Unique Log

New Zealand's Prime Minister apologized to Kim Dotcom

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 05:26:00 +0000

Prime Minister John Key has apologised to Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom after the Government's foreign intelligence agency illegally spied on the internet tycoon.

After hearing the news, the country’s Prime Minister apologized to Dotcom and all New Zealanders.

“I apologise to Mr Dotcom, I apologise to New Zealanders because every New Zealander that sits within the category of having permanent residency or is a New Zealand citizen is entitled to be protected from the law when it comes to the GCSB, and we failed to provide that appropriate protection for him,” Prime Minister John Key said, according to TVNZ.

Prime Minister John Key (L) & Kim Dotcom (R)

The country’s laws dictate that the GCSB doesn’t have the right to spy on citizens or permanent residents – a category that Dotcom belonged to.

However, the agency didn’t take the time to verify his residency status, instead relying on incorrect information provided by the Organized and Financial Crime Agency.

“My own view is the agency has let itself down very badly, it essentially failed at the most basic of hurdles, there are a number of times when it could have resolved the issue, and in fact New Zealanders were entitled to believe the agency would have performed a lot better,” the Prime Minister added.

He blamed the incident on “human error” because, apparently, Dotcom was granted a visa under old legislation, which would have allowed the GCSB to track him. However, in the meantime, the law changed, and the government “got it completely wrong.”

Key also asked the spy agency to make sure that no one else was illegally monitored because of such an error since the new legislation kicked in.

Anyway, Dotcom accepted the apology, but urged Key to show his sincerity “by supporting a full, transparent & independent inquiry into the entire Mega case.”

Germany vs Italy EURO 2012 Highlights Video, Match Report

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 04:52:00 +0000

Watch EURO 2012 Semi-final Germany vs Italy HD Highlights video, Match Report, Goal Video and Photos Played at Venue: National Stadium - Warsaw on 28 June 2012.

Mario Balotelli secured Italy a place in the Euro 2012 final against Spain as his goals defeated Germany in Warsaw.

EURO 2012 Semi-final Germany vs Italy Results

Germany vs Italy EURO 2012 Match Report

Striker Mario Balotelli struck twice to seal Italy's 2-1 semi-final win over Germany on Thursday to leave the Germans' Euro 2012 ambitions in tatters while the Azzurri march on to the final.

The 21-year-old Manchester City star broke German hearts with a first-half header and sublime strike as Joachim Loew's inexperienced team -- the youngest of the 16 at Euro 2012 -- failed to cope with Cesare Prandelli's street-wise Italians.

A late penalty from Mesut Ozil proved no more than a consolation score for the Germans whose 16-year wait for a major title continues.

Italy are now into Sunday's final in Kiev to face defending champions Spain with the Italians bidding to win their first European crown since 1968.

Victory at Warsaw's National Stadium means Italy maintain their impressive record of having never lost to Germany at a World Cup or European Championships on their eighth meeting at a major tournament.

Having dropped three of his forwards for last Friday's 4-2 quarter-final win over Greece, Loew again tinkered with his starting line-up, but this time it back-fired as the Germans lacked an effective Plan B when things went wrong.

Mario Balotelli of Italy.

Arsenal-bound Lukas Podolski was hauled off at half-time, striker Mario Gomez also made way for 34-year-old veteran Miroslav Klose after the break, while Toni Kroos barely troubled the Italian defence from the right wing.

Germany had a couple of golden chances early on, but the Azzurri soon asserted themselves and after Riccardo Montolivo tested Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Italy took the lead on 20 minutes.

Antonio Cassano ghosted through two German defenders and crossed for Balotelli to beat his marker Holger Badstuber and slam his header past Neuer.

It was the first time since the Euro 2008 final Germany had fallen behind in a European Championship match after their ten wins in qualifying and their four wins so far at Euro 2012. The perplexed looks in the German ranks told their own tale.

Rattled, the Germans tried to reassert themselves with Mesut Ozil and Gomez both squandering half chances, but Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon stood up to the challenge in goal before the Azzurri struck again.

A sublime pass from Fiorentina's Montolivo split the German defence and gave Balotelli all the space he needed to curl his shot past Neuer on 36 minutes.

With the Germans now reeling, Reus was quickly into the action after replacing Podolski and tested Buffon with a well-struck free-kick with an hour gone.

But the Italians were not to be denied their first European final since their Euro 2000 defeat to France when Claudio Marchisio fired wide on 67 minutes and again eight minutes later.

Balotelli made way for Antonio Di Natale on 70 minutes and with time running out, the Udinese forward missed a golden chance with the German defence all at sea.

A handball by Federico Balzaretti in the 92nd minute gave Germany brief hope as referee Stephane Lannoy pointed to the spot and Ozil blasted home the spot-kick, but it was too little, too late.

The Azzurri can now dream of denying world and European champions Spain a third consecutive major title on Sunday.

19:25' Mario Balotelli Scores Goal Video - Germany 0 - 1 Italy

Well-created goal from the Italians as Cassano wriggles free on the left and crosses for Balotelli to head past Neuer from five yards.

35:35' Mario Balotelli Scores Goal Video - Germany 0 - 2 Italy

Stunning goal! A pinpoint long ball from Montolivo deep in his own half split the German defence, Balotelli beat the offside trap, collected the ball and then rocketed a magnificent right-footed shot past a helpless Neuer and into the top corner.

90' Mesut Ozil Penalty shoot Video- Germany 1 - 2 Italy

Handball by Federico Balzaretti & Penalty to Germany, Ozil converts with a fine spot kick to goal.

Germany vs Italy EURO 2012 Extended Highlights Video

New Zealand Judge Rules Megaupload Search Warrants Were Illegal

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 11:16:00 +0000

New Zealand police acted illegally when armed officers raided Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom's Auckland mansion earlier this year, a High Court judge ruled on Thursday.

Judge Helen Winkelmann said the search warrants police used when they raided the Internet millionaire's property as part of a US probe into allegations of massive online piracy were too broad to be considered reasonable.

Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom (L) stands next to his
wife Mona as he talks to members of the media after he
left the High Court in Auckland February 29, 2012.

She also found computer data seized by police during the raid had been unlawfully copied and sent to authorities in the United States, who accuse Dotcom of racketeering, money laundering and copyright theft.

"The police relied on invalid warrants when they searched the properties and seized the various items, the search and seizure was therefore illegal," Winkelmann said in a judgement released Thursday.

US authorities allege Megaupload and related file-sharing sites netted more than $175 million and cost copyright owners more than $500 million by offering pirated copies of movies, TV shows and other content.

Chief High Court Judge Justice Helen Winkelmann.

Dotcom and his three co-accused, who were all arrested in the January 20 raid, deny any wrongdoing and have vowed to fight the charges, which carry potential jail terms of up to 20 years.

Winkelmann will hear final submissions from both legal teams representing the accused and the police next Wednesday before issuing orders.

In a separate legal move, the US District Court in Virginia is scheduled to hear a motion from Megaupload's lawyers Friday to dismiss the case against the company and its executives.

The motion will argue that the US Justice Department and FBI had no right to take action against Megaupload because the Hong Kong-registered company has no presence in the United States.

Police said in a statement that they were considering the judgement and deciding what further action is now required.

Source: Justice Helen Winkelmann in her judgement.

Sheryl Sandberg Named To Facebook Board of Directors

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Facebook's No. 2 executive, Sheryl Sandberg, has become the first woman on the social-networking company's board of directors.

Sandberg was lured from Google in 2008 to become Facebook's chief operating officer. Besides being the first woman, she is the first Facebook executive other than founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg on the board.

There had been calls for the company to add women to its board ahead of its initial public offering of stock in mid-May.

In announcing the move Monday, Facebook Inc. didn't say whether it came in response to calls to add women. But as the No. 2 to Zuckerberg, she was a logical choice.

Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's chief operating officer.

"Sheryl has been my partner in running Facebook and has been central to our growth and success over the years," Zuckerberg said in a statement. "Her understanding of our mission and long-term opportunity, and her experience both at Facebook and on public company boards makes her a natural fit for our board."

Sandberg has been largely responsible for building Facebook's advertising business. She also often serves as Facebook's public face, appearing at conferences and important meetings, while Zuckerberg often prefers to stay in the background and focus on Facebook's products.

Sandberg's appointment is somewhat symbolic. She is already a highly influential executive at Facebook, which is unlikely to change with her board appointment. That said, Zuckerberg still controls Facebook and its board due to his holding more than half of its voting stock.

Sandberg, 42, joins Zuckerberg, Netflix chief Reed Hastings and entrepreneurs Marc Andreessen, James Breyer and Peter Thiel. Also on the board are Donald Graham, CEO of The Washington Post Co., and Erskine Bowles, president emeritus of the University of North Carolina system.

Sandberg also serves on the boards of The Walt Disney Co. and of groups such as Women for Women International. She won't receive any additional financial compensation for the board role.

UltraViolet, a women's rights group that has been asking Facebook to add women to its board, said its campaign "should have never been necessary."

"We hope this is a first step for Facebook and in the coming months more women will be added to their board," UltraViolet co-founder Nita Chaudhary said in a statement. "In addition, we hope that other companies with all-male boards, particularly those in the tech sector, will follow Facebook's lead."

Most large corporations have at least one female board member, but that's where it ends for many of them. According to a report on corporate board gender diversity from corporate advisory firm Glass Lewis, 91 percent of companies in the S&P 500 had at least one female board member in 2011.

Catalyst, a nonprofit group that advocates for women in business, says in a report that only 16.1 percent of board seats at Fortune 500 companies were held by women last year.

Companies in the energy and technology sectors had the lowest levels of female board representation, the Glass Lewis report found.

Facebook’s current board members are:

Mark Zuckerberg; Sheryl Sandberg; Marc L. Andreessen, Andreessen Horowitz; Erskine B. Bowles, president emeritus, University of North Carolina system; James W. Breyer, Accel Partners; Donald E. Graham, chairman and CEO, The Washington Post Company; Reed Hastings, chairman and CEO, Netflix; and Peter A. Thiel, Founders Fund.

source

England vs Italy EURO 2012 Highlights Video, Match Report

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 03:25:00 +0000

Watch EURO 2012 England vs Italy Highlights HD, Match Report, Goal Video and Photos Played at Venue: Olympic Stadium - Kyiv, 24 June 2012.

England suffered penalty agony once more as Italy won a shoot-out after the Euro 2012 quarter-final finished goalless in Kiev.

England vs Italy EURO 2012 Match Report

For 120 minutes in Kiev the beauty of Italian guile and trickery jousted with the beastly pace and power of England before penalties finally separated them to give Italy a Euro 2012 semi-final berth.

Both sides contrived to miss clear chances to break the deadlock, with Italy the prime culprits in terms of finishing and England guilty of poor decision-making and shoddy execution in the final third.

Four-time world champions Italy missed by far the greater number of chances in a game they largely dominated.

But it was nonetheless an intriguing clash of contrasting styles.

The Azzurri were looking to find space between England's back four and midfield, either through attacking midfielder Riccardo Montolivo or the deep-dropping forward Antonio Cassano.

Ashley Cole of England looks dejcted after missing a penalty.

Those players made England's defence uncomfortable while Andrea Pirlo dinked clever balls over the top for Mario Balotelli.

Twice the Manchester City striker exploited uncharacteristically poor positioning from John Terry but the Chelsea captain recovered brillantly once while goalkeeper Joe Hart saved the second with ease.

Another delightful chip from Pirlo saw Cassano escape behind Ashley Cole but Joleon Lescott was there to clear his header back into the danger zone, just before Balotelli pounced.

England were vulnerable to players peeling off and latching onto the ball over the top whilst the man lurking in front of their backline kept them in a constant state of confusion.

But Italy were equally susceptible to England's rapier counters, particularly down the flanks where full-backs Federico Balzaretti and Ignazio Abate looked far from at ease - at least for the first hour or so as thereafter England's attacking threat essentially fizzled out.

Italy's runners kept enjoying success in the second period with Daniele De Rossi taking advantage of hesitant England defending to drift twice beyond the defence with Claudio Marchisio and Pirlo, again, feeding him.

But just as England suffered from lack of precision in possession, Italy's finishing was far from accurate.

Perhaps Italy's best chance came a minute from normal time when Marchisio's spearing pass was met by substitute Antonio Nocerino, darting in off his flank at an angle, but this time Glen Johnson got back to block.

It was last-ditch defending from England all the way, but it was working.

And once Andy Carroll came on for England, pace gave way exclusively to power and it was his header back into the mix that set up Wayne Rooney for what should have been a dramatic last-gasp winner, only for the Manchester United star to mistime his overhead bicycle kick.

Italy had the ball in the net in extra-time when Nocerino broke beyond the backline again, but he went a half yard too soon and it was rightly chalked off.

And so penalties it was that chased tactics and contrasting styles out the window.

England came into the competition with one successful shoot-out in six attempts, while Italy had won twice in seven.

Alessandro Diamanti scored the winning penalty after misses from the two Ashleys, Young and Cole.

The Beast never turned into a prince and now Beauty heads to Warsaw on Thursday to face the Germans.

England vs Italy EURO 2012 FULL PENALTY SHOOTOUT (Penalties) Video

Penalty scored by Mario Balotelli. England 0-1 Italy on penalties.

Steven Gerrard scores a penalty. England 1-1 Italy on penalties.

Penalty missed by Riccardo Montolivo.

Wayne Rooney scores a penalty. England 2-1 Italy on penalties.

Penalty scored by Andrea Pirlo. England 2-2 Italy on penalties.

Spot kick missed by Ashley Young.

Antonio Nocerino scores a penalty. England 2-3 Italy on penalties.

A save by Gianluigi Buffon from penalty by Ashley Cole.

Alessandro Diamanti scores a penalty. England 2-4 Italy on penalties.

England vs Italy EURO 2012 Extended Highlights Video

Spain vs France EURO 2012 Highlights Video, Match Report

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 03:12:00 +0000

Watch EURO 2012 Spain vs France Highlights, Match Report, Goal Video and Photos Played at Venue: Donbass Arena - Donetsk, 23 June 2012.

Spain waltzed past a feeble France side in Donetsk to set up a Euro 2012 semi-final meeting with Portugal.

Spain vs France EURO 2012 Match Report

Centurion Alonso sends Spain into Euro semi-finals. Spain moved a step closer to an unprecedented treble of consecutive major international honours by beating France 2-0 in Donetsk on Saturday to reach the Euro 2012 semi-finals.

Goals in each half from Xabi Alonso, on his 100th international appearance, sent the world and European champions into a semi-final with Iberian rivals Portugal in the same Donbass Arena stadium on Wednesday.

It was Spain's first competitive win in seven attempts against France, who were bidding to become the first team to eliminate Spain from a major tournament since the French side that reached the 2006 World Cup final.

Xabi Alonso of Spain celebrates after scoring the opening goal.

While Spain can now contemplate the prospect of facing the in-form Cristiano Ronaldo, France return home after fulfilling their objective of reaching the last eight, only to fall short against the world's top national side.

In an attempt to nullify Spain's attacking threat, France coach Laurent Blanc opted for a conservative 4-5-1 formation, with right-back Mathieu Debuchy lining up in an unfamiliar right-wing role ahead of Anthony Reveillere.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, meanwhile, elected to deploy Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas instead of Fernando Torres at the centre of a fluid attacking configuration.

Abandoning their usual possession-focused approach, France retreated and allowed Spain to take the initiative, and Fabregas had an early penalty appeal turned down after his heels were clipped by Gael Clichy.

With two right-backs on the pitch, France's right flank should have been impregnable, but it was from a move down the left that Spain went ahead in the 14th minute.

Andres Iniesta released Jordi Alba and he held off the stumbling Debuchy to cross for the unmarked Alonso, whose downward header gave the number 14 a 14th international goal.

The lead established, Spain slipped into their familiar passing rhythm and France were left to rely on the forward forays of lone striker Karim Benzema.

One such raid drew a free-kick in an advantageous position, and Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas did well to touch Yohan Cabaye's subsequent attempt over the crossbar.

The low number of fans supporting the two teams made for a subdued atmosphere, while the closest Spain came to extending their lead before half-time was a Gerard Pique header that looped well over.

The start of the second half was similarly muted. Debuchy headed over from Franck Ribery's dinked cross, while Hugo Lloris had to race to the edge of his box to claw the ball away from Fabregas at the other end.

Blanc introduced Samir Nasri, Jeremy Menez and Olivier Giroud from the bench, but still the men in the all-white change strip were unable to capitalise on the promising openings they procured.
There were few scares for Spain in the final 10 minutes, and they made sure of victory in injury time when Alonso swept home a penalty after Reveillere had bundled substitute Pedro Rodriguez to the deck.

It will come as scant consolation to France, but they will not have long to wait for revenge.
The sides are due to meet again in a qualifying match for the 2014 World Cup in Spain on October 16.

18:27' Xabi Alonso scores goal video - Spain 1 - 0 France

Xabi Alonso grabs a headed goal from deep inside the penalty area.

90' Penalty taken right-footed by Xabi Alonso video - Spain 2 - 0 France

Penalty awarded for an unfair challenge on Rodriguez Pedro by Anthony Reveillere.

Spain vs France EURO 2012 Extended Highlights Video

Czech Republic vs Portugal EURO 2012 Highlights Video, Match Report

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 04:06:00 +0000

Watch EURO 2012 Czech Republic vs Portugal Highlights, Match Report, Goal Video and Photos Played at Venue: National Stadium Warsaw, 21 June 2012.

Cristiano Ronaldo capped a magnificent display with the match-winning goal as Portugal powered past Czech Republic and into the semi-finals of Euro 2012

Czech Republic v Portugal EURO 2012 Match Report

Portugal fans and neutrals alike hoping for a splash edition of the Cristiano Ronaldo roadshow had their appetite satisfied as he single-handedly steered his country into the Euro 2012 semi-finals by beating the Czech Republic 1-0.

Ronaldo showed the same kind of sparkle that saw the Portugal captain dominate play and claim a brace in his team's 2-1 defeat of the Netherlands last Sunday - goals he had dedicated to his son, who turned two the same day.

So often maligned for failing to recapture his Real Madrid form when wearing the Portugal shirt, Ronaldo's 79th-minute header took his Euro 2012 tally to three, making him joint top scorer with Germany's Mario Gomez - plus Russia's Alan Dzagoev and Croatia's Mario Mandzukic, whose teams failed to advance from the group stage.

A divisive figure around whom Portugal are often accused of creating a cult of personality, Ronaldo won the loudest cheer from his fans in Warsaw's National Stadium when the announcer reeled off each squad, but earned catcalls from Czech supporters when he stepped up to take free kicks.

Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd L) heads the ball to score during quarter-final match.

The high-profile player - officially the most-tweeted at Euro 2012 according to UEFA - is often a target for his opponents' supporters.

Denmark's fans even tried to get under his skin by chanting the name of his nemesis in the Spanish league, Lionel Messi, during their country's 3-2 loss to Portugal last week.

That, coupled with repeated media criticism, has led Portugal to rally round their captain and, earlier in the tournament, to shun the press in protest - though the man himself did speak to Portuguese television.

The 27-year-old striker struggled early in the half against the Czechs in part because of the lacklustre performance of his team-mates.

The frustration showed as he and Czech defender Petr Jiracek avoided a booking from referee Howard Webb after they angrily pawed at each other in front the Czechs' goal.

He was finally to find his stride 25 minutes in, when midfielder Joao Moutinho fed him the ball, only for Czech keeper and captain Petr Cech to block his strike.

Eight minutes later his attempted bicycle kick went wide, followed almost immediately by an off-target free kick.

Seconds into stoppage time, he notched up a sublime effort while beating a cluster of defenders, chesting the ball and tapping it into the line of fire - only to blast against the post.

After the return from the dressing room, Ronaldo showed his hunger was rising, shooting a free kick wide, and setting up a string of further attacks.

Dominating play, Portugal continued to pound the Czech defence, and Moutinho's cross found an advancing Ronaldo, who leapt to take the header, beating a floundering Cech to take Portugal through.

78:49' Cristiano Ronaldo scores goal video - Czech Rep 0 - 1 Portugal

Finally Portugal break through - and it's thanks to a brilliant run down the right channel from Moutinho, who collects the ball from Pereira and crosses to the penalty spot, where Ronaldo beats Cech with a header into the ground and then up into the roof of the net.

Czech Republic v Portugal EURO 2012 Extended Highlights Video

Czech Republic v Poland EURO 2012 Highlights Video, Match Report

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 04:32:00 +0000

Watch EURO 2012 Czech Republic v Poland Highlights, Match Report, Goal Video and Photos Played at Venue: Wroclaw Municipal Stadium on 16 June 2012.
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.

Czech Republic v Poland EURO 2012 Match Report

Poland's dream is over. They have been evicted from Euro 2012. Their own tournament, the one they have hosted with such panache and such national yearning for wider recognition.

A smartly taken goal by the Czech Republic's Petr Jiracek in the 71st minute broke a nation's heart. Now, despite looking so wretched in their opening fixture against Russia, it is the Czechs who progress to the quarter final. Incredibly, there they are joined by the Greeks.

And in truth, the Polish team never managed to match the huge swell of patriotic fervour which had sprung up behind them. While their fans chanted, sang and ultimately prayed, they fizzled, their effort descending into a frustrated brawl in the centre circle.

As the game began, both sides seemed reluctant to take risks. For Poland the excellent Robert Lewandowski spent much of the time alone up front, with nobody running in to pick up his crafty flicks and chest downs. And when his team mates did approach the penalty area, they seemed to be pole-axed by anxiety.

In the 14th minute, clever build up work between the Dortmund pair Lewandowski and his captain Jakub Blaszczykowski, sent in the Mainz midfielder Eugen Polanski. But alone and unmarked ten yards from Petr Cech's goal, he blasted over. So much, as he had promised before the game, for kicking Czech ass early.

For the Czechs, without their totem Tomas Rosicky, still hampered by an Achilles strain, the speedy Vaclav Pilar causing trouble down Polish right, was their main threat.

He had a shot on 40 minutes that Przemyslaw Tyton - preferred to Arsenal's Wojciech Szczesny in the Polish goal - saved with a scramble.

The visitors, though, came out of the dressing room knowing that the Greek goal in Warsaw meant they had to win; the draw that might have provided passage at kick off was no longer an option. Immediately the excellent full back Theodor Gebre Selassie started galloping down the right wing.

Pilar, too, kept attacking, though his runs were increasingly stopped by muscular Polish interventions.

As the Czechs began to seize the initiative, the Polish fans attempted to lift their team, their rendition of Go West far noisier than the Village People ever managed.

But then came silence. In the 71st minute, Tomas Hubschman did precisely what he was picked to do, tackled a Pole outside his own area and advanced.

He passed to Baros who played through Petr Jiracek, who in turn cut across the Polish defence and slotted under Tyton.

The Czech corner of the stadium went mental. And Poland now needed two when one had seemed a tall order.

Nothing came for them and now they are left with but the thinnest of consolations: at least the Russians are going home.

71:14' Petr Jiracek scores goal video - Czech Rep 1 - 0 Poland

Petr Jiracek scores a goal from inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal.

Czech Republic v Poland EURO 2012 Extended Highlights Video

Russia v Greece EURO 2012 Highlights Video, Match Report

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Watch EURO 2012 Russia v Greece Highlights, Match Report, Goal Video and Photos Played at Venue: National Stadium - Warsaw on 16 June 2012.

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 v Greece EURO 2012 Match Report

Greece in Euro 2012 quarters after foiling Russia. Veteran Greece captain Giorgos Karagounis halted Russia's Euro 2012 campaign in its tracks here on Saturday, as the underdogs unexpectedly beat the Group A early pacesetters 1-0 to reach the last eight instead.

Seconds before the end of stoppage time in the first half, the 35-year-old midfielder latched onto a throw-in that Russian defender Sergei Ignashevich failed to deal with.

Dodging between the Russian rearguard, he fired a powerful low cross shot past goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev.

The 4,000 Greek fans in Warsaw's stadium, who up to then had largely been outsung by 20,000 Russians, went wild as Karagounis hit home to put his side through on the head to head rule - both sides ending on four points behind group winners the Czech Republic.

Karagounis, who was in Greece's Euro 2004 winning squad, and his team-mates had gone into the Russia game gung-ho, knowing that only a win would keep them in the tournament.

They had also said they aimed to bring some cheer to their crisis-ravaged homeland. Six minutes in, Karagounis fired a corner to Kostas Katsouranis, and Dimitris Salpingidis bundled goalwards, only for Malafeev to save.

Salpingidis had been Greece's hero of the night when, after coming on as a half-time substitute, he equalised against Poland for his side, earlier reduced to 10 men.

Three minutes later, Russian captain Andrey Arshavin crossed to rising star Alan Dzagoev but he was beaten by Greek goalkeeper Michalis Sifakis - brought in to replace Kostas Chalkias, injured in their defeat by the Czechs.

Dzagoev tried again a minute later, but fired over the bar, before Aleksandr Kerzhakov shot wide.

Russia continued to show their strength as the half progressed, underlining the Greeks' vulnerability to counter-attacks. But while not ironclad, Greece's defence remained solid at the end.

Five minutes from half-time, Yuri Zhirkov took a superb short corner, only to shoot over the bar. With two minutes added on, Karagounis's strike came just seconds before Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson's half-time whistle.

Returning from the dressing room, both sides continued to display fighting spirit. Russia came within a whisker of equalising in the 56th minute, but Igor Denisov was off-target.

There was gloom for Karagounis when he received a yellow card for being harshly adjudged to have dived in the box, meaning he will miss their quarter-final as he was also booked against the Czechs.

Greece's Giorgos Tzavellas came close to putting them further ahead in the 69th minute, but hit the post.

Five minutes later, Sifakis saved a shot from Igor Denisov, while Russia were again foiled in the 83rd minute when Dzagoev latched onto an Arshavin cross but fired wide.

With Eriksson adding four minutes' stoppage time, a desperate Russia battled to save face, but Sifakis denied Denisov again on his line.

Giorgos Karagounis Scores Goal Video - Greece 1 - 0 Russia

Giorgos Karagounis grabs a goal from inside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal.

Russia v Greece EURO 2012 Extended Highlights Video

Spain v Republic of Ireland EURO 2012 Highlights Video, Match Report

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 10:44:00 +0000

Watch EURO 2012 Spain v Republic of Ireland Highlights, Match Report, Goal Video and Photos Played at Venue: PGE Arena, Gdansk; Date: Thursday, 14 June 2012.
Fernando Torres scored twice as Spain knocked Republic of Ireland out of Euro 2012 with a dominant display.

Spain v Republic of Ireland EURO 2012 Match Report

Champions Spain thrash Ireland to top group. Defending champions Spain are on course for the Euro 2012 quarter-finals after their 4-0 thrashing of Ireland on Thursday put them top of Group C with the Irish bowing out.

For all their endeavour in defence, Ireland struggled constantly to cope with the torrent of Spanish attacks as Chelsea's Fernando Torres proved he is back to his best with two clinically-taken goals.

Having decided the Euro 2008 final with the winning goal against Germany, Torres netted either side of Manchester City's David Silva second-half strike before his replacement Cesc Fabregas added the fourth seven minutes from time.

With 66 percent ball possession, 26 shots on goal, 20 of which were on target, Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given had a busy night as Spain dominated while Ireland managed just six shots on goal in total.

Fernando Torres scores the opening goal for Spain.

The win puts Spain top of the group on goal difference and level on four points with second-placed Croatia, who Vicente del Bosque's world champions face here at Arena Gdansk again on Monday.

Having suffered their second defeat after losing 3-1 to Croatia on Sunday, Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland will exit after the group stages.

Italy, who drew 1-1 with Croatia earlier, have two points in third and can still progress if they beat Ireland in Poznan, Poland, the same day, but the Azzurri are reliant on either Spain or Croatia winning in Gdansk.

Spain had complained to UEFA about the dry condition of the Gdansk pitch during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Italy as Fabregas labeled it "a disaster", but heavy rain during Thursday's match made the issue null and void.

Having used a 4-3-3 formation against Italy without a recognised striker, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque elected to start Torres at the expense of Barcelona's Fabregas.

Silva with style The Chelsea star rewarded the faith with the opening goal after just four minutes.

With Spain on the attack, Ireland defender Richard Dunne tackled Silva on the edge of the area, but Torres pounced on the loose ball and drilled his shot past Given from a tight angle.

Trapatonni brought on Stoke City's Jon Walters for Simon Cox up front at half-time, but there was no stemming the tide of Spanish attacks.

A long-range shot from Iniesta was parried by Given, but fell into Silva's path, who jinked his way around defenders to roll his shot calmly past Given four minutes after the break.

After Given pulled off more heroics to deny Xavi Hernandez's corner shot, Ireland lifted their tempo with a series of attacks as Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas was pressed into service.

The threatened third goal came when Silva released Torres, who raced away from Dunne and slotted home his shot on 70 minutes to give Given no chance before the Spaniard made way for Fabregas four minutes later.

The Barcelona star, who scored the equaliser against Italy, again showed his class as he drilled home his shot from a tight angle for Spain's fourth.

3:49' Fernando Torres scores goal video - Spain 1 - 0 R Ireland

Richard Dunne tackled David Silva on the edge of the box and Torres was first to pick up the loose ball, taking it past Stephen Ward before blasting high shot past Shay Given.

48:12' David Silva scores goal video - Spain 2 - 0 R Ireland

A goal is scored by David Silva from inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal.

69:50' Fernando Torres scores goal video - Spain 3 - 0 R Ireland

Silva stole possession in midfield and immediately bisected the Irish defence to play Torres in, who calmly found the bottom corner with a right-foot shot.

82:04' Francesc Fabregas scores goal video - Spain 4 - 0 R Ireland

Fabregas picks the ball up from a short corner, evades his marker and then rockets a right-foot shot in off the far post. Superb goal.

Spain v Republic of Ireland EURO 2012 Extended Highlights Video

EURO 2012 Italy vs Croatia Highlights Video, Match Report

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:56:00 +0000

Watch EURO 2012 Italy vs Croatia Highlights, Match Report, Goal Video and Photos Played at Venue: Municipal Stadium, Poznan; Date: Thursday, 14 June 2012.
Mario Mandzukic's second-half equaliser earned Croatia a vital draw against Italy to leave Group C wide open.

Italy vs Croatia EURO 2012 Match Report

Croatia hold Italy to boost quarters hopes Croatia held Italy to a 1-1 draw in their Euro 2012 Group C clash at the Municipal Stadium here on Thursday to boost their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Italy totally dominated the first period and went in at the break a goal to the good through a sumptuous Andrea Pirlo free-kick.

But a defensive error allowed Mario Mandzukic to equalise in the final 20 minutes and keep Croatia at the top of the group on four points.

Italy will now need to beat Ireland in their final group game and hope that the result in Croatia's game against Spain is kind to them if they are to progress.

The first half was one-way traffic and the Azzurri deserved more than the single goal they registered.

Having been such a disappointment against Spain, Mario Balotelli seemed more awake here and shot wide after a neat turn on three minutes, making the most of limited space in the box.

Claudio Marchisio rifled a shot over the bar while a Balotelli shot from the edge of the area was punched clear by goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa.

Croatia were struggling to create aything of note but Nikica Jelavic was a shoelace away from turning in Darijo Srna's cross at the near post.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli had asked his team to get in behind the defence and Antonio Cassano did exactly that to meet Leonardo Bonucci's flick over the top but he screwed his effort wide.

Pletikosa came to his side's rescue on 37 minutes as he made a double save from Marchisio, who latched onto Cassano's pass, turned a sliding Srna but then couldn't find the finish to beat the goalkeeper, who spread himself ice hockey style to deny the Juventus midfielder.

Italy got the goal their dominance deserved two minutes later as Pirlo curled an exquisite free-kick over the wall and inside the post, although it seemed a generous award in the first place from English referee Howard Webb.

Cassano almost added a second before the break with a flicked header from Pirlo's corner that went just over. Right on the stroke of half-time Croatia broke but Gianluigi Buffon comfortably stopped Mandzukic's shot.

Croatia started a bit brighter in the second period and Modric got a shot away that Buffon again gathered comfortably before sending another over the bar.

Balotelli had a crack from distance that sailed over but then out of the blue, Croatia equalised.

Ivan Strinic sent over a cross from deep and Italy centre-back Giorgio Chiellini mistimed his jump allowing Mandzukic to bring the ball down and fire home off the near post from six yards.

Substitute Riccardo Montolivo had a shot from distance for Italy that Pletikosa dealt with. But it was the Croats who were pushing hardest for a winner in the dying stages, without creating anything of note.

38:24' Andrea Pirlo scores goal video - Italy 1 - 0 Croatia

Midfield maestro Pirlo finds the near bottom corner with a magnificent free-kick from an angle on the left-hand side of the box. Pletikosa got a hand to it, but such was the accuracy of the strike, he couldn't keep it out.

71:10' Mario Mandzukic scores goal video - Italy 1 - 1 Croatia

Mandzukic scores his third goal of the tournament, collecting a deep cross from the left, taking a touch and then slamming the ball high into the net via a touch off the near post. Superb finish, but questionable defending from Chiellini, who got caught under the ball.

Italy vs Croatia EURO 2012 Extended Highlights Video

Watch Live Euro 2012: Sweden v England

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Euro 2012: Sweden v England
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Kiev; Date: Friday, 15 June; Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Roy Hodgson is ready to recall Andy Carroll as England go for goals and a crucial Euro 2012 victory when they face Sweden in Kiev on Friday.

Sweden v England Head-to-head:

England have never beaten Sweden in seven previous competitive meetings. No country has ever stayed unbeaten in eight against England.
The injured Gareth Barry headed England's winner in a Wembley friendly last November as the Three Lions beat Sweden for the first time since 1968.
Four of the last six meetings have ended level, including each of the last three competitive games.

Sweden

Sweden have lost their last three European Championship finals matches - their worst run of defeats in tournament history.
The Swedes have scored in all 11 competitive matches under Erik Hamren's management.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored in each of Sweden's last four matches. The last player to score in five successive matches for the Swedes was Henrik Larsson back in 2001.
Ibrahimovic's goal against Ukraine meant he became the fifth player to score at three different European Championships: after Jurgen Klinsmann, Vladimir Smicer, Thierry Henry and Nuno Gomes.

England

England have failed to score more than once in their last seven matches at major tournaments - since a 2-2 World Cup draw with Sweden in 2006 when Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard both scored.
They have won their last four matches at a major tournament on 15 June without conceding a goal, including the Paul Gascoigne-inspired 2-0 win over Scotland at Euro 1996.
However, they have twice lost on this date in European Championship history, including the 3-1 defeat by the Netherlands in 1988.
England made the lowest percentage of passes (51%) in the opposition half of any team in the first round of group games.

Watch Live Euro 2012: Sweden v England

Watch Live Euro 2012: Ukraine v France

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 05:39:00 +0000

Euro 2012: Ukraine v France
Venue: Donbass Arena, Donetsk; Date: Friday, 15 June; Kick-off: 17:00 BST

Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin has refused to give any clues about his starting line-up against France.

Ukraine v France Head-to-head:

France are unbeaten in six games against Ukraine (W3, D3), keeping four clean sheets.
Ukraine held France to a 2-2 draw in Kiev in the penultimate meeting, but the most recent encounter saw the French win 4-1 in Donetsk last year.
The home side took the lead in that match, and were level until the 87th minute before conceding three late goals.

Ukraine

Against Sweden Andriy Shevchenko became the oldest player to score twice in a single World Cup or European Championship match since Roger Milla's brace versus Cameroon at the 1990 World Cup (aged 38).
Shevchenko also became the second oldest goalscorer at a European Championship (35 years and 256 days). The record is held by Austria's Ivica Vastic, who netted against Poland at Euro 2008 aged 38 years and 257 days.
Shevchenko is now two goals away from 50 for his country. He is both the youngest and oldest goalscorer in Ukraine's history - he opened his account aged 19 years and 215 days against Turkey in 1996.
Oleg Blokhin's men are the only side at Euro 2012 without a British-based player in their squad. Only two players, Dynamo Moscow's Andriy Voronin and Bayern Munich's Anatoliy Tymoschuk, play outside of Ukraine.

France

Les Bleus have failed to win their last eight games at major tournaments (D4, L4), with the 2006 World Cup final counted as a draw. It is the worst run in their history, eclipsing a seven-match streak set from 1960 to 1978.
France are unbeaten in 22 matches, including 15 wins.
Laurent Blanc could emulate Germany's Berti Vogts, the only man to win the European Championship as both player and coach (in 1972 and 1996).
Opta statistics show that Samir Nasri's goal against England came after 21 consecutive passes, which was the longest build-up of any European Championship goal since 1980.

Watch Live Euro 2012: Ukraine v France

Watch Live Euro 2012: Spain v Republic of Ireland

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:34:00 +0000

Euro 2012: Spain v Republic of Ireland
Venue: PGE Arena, Gdansk; Date: Thursday, 14 June; Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Spain are sweating on the fitness of Cesc Fabregas after he picked up a thigh injury.

Spain v Republic of Ireland Head-to-head:

This is only the second time the two nations have met at a major tournament. Their encounter at the last 16 stage of 2002 World Cup, which Spain won on penalties, was the last time the nations met.
The Irish have not beaten Spain competitively since a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win at Lansdowne Road in April 1989 - in the days of Jack Charlton - courtesy of a Michel own goal.
Goalkeepers Shay Given and Iker Casillas have 255 internationals caps between them.

Spain

Despite drawing against Italy, Spain remain unbeaten in their last 16 competitive matches (15 wins and one draw). Their last defeat was their 1-0 opening group stage defeat by Switzerland at the 2010 World Cup.
The last nine goals scored by Spain at a major tournament have all been netted by Barcelona players, since Fernando Torres, then of Liverpool, scored the winner in the Euro 2008 final.
Xavi against Italy, became just the second Spanish player to make over 100 passes in one European Championship game - the first was Pep Guardiola.
Sergio Ramos had the highest pass completion rate in the opening group games (94%) for a match starter.

Republic of Ireland

Ireland are in danger of losing back-to-back matches at a major tournament for the first time.
They conceded three goals at a major tournament for the first time in their history last time out.
The Irish have never won the second match of the group stage at a major tournament before (three draws, one defeat).
Trapattoni failed to qualify from the group stage the last time he was head coach at a European Championship, in 2004 with Italy.

Euro 2012: Netherlands Vs Germany Highlights video, Match Report

Watch Live Euro 2012: Italy vs Croatia

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:10:00 +0000

Euro 2012: Italy v Croatia
Venue: Municipal Stadium, Poznan; Date: Thursday, 14 June; Kick-off: 17:00 BST

Italy's Andrea Barzagli is not ready to return so Daniele De Rossi will continue as a makeshift centre-back.

Italy v Croatia Head-to-head:

Since gaining independence Croatia are unbeaten in their five games against Italy, winning three of those matches.
That includes Slaven Bilic's first match as Croatia boss - a 2-0 friendly win in Livorno in August 2006, when Eduardo and Luka Modric got the goals.
The only competitive encounter came when the sides met in their second group match at the 2002 World Cup. Although the Croats won 2-1 in Japan the Azzurri eventually progressed to the knock-out stages while Croatia went home.

Italy

The Azzurri forced Iker Casillas into five saves in their opening game - as many as the Spain goalkeeper made in total during qualifying (in seven appearances).
That is despite Italy having just 34% possession against Spain - the lowest percentage in the opening round of games.
Andrea Pirlo made 2,778 successful passes for Juventus this season - the highest tally of any player in one of the top European leagues.
They have won just one of their last nine games at major tournaments (W1, D6, L2), with penalty shoot-outs against France (2006) and Spain (2008) classified as draws.

Croatia

The last team to beat Croatia at the European Championship (excluding penalty shoot-outs) was England, who defeated them 4-2 at Euro 2004.
The Croats have won their last four group games at the European Championship.
They have not ended a calendar year outside the top 10 of the Fifa rankings since 2006.

Watch Live Euro 2012: Italy vs Croatia

EURO 2012 Netherlands Vs Germany Highlights Video, Match Report

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 04:32:00 +0000

Watch EURO 2012 Netherlands Vs Germany Highlights, Match Report, Goal Video and Photos Played at Venue: Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv on Date: Wednesday, 13 June 2012.

Mario Gomez gave the Netherlands a lesson in finishing as Germany left their bitter rivals on the brink of an early exit from Euro 2012.

EURO 2012 Netherlands Vs Germany Match Report

Germany set for quarters after humbling Holland, Germany are on the verge of the Euro 2012 quarter-finals following their 2-1 win over Holland on Wednesday as Mario Gomez scored twice, while the Dutch are heading for a first-round exit.

World Cup finalists Holland will bow out on Sunday unless they beat Portugal in their final game here at the Metalist Stadium and hope Germany defeat Denmark the same day in Lviv to give them a chance of reaching the last eight.

After Portugal earlier beat Denmark 3-2 in Group B, Germany now need only a point against the Danes in Lviv the same day to be sure of reaching the last eight at Euro 2012 as group winners.

Having scored the winning header in Germany's opening 1-0 victory over Portugal, Germany's Gomez isnow the tournament's early joint top-scorer with Russia's Alan Dzagoev with three goals after Bastian Schweinsteiger set up both his first-half strikes.

Holland gave themselves a late lifeline when Arsenal striker Robin van Persie pulled a goal back 15 minutes from time, but it was not enough to prevent their second Euro 2012 defeat after Saturday's shock 1-0 defeat to Denmark.

Scorching temperatures in eastern Ukraine meant the game kicked off with the thermometer showing 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit).

Dutch defender Joris Mathijsen was the only change to the team beaten 1-0 by Denmark last Saturday here at Kharkiv's Metalist Stadium, while the Germans kept the same team which beat Portugal.

A great chance fell to Van Persie after five minutes as a ball over the top got behind the German defence, but the striker could only fire his shot into Neuer's grateful arms.

Germany replied as Mesut Ozil hit the post from the edge of the penalty area on eight minutes, but the Dutch went back on the attack soon after as Van Persie fired wide this time.

The Germans took the lead thanks to a clever through-ball from Schweinsteiger which beat the Dutch off-side trap and fell to the feet of Gomez, who powered onto the pass and rifled home on 24 minutes.

The pair combined again on 38 minutes when Schweinsteiger's pass freed Gomez on the right and he fired past Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg on 38 minutes to make it 2-0 to the Germans at the break.

It could have been 3-0 to Joachim Loew's Germans as defender Holger Badstuber had headed straight at Stekelenberg before Gomez's second.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk shook up his attack after the break by bringing on Tottenham Hotspur's Rafael van der Vaart for captain Mark van Bommel and Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar for Barcelona's Ibrahim Afellay.

The Oranje upped the pace and created several chances before Van Persie put them back in the game when he turned Germany defender Mats Hummels to fire an unstoppable shot past Manuel Neuer's left hand.

23:14' Mario Gomez Goal Video - Neth'lands 0 - 1 Germany

Goal scored by Mario Gomez from inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal.

37:35' Mario Gomez Goal Video - Neth'lands 0 - 2 Germany

Goal scored by Mario Gomez from deep inside the penalty area to the top left corner of the goal.

72:26' Robin van Persie Goal Video - Neth'lands 1 - 2 Germany

Robin van Persie scores a goal from the edge of the area to the bottom right corner of the goal.

EURO 2012 Netherlands Vs Germany Extended Highlights Video

EURO 2012 Denmark Vs Portugal Highlights Video, Match Report

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 04:09:00 +0000

Watch EURO 2012 Denmark Vs Portugal Highlights, Match Report, Goal Video and Photos Played at Venue: Arena Lviv, Lviv on Date: Wednesday, 13 June 2012.

Substitute Silvestre Varela's late strike boosted Portugal's hopes of reaching the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.

EURO 2012 Denmark Vs Portugal Match Report

Varela saves Ronaldo's blushes in thriller Portugal beat Denmark 3-2 in a thrilling Euro 2012 Group B clash here on Wednesday to keep alive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

A stunning goal by substitute Silvestre Varela three minutes from time saw the 2004 finalists take the points after they had let slip a 2-0 lead as Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner drew the Danes level with two headers.

Goals from Pepe - with a superb header - and Helder Postiga, with his 20th goal for his country, had given the Portuguese a perfect start.

However, a series of terrible misses by their star player Cristiano Ronaldo had threatened to prove very costly until Varela stepped up to save them just three minutes after coming on.

The win puts Portugal level on points with Denmark, who beat the Dutch in their opening game, while Germany top the table and take on Holland later on Wednesday.

The Portuguese managed to put very little together in the opening 20 minutes save once when Ronaldo drifted in from the wing into the centre and played the ball to Raul Meireles.

Meireles found the Real Madrid star - just five goals in 15 tournament matches - in space but he produced a woeful shot and tried to blame the pitch as he looked ruefully down at it afterwards.

However, he was not found wanting when he delivered his corner in the 24th minute as Pepe came steaming in to head home, the ball flying in over Danish midfielder William Kvist's head at the near post.

Ronaldo appeared to take heart out of that and he was unfortunate to see an on-target freekick take a deflection off a Danish defender in the 32nd minute.

But he did not have to wait long for his side to double their lead.

His former Manchester United team-mate Nani was the creator, passing the ball into the box where Postiga got a yard on his marker Simon Kjaer and put the ball away with a sharp finish.

The Danes, though, got themselves back in the match four minutes before half-time as a smart header across the goal from Michael Krohn-Dehli found Bendtner unmarked and he made no mistake with a close range header to make it five successive games with the Portuguese that he has found the net.

Ronaldo, though, should have restored the two goal advantage soon after the start of the second-half as put clear he was one on one with Danish 'keeper Stephan Andersen, but the latter blocked his shot with his legs.

The Danes still found plenty of fight with Kvist going close with a rasping shot. Bendtner was in lively form and worked himself some space in the 72nd minute to set himself up nicely but he sent his shot well wide of the goal.

That miss looked to have been extremely costly as Bendtner rose superbly to head home Lars Jacobsen's excellent cross from the right.

However, the drama was not over as Fabio Coentrao hared down the left flank and crossed into the box. Varela swung at the ball with his left foot and miskicked but showing remarkable composure connected with his favoured right foot and lashed home.

24:01' Kleper Pepe scores goal video - Denmark 0 - 1 Portugal

Kleper Pepe grabs a headed goal from close in.

35:26' Helder Postiga scores goal video - Denmark 0 - 2 Portugal

Goal scored by Helder Postiga from close in to the top right corner of the goal.

40:30' Nicklas Bendtner scores goal video - Denmark 1 - 2 Portugal

Nicklas Bendtner scores a headed goal from inside the six-yard box.

79:43' Nicklas Bendtner scores goal video - Denmark 2 - 2 Portugal

Nicklas Bendtner scores a headed goal from close in.

86:39' Silvestre Varela scores goal video - Denmark 2 - 3 Portugal

Silvestre Varela finds the net with a goal from inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal.

EURO 2012 Denmark Vs Portugal Extended Highlights Video

Watch Live Euro 2012: Netherlands Vs Germany

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 09:58:00 +0000

EURO 2012: NETHERLANDS V GERMANY
Venue: Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv Date: Wednesday, 13 June Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has to decide whether to start with prolific Schalke 04 striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar against Germany in Group B.

Netherlands Vs Germany Head-to-head:

Germany and the Netherlands meet for a record-equalling fifth time at European Championships; only Germany and the Czechs (before and after 'velvet divorce' with Slovakia) can match that.
The last time they met was a friendly in November in Hamburg, Germany beating a weakened Dutch side 3-0 - the Oranje's heaviest defeat since a 4-1 loss against England at Euro 1996.
These countries have met 38 times (Netherlands winning 10 times, Germany winning 14). The Dutch have only played Belgium more, and the Germans have only played Switzerland more.
Netherland (37) and Germany (34) were the top two goal-scoring nations in Euro 2012 qualifying.

Netherlands

The last time the Dutch failed to progress from the group stage of a European Championships was in 1980, when their exit involved a defeat by West Germany. They did not qualify in 1984.
Have won just three of their past eight games (losing vs Sweden, Germany, Bulgaria & Denmark).
Despite those four defeats in eight games, the Dutch have not lost back-to-back since 1995.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's 12-goal haul in qualifying was one short of the overall individual record.
At 18 years & 71 days old, PSV Eindhoven left-back Jetro Willems became the youngest-ever player to feature in a European Championships when he started against Denmark on Saturday.

Germany

The team that beat Portugal was the youngest-ever starting XI Germany has fielded at a Euros.
Match-winning goal-scorer Mario Gomez (who bagged 12 goals in this season's Champions League for runners-up Bayern Munich) had just eight touches in the first half against Portugal.
Germany conceded fewer fouls than any other side in qualifying for Euro 2012.
They have scored in past 17 games (last blank was goalless draw vs Sweden in November 2010).

Watch Live Euro 2012: Netherlands Vs Germany

Check SLC RESULT 2068/2069 With Marksheet, SMS, and Phones

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 08:48:00 +0000

The Office of the Controller Examinations, Sanothimi, has publish the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) results today.

According to Deputy Controller at the OCE Ambika Prasad Regmi, the results was published organising a press conference at around 5.30 this evening.

According to OCE, this year 47.16 pc regular students passed the exams while 16.70 pc exempted students have passed.

SLC RESULT 2068/2069 Published

Total Regular Examinees: 419,019

Total Regular Examinees (Pass): 197,638 (47.16%)

Of the total examinees, 17,760 students have passed with distinction,

77,297 have passed with first division marks,

93,830 have received second division and

8,791 students have managed to pass with third division.

Total Exempted Examinees: 76,979

Total Exempted Examinees (passed): 10,597

First Division: 126

Second Division: 7,595

Third Division: 2,828

A total of 528,257 candidates, including 445,974 in the regular stream and 82,283 in the exempted stream, appeared in the SLC examinations this year.

You can get to know your results in you mobile phone and web site.

Download Complete Result of SLC 2068

Full result of SLC 2068 Regular
Full result of SLC 2068 Exempted

Instructions (for Web and IVR)

IVR System (From PSTN and CDMA phones)
Dial 1600 and follow the instructions

Check SLC Results in SMS

Type slc symbol number and send sms to 5001
Example :- Type SLC 0123456A and send it to 5001

or
Type slc symbol number and send sms to 1400

or

TYPE SLC your symbol number and send it to 8080

Check SLC Results in Webpage Online
Type your symbol number (Example :- 20013824) in the input box above and click submit
Your result will appear on the screen

SLC RESULT 2067 Nepal Telecom

Office of the Controller of Examination (OCE) SLC Result 2068/2069 with Marksheet

Watch Live Euro 2012: Denmark Vs Portugal

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Venue: Arena Lviv, Lviv Date: Wednesday, 13 June 2012 Kick-off: 17:00 BST

Denmark look set to call up Michael Silberauer to man-mark Cristiano Ronaldo, as he did during the Danes' home qualifying win over Portugal.

Denmark Vs Portugal Head-to-head:

Since Morten Olsen's debut as Denmark coach in August 2000, the Danes have won three out of five matches with Portugal and only lost one.
Up until that point Portugal had won six of the first seven meetings between the countries. In total Portugal have won seven of 12 official encounters compared to Denmark's three.
Portugal have scored in all of their 12 previous meetings - matches that have averaged 3.5 goals per game.

Denmark:

Denmark have won five successive competitive matches for the first time since Sep2008-Jun 2009. Victory would see them record six straight wins for first time since Jun-Nov 1999, and for a first time under Olsen.
The last team to beat Denmark in a competitive match were Portugal, who inflicted a 3-1 qualifying defeat in Lisbon in October 2010.
If selected, Nicklas Bendtner will win his 50th Danish cap. He has scored one goal in each of his four previous matches against Portugal and has never lost a match against them (three wins, one draw).

Portugal

Portugal have lost their last three European Championship matches - their longest ever run of defeats in the tournament.
Paulo Bento's first match as Portugal head coach came in the 3-1 home victory over Denmark in October 2010.
Portugal have never failed to advance beyond the group stage before at five previous European Championship finals tournaments where group stages have been contested.

Watch Live Euro 2012: Denmark Vs Portugal

Amazing Photo: EURO 2012 Poland Vs Russia

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 06:46:00 +0000

Football hooligans have clashed with opposing fans and police before and during Poland's Euro 2012 game against bitter rivals Russia, leaving 15 injured while more than 140 people were detained.

Following scattered fighting in the Polish capital before the match, police fired rubber bullets at a group of fans who attacked them with bottles and stones near an outdoor fan zone in central Warsaw where about 75,000 people were watching the game on huge screens. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

The co-hosts came from behind during a thrilling second half, captain Jakub Blaszczykowski scoring the equaliser with a thunderous left-foot shot.

Russia had taken the lead after 37 minutes, when Alan Dzagoev turned in Andrey Arshavin's curling free-kick.

Although both teams had chances to win the game, the spoils were shared.

The result leaves Group A wide open, with all four teams still mathematically able to qualify for the quarter-finals after a night of high drama in the Polish capital.

EURO 2012 Poland Vs Russia Highlights Video, Match Report

Photos of Euro 2012 soccer championship Group A match between Poland and Russia in Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, June 12, 2012:

Standing left to right are Poland's Robert Lewandowski, goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton, Damien Perquis, Sebastian Boenisch, Lukasz Piszczek, Eugen Polanski and bottom left to right are Ludovic Obraniak, Dariusz Dudka, Marcin Wasilewski, Jakub Blaszczykowski and Rafal Murawski.

(from top left) Russian defender Sergey Ignashevich, Aleksei Berezutski, Yuri Zhirkov, Goalkeeper Vyacheslav Malafeev, Midfielder Roman Shirokov, Konstantin Zyryanov, Igor Denisov, Forward Aleksander Kerzhakov, Alan Dzagoev, Aleksander Anyukov and Andrey Arshavin.

Russian midfielder Alan Dzagoev (L) scores a goal during the Euro 2012 championships football match Poland vs Russia on June 12, 2012.

Poland's Jakub Blaszczykowski, center, celebrates after he scored a goal in front of his teammate Rafal Murawski during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group A match between Poland and Russia in Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, June 12, 2012.

A Poland fan shows up a shirt that reads " The attack of Smolensk".

Beautiful Poland soccer fans wait for the start of the Group A Euro 2012 soccer match between Poland and Russia.

Beautiful Poland fan holds a scarf as they wait for the start of the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group A match between Poland and Russia.

Polish football fans cheer and shout in the Warsaw Fanzone on June 12, 2012 durng the Euro 2012 championships football match Poland vs Russia held at the National Stadium in Warsaw.

Russian football fans shout slogans during a march towards the National Stadium of Warsaw, ahead of the Euro 2012 championships football match Poland vs Russia.

Football fans pose in Kiev fanzone on June 12, 2012, ahead of the Euro 2012 football championships match between Poland and Russia.

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski give thumbs-up as he sits next to UEFA President Michel Platini (R) before the Group A Euro 2012 soccer match between Poland and Russia at the National stadium in Warsaw June 12, 2012.

Polish police stand guard by the tribune after the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group A match between Poland and Russia in Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, June 12, 2012.

A Russian soccer fan (R) fights with a Polish supporter in Warsaw June 12, 2012.

Polish riot police stand guard next to soccer fans that have been arrested following clashes before the Group A Euro 2012 soccer match between Poland and Russia in Warsaw June 12, 2012.

Polish fans light fireworks as they clash with police during the Euro 2012 soccer championship group A match between Poland and Russia in Warsaw, Poland , Tuesday, June 12, 2012.

EURO 2012 Poland Vs Russia Highlights Video, Match Report

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 05:03:00 +0000

Poland produced a stirring performance in Warsaw to hold Russia to a draw and strengthen their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.

EURO 2012 Poland Vs Russia Match Report

Poland hold Russia to stay in Euro hunt Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland kept their chances of a quarter-finals berth alive on Tuesday after drawing 1-1 with Russia, putting on ice their opponents' hopes of clinching the first slot in the knock-out phase.

The Poles, needing to take at least a point from the Group A match in the wake of their 1-1 tournament opener against Greece on Friday, were keenly aware of Russia's high-octane 4-1 performance against the Czech Republic the same night.

In what may be the most politically-charged fixture of the tournament, Poland looked the hungrier team in the first half, launching a series of convincing attacks on the Russian goal.

But they failed to capitalise on earlier chances including a slicing free kick in the seventh minute by Ludovic Obraniak, newly positioned as a left-side midfielder, with Sebastian Boenisch's attempt saved by Vyacheslav Malafeev.

Amazing Photo: EURO 2012 Poland Vs Russia

Hard work appeared to have paid off when Eugen Polanski moved onto a through ball from lone striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored against the Greeks, and fired past Malafeev.

But fans and the Polish bench swung from ecstasy to misery when his 18th-minute shot was ruled offside.

A resurgent Russia picked up the pace, with captain Andrey Arshavin crossing in the 25th minute to fellow member of their striking triumvirate Aleksandr Kerzhakov, only for him to miss the target.

Polish keeper Przeymslaw Tyton - whose penalty-saving heroics after he came on as a substitute for red-carded first choice Wojciech Szczesny helped avoid a Polish defeat to Greece - saved a free kick from Arshavin a minute later.

Russia's efforts bore fruit in the 37th minute when rising star Alan Dzagoev, who notched up a double against the Czechs, latched onto an inswinging Arshavin free kick to open the scoring.

Poland, who were criticised for losing pace against Greece in the second half and throwing away their lead, returned from the dressing room keen to harry the Russians.

While they appeared tired, they battled hard, and finally equalised in the 57th minute when captain Kuba Blaszczykowski picked up a cross from Obraniak and fired home a left-footed piledriver.

There were nervous moments for both sides in the remainder of the half, with the noise levels rising in Warsaw's brand-new National Stadium.

Blaszczykowski, who along with Lewandowski and defender Lukasz Piszczek has enjoyed a stellar season at German double winners Borussia Dortmund, was named man of the match.

Sporting encounters between Poland and Russia are often high pressure, as they feed into centuries of antipathy between the two nations, and the rivalry in the stadium's terraces was palpable from the start of the match.

Tensions had risen in Warsaw beforehand, as police made dozens of arrests and used water canons to halt brawls between fans from both camps.

With the Czech Republic having beaten Greece 2-1 earlier on Tuesday, Russia top Group A on four points after two rounds of action with the Czechs second on three points, Poland third on two and Greece fourth on one.

Russia wrap up their group matches against Greece on Saturday, when Poland face the Czechs.

36:35' Alan Dzagoev Goal Video- Poland 0 - 1 Russia

Alan Dzagoev grabs a headed goal from close range.

56:29' Jakub Blaszczykowski Goal Video- Poland 1 - 1 Russia

Jakub Blaszczykowski finds the net with a goal from the edge of the area to the top left corner of the goal

EURO 2012 Poland Vs Russia Extended Highlights Video

EURO 2012 Greece Vs Czech Republic Highlights Video, Match Report

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 04:20:00 +0000

Czech Republic's Euro 2012 campaign came alive thanks to two goals in the first six minutes against 2004 champions Greece.

Match Report: Greece Vs Czech Republic

Czechs gain revenge on Greeks to stay alive. The Czech Republic kept alive their hopes of reaching the Euro 2012 quarter-finals as they beat Greece 2-1 in their Group A clash here on Tuesday.

Victory not only took the Czechs onto three points with a game to come against co-hosts Poland but was also revenge for their defeat by the Greeks in the Euro 2004 semi-finals.

The Greeks - who went on to win the Euro 2004 title - are stuck on just a point with Russia, who beat the Czechs 4-1 in their opener, to come.

The Czechs made a dream start scoring twice in the opening six minutes with Jiri Jiracek and Vaclav Pilar scoring.

Greece threatened to get back into the match seven minutes into the second-half when Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech spilled the ball straight to Fanis Gekas and he tucked the ball away.

The Czechs made a dream start as they took advantage of the out of sorts second choice Greek centreback pairing of Kostas Katsouranis and Kyriakos Papadopoulos, who had replaced the injured Avraam Padadopoulos and the suspended Socratis Papastathopoulos.

First Jiracek was picked out in the third minute by Thomas Hubschman with a superb ball over the top which the Wolfsburg dynamo ran on to and fired in a shot that gave Greek 'keeper Costas Chalkias no chance.

Chalkias was at fault for the second goal three minutes later as he failed to cut out Theo Gebre Selassie's ball from the byline and with the two Greek central defenders slow to react Pilar slid in to put the ball in the net for his second goal of the tournament.

Chalkias's unhappy afternoon ended prematurely when he had to go off injured in the 22nd minute and was replaced by Michalis Sapikis.

Sapikis proved himself, though, as he made two fine stops in the first-half from Rosicky and Jiracek.

However, the second-half got off in the worst possible manner with Rosicky failing to appear as he was found to be suffering from an apparent Achilles tendon injury.

The Greeks heartened by the loss of the Czechs most influential player pressed for a goal. They were rewarded when there was a rare error by Cech as he collided with Tomas Sivok going for a cross spilled the ball and Fanis Gekas was on hand to gratefully tuck the ball into the net.

The Russians play co-hosts Poland, who have a point after a 1-1 draw with the Greeks, later on Tuesday.

Czech Team Line Up: Cech, Gebre Selassie, Sivok, Kadlec, Limbersky, Hubschman, Plasil, Jiracek, Rosicky, Pilar, Baros. Subs: Lastuvka, Suchy, Hubnik, Necid, Rezek, Petrzela, Rajtoral, Kolar, Pekhart, Lafata, Darida, Drobny.

Greece Team Line Up: Chalkias, Torosidis, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Katsouranis, Holebas, Fotakis, Maniatis, Karagounis, Salpingidis, Samaras, Fortounis. Subs: Tzorvas, Tzavelas, Malezas, Makos, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Gekas, Ninis, Fetfatzidis, Sifakis.

2:15' Petr Jiracek's Goal Video - Greece 0 - 1 Czech Rep

Petr Jiracek finds the net with a goal from inside the penalty box low into the middle of the goal.

5:19' Vaclav Pilar Goal Video- Greece 0 - 2 Czech Rep

Vaclav Pilar scores a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal.

53:23' Theofanis Gekas Goal Video- Greece 1 - 2 Czech Rep

Theofanis Gekas finds the net with a goal from inside the box low into the middle of the goal.

Greece Vs Czech Republic Extended Highlights Video

Watch Live Euro 2012: Greece v Czech Republic

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 10:36:00 +0000

Greece are short of defenders, with Sokratis Papastathopoulos serving a ban and Avraam Papadopoulos ruled out after tearing his cruciate ligament.

Euro 2012: Greece v Czech Republic
* Venue: Municipal Stadium, Wroclaw
* Date: Monday, 12 June
* Kick-off: 17:00 BST

Kyriakos Papadopoulos will be promoted to the starting line-up, and is set to partner Kostas Katsouranis at the back.

The Czech Republic may make changes following their 4-1 defeat to Russia.

Michal Kadlec could revert to centre-back with David Limbersky coming in at left-back, while Tomas Hubschman and Tomas Pekhart could also feature.

Match Facts: Greece v Czech Republic

Head-to-head

* Since the "velvet divorce" with Slovakia the Czech Republic have not beaten Greece, failing to score in four meetings (L2, D2). The most recent encounter was a 1-0 win for the Greeks in a friendly match played in Cyprus in February 2008.
* Greece's last defeat to Czechoslovakia was a 2-1 friendly loss in 1982.

Greece
* Greece have lost only once in 22 matches under coach Fernando Santos (W11, D10, L1). Their only defeat came against Romania in a friendly last November.

* Dimitris Salpingidis scored the only goal when these teams last met, in a friendly in 2008. Greece are unbeaten when Salpingidis has scored - recording six wins and two draws.

* Giorgos Karagounis's missed penalty against Poland was the third spot-kick in a row they have spurned. Kostas Katsouranis and Giorgos Samaras both failed to convert from 12 yards in Greece's final warm-up game, a 1-0 win against Armenia.

Czech Republic

* The Czech Republic can become the first country to concede three goals or more in four successive European Championship matches.

* Milan Baros was top scorer at Euro 2004 with five goals. Only six players have scored six or more goals at European Championships: Michel Platini (9), Alan Shearer (7), plus Ruud van Nistelrooy, Patrick Kluivert, Thierry Henry and Nuno Gomes (all with 6).

* Vaclav Pilar, the Czechs' goalscorer against Russia, completed all 11 of his passes in the final third and each of his four shots were on target.

Watch Live Euro 2012: Greece v Czech Republic

Watch Live: UEFA Euro 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Guest) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 11:07:00 +0000

The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as Euro 2012, is the 14th European Championship for national football teams organised by UEFA. The final tournament is being hosted by Poland and Ukraine between 8 June and 1 July 2012.

UEFA Euro 2012 official logo

The final tournament features 16 nations, the last European Championship to do so. Qualification was contested by 51 nations between August 2010 and November 2011 to join the two host nations in the tournament. The winner of the tournament gains automatic entry to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup hosted by Brazil.

Eight cities have been selected by UEFA as host venues. The host cities for UEFA EURO 2012 are Warsaw, Gdańsk, Wrocław, Poznań, Kiev, Lviv, Donetsk and Kharkiv.

The competition slogan, Creating History Together (Polish: Razem tworzymy przyszłość, literally, "Together we are creating the future", Ukrainian: Творимо історію разом, Tvorymo istoriyu razom), was announced along with the logo. The slogan reflects the fact that Poland and Ukraine were united in the past as one country and are now two nations in central and eastern Europe with ambitions to stage the best tournament in the history of the European Championship.

The official match ball for UEFA Euro 2012 is the Adidas Tango 12, which is designed to be easier to dribble and control.

The sixteen finalists who will participate in the final tournament are:

CROATIA	CZECH REPUBLIC	DENMARK	ENGLAND
FRANCE	GERMANY	GREECE	ITALY
NETHERLANDS	POLAND	PORTUGAL	IRELAND
RUSSIA	SPAIN	SWEDEN	UKRAINE

Watch Euro Cup 2012 Live Streaming

Note: You could only view the game in the live stream TV when it is going on.