2008/09 UEFA Champions League match calendar
Stage	Dates
First qualifying round, 1st leg	15/16.07.2008
First qualifying round, 2nd leg	22/23.07.2008
Second qualifying round, 1st leg	29/30.07.2008
Second qualifying round, 2nd leg	05/06.08.2008
Third qualifying round, 1st leg	12/13.08.2008
Third qualifying round, 2nd leg	26/27.08.2008
Group stage, Matchday 1	16/17.09.2008
Group stage, Matchday 2	30.09/01.10.2008
Group stage, Matchday 3	21/22.10.2008
Group stage, Matchday 4	04/05.11.2008
Group stage, Matchday 5	25/26.11.2008
Group stage, Matchday 6	09/10.12.2008
First knockout round, 1st leg	24/25.02.2009
First knockout round, 2nd leg	10/11.03.2009
Quarter-finals, 1st leg	07/08.04.2009
Quarter-finals, 2nd leg	14/15.04.2009
Semi-finals, 1st leg	28/29.04.2009
Semi-finals, 2nd leg	05/06.05.2009
Final (Rome, Italy)	27.05.2009

ZURICH, Switzerland – FIFA has suspended Peru from international football because the government is feuding with the national federation.

Football's world governing body on Tuesday gave the sides a month to settle their differences.

FIFA rules prohibit political interference in football affairs, but Peru's government has refused to recognize the election of Manuel Burga as president of the Peruvian Football Federation.

Peru is now suspended from the 2010 World Cup. It is last in the 10-nation South American qualifying group and is not due to play until next March.

Peruvian clubs are barred from playing teams from other countries following the FIFA ruling and Peru has already lost hosting rights for the South American under-20 championship next year.

GLASGOW, Scotland – Diego Maradona made his debut as Argentina's coach Wednesday, his team beating Scotland 1-0 in an exhibition game in the stadium where he scored the first goal of his extraordinary international career.

Maxi Rodriguez scored in the eighth minute at Hampden Park for an Argentine team that showed only flashes of the skill that brought Maradona such fame.

Maradona, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in 1986, made a mostly quiet coaching debut. There was little of the frantic gesticulating and wild cheerleading that characterized his time as a fan of the national team.

Aside from Maxi's goal, there was little evidence of the entertaining performance Maradona promised Scottish fans for their warm welcome. The midfielder's low shot past goalkeeper Allan McGregor completed a slick move and gave a hint of the passing game that could evolve under Maradona.

source

USA's players hold hands after winning a men's semifinal basketball game against Argentina at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008.

(AP Photo/Dusan Vranic)

BEIJING - The climb back to the top is nearly complete. One more win and U.S. basketball is golden again.

The Americans ended their streak of final four flops and Argentina's hopes of an Olympic gold-medal repeat, starting fast and finishing strong in a 101-81 semifinal victory Friday.

All that's left is what the U.S. players came for: a gold medal.

The United States scored 21 of the first 25 points, got a big break when Argentina star Manu Ginobili reinjured his left ankle, and surged into its first gold-medal game in eight years.

Watch live Here....

Spanish national coach Luis Aragones talks to the team during a training session at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna June 28, 2008. Spain will play against Germany in the final of the Euro 2008 soccer championship in Vienna on Sunday.

(Alex Grimm/Reuters)

Ballack to play in final ? can germany beat spain ??

great babe...

Spanish defender Sergio Ramos (front) takes his jersey off as he celebrates defeating Italy in the Euro 2008 Championships quarter-final football match Spain vs. Italy at Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna. Spain reached the Euro 2008 semi-finals after they beat Italy 4-2 on penalties.

(AFP/Damien Meyer)

Lehmann ready to put his life on the line against Turks

Veteran German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann dives for a ball during the Euro 2008 quarter-final against Portugal in Basel on June 19. Lehmann has said he is prepared to put his life on the line in Wednesday's Euro 2008 semi-final against Turkey.

(AFP/File/Fabrice Coffrini)

German players warm up during a training session in Tenero. For anyone offering an opinion on how an international football tournament might pan out, 'never write off the Germans' has long been one of the most reliable cliches.

(AFP/Oliver Lang)

it will be an interesting match....ballack meet ronaldo...

French midfielder Franck Ribery touches his left leg after getting injured during the Euro 2008 Championships Group C football match France vs. Italy at the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich. Italy won 2-0.

(AFP/Daniel Mihailescu)

ITALY to Quater Final....

French forward Karim Benzema (L) is pictured during a training session in Chatel-Saint-Denis. France go into their do or die clash with Italy beset by doubt, reports of internal strife and player fatigue.

(AFP/Franck Fife)

source

who will go to next phase ??

German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann applaudes after winning 1-0 during the Euro 2008 Championships Group B football match Austria vs. Germany at Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna.

(AFP/Alberto Pizzoli)

France meet italy today...ahaks...

source

Balls on the pitch during a training session for Italy. On the page or on the pitch any encounter between France and Italy generates sauna-like temperatures, even more so with the kind of stakes riding on this latest instalment of their rivalry

(AFP/Alberto Pizzoli)

source

Croatia stuns Germany 2-1 at Euro 2008

while france confident to win group

Despite poor start, Domenech confident of winning group

hehe.... lets change votes..!!

Play-maker Cristiano Ronaldo, seen here celebrating Portugal's 3-1 victory over the Czech Republic, said he was really pleased with the team's performance as Portugal now sits on top of their group with six points.

(AFP/Paul Ellis)

GENEVA (AFP) - Portugal's play-maker Cristiano Ronaldo hit a second-half goal to all but book his side's Euro 2008 quarter-final berth with a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic here on Wednesday.

As Manchester United struggle to keep him at Old Trafford and Real Madrid attempt to lure him to Spain, the 23-year-old play-maker showed why the European giants are battling for his services with an impressive performance.

source

Swiss forward Tranquillo Barnetta (L) and Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner (down) vie with Turkish defender Hakan Kadir Balta (R) during the Euro 2008 Championships Group A football match Switzerland vs. Turkey at Jakob-Park stadium in Basel, Switzerland. Turkey won 2-1.

(AFP/Boris Horvat)

BASEL, Switzerland (AFP) - Arda Turan ended Switzerland's interest in Euro 2008 in heartbreaking fashion by capping a man-of-the-match display with the stoppage time strike that gave Turkey a 2-1 win here on Wednesday.

Just as it seemed the co-hosts had done enough to stay alive in the competition, Arda broke clear on the left, cut inside and beat goalkeeper Diego Benaglio from the edge of the area with the help of a cruel deflection off the boot of centreback Patrick Muller.

source

BERN, Switzerland - The Netherlands handed Italy its worth loss in a European Championship, a 3-0 rout Monday that left the World Cup champions in danger of elimination in the first round.

Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wesley Sneijder scored in the first half, and standout defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst added the third goal on a counterattack in the 79th minute.

Dutch forward Arjen Robben stretches in front of teammates John Heitinga and Rafael van der Vaart during a training session in Geneva, June 7. Holland embark on yet another major finals campaign with high expectations but their first clash of Euro 2008 will evoke memories of another failure to cash in on their constant conveyor belt of talent when they face world champions Italy.

(AFP/File/Ed Oudenaarden)

BERNE, Switzerland (AFP) - Holland embark on yet another major finals campaign with high expectations but their first clash of Euro 2008 will evoke memories of another failure to cash in on their constant conveyor belt of talent when they face world champions Italy here on Monday.

source

BASEL, Switzerland - Vaclav Sverkos made his first goal for the Czech Republic a memorable one, scoring the winner in a 1-0 victory over co-host Switzerland on Saturday in the opening match of the European Championship.

Sverkos, making only his fourth appearance for the national team, scored from 16 yards with the outside of his right foot in the 71st minute, shortly after coming on as a substitute.

source : yahoo news

An Austrian hostess offers Italian flags during a training session of the Italian national football team in Maria Enzersdorf near Vienna, on June 2. It took time, but with less than a week to go before the start of Euro 2008 and with sunny weather bringing people out in droves, Vienna is starting to show some football fever.

(AFP/Joe Klamar)

VIENNA (AFP) - It took time, but with less than a week to go before the start of Euro 2008 and with sunny weather bringing people out in droves, Vienna is starting to show some football fever.

Preparations for the 100,000-square-metre fan mile enclosing City Hall Square, Heroes' Square and the Ring road in between, which is to be closed for a whole month starting on Monday, are in full swing.

Stages and giant screens are being set up and the still-shuttered food huts are already in place, ready to be opened for business.

source

Shaun Maloney of Scotland (L) goes to head the ball with Zdenek Pospech of Czech Republic during their friendly soccer match in Prague. The Czech Republic won 3-1.

(AFP/Michal Cizek)

PRAGUE (AFP) - The Czech Republic ran out comfortable 3-1 winners over Scotland here on Friday, but big question marks still remain over the home side's midfield ahead of next week's Euro 2008 finals.

who will win in uefa-euro 2008 ?

Saturday 7 June 2008
1	Grp A	Switzerland	18:00	Czech Republic	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
2	Grp A	Portugal	20:45	Turkey	Geneva - Stade de Genève
Sunday 8 June 2008
3	Grp B	Austria	18:00	Croatia	Vienna - Ernst Happel
4	Grp B	Germany	20:45	Poland	Klagenfurt - Wörthersee
Monday 9 June 2008
5	Grp C	Romania	18:00	France	Zurich - Letzigrund
6	Grp C	Netherlands	20:45	Italy	Berne - Stade de Suisse
Tuesday 10 June 2008
7	Grp D	Spain	18:00	Russia	Innsbruck - Tivoli Neu
8	Grp D	Greece	20:45	Sweden	Salzburg - EM Stadion Wals-Siezenheim
Wednesday 11 June 2008
9	Grp A	Czech Republic	18:00	Portugal	Geneva - Stade de Genève
10	Grp A	Switzerland	20:45	Turkey	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
Thursday 12 June 2008
11	Grp B	Croatia	18:00	Germany	Klagenfurt - Wörthersee
12	Grp B	Austria	20:45	Poland	Vienna - Ernst Happel
Friday 13 June 2008
13	Grp C	Italy	18:00	Romania	Zurich - Letzigrund
14	Grp C	Netherlands	20:45	France	Berne - Stade de Suisse
Saturday 14 June 2008
15	Grp D	Sweden	18:00	Spain	Innsbruck - Tivoli Neu
16	Grp D	Greece	20:45	Russia	Salzburg - EM Stadion Wals-Siezenheim
Sunday 15 June 2008
17	Grp A	Switzerland	20:45	Portugal	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
18	Grp A	Turkey	20:45	Czech Republic	Geneva - Stade de Genève
Monday 16 June 2008
19	Grp B	Poland	20:45	Croatia	Klagenfurt - Wörthersee
20	Grp B	Austria	20:45	Germany	Vienna - Ernst Happel
Tuesday 17 June 2008
21	Grp C	Netherlands	20:45	Romania	Berne - Stade de Suisse
22	Grp C	France	20:45	Italy	Zurich - Letzigrund
Wednesday 18 June 2008
23	Grp D	Greece	20:45	Spain	Salzburg - EM Stadion Wals-Siezenheim
24	Grp D	Russia	20:45	Sweden	Innsbruck - Tivoli Neu
Thursday 19 June 2008
25	QF	Winner Grp A	20:45	Runner-up Grp B	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
Friday 20 June 2008
26	QF	Winner Grp B	20:45	Runner-up Grp A	Vienna - Ernst Happel
Saturday 21 June 2008
27	QF	Winner Grp C	20:45	Runner-up Grp D	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
Sunday 22 June 2008
28	QF	Winner Grp D	20:45	Runner-up Grp C	Vienna - Ernst Happel
Wednesday 25 June 2008
29	SF	Winner #25	20:45	Winner #26	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
Thursday 26 June 2008
30	SF	Winner #27	20:45	Winner #28	Vienna - Ernst Happel
Sunday 29 June 2008
31	F	Winner #29	20:45	Winner #30	Vienna - Ernst Happel

Saturday 7 June 2008
1	Grp A	Switzerland	18:00	Czech Republic	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
2	Grp A	Portugal	20:45	Turkey	Geneva - Stade de Genève
Sunday 8 June 2008
3	Grp B	Austria	18:00	Croatia	Vienna - Ernst Happel
4	Grp B	Germany	20:45	Poland	Klagenfurt - Wörthersee
Monday 9 June 2008
5	Grp C	Romania	18:00	France	Zurich - Letzigrund
6	Grp C	Netherlands	20:45	Italy	Berne - Stade de Suisse
Tuesday 10 June 2008
7	Grp D	Spain	18:00	Russia	Innsbruck - Tivoli Neu
8	Grp D	Greece	20:45	Sweden	Salzburg - EM Stadion Wals-Siezenheim
Wednesday 11 June 2008
9	Grp A	Czech Republic	18:00	Portugal	Geneva - Stade de Genève
10	Grp A	Switzerland	20:45	Turkey	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
Thursday 12 June 2008
11	Grp B	Croatia	18:00	Germany	Klagenfurt - Wörthersee
12	Grp B	Austria	20:45	Poland	Vienna - Ernst Happel
Friday 13 June 2008
13	Grp C	Italy	18:00	Romania	Zurich - Letzigrund
14	Grp C	Netherlands	20:45	France	Berne - Stade de Suisse
Saturday 14 June 2008
15	Grp D	Sweden	18:00	Spain	Innsbruck - Tivoli Neu
16	Grp D	Greece	20:45	Russia	Salzburg - EM Stadion Wals-Siezenheim
Sunday 15 June 2008
17	Grp A	Switzerland	20:45	Portugal	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
18	Grp A	Turkey	20:45	Czech Republic	Geneva - Stade de Genève
Monday 16 June 2008
19	Grp B	Poland	20:45	Croatia	Klagenfurt - Wörthersee
20	Grp B	Austria	20:45	Germany	Vienna - Ernst Happel
Tuesday 17 June 2008
21	Grp C	Netherlands	20:45	Romania	Berne - Stade de Suisse
22	Grp C	France	20:45	Italy	Zurich - Letzigrund
Wednesday 18 June 2008
23	Grp D	Greece	20:45	Spain	Salzburg - EM Stadion Wals-Siezenheim
24	Grp D	Russia	20:45	Sweden	Innsbruck - Tivoli Neu
Thursday 19 June 2008
25	QF	Winner Grp A	20:45	Runner-up Grp B	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
Friday 20 June 2008
26	QF	Winner Grp B	20:45	Runner-up Grp A	Vienna - Ernst Happel
Saturday 21 June 2008
27	QF	Winner Grp C	20:45	Runner-up Grp D	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
Sunday 22 June 2008
28	QF	Winner Grp D	20:45	Runner-up Grp C	Vienna - Ernst Happel
Wednesday 25 June 2008
29	SF	Winner #25	20:45	Winner #26	Basel - St. Jakob-Park
Thursday 26 June 2008
30	SF	Winner #27	20:45	Winner #28	Vienna - Ernst Happel
Sunday 29 June 2008
31	F	Winner #29	20:45	Winner #30	Vienna - Ernst Happel

Arsenal footballer Tomas Rosicky celebrates scoring the third goal during their Premiership match at Craven Cottage in London, January 2008. Rosicky is doubtful for Euro 2008 because of recurring knee tendonitis, Czech football federation vice-president Vlastimil Kostal has said.

(AFP/File/Glyn Kirk)

The 27-year Arsenal midfielder is suffering from a painful inflammation at the back of his knee and has been out of action since the end of January.

"To be honest I'm worried for Rosicky's participation in the Euro," Kostal told the daily Sport.

"The treatment is difficult. Tomas has accepted the fact that he probably won't play for Arsenal again this season," Czech team doctor Petr Krejci added.

If Rosicky does not compete in the June 7-29 tournament coach Karel Brueckner could opt to use Reading's Marek Matejovsky, Jaroslav Plasil, of Spanish side Osasuna, or Hamburg's David Jarolim in the role of playmaker.

The newspaper also speculated on the eventual return of Juventus midfielder Pavel Nedved, who retired from international competition after the end of the 2006 World Cup.

UEFA president France's Michel Platini jokes during a press conference in Vienna. Platini voiced confidence that Spain would not be excluded from Euro 2008 because of an ongoing row with FIFA over perceived government interference in the running of the country's football federation.

(AFP/Samuel Kubani)

UEFA President Michel Platini, left, and Martin Kallen EURO 2008 SA COO are seen during a news conference about current status of UEFA EURO 2008 preparations at the UEFA EURO 2008 Finalits' Workshop in Vienna on Wednesday March 12, 2008.

(AP Photo/Hans Punz)

Bayern Munich's French player Franck Ribery(C) and his teammates acknowledge their fans after inflicting a 5-0 defeat on Andrelecht in the UEFA quarter-finals in Brussels.

(AFP/John Thys)

BRUSSELS (AFP) - Bayern Munich virtually made sure of their place in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals with a 5-0 demolition of Belgian side Anderlecht here on Thursday.

The German giants were in front after just nine minutes when Turkish international Hamit Altintop found the target with a 30-metre drive.

The night got more comfortable for Bayern, who were missing rested goalkeeper Oliver Kahn as well as the injured Lucio and Ze Roberto, when Anderlecht's Polish defender Marcin Wasilewski was sent-off for a foul on Luca Toni on the stroke of half-time.

The Italian international striker added the second goal for Bayern in first half injury time before Lukas Podolski made it 3-0 in the 57th minute.

Miroslav Klose, who came on as a half-time substitite, put away the fourth in the 67th minute from a pass from fellow replacement Frank Ribery.

The French midfielder completed the scoring with a 20-metre free-kick four minutes from the end as Bayern celebrated their first win in five European visits to Anderlecht.

"I'm very happy," said Ribery. "It's always special to score a free-kick like that.

"It was a good match for us. We are the favourites for the UEFA Cup and I really believe that if we play all of our matches as seriously as this one then we can do it."

Chelsea's German midfielder Michael Ballack applauds the supporters after beating Olympiakos 3-0 in their UEFA Champions League football match against Olympiakos at Stamford Bridge, London.

(AFP/Paul Ellis)

Can Poland Win The Uefa-Euro 2008 Cup ?

- France VS Italy

Technorati Profile

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

Previous Champions of Uefa-Euro Cup.

• 2002 - 2004 Greece
• 1998 - 2000 France
• 1994 - 1996 Germany
• 1990 - 1992 Denmark
• 1986 - 1988 Netherlands
• 1982 - 1984 France
• 1978 - 1980 Germany
• 1974 - 1976 Czechoslovakia
• 1970 - 1972 Germany
• 1966 - 1968 Italy
• 1962 - 1964 Spain
• 1958 - 1960 USSR

Who'll be Next in 2008 ???

• France ? Italy ?
  

Final tournament match schedule 07-29 June 2008

1	07/06	Grp A	Switzerland	18:00	Czech Republic	Basel
2	07/06	Grp A	Portugal	20:45	Turkey	Geneva
3	08/06	Grp B	Austria	18:00	Croatia	Vienna
4	08/06	Grp B	Germany	20:45	Poland	Klagenfurt
5	09/06	Grp C	Romania	18:00	France	Zurich
6	09/06	Grp C	Netherlands	20:45	Italy	Berne
7	10/06	Grp D	Spain	18:00	Russia	Innsbruck
8	10/06	Grp D	Greece	20:45	Sweden	Salzburg
9	11/06	Grp A	Czech Republic	18:00	Portugal	Geneva
10	11/06	Grp A	Switzerland	20:45	Turkey	Basel
11	12/06	Grp B	Croatia	18:00	Germany	Klagenfurt
12	12/06	Grp B	Austria	20:45	Poland	Vienna
13	13/06	Grp C	Italy	18:00	Romania	Zurich
14	13/06	Grp C	Netherlands	20:45	France	Berne
15	14/06	Grp D	Sweden	18:00	Spain	Innsbruck
16	14/06	Grp D	Greece	20:45	Russia	Salzburg
17	15/06	Grp A	Switzerland	20:45	Portugal	Basel
18	15/06	Grp A	Turkey	20:45	Czech Republic	Geneva
19	16/06	Grp B	Poland	20:45	Croatia	Klagenfurt
20	16/06	Grp B	Austria	20:45	Germany	Vienna
21	17/06	Grp C	Netherlands	20:45	Romania	Berne
22	17/06	Grp C	France	20:45	Italy	Zurich
23	18/06	Grp D	Greece	20:45	Spain	Salzburg
24	18/06	Grp D	Russia	20:45	Sweden	Innsbruck
25	19/06	QF	Winner Grp A	20:45	Runner-up Grp B	Basel
26	20/06	QF	Winner Grp B	20:45	Runner-up Grp A	Vienna
27	21/06	QF	Winner Grp C	20:45	Runner-up Grp D	Basel
28	22/06	QF	Winner Grp D	20:45	Runner-up Grp C	Vienna
29	25/06	SF	Winner #25	20:45	Winner #26	Basel
30	26/06	SF	Winner #27	20:45	Winner #28	Vienna
31	29/06	F	Winner #29	20:45	Winner #30	Vienna