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berni23 |
Brasil
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| Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:52 pm |
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 Post subject: Group B
Euro 2008 Qualifying Group B Table | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | PTS | | Italy | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 22 | 9 | 29 | | France | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 25 | 5 | 26 | | Scotland | 12 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 21 | 12 | 24 | | Ukraine | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 18 | 16 | 17 | | Lithuania | 12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 16 | | Georgia | 12 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 16 | 19 | 10 | Faroe
Islands | 12 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 44 | 0 | Euro 2008 Qualifying Group B Fixtures | 16/08/06 | Faroe Islands | 0 v 6 | Georgia | | | | Kankava
16, Iashvilli 18, Arveladze 37, 62, 82, Kobiashvilli 51 (pen) | | 02/09/06 | Scotland | 6 v 0 | Faroe
Islands | | | Fletcher 7, McFadden 10, Boyd 24 (pen), 38, Miller 30
(pen), O'Connor 85 | | | | 02/09/06 | Italy | 1 v 1 | Lithuania | | Inzaghi 30 | | Danilevicius 21 | | 02/09/06 | Georgia | 0 v 3 | France | | | | Malouda
7, Saha 16, Henry 46 | | 06/09/06 | Lithuania | 1 v 2 | Scotland | | | Miceika 85 | | Dailly
46, Miller 62 | | 06/09/06 | France | 3 v 1 | Italy | | Govou 2, 55, Henry 18 | | Gilardino
20 | | 06/09/06 | Ukraine | 3 v 2 | Georgia | | Shevchenko 31, Rotan 65, Rusol 80 | | Arveladze
38, Demetradze 61 | | 07/10/06 | Scotland | 1 v 0 | France | | K.O 5pm | Caldwell 67 | | | | 07/10/06 | Faroe Islands | 0 v 1 | Lithuania | | | | Skerla 89 | | 07/10/06 | Italy | 2 v 0 | Ukraine | | Oddo (pen) 71, Toni 79 | | | | 11/10/06 | Ukraine | 2 v 0 | Scotland | | Kucher 60, Shevchenko (pen) 90 | | | | 11/10/06 | Georgia | 1 v 3 | Italy | | Shashiashvili 26 | | De Rossi
18, Camoranesi 63, Perrotta 71 | | 11/10/06 | France | 5 v 0 | Faroe
Islands | | Saha 2, Henry 22, Anelka 77, Trezeguet 78, 84 | | | | 24/03/07 | Scotland | 2 v 1 | Georgia | | Boyd 11,
Beattie 89 | | Arveladze 41 | | 24/03/07 | Faroe Islands | 0 v 2 | Ukraine | | | | | | 24/03/07 | Lithuania | 0 v 1 | France | | | | Anelka 73 | | 28/03/07 | Georgia | 3 v 1 | Faroe
Islands | | Siradze 25,
Iashvili 46, 95 (pen) | | Jacobsen 57 | | 28/03/07 | Italy | 2 v 0 | Scotland | | Toni 12, 70 | | | | 28/03/07 | Ukraine | 1 v 0 | Lithuania | | Gusev 47 | | | | 02/06/07 | Lithuania | 1 v 0 | Georgia | | Mikoliunas 78 | | | | 02/06/07 | Faroe Islands | 1 v 2 | Italy | | Jacobsen 77 | | Filippo Inzaghi 12, 48 | | 02/06/07 | France | 2 v 0 | Ukraine | | Ribery 57,
Anelka 71 | | | | 06/06/07 | Faroe Islands | 0 v 2 | Scotland | | | | Maloney 31, O'Connor 35 | | 06/06/07 | Lithuania | 0 v 2 | Italy | | | | Quagliarella 31, 45 | | 06/06/07 | France | 1 v 0 | Georgia | | Nasri 33 | | | | 08/09/07 | Scotland | 3 v 1 | Lithuania | | Boyd 31,
McManus 77, McFadden 83 | | Danilevicius 61 (pen) | | 08/09/07 | Georgia | 1 v 1 | Ukraine | | Tatanashvili
89 | | Shelaiev 9 | | 08/09/07 | Italy | 0 v 0 | France | | | | | | 12/09/07 | France | 0 v 1 | Scotland | | | | McFadden 64 | | 12/09/07 | Ukraine | 1 v 2 | Italy | | Schevchenko 71 | | Di Natale 41, 77 | | 12/09/07 | Lithuania | 2 v 1 | Faroe
Islands | | Jankauskas 8,
Danilevicius 53 | | Jacobsen 90+ | | 13/10/07 | Scotland | 3 v 1 | Ukraine | | Miller 4,
McCulloch 10, McFadden 68 | | Shevchenko 24 | | 13/10/07 | Italy | 2 v 0 | Georgia | | Pirlo 44,
Grosso 84 | | | | 13/10/07 | Faroe Islands | 0 v 6 | France | | | | Anelka 6, Henry 8, Benzema
50,81, Rothen 66, Ben Arfa 90 |
| 17/10/07 | Georgia | 2 v 0 | Scotland | | Mchedlidze 16,
Siradze 64 | | | | 17/10/07 | Ukraine | 5 v 0 | Faroe
Islands | | Kalinichenko
40, 49, 64, Gusev 43, 45 | | | | 17/10/07 | France | 2 v 0 | Lithuania | | Henry 80, 81 | | | | 17/11/07 | Scotland | 1 v 2 | Italy | | Ferguson 65 | | Toni 2, Panucci 90 | | 17/11/07 | Lithuania | 2 v 0 | Ukraine | | Savenas 41,
Danilevicius 67 | | | | 21/11/07 | Georgia | 0 v 2 | Lithuania | | | | Ksanavicius 52, Kalonas 90+ | | 21/11/07 | Ukraine | 2 v 2 | France | | Voronin 14,
Shevchenko | | Henry 20, Govou 34 | | 21/11/07 | Italy | 3 v 1 | Faroe
Islands | | Benjaminsen 11
(o.g), Toni 36, Chiellini 41 | | Jacobsen 83 |
Last edited by berni23 on Thu Nov 22, 2007 2:11 pm; edited 8 times in total
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berni23 |
Brasil
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| Fri Jun 29, 2007 3:18 pm |
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Post subject:
EURO 2008: GROUP B
-Fabio Quagliarella TAKE Lithuania DOWN
Two first-half goals from Fabio Quagliarella gave Italy a comfortable win in Lithuania as they remained second in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B.
Selection justified
Italy coach Roberto Donadoni made five changes from the team that narrowly beat the Faroe Islands on Saturday, with Quagliarella among those brought in, and the UC Sampdoria forward repaid that confidence with strikes on 31 and 45 minutes. The world champions go into the summer two points behind France and one ahead of Scotland.
Early chances
The Azzurri started in confident fashion and could have taken the lead early on when Filippo Inzaghi was just unable to get on to Andrea Pirlo's cross from the left. Shortly after, Simone Perrotta tried his luck from long range but his effort went high over the bar. Midway through the first half, Antonio Di Natale failed to find the finishing touch to Pirlo's clever pass.
Opening goal
Lithuania almost scored themselves when Mantas Savenas's strike from outside the area took a deflection and flew centimetres wide of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon's far post. Yet Italy finally scored as Quagliarella worked his way past Igoris Morinas before driving a left-foot shot from the edge of the box beyond the reach of keeper Paulius Grybauskas.
Second strike
Although Buffon did well to keep out both Mindaugas Kalonas's close-range effort and Marius Stankevicius's bullet free-kick, it was the visitors who found the net again before the break. Quagliarella controlled the ball inside the area before sending a low strike into the back of the net. It proved a hammer blow for Lithuania and Italy controlled the second half, Di Natale going close on 58 minutes, though just before the end Tomas Danilevicius's set-piece flashed narrowly over. Italy welcome France for a FIFA World Cup final rematch on 8 September when fifth-placed Lithuania are in Scotland.
-FRANCE WIN 1-0 OVER GEORGIA
A first-half strike from Samir Nasri earned a narrow win against Georgia that kept France two points clear at the top of UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B.
Narrow margin
The Olympique de Marseille forward scored the only goal at the Stade Abbé-Deschamps in the 33rd minute, turning in Franck Ribéry's low right-wing cross to open his account for Les Bleus on his third appearance. Raymond Domenech's side controlled the majority of the game against opponents they had beaten 3-0 away in their first qualifier, but they struggled to break down a disciplined Georgia defence and ultimately had to settle for a slender victory.
Nasri delivers
France quickly pushed the visitors back into their defensive third, yet despite their territorial supremacy they had failed to create many clear opportunities by the time they took the lead. The lively Ribéry was the architect, escaping down the right and sending in a low delivery that was deflected for Nasri to turn in. Florent Malouda glanced a header centimetres past the post shortly before half-time and nearly set up a goal in the opening seconds of the second period, William Gallas flicking his right-wing free-kick into the path of François Clerc only for the right-back to somehow steer his shot wide.
Cissé return
The hosts laboured to replicate their first-half dominance as the second period unfolded, however, leading to the introduction of Djibril Cissé just past the hour. Although the former AJ Auxerre striker's first contribution was to block Nicolas Anelka's goalbound shot, he came close to doubling France's advantage when he raced on to a through-ball and skipped past Georgi Lomaia but, with the angle against him, his effort drifted wide. Cissé also drew a fine save from the Georgia keeper with a low drive but France had already done enough for the win. Both countries are next in action on 8 September, when Les Bleus travel to second-placed Italy and Georgia take on Ukraine.
Scotland did their part by winning 2-0 in the Faroe Islands but their main rivals also came through test to make it as you were in the group.
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berni23 |
Brasil
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| Sun Sep 09, 2007 9:48 pm |
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Italy 0-0 France
France maintain the edge in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B after coming away from Italy with a goalless draw.
France top
Les Bleus had gained revenge for their 2006 FIFA World Cup final defeat with a 3-1 home win against the Azzurri last September, but in a tight game in Milan neither side emerged triumphant tonight. France are now one point clear of their visitors on Wednesday, Scotland, who have moved ahead of Italy by the same margin following their victory against Lithuania. Ukraine, where Italy play in midweek, are four further points behind.
No quarter given
These two evenly matched teams gave no quarter anywhere on the pitch, especially in midfield where Patrick Vieira and Gennaro Gattuso played with full commitment. It was not until the half-hour that there was a real chance at either end, as Alessandro Del Piero was denied by a Vieira sliding tackle and then shot at Mickaël Landreau after a one-two with Mauro Camoranesi.
Buffon saves
Del Piero soon turned provider for Filippo Inzaghi whose attempt from the byline brushed the top of the crossbar, while the flair of Franck Ribéry gave France an opening late in the first half as he jinked past Gianluca Zambrotta but was unable to produce a finish. Florent Malouda then tested Gianluigi Buffon with a powerful drive from 20 metres, yet the Italy goalkeeper made an equally fine stop.
Reflex stop
The second period began brightly with Camoranesi driving at Landreau from distance and Nicolas Anelka prompting an excellent reflex save from Buffon. Neither keeper looked like being beaten, though, and even when Buffon did fail to reach a long ball forward which Anelka headed goalwards, Fabio Cannavaro was in behind him providing cover.
Scotland 1-0 Lithuania
Stephen McManus and James McFadden struck in the last 15 minutes to give Scotland a priceless UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B win against Lithuania.
In contention
Kris Boyd had put Scotland ahead in the first half but Tomas Danilevičius equalised from the penalty spot. However, McManus and McFadden delighted the home fans with late goals to keep Scotland in a strong position ahead of Wednesday's trip to France.
Reaction saves
The first chance had gone to Lithuania's Mindaugas Kalonas on 18 minutes but his shot went wide and Scotland soon took control. It seemed that the hosts would score in the 23rd minute but Žydrunas Karčemarskas produced superb reaction saves from consecutive headers by Boyd and Lee McCulloch.
Scotland ahead
Boyd made amends just past the half-hour. Darren Fletcher delivered a quickly taken free-kick from the right and the Rangers FC striker escaped his marker and dived to head the ball inside the far post. Karčemarskas made two further stops from Boyd late in the half.
Penalty equaliser
It was a fairly quiet start to the second period but soon after the hour, the scores were level. Tomas Zvirgzdauskas broke into the Scotland box and went down after a challenge from Fletcher; Danilevičius struck the penalty straight into the middle of goal as Craig Gordon guessed left.
Winner
Scotland were determined to restore their lead and Karčemarskas was called into action to deny Stephen McManus's header from Fletcher's free-kick. But with 13 minutes left Shaun Maloney, who had just come on, crossed to the far post after Fletcher's short corner to the edge of the area. McManus's knee connected with the ball, enough to send it emphatically past Karčemarskas. Substitute McFadden secured the victory soon after with a flying long-range finish after being teed up by Boyd.
Georgia 1-1 Ukraine
A last-gasp Georgia equaliser tonight could prove a huge blow to Ukraine's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying hopes.
Five points adrift
The visitors to Tbilisi led early through Oleh Shelayev and were only denied more goals by Georgia keeper Georgi Lomaia before substitute David Siradze headed the home side level a minute from the end. With Scotland beating Lithuania 3-1, fourth-placed Ukraine are now five points adrift of second in Group B though they have a game in hand.
Early goal
Ukraine started brightly and had the first shot of the match in the fourth minute through Volodymyr Yezerskiy, Lomaia proving equal to the effort. Oleh Blokhin's team did not have to wait long to break the deadlock, though, as Shelayev connected with Ruslan Rotan's outswinging corner to the far post and shot in. Rotan nearly added a second immediately afterwards but curled the ball wide.
Shevchenko denied
Andriy Shevchenko, captaining Ukraine despite recent injury problems, forced a save from Lomaia while visiting keeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy was tested by Mate Ghvinianidze before Georgi Demetradze drove over from a free-kick. Andriy Rusol was the next to be denied by Lomaia although Georgia came close to an equaliser just before the break when Lasha Jakobia sliced over.
Equaliser
Shevchenko was determined to put the result beyond doubt in the second half, yet Lomaia was equal to a strong ten-metre shot and then a curling effort from outside the area which he dived to tip wide. Serhiy Nazarenko also threatened but Ukraine's lead disappeared when Demetradze's inswinging corner was headed high into the net by Siradze. Ukraine qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup despite conceding a late equaliser in Georgia but they welcome Italy on Wednesday knowing victory could be crucial for their hopes this time. Georgia's next group game is away to the world champions on 13 October.
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berni23 |
Brasil
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| Sat Sep 15, 2007 3:04 am |
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France 0-1 Scotland
James McFadden's stunning strike midway through the second half gave Scotland a win in France that takes them top of UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B.
Scotland hold out
The home side had the lion's share of the play but could not beat the stubborn visiting defence. And just as they did against France in Glasgow a year ago, Scotland scored a timely goal for a 1-0 win, these results the only qualifying defeats for Les Bleus, home or away, since 1999. Scotland are now top and a point ahead of Italy, with France having fallen two places to third with three games left.
Stout defending
Having drawn in Italy on Saturday to stay in first place, France were clearly keen for a victory to move them to within sight of the finals. But despite dominating possession and territory, they created little in the way of clear-cut chances in the first half, perhaps missing the suspended Thierry Henry. Florent Malouda did force Claude Gordon into a save while Craig Makelele volleyed over, but that was as close as France came before the break.
Gordon saves
A neat one-two with David Trezeguet on 55 minutes set up Franck Ribéry but the FC Bayern München forward's angled shot was well saved by Gordon, as was his effort on the rebound. Soon after Lassana Diarra and Ribéry combined to supply Nicolas Anelka near the penalty spot but Gordon pushed the ball over the bar.
Dramatic strike
Then came the sucker punch as McFadden let fly from distance with such ferocity that Mickaël Landreau could only tip the ball into his own top right-hand corner. It was all France thereafter, but Scotland's rearguard remained unbreachable. On 13 October Scotland welcome Ukraine hoping to close in on their first final tournament since 1998 while France go to the Faroe Islands.
Ukraine 1-2 Italy
Antonio Di Natale was the two-goal hero for Italy as the Azzurri claimed three vital points from their Group B qualifier in Ukraine.
Ukraine aggrieved
Roberto Donadoni's side were on the back foot for much of the encounter but Di Natale's double moved Italy above France and into second place in the table. Andriy Shevchenko was arguably the game's outstanding player, leading the home team forward and scoring an equaliser on 71 minutes, but that was not enough to earn a point which Ukraine felt they merited.
Headed opener
Shevchenko set the tone early on, firing a 25-metre free-kick against the crossbar with Gianluigi Buffon beaten. The striker continued to pose a threat, forcing Buffon into action from even further out as Ukraine went close to an opening goal, yet in typical fashion Italy took the lead with their first chance four minutes before the break. Andrea Pirlo lifted the ball to Di Natale who nodded in from close range.
Shevchenko menace
The forward had the next chance for Italy too, after Vincenzo Iaquinta led a three-on-one attack for the Azzurri, but his header was too weak and Olexandr Shovkovskiy made an easy save. Shevchenko had not wasted all of his energy in the first period and he continued to inspire the hosts' bid for an equaliser. He charged down Andrea Barzagli's clearance but could not guide the ball past Buffon with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Counterattack winner
It was only a matter of time before he did eventually break through and after 71 minutes he swivelled to sweep a loose ball past Buffon as the Italy defence failed to clear a corner. But with a rare counterattack, Di Natale struck the decisive blow with 13 minutes remaining. Massimo Ambrosini chipped the ball over the Ukraine rearguard to send Di Natale free and he maintained his composure to place the ball calmly into the net and secure the points.
Lithuania 2-1 Faroe Islands
Lithuania picked up three morale-boosting UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying points as a goal eight minutes into each half gave them a narrow Group B victory against a battling Faroe Islands in Kaunas.
Early breakthrough
Edgaras Jankauskas broke the deadlock from close range in the first half and Tomas Danilevicius doubled the Lithuanian advantage with another tap-in after the interval before Rógvi Jacobsen struck a consolation deep into added time. The win takes the home team up into fifth place in the section with ten points from nine games ahead of their trip to France on 17 October while the Faroese next entertain the same opposition four days earlier.
Chances aplenty
The hosts started at a fast pace and took an early lead as Saulius Mikoliunas' inviting free-kick was parried by goalkeeper Jákup Mikkelsen for Jankauskas to tap in from two metres. The same player might have doubled Lithuania's advantage ten minutes later but could only flash a close-range header wide. Súni Olsen almost equalised just before the half-hour with a prodded effort from the edge of the penalty area although Danilevicius nearly added a second for the home side seven minutes before the break, his snap-shot flashing over with the goal at his mercy.
Point-blank save
Lithuania were almost made to pay for their missed chances two minutes after the interval when keeper Žydrunas Karčemarskas produced a fantastic point-blank save. Danilevicius then finally eased the home side's fears moments later, tapping in from close range after good work from Audrius Ksanavicius down the left-hand side left him with an open goal. Arunas Klimavičius and Danilevicius attempted to extend the lead with long-range efforts that sailed harmlessly over the bar and the away side started to force the play as the game entered the final 15 minutes, Jacobsen getting a last-minute consolation with a well-taken chip.
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berni23 |
Brasil
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| Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:57 pm |
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Post subject:
UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B
Scotland 3-1 Ukraine
Scotland remain on course to qualify for their first major tournament in a decade after a 3-1 home win against Ukraine kept them top of UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B.
Welcome win
A second victory over France, in Paris last month, had left Scotland in a fine position to reach their first finals since the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and Alex McLeish's team were quickly into their stride at Hampden Park thanks to early goals from Kenny Miller and Lee McCulloch. Although Andriy Shevchenko halved the deficit midway through the opening period, James McFadden made sure of the points to leave his side clear of Italy and France with two games to play and to effectively end Ukraine's slender qualification hopes.
Spectacular start
McLeish's men made the perfect start as two free-kicks brought reward inside the opening ten minutes. First, McCulloch's perfect delivery from the left was met by Miller, who headed past Olexandr Shovkovskiy at the near post in the fourth minute. Six minutes later provider turned scorer as Barry Ferguson's set-piece picked out McCulloch with time and space, and the Rangers FC midfielder duly curled in a beautiful shot.
Shevchenko shock
Ukraine, however, worked their way back into the contest and reduced the arrears in the 24th minute. The Scotland defence was unable to deal with Andriy Nesmachniy's left-wing cross, giving Shevchenko the chance the thump into the roof of the net from close range. The visitors continued to press for the remainder of the first period and the early part of the second, but without creating clear chances.
McFadden clincher
When a fourth goal did arrive, it was the home team who got it in the 68th minute as a typically driving run from Alan Hutton ended with a cross-field pass to McFadden, who controlled and drilled low past Shovkovskiy to score for the third successive qualifying game. Both sides are in action on Wednesday, when Scotland travel to Georgia and Ukraine take on the Faroe Islands.
Faroe Islands 0-6 France
France brushed off a nightmare journey to the Faroe Islands to gain a comfortable victory in which Thierry Henry became Les Bleus' joint all-time leading scorer.
Henry landmark
The visitors only arrived in Torshavn three hours before kick-off due to bad weather last night, but within six minutes Nicolas Anelka had scored. Henry found the target 70 seconds later to equal Michel Platini's France record of 41 goals, and substitute Karim Benzema struck twice after the break with further efforts from Jérôme Rothen and Hatem Ben Arfa. The comfortable win keeps Les Bleus within two points of UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B leaders Scotland.
Early goals
Raymond Domenech's team were aiming to bounce back from last month's home defeat by Scotland and Anelka gave them the perfect start when he turned in a Franck Ribéry cross from close range. Not long after, Henry claimed his landmark goal. Ribéry was again the provider, beating the home defence and supplying the FC Barcelona man, who fired in from 12 metres.
Benzema strikes
Benzema replaced Anelka at the break and it took him only five minutes to join his fellow striker on the scoresheet, Ribéry once more the supplier with a free-kick from the left that the substitute met with an accurate header. On 66 minutes Rothen scored direct from a free-kick that curled into the top left-hand corner of Jákup Mikkelsen's goal.
Victory complete
Símun Samuelsen had gone close with the home side's best chance of the contest, and Christian Lamhauge Holst's 73rd-minute header also just missed the target, but the next goal came from 19-year-old Benzema, turning in a pass from Henry. Ben Arfa added further gloss to the scoreline in added time. France welcome Lithuania on Wednesday while the Faroe Islands will attempt to get off the mark in Ukraine.
Italy 2-0 Georgia
Italy reclaimed second place in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B on Saturday after a hard-fought victory over Georgia in Genoa.
Italy rise
The Azzurri had slipped behind France earlier in the day when Les Bleus won 6-0 in the Faroe Islands, but Roberto Donadoni's side edged back into touching distance of surprise leaders Scotland thanks to goals from Andrea Pirlo and Fabio Grosso. The world champions are a point behind Scotland, who defeated Ukraine 3-1, with France a further point adrift. All three teams have two games remaining.
Toni comes close
Although they never threatened Gianluigi Buffon's goal, Georgia did make the hosts work for their triumph. Klaus Toppmöller's men enjoyed the first opportunity on goal as Jaba Kankava's shot was easily held by Buffon, who was captaining Italy for the first time. Italy soon took control though. The in-form Luca Toni, returning to the side after missing the last two qualifiers through injury, was unlucky not to break the deadlock on 30 minutes when his header from Pirlo's free-kick flew just wide.
Pirlo strikes
Italian efforts were rewarded shortly before half-time when AC Milan playmaker Pirlo curled a free-kick beyond Georgia goalkeeper Georgi Lomaia. The home team were happy to sit on their advantage after the restart, yet still should have made it 2-0 on 71 minutes, Lomaia doing well to keep out a Toni attempt after a clever pass from Fabio Quagliarella. Italy picked up the tempo and struck their second of the evening on 84 minutes. Toni's pass found Grosso who beat Lomaia with a left-footed shot.
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berni23 |
Brasil
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| Thu Oct 18, 2007 1:19 pm |
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Post subject:
UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B
Georgia 2-0 Scotland
Georgia put a dent in Scotland's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying hopes as a young home side secured an impressive win in Tbilisi against the Group B leaders.
Scotland denied
Scotland knew victory would leave them needing only a point at home to Italy next month to qualify. Instead they may now have to beat the world champions after goals from Levan Mchedlidze and David Siradze boosted the team lying sixth in the pool.
Teenager strikes
Home coach Klaus Toppmöller fielded a lineup with three teenagers, including 17-year-old debutant goalkeeper Giorgi Makaridze, and the hosts looked impressive from the off. Their pressure paid off on 16 minutes when Zurab Menteshashvili's incisive corner was headed past Craig Gordon at the near post by another man aged 17, Mchedlidze, winning only his second cap. The visitors tried to respond and Stephen McManus nodded over a James McFadden corner, before the goalscoring hero in France last month nearly claimed another himself with a long-range volley just over.
Second goal
But Georgia were holding out and they continued to do so after the break, before doubling their lead in the 64th minute. David Kvirkvelia took on Graeme Murty down the left before cutting the ball back for Siradze, who touched in from close range. Scotland pushed forward but chances were few and far between for Alex McLeish's men, as Georgia sealed a victory to add to their two against the Faroe Islands in this group.
All Goals - Georgia vs. Scotland
Uploaded by 90tsunni
France 2-0 Lithuania
Thierry Henry became France's record goalscorer as his late double finally ended the resistance of a determined Lithuania to take Raymond Domenech's side top of UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B.
Record
Les Bleus had looked to be on the brink of elimination following last month's home defeat by Scotland, but Saturday's 6-0 win in the Faroe Islands revived their challenge and, though they struggled to overcome doughty opposition in Nantes, Henry struck twice in the last ten minutes. His strikes moved him on to 43 international goals, overtaking Michel Platini's total of 41 for France. The 2000 European champions also know that victory in their last fixture in Ukraine on 21 November will secure a place in Austria/Switzerland.
Exciting opening
France peppered Žydrunas Karčemarskas's goal from the off but failed to break the deadlock, Franck Ribéry threatening in the first minute with a powerful shot that the goalkeeper tipped against the crossbar. Karim Benzema had an effort deflected just wide and Florent Malouda also struck the crossbar, although at the other end Audrius Ksanavicius turned inside Eric Abidal and Jérémy Toulalan only for his left-foot attempt to curl against the post.
Relentless pressure
William Gallas, Malouda, Henry and Benzema all passed up glorious opportunities to put the hosts in front before half-time and the second period continued in familiar fashion, Henry firing over and then being denied twice by Karčemarskas either side of Ribéry's wayward drive. The pressure was relentless and substitute Hatem Ben Arfa volleyed wide before Les Bleus finally found a way through in the 80th minute.
France 2 - 0 Lituanie : Les buts en vidéo !
Uploaded by Remy-Morefoot
Henry delight
Ben Arfa was the instigator, supplying a left-wing cross that was deflected into the path of Henry, and the FC Barcelona striker made no mistake from close range. Within 60 seconds Karčemarskas was beaten again, Henry racing on to Toulalan's through ball and calmly side-footing past the exposed goalkeeper to take his team above Scotland and Italy at the head of the standings. Lithuania, who remain fifth, next play Ukraine on 17 November.
Ukraine 5-0 Faroe Islands
A three-goal burst in five minutes at the end of the first half fired Ukraine to a comprehensive victory over the Faroe Islands in this UEFA EURO 2008™ Group B qualifier in Kiev.
Sharp-shooters
Maxym Kalynychenko's fine individual effort put the hosts ahead on 40 minutes and Oleh Gusev capitalised on two mistakes to score twice more before half-time. Kalynychenko claimed his second with a header four minutes into the second half before Andriy Vorobey added the fifth on 64 minutes.
Elimination
Home coach Oleh Blokhin had made five changes to the side that lost 3-1 in Scotland on Saturday, with Andriy Shevchenko left out of the squad despite having registered his fourth goal from six qualifiers in Glasgow. Ukraine were eliminated after that match, and they looked to put that disappointment behind them with a bright start here.
Floodgates open
Serhiy Nazarenko was twice denied by Faroe Islands goalkeeper Jákup Mikkelsen, and Andriy Voronin and Anatoliy Tymoschuk also tried their luck from the edge of the area before Kalynychenko finally struck the opener. The FC Spartak Moskva midfielder cut in from the left, past two defenders, then shot beyond Mikkelsen. There was no way back for the visitors and Gusev made it 3-0 before half-time. First he pounced on defender Einar Hansen's weak back-header to fire past the stranded Faroese goalkeeper, then he tapped in after Mikkelsen had spilled Tymoschuk's long-range drive.
Finishing off
Ukraine picked up from where they had left off after the restart. Just four minutes after the resumption, Olexiy Gai crossed for Kalynychenko to nod in his second goal of the game. Next, substitute Vorobey applied the finishing touch to Andriy Nesmachniy's centre to complete the rout at the NSC Olympiyskiy Stadium.
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berni23 |
Brasil
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Joined:
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Posts: 1257
Location: Berlin |
| Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:16 pm |
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Post subject:
Group B
Italy's 2-1 triumph in Glasgow lifts them to the top, one point clear of France and two above Scotland, whose brave bid for qualification is over.
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berni23 |
Brasil
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Joined:
Joined: 14 Apr 2005
Posts: 1257
Location: Berlin |
| Thu Nov 22, 2007 2:40 pm |
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Post subject:
Italy on top after France draw in Ukraine
Ukraine 2-2 France
Andriy Shevchenko's second-half header earned Ukraine a point from their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group B dead rubber against France in Kiev.
Frey error
The hosts had gone ahead early on through Andriy Voronin, but well-taken goals by Thierry Henry and Sidney Govou put France, who had already qualified for next summer's finals, in front. France goalkeeper Sébastien Frey failed to deal with Shevchenko's looping header in the opening minutes of the second half so the spoils were shared on a freezing night in the Ukraine capital.
Voronin strikes
France started well, dominating possession with Lassana Diarra and Claude Makelele bossing the centre of midfield. It was against the run of play that Ukraine, out of the running for qualification, broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. A cross from the right reached Oleh Gusev who laid the ball back for Voronin to score from 20 metres.
France danger
Les Bleus deservedly equalised six minutes later. Henry controlled Makelele's pass before finding space and curling a fine left-foot shot round goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov. Shevchenko had a stinging shot saved by Frey, but France still looked dangerous and they took the lead for the first time on 34 minutes. Govou spun his marker and played a one-two with Karim Benzema before bending a curling effort from the left into the corner.
Runners up
Ukraine were gifted an equaliser by Frey at the start of the second half. Shevchenko's looping header from a deep, left-wing cross looked harmless, but the ACF Fiorentina goalkeeper failed to catch the ball one-handed and tipped it into his own net. Both sides had chances before the end, but France had already done enough to claim the runners-up spot behind Italy in Group B.
Italy 3-1 Faroe Islands
Italy completed their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign by securing top spot in Group B with a 3-1 triumph over the Faroe Islands in Modena.
Faroes point-less
Defender Fródi Benjaminsen's own goal put the world champions in front after eleven minutes, Luca Toni doubled the lead on 36 minutes and Giorgio Chiellini's stunning strike four minutes before the break gave the Azzurri a commanding advantage. Rógvi Jacobsen's header reduced the deficit seven minutes from the end but the visitors ended the qualifying tournament without a single point.
Reshuffled side
Having already earned qualification for next summer's finals, Italy coach Roberto Donadoni made eight changes from Saturday's 2-1 triumph in Scotland but his reshuffled side did not take long to break the deadlock. Toni had already directed a close-range header just wide when Benjaminsen deflected Massimo Oddo's cross into his own net. Italy continued to press forward and shortly after the half-hour they increased their advantage, Toni getting on to the end of Fabio Grosso's cross before firing past Jákup Mikkelsen.
Reward
The home side continued to control possession and their efforts were rewarded again when Chiellini's 25-metre drive stunned Mikkelsen. At the other end, the Faroes threatened with Súni Olsen's shot from distance falling just wide of Marco Amelia's far post. Into the second half and Mikkelsen had to dive at full stretch to stop Toni's right-footed effort while Hanus Thorleifson made a goalline clearance from Italy substitute Fabio Quagliarella's powerful header.
Italia vs Far Oer 3-1 Qualif Euro2008
Job done
Jógvan Martin Olsen's team did not just defend, though, and on 83 minutes, they found the net when Jacobsen's powerful header towards the near post beat Amelia. Italy might have conceded a second had Amelia not saved Jóhan Davidsen's header but by then, the job was done.
Georgia 0-2 Lithuania
Lithuania rode their luck to beat Georgia in Tbilisi courtesy of second-half goals by Audrius Ksanavicius and Mindaugas Kalonas.
Second-half strikes
Ksanavicius put the visitors in front against the run of play on 52 minutes, before substitute Kalonas added a second deep into stoppage time to secure Lithuania's fifth victory of the UEFA EURO 2008™ campaign.
Home pressure
The hosts had begun positively, with David Kvirkvelia's 30-metre shot being well saved by Žydrunas Karčemarskas. From the resulting corner, Karčemarskas was called into action again to deny a David Siradze header, while Levan Kenia also threatened for Georgia with a close-range header that was blocked by Marius Stankevicius.
Key saves
Edgaras Jankauskas had Lithuania's first attempt on 26 minutes, a wayward drive from distance, while at the other end Georgia hit the post when Zurab Menteshashvili's inswinging free-kick narrowly evaded team-mates Kakha Kaladze and Lasha Salukvadze. Then Kenia played in Siradze whose effort from the left of the area was stopped by the legs of Karčemarskas. The Lithuania keeper would also thwart Kenia before the half-time whistle blew.
Points won
So Georgia had received little warning of danger when Ksanavicius beat Giorgi Makaridze with a low strike as he approached the home team's area. Stankevicius might have doubled the advantage in the 73rd minute as he volleyed Kalonas's corner over the bar, although Levan Mchedlidze went even closer for Georgia with an overhead kick. The next, deciding goal, however, went to Lithuania as Kalonas finished off good work down the right from Andrius Velička. The result left Lithuania on 16 points in Group B, six above the Georgians.
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