Game Summary
Germany started the match with intent while Spain started rather nervously. Sergio Ramos’s weak pass was intercepted by M.Klosse in the 3rd minute, right at the edge of the penalty box. The striker, however, failed to control the ball. Pressured by Spanish defenders, the ball went out for a goal kick. For the first 15 minutes, Germany took control of the match and put pressure on Spain.

Germany’s first attempt on goal came in the 8th minute. T.Hitzlsperger’s shot at goal was safely collected by Spain’s I.Casillas. Several other chances appeared for the Germans. They however, failed to turn them into shots at goal.

Spain, after starting rather nervously, gained their composure as Germany failed to mount any serious threats at their goal. In one of their first attacks, Spain managed to force J.Lehmann to make a reflex save. If not for the 38 year old’s superb reflexes, Germany’s C.Metzelder would have probably scored an own goal as he deflected a cross towards goal.

It was then, all Spain. They took control from the midfield and had numerous looks at the Germany goal. F.Torres saw his header shook Germany’s post as the outstretched hands of J.Lehmann was beaten in the 22nd minute.

F.Torres, finally got his second goal of the tournament in the 33rd minute. Spanish midfielder, Xavi, sent a defense splitting pass from deep behind Germany’s defense. All three, P.Lahm, J.Lehmann, and F.Torres raced for the ball. F.Torres managed to squeeze past P.Lahm. F.Torres then chipped the ball over J.Lehmann as the keeper reached for it to score Spains’ first and winning goal. D.Silva, could have doubled the score a minute later. He, however, made the first miss que of the match as he ballooned the ball over a wide open goal in the 34th minute.

From then on, Spain created many more chances which they failed to convert. Germany on the other hand, tried with all their might to get back into the game. Their forwards failed to do much as Spain’s four man defense proved to be a hard nut to crack.

In the end, that single goal from F.Torres was enough to crown Spain as the Euro2008 Soccer Champion. Not even the bloody head of M.Ballack could deny Spain their title. Spain, the most consistent team through out the tournament, get to celebrate as the champion after a 44 year wait.

Euro2008 Final Firsts
1st shot at goal: Germany, Thomas Hitzlsperger, 3rd minute
1st foul: Spain, F.Torres, 5th minute
1st corner: Germany, B.Schweinsteiger, 11th minute
1st save: Germany, J.Lehmann, 14th minute
1st attempt to hit post: Spain, F.Torres, 22nd minute
1st goal: Spain, F.Torres, 33rd minute
1st miss que: Spain, D.Silva, 34th minute
1st bloody injury: Germany, M.Ballack, 35th minute
1st yellow card: M.Ballack & I.Cassilas, 42nd minute
1st substitution: Germany, M.Jansen for P.Lahm, 46th minute

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The first round of matches have been completed. Let’s now take a look at all the Firsts of Euro2008.

• Euro2008 1st Goal: Scored by Vaclav Sverkos, Czech Republic. 71st minute in the first game of Euro2008 between Switzerland and Czech Republic.
• Euro2008 1st Player To score Two Goals: Lukas Podolski, Germany. In the match between Germany and Poland.
• Euro2008 1st Player To Score Three Goals: David Villa, Spain. In the match between Spain and Russia.
• Euro2008 1st Player To Score A Hat-Trick: David Villa, Spain. In the match between Spain and Russia.
• Euro2008 1st Defender To Score: Pepe. Portugal. In the match between Portugal and Turkey.
• Euro2008 1st Disallowed Goal: Pepe, Portugal. In the match between Portugal and Turkey.
• Euro2008 1st Match With No Goals: Romania 0 vs 0 France
• Euro2008 1st Match With One Goal: Switzerland 0 vs 1 Czech Republic
• Euro2008 1st Match With Two Goals: Portugal 2 vs 0 Turkey
• Euro2008 1st Match With Three Goals: Netherlands 3 vs 0 Italy
• Euro2008 1st Match With Five Goals: Spain 4 vs 1 Russia
• Euro2008 1st Match Where Both Teams Score: Spain vs Russia
• Euro2008 1st Team To Score Two Goals: Portugal, in the match against Turkey
• Euro2008 1st Team To Score Three Goals: Netherlands, in the match against Italy
• Euro2008 1st Team To Score Four Goals: Spain, in the match against Russia
• Euro2008 1st Team To Allow A Goal: Switzerland, in the match against Czech Republic
• Euro2008 1st Team To Allow Two Goals: Turkey, in the match against Portugal
• Euro2008 1st Team To Allow Three Goals: Italy, in the match against Netherlands
• Euro2008 1st Team To Allow Four Goals: Russia, in the match against Spain
• Euro2008 1st Penalty: Luka Modric, Croatia. In the match between Austria and Croatia.
• Euro2008 1st Big Miss: Luca Toni, Italy. In the match between Netherlands and Italy.
• Euro2008 1st Injury: Alexander Frei, Switzerland. In the opening match between Swiss and Czech Republic
• Euro2008 1st Substitution: Hakan Yakin for A.Frei, Switzerland
• Euro2008 1st Man Of The Match: Tomas Ujfalusi, Czech
• Euro2008 1st Win: Czech Republic
• Euro2008 1st Loss: Switzerland
• Euro2008 1st Draw: Romania vs France

More Euro2008 Firsts will surely occur. Sports Reviews And Updates will continue to monitor and showcase the Firsts of Euro2008. There are a few missing Firsts which I would like to also include. If you have the information, could you give me a buzz? They are 1st Yellow Cards, 1st Foul, 1st Free Kick, and 1st Corner. Of course if you do have any other firsts in mind and have the details, you could also buzz them to me.

Two things to verify – Are the Italians the first World Cup Champ to lose the opening match in Euro? Are the Greeks the first Euro Champion to lose their opening match?

[Update June 12]
Euro2008 1st Team To Be Eliminated: Switzerland, after the 1-2 loss against Turkey

[Update June 13]
Euro2008 1st Red Card: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Germany. In the match against Croatia

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Portugal came out with a 4-5-1 formation. N.Gomez acts as their lone striker upfront. C.Ronaldo, Deco and Simao acts as the attacking midfielder. Their attacking formation caused a whole lot of problems to the Turkish side.

C.Ronaldo, pretty much mesmerized the turkish defense with his fancy footworks. N.Gomez striked the goal framework twice. The Turkish defense was finally broken down in the 61st minute. Pepe, rushing forward from his central defensive role, played a one two with N.Gomez and slotted home from close range.

R.Meireles sealed victory for Portugal late in the second half. In another quick short and swift passes by the edge of the box, between three players (C.Ronaldo, J.Moutinho, R.Meireles) R.Meireles confirmed three points for Portugal.

Turkey, for the most part of the match never really threatened the Portugal side. For all the possesion they had, they lacked the tiny bit of brilliance in front of goal where it matters the most. The only player from the Turkish side worth mentioning is their goal keeper, V.Demirel. Turkey would probably have suffered a more hummiliating defeat if not for his excellent performance in front of the goal.

This game indeed showed the attacking prowess of the Portugal team. Their strike capability is not to be taken lightly. Though young at age, the team seems to gel together very well. Their midfield is perhaps the most potent midfield in the tournament.

The Sports Reviews And Updates predicts that Portugal will advance to the next round as champions in Group A. Followed closely by Czech Republic. Following is how the table will stand at the end of Round 1 for Group A:

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The curtain raiser match between co-host Switzerland and Czech Republic was pretty much as exciting as it could be for an opening match. With the co-host playing to win, they took control of the match from the word go. The Czechs pretty much relied on quick and fast counter attacks. The fans are pretty much kept on their toes through out the match.

The Swiss, via A.Frei, made numerous attempts at the Czech goal. They kept Petr Cech really busy through the entire match. Frei’s participation in the match was cut short, however. He had to be replaced near half time due to an injury to his knee.

Frei’s replacement, Hakan Yakin proved to be a worthy substitute. He roamed freely and caused even more problems to the Czech defense with his turns and splitting passes. Frei’s absence was never missed as H.Yakin exerted his dominance in the midfield for the Swiss.

All the failures to convert finally came back to haunt the Swiss. In a superbly executed counter attack, Czech’s substitute V.Sverkos became the Czech hero as he slotted home his first international goal. The goal came off a forward header by Z.Grygera. Sverkos, beating the offside trap, controled the ball and then swiftly drove the ball past the outstretch hands of Swiss keeper D.Benaglio.

There is a lesson to be learnt from this match. Dominance and attempts at goal means nothing if they are not converted into goals. The Swiss had both dominance and attempts at goal. They however did not convert any of them into goals. The Czechs on the other hand, took their chances well when it mattered and converted one. That one conversion is enough to get them the three points they required.

Don’t forget to bookmark this Sports Reviews And Updates as we continue to bring you updates and reviews from the currently ongoing Euro 2008.

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