Euro 2008 Semi Final - And Then There Were Four

Euro 2008 Semi Final - And Then There Were Four #fullpost{display:inline;} digg_url="http://www.lovefooty.net/2008/06/euro-2008-semi-final-and-then-there.html";

Euro 2008 Semi Final - Germany, Russia, Spain and Turkey
The group stages and quarter finals of Euro 2008 have now come and gone, we have went from sixteen to eight and now we are down to just four. The four remaining nations to make up the Euro 2008 Semi Final are Germany, Russia, Spain and Turkey. Two of those four are no surprise at all in Germany and Spain but Russia and Turkey have defied all the odds and pulled of the shocks along the way in their road to the Euro 2008 semi final. Now lets have a look back at how these four got to the Euro 2008 Semi Final.
Germany
Germany were very patchy in the group stage of Euro 2008. They started off the tournament as the favourites to go all way, the won their first match in a convincing fashion over Poland, then they fell away a bit. They then lost to Croatia and were never really in that game, Croatia deserved to win. Then they got through by the skin of their teeth against Austria 1-0. But, this is what Germany do. They stumble through groups then once they have reached the knock out stages they somehow manage to find that extra something that they lacked before. Which they proved against Portugal in the quarter final when they went 2-0 up after 26 minutes. Portugal were never going to be let back into the match by Germany after that.
Could Germany go all the way at Euro 2008? You wouldn't put it past them but they have Turkey to get past first in the Semi Final. Here's what they may want to do... Let Turkey score first! You do not want to go 1-0, 2-0 up against them because they WILL come back and beat you!
Russia
Russia have been somewhat of a surprise package to reach the Euro 2008 Semi Final. Russia like Turkey lost their opening Euro 2008 match and looked destined for Euro 2008 failure but after a 1-0 win over Greece and a tremendous 2-0 victory over Sweden with the return of Andrei Arshavin, the talk of a Russian Revolution was back on.
But lets reflect back to where it all began in that 4-1 defeat in their opening match. Why are we reflecting back to their opening match? Because it was a 4-1 defeat to Spain who are Russia's opponents in the Semi Final. Some might look at this semi final as destiny for Russia to get one back over Spain, some might say that after Spain's demolition of Russia in the first match that Russia can only lose once again or you could say that this is a new game, a new day, a whole other 90 minutes and any one of the two can win it.
Spain

Spain have raced through Euro 2008 so far and have won 4 out of 4 to reach the Euro 2008 Semi Final. Spain have a terrible record at International tournaments of the past and have always been the under-achievers of the International stage so despite them being hotly tipped to go all the way before Euro 2008 began it is still a surprise that they have made the Semi Final (at least for me anyway).
They have already hammered their Semi Final opponents Russia 4-1 at Euro 2008 this year, beaten Sweden 2-1 and came back from a goal down against Greece to win 2-1 and of course the penalty shootout victory over World Champions Italy yesterday. They are the hot team out of the remaining four left, there is no disputing that but they will have to keep their feet on the ground if they are to reach the Euro 2008 Final and not fall at the last hurdle because Russia are a very dangerous side.
Turkey
Turkey especially have stunned us all the most. After losing their first Euro 2008 match 2-0 against Portugal, Turkey looked destined to finish behind Portugal and Czech Republic in Group A but Turkey just do not know when they are beaten and in both the group games against Switzerland and Czech Republic they came back from behind to win both matches and seal their place in the Euro 2008 quarter finals with a match against Croatia. And what happened in the quarter final with Croatia? They came back from behind of course in the most spectacular of fashions after conceding as late a goal as they possible could in the 119th minute, they struck back immediately and within seconds Semih Senturk had equalised to take the match to penalties, which of course they went on to win. Turkey have taught us one thing at Euro 2008 this year... Do not write them off!

Euro 2008 Semi Final Live Streaming Online and Highlights

We will have all the Highlights and goals from the Euro 2008 Semi Final as well as a load of free Live Streams so you won't have to miss a single goal.

1. Germany Vs Turkey Live Streaming
   Wednesday 25th June
   19:45 BST
   St Jakob Park, Basel
2. Russia Vs Spain Live Streaming
   Thursday 26th June
   19:45 BST
   Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna