the demons of the final few weeks of last season.

Increasing the size and quality of his squad is a must if that aim is to be squared with matching Celtic's achievements in reaching the last 16 of the European Cup.

They think it’s all over… It is for the time being!

Euro 2008 is over, pre season transfers have begun in earnest, and as the footballing brains of Europe settle down to the domestic season, and the distant thoughts of qualifying for World Cup 2010, it is with some reluctance we leave behind the fervour of the last few weeks. We’ve seen some magnificent football, skills that would befit any of the world’s great stages, and some truly breathtaking solo performances.

One can only relent that the fluid, free-flowing football of the Dutch was cut short in the Quarter Finals, but who could deny the plucky Russians their dues. Turkey summed up the spirit of do-or-die heroic comebacks, and Spain led from first to last with a sublime team of precociously talented individuals.

It’s been hectic, but on behalf of myself and Tom, I can thoroughly say we’ve enjoyed every minute of this tournament. We’d like to thank you all for getting involved with us over the last few weeks. From the casual reader email, to the comment hungry amongst you, those who have posted about us, or simply downloaded the wall-chart – thanks!

And for anyone pining for an excellent way to fill the next few weeks before the domestic season kicks off again, why not get involved in Ole Ole’s exciting new development. Starting the week of 21 July, their Fantasy Football game features 6 different leagues including an exclusive European Super League that combines all the top European leagues in one game so you can pick players from any of the top clubs in Europe and put them in a single team. Fans have the opportunity to manage a team of players from the 2008/09 Bundesliga, English Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A.

Awesome – oh and it’s free, it’s fun, and it’s competitive (with prizes to be won)… So sign up now, and we’ll see you soon.

Aragonés gets it right for overdue win

If the talent was always there for Spain to lift a major trophy – and their record of perennially winning youth tournaments suggests that is true – then by sheer logic there must have been key differences in this shimmering squad that allowed them to take UEFA EURO 2008™ by storm.

Change of attitude
First, factor in a magnificent coach. Many will forget that Spain entered the finals with their media grumbling about the nature of two friendly victories over Peru and the United States. All the while, however, Luis Aragonés was refining his team, deciding that Marcos Senna, not Xabi Alonso, would start, and continuing the process of educating his troops. The message was: if you can play well and win, all the better, but if you cannot play well for any given reason, then win anyway. When that lesson was put into practice it produced a seismic shift in Spanish football – achieved by a 69-year-old who knew better than everyone else.

'Not much football'
When Sir Bobby Robson was coach of FC Barcelona, he would always cite the day his side scored seven times in a home win only to be greeted by the headline: "Lots of goals but not much football". It was endemic in Spanish soccer that winning was not enough and so the national team often defeated itself in search of style to go with victory. Aragonés taught differently and Spain bought the logic. Next came the realisation that if you are more technically skilled, fitter and more united than your opponents – and have the game already won – then you can add the brio and dash which Spain supplied in buckets and which prompted claims they now play 'total' football.

Right decisions
The engine for Spain's mighty victory in Vienna came from a run of 22 unbeaten matches since 2006, with confidence and attitude growing by the month. But this had to be fuelled by Aragonés making correct decision after correct decision. The starting lineup was always right, with the substitutes wisely chosen and introduced at the appropriate time. For example, midfielder Cesc Fàbregas was one of the players of the tournament yet he started only two games. And even though this was at the end of a long, hard club season, Aragonés chose to use double training sessions every three or four days – was it a coincidence, then, that Spain finished more strongly than every opponent?

Sweet harmony
Moreover, in an echo of Italy's 2006 FIFA World Cup triumph, an already harmonious atmosphere in the camp was enhanced by the courteous treatment of the press and the symbiotic relationship that developed out of this. Central to everything, though, was the unity within Aragonés's 23-man selection – whether it was because of those that were absent, or just pure luck that the group were perfectly suited to one another, their togetherness was the spring to success at crucial moments.

Perfect blend
Goalkeeper Iker Casillas and midfielder Xavi Hernández had told euro2008.com that the intense pressure of delivering for the senior national team could undo a Spanish title charge, as so many times before. Here in Austria and Switzerland, however, La Furia Roja turned potential into power, and this strength proved irresistible. There was harmony in the squad, the coach was the unquestioned leader, the media were onside, and the nation understood that Spain would play the Aragonés way. And here, the coach was fortunate to have wonderful individual players to bring his own work to fruition: Casillas, the leader and penalty saver; Fernando Torres, the worker who made the difference in the final; David Villa, the tournament top scorer; the inimitable Fàbregas; and talented youngsters such as David Silva, Andrés Iniesta and Santi Cazorla.

Golden boys
Some had honed their skills in the UEFA Champions League, others had toughened up in England's Premier League. However they got there, though, they formed a golden generation for Spanish fooball, with plenty more vibrant young talents already knocking at the door. This could be just the beginning, and if so, what a wonderful way to start.

Xavi emerges as EURO's top man

Spain midfielder Xavi Hernández has been named the Castrol Player of the Tournament for UEFA EURO 2008™ after his stirring displays helped his country to the title.

Technicians' approval
The 28-year-old FC Barcelona player appeared in five matches at the finals, scoring once in the semi-final against Russia, as Spain earned their first major international success since beating the Soviet Union to win the 1964 UEFA European Championship. His ability to dictate the pace of the game from midfield brought him to the attention of the UEFA Technical Team who decide upon the Castrol Player of the Tournament, taking into account votes from the public. UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh said: "We chose him because we think he epitomises the Spanish style of play. He was extremely influential in the whole possession, passing, penetrating kind of game that Spain played."

Growing reputation
The 1-0 final victory over Germany in Vienna marked Xavi's 63rd cap for Spain since his debut – made together with team-mate Carles Puyol – against the Netherlands on 15 November 2000. He had been an unused squad player with Spain at UEFA EURO 2004™ in Portugal but was a first-team regular by the time of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, and showed maturity and no small amount of brilliance in Austria and Switzerland.

Spain celebrate after the Euro 2008 final

Spain's Sergio Ramos, Cesc Fabregas and Xabi Alonso, from right, celebrate after the Euro 2008 final between Germany and Spain in the Ernst-Happel stadium in Vienna, Austria, Sunday, July 29, 2008, the last day of the European Soccer Championships in Austria and Switzerland. Spain defeated Germany 1-0.

Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger lies on the pitch

Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger lies on the pitch (not with his girlfriend) after the Euro 2008 final between Germany and Spain in the Ernst-Happel stadium in Vienna, Austria, Sunday, July 29, 2008, the last day of the European Soccer Championships in Austria and Switzerland. Spain defeated Germany 1-0.
(AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)

Spain wins first major in 44 years

By BARRY WILNER, AP Sports Writer

Spain made sure it didn’t disappoint any of its fans Sunday night, both during its 1-0 victory over Germany to win the European Championship, and after it.

Fernando Torres scored in the 33rd minute and the Spaniards never backed down against such a formidable opponent. Their last significant title came in the 1964 Euros at home.

“It is to me the most important day in Spanish football in many, many years,” Torres said.

Against the highly accomplished Germans, the Spaniards weren’t intimidated. They got the one goal they needed—from a slumping striker, no less—and set off chants of “ES-PANA!” and “Ole, Ole Ole!” at the final whistle.

The entire Spanish squad ran over to the huge rooting section of red and gold, exchanging hugs, while many of the spent Germans collapsed to the turf.


When Spain goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas accepted the trophy on a stage, the Spanish fans began chanting the melody to their national anthem, which has no words. Thousands of camera flashes went off as the players jumped in place, then headed onto the field to show off their prize.

The Spaniards weren’t close to finished with their celebration that was so long in the making. They marched to their rooting section, hoisting the cup and saluting their flag-waving, firecracker-exploding fans.

“We have won in a brilliant way,” coach Luis Aragones said. “We will be able to start saying we can win, a European championship as well as any other thing.”

In beating a team that makes a habit of appearing in championship finals, the Spaniards put to rest a reputation for underachieving. Always loaded with talented players, Spain has spent four decades falling short of expectations.

That all changed at these Euros, where the Spaniards swept their first-round games, eliminated World Cup champion Italy in a penalty-kicks shootout in the quarterfinals, then routed Russia 3-0 in the semifinals.

“We played the best for the entire tournament and we beat some great teams,” Torres said. “We beat Italy, the World Cup champion, and we beat Russia and now Germany. That is how you become champion.”

Germany has won three Euros and three World Cups, but was no match in this final. Captain Michael Ballack, questionable before the game with a calf injury, started, but hardly was noticeable—except when he left for several minutes to have a bloody right eye treated.

“We had a great tournament, but made one mistake too many,” Ballack said. “We were lacking of power against a great Spanish team. We couldn’t keep up with them.”

Torres, who had 33 goals for Liverpool this season but has been invisible in Euros, came through off a brilliant feed from Xavi Hernandez.

Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, at 38 the oldest player in the competition, charged from his net when he saw that defender Philipp Lahm was beaten on the right side. But Torres chipped the ball over the sliding Lehmann and into the gaping goal.

The crowd of 51,428 at Ernst Happel Stadium, split almost equally between Germany and Spain, might have expected the Spaniards to go into a protective shell. Instead, and even without leading scorer David Villa (leg injury), they continued to carry the attack and were far more dangerous than Germany the rest of the way.


Spain's Sergio Ramos, Cesc Fab…

AP - Jun 29, 6:28 pm EDT
Indeed, Lehmann, who helped the Germans to third place in the 2006 World Cup, kept it close with several tough saves.

This was the last game for 69-year-old Aragones, the oldest coach to win the Euros.

“The most important thing about our team, perhaps, is the manager,” Torres said. “He has confidence in us and he lets us play. We have brought him the championship in his last game for Spain and we are very happy we could make this history for him and for us.”

Germany’s Joachim Loew has a contract through the 2010 World Cup, but will need to find the spark Germany showed only periodically in Austria and Switzerland.

“Spain played very well during the whole tournament. and they were technically excellent,” Loew said. “They fully deserve victory.”

A crowd of about 68,000 packed Vienna’s downtown fan zone to watch the final, police said. In Germany, flags fluttered from balconies and car antennas across the country. In Berlin, an estimated 400,000 fans watched the game on large outdoor screens.

Spain has never made a World Cup final and was in one other Euros final, aside from the 1964 triumph. That was a loss to France in 1984.

Otherwise, there had been nothing but disappointment and early exits from big tournaments. Two years ago, the Spaniards were dynamic in the opening round in Germany, then fizzled against France.

With two of the world’s top clubs, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, the nation has tons of talent. What it has lacked is fortitude.

No one can say that anymore.

Torres ends Spain's long wait for glory

Spain became European champions for the second time after Fernando Torres's first-half goal in Vienna proved enough to defeat Germany in the final of UEFA EURO 2008™.

History an inspiration
Spain had won their only previous piece of silverware in this competition in 1964 and had not been beyond the quarter-finals of any tournament in 24 years, yet Luis Aragonés's men chose to use that history as an inspiration rather than a burden. After a strong start from Germany, seeking a fourth title themselves, Spain were the more dangerous side throughout an entertaining final at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion although it took just one goal – in the 33rd minute, courtesy of Torres's pace, perseverance and unerring finish – to end their long wait.

Ballack boost
Germany received a significant boost before kick-off with captain Michael Ballack included despite a much-publicised calf problem, and, perhaps buoyed by that news, Joachim Löw's team settled quickly. Much had been made of the contrast in style between the sides yet in the opening exchanges it was Germany whose passing looked crisper, Miroslav Klose and Thomas Hitzlsperger failing to make the most of glimpses of goal. Meanwhile Spain, shorn of four-goal leading scorer David Villa due to a thigh injury, struggled to find their feet in a new 4-5-1 formation in which Cesc Fàbregas was rewarded for a fine semi-final display with a starting place.

Instinctive stop
As an indicator of the pattern of the match, however, Germany's bright beginning proved misleading. Spain soon worked their way into the contest, with Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann – becoming, at 38, the oldest player to appear in a UEFA European Championship final – forced into action for the first time in the 14th minute. Although his instinctive save came when his own defender, Christoph Metzelder, inadvertently deflected Andrés Iniesta's cross towards his own goal, Xavi Hernández's fine through pass had unpicked the Germany defence and showed the Spanish were finding their feet.

Torres on target
Right-back Sergio Ramos was then allowed to cut inside and deliver a deep cross, Torres peeling away from Per Mertesacker to create space for the header only for the right-hand post to come to Lehmann's rescue. The warning signs were there for Germany, yet they failed to heed them and duly fell behind three minutes past the half-hour. Again Xavi was the architect, playing a pass in behind the Germany back line towards Torres, who outmuscled a hesitant Philipp Lahm and clipped the ball over the diving Lehmann and just inside the far post. David Silva then volleyed over Iniesta's cross when given time and space inside the area as Spain threatened to increase their lead.

Spain openings
Spain had more openings in the early stages of the second half, Lehmann getting the merest of touches to Xavi's low shot before Ramos nearly guided in Silva's drive from the resulting corner. Yet a hint of the threat Germany still posed arrived on the hour, substitute Marcell Jansen and Bastian Schweinsteiger combining for Ballack to shoot centimetres wide. Klose then deflected a Schweinsteiger effort past the post and, in response to Germany's renewed menace, Spain coach Aragonés promptly introduced Xabi Alonso and Santi Cazorla in place of Fàbregas and Silva. The switches reinvigorated Spain instantly, Lehmann making smart stops from Ramos and Iniesta while Torsten Frings blocked another Iniesta effort on the line.

Celebrations
As the final moved into the last 20 minutes, Spain had had seven shots on goal to Germany's one, but with the Mannschaft having turned virtually one in two of their attempts on target into goals en route to the final, that would have been scant consolation to Aragonés and his side. In the event, however, it was Spain who continued to carve out chances as the match reached its conclusion, Marcos Senna narrowly failing to apply the finishing touch to an unselfish header from substitute Daniel Güiza – but the celebrations would not be delayed much longer.

Vienna Fan Zone nears million mark

The official UEFA EURO 2008™ Fan Zone in Vienna is expecting its millionth visitor on Sunday as supporters gather for the final between Germany and Spain.
Huge numbers
In addition, organisers hope the four million mark for Fan Zones across Austria and Switzerland will be broken before the end of the tournament to cap a great success, despite the rain. In Vienna, over 950,000 fans have already visited the Fan Zone helping to create a great atmosphere. "The Fan Zone project has been very successful and the atmosphere has been extraordinary," said Alan Ridley, head of sponsorship and event promotion for UEFA.

Atmosphere
The eight official Fan Zones have not only delivered some impressive figures but also helped create the positive feeling that surrounds the tournament. There has been entertainment aside from the football with over 500 different acts helping fans get in the mood and some 5,300 journalists have visited the Fan Zones to report on the atmosphere. If there was a title for European fan champions it would probably go to the Netherlands, with over 400,000 Dutch fans converging on Berne and Basel for their four games, meaning they accounted for ten per cent of all visitors. The running grand total of Fan Zone visitors after the Russia-Spain semi-final was just 200,000 shy of four million.

Fenerbahçe trio come good for Turkey

Six months ago, if anyone had suggested that Semih Şentürk, Kazım Kazım or Uğur Boral would start for Turkey in a UEFA EURO 2008™ semi-final against Germany, the identity of the trio would have been considered even more unlikely than Fatih Terim's squad getting to Wednesday's showdown in Basel at all.
Record run
Of the trio, only striker Semih even took part in qualifying and he and the two wingers had amassed just ten caps between them when the year began. Yet Terim named the three in his finals squad ahead of the likes of record cap-holder Hakan Şükür, and that they are being given such a responsibility has more than a little to do with Fenerbahçe SK's own European heroics this season. They had never previously progressed past the UEFA Champions League group stage but FC Internazionale Milano, PSV Eindhoven, PFC CSKA Moskva and Sevilla FC were all defeated before Fenerbahçe fell to Chelsea FC – and even then the eventual runners-up were beaten 2-1 in Istanbul as Fenerbahçe equalled Galatasaray AS's 2000/01 quarter-final run, propelling some new names into Terim's thoughts.

Uğur return
Uğur had won seven caps in 2006 after showing promise at Gençlerbirligi SK, but following his move to Fenerbahçe that summer he endured a difficult campaign. That all changed this term when he was given a UEFA Champions League debut against CSKA in December, and in a brilliant performance scored twice in a 3-2 win, ensuring himself a regular starting position and, by February, a Turkey recall. Semih, meanwhile, had already netted against PSV in November having received his long-awaited chance in Mateja Kežman's absence. But even when the Serbian striker returned, Semih began to score regularly as a substitute, most crucially striking the late winner in a 3-2 success against Sevilla. He has carried that habit into the EURO – having registered just once for Turkey beforehand, he has added two more with the equalisers against Switzerland and Croatia.

Swift rise
As for Kazım Kazım, little over a year ago he had just been relegated from the Premier League with Sheffield United FC under his English name Colin Kazim-Richards. Yet a memorable summer brought a surprise transfer to Fenerbahçe and a Turkey debut against Brazil. It was when he came off the bench to equalise in the 2-1 win against Chelsea in April, however, that the 21-year-old truly gained an international profile, becoming a regular starter. Terim soon recalled him and has used him in all four finals games.

Hunger
The coach has no qualms about such inexperienced players taking on such burdens against Germany. "Before coming here, I was asked if experience was important or hunger for success and I said hunger was important," he said. "They are young but hungry and this is what the team is benefiting from. I have been using Kazım since the beginning of the tournament and he is of a nature where he can control his excitement, and tomorrow we can make use of those players. They are young but I do not consider it a disadvantage as the dynamism you get from them is just as important and can benefit the team."

EURO bonus for Vienna

Aside from the many other benefits that come with staging an event like UEFA EURO 2008™, host city Vienna has already received a significant economic boost.
'Massive exposure'
The Ernst-Happel-Stadion still has two more matches to hold – the last-four clash between Spain and Russia and the final – but already the benefits of staging the tournament have become apparent. "Vienna has never had so much exposure in the media, both as the ideal host city as well as a great destination away from football," said Vienna's financial and economic city council Renate Brauner. "It has helped the city's tourism campaign invaluably."

A full house
Tourism director Norbert Kettner added: "Vienna's 47,000 beds have been almost fully booked since the beginning of the tournament. And the demand has risen consistently since the group stage match between Austria and Germany. There are only a few rooms still available for the semi-final and final." The city's authorities feel EURO has opened the door for thousands of people from different nations to experience all that Vienna has to offer, and the Austrian capital is likely to feel the benefits for years to come.

Final destination just a step away

If the quarter-finals are anything to go by, we should be in for quite a ride later this week when Germany play Turkey and Russia face Spain in the UEFA EURO 2008™ semi-finals.
Surprises
Few would have backed Turkey and Russia to reach the last four after both kicked off with opening-day defeats, but in a tournament of surprises they will have belief in their ability to go all the way. Fatih Terim's Turkey may be depleted by injuries and suspensions but they have proved their resilience with remarkable victories in their last three matches. They will aim to overturn the odds against Germany also, in Basel on Wednesday.

Rematch
Spain have already beaten Russia once in these finals, although coach Luis Aragonés will know not to expect another 4-1 success when the teams meet again in Vienna on Thursday. Russia have won three straight games to get there and the imperious way in which they brushed the Netherlands aside on Saturday suggests Guus Hiddink's side will not be going into the rematch with an inferiority complex. Who do you think is going through and why? Let us know below.

Zidane's expert eye on EURO

He is watching a tournament for the first time since 1994 and former French international Zinédine Zidane is thoroughly enjoying UEFA EURO 2008™, although he freely admits to not having the first idea who will win.
'Fan's eyes'
"It's been a wonderful tournament with fantastic matches," Zidane, who turns 36 today and retired two years ago following his side's defeat by Italy in the FIFA World Cup final, told euro2008.com. "I've had a lot of pleasure watching the games. It's the first tournament for a while in which I'm not playing myself so I have been following it from outside and enjoying it with my family. I look with a fan's eyes and I really enjoy watching these games because they are top-level matches."

Arshavin admiration
As one of the most world's foremost creative talents it is not surprising that Zidane – in Vienna to hold a coaching clinic for children as part of his role as an adidas ambassador – focuses mainly on the more aesthetic side of the game, with one player in particular catching his eye. "In the game [against the Netherlands] the Russia No10, [Andrei] Arshavin, impressed many of us. Everything he does is surprising. He is very young and it's his first major tournament so to be able to play the way he does is surprising enough to talk about."

Les Bleus let-down
A European champion with France in 2000, Zidane could only watch as Les Bleus lost to the Netherlands and Italy to fall at the first hurdle this time round, although he pinpoints the opening draw with Romania as the crucial factor. "The problem was that we had to win the first game," he explained. "It's so important to start well in such a competition; we had to beat Romania because the following matches were the Netherlands and Italy so we had to win that one. I'm disappointed, of course, because as a fan and ex-national player I had many expectations. I expected them to do better, it didn't work out but I am sure that the French team has a bright future and especially for the 2010 World Cup."

Portugal praise
France aside, Zidane professed to a particular affection for a side who lost in the quarter-finals, adding: "My favourite team was Portugal, but unfortunately they're not in the tournament any more. They were a complete team, had many good individual players who are very strong technically and were strong in defence. It's always important to have good individual qualities and good forwards, but it's even more important not to concede goals and Portugal had this potential before the quarter-final against Germany. Of course they played against a very strong German side which hadn't done so well in their previous matches, but they played a perfect game against Portugal."

'Beautiful teams'
Germany will meet Turkey in the semi-finals in Basel on Wednesday with Spain taking on Russia in Vienna a day later, yet Zidane is still reluctant to single out any one team as likely champions. "Germany are always there for important matches, they're always amongst the last four and [Michael] Ballack leads his team in a great manner. Russia have proved that they have a great quality as a team, especially against the Netherlands. They're physically well prepared and that allowed them to beat the Netherlands; they were a lot fresher in extra time. There are still beautiful teams and in such tournaments there are always surprises. I hope they will be great matches. I have no idea who'll win; my prediction would not be correct."

Daina Zagata Dutch Oranje Angel

She started to follow the Dutch in her angel-costume at the WC2006. “Tabloid Panorama is chasing me for months now, they want to shoot some erotic photo’s, well…no can do. That’s not going to happen

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Daina Zagata picture the Dutch orange angel

Daina Zagata, Dutch orange angel, from Lithuania She smiles sweetly, the eyes soothing, the wings give you a feeling of safety, the beautiful orange colour… Her blonde hair, the curves… She floats through EURO 2008 - Bern and most fans have adopted her as dreamgirl, national mascot and guardian angel.
Daina Zagata picture #1
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Daina Zagata the Oranje Angel

Here she is again, our Oranje Angel. She graced many a magazine and newspaper cover already and in particular with this pic. She smiles sweetly, the eyes soothing, the wings give you a feeling of safety, the beautiful orange colour… Her blonde hair, the curves… She floats through Bern and most fans have adopted her as dreamgirl, national mascot and guardian angel.

And she isn’t even Dutch.

Daina Zagata, 32 years old, is from Lituania: “The wings were an idea of my boyfriend (Jan: Bugger!). We run a shop in Limburg (south of Holland). The wings are inspired by Van Breukelen’s angel on the crossbar. Van der Sar needs one too, so here I am (Jan: Buggerty-bugger!!).”

Angel Daina has been discovered by dozens of photographers and camera-teams and seems to become a celebrity thanks to her …eh…wings.

She started to follow the Dutch in her angel-costume at the WC2006. “Tabloid Panorama is chasing me for months now, they want to shoot some erotic photo’s, well…no can do. That’s not going to happen

Daina Zagata picture #1
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Daina Zagata picture #3