Spain Euro 2012 Champions!
They did it again…Spain complete a wonderful win. Italy could not cope with Spain’s incisive attacking play and sumptuous passing, and were unable to stop La Roja becoming the first team to win a EURO final by a four-goal margin.
Vicente Del Bosque, Spain coach:
To win three titles is almost impossible. Congratulations to the players. I didn’t really want to be the coach who wins but the coach who educates. I want to keep preparing them for the future.
Cesare Prandelli, Italy coach:
We saw right from the start that they looked fresher – we had spent a lot of energy in the past week. We didn’t get things wrong, but realised from the outset we needed to constrain them because physically we were really struggling. It was a fantastic tournament for us and I have to congratulate the lads.
Andrew Haslam, Olympic Stadium:
A clinical display of attacking efficiency makes Spain the first team to successfully defend the UEFA European Championship, and win three tournaments in a row (Euro 2012, World Cup 2010, Euro 2008). Italy battled hard, but lacked the cutting edge of their opponents and were ruthlessly exposed with ten men late on.
Final Spain v Italy
Referee: Pedro Proença (POR) – Stadium: Olympic Stadium, Kyiv (UKR)
July 1 – Full Time Spain 4 (Silva 14 Jordi Alba 41 Torres 84 Juan Mata 88) Italy 0
88 Juan Mata (Spain) scores!
Fernando Torres is played through perfectly and as he draws the keeper out and shapes to shoot, he flicks the ball to the unmarked Juan Mata to sweep into the net.
84 Torres (Spain) scores!
Fernando Torres times his run magnificently, latching onto the through ball and slotting the ball past Gianluigi Buffon inside the right post. The striker has now scored in two EURO finals – the first player to do so.
41 Jordi Alba (Spain) scores!
Spain have a 2-0 lead, and Jordi Alba has his first senior international goal. The full-back receives a perfect through pass from Xavi Hernández and slots the ball past the onrushing keeper.
14 Silva (Spain) scores!
David Silva applies the close-range headed finish to Cesc Fàbregas’ clipped pull-back after the FC Barcelona man reached the byline with an excellent surging run.
Latest news
Del Bosque: “We cannot look back
Vicente del Bosque, Spain coach: we cannot think history influences anything. Italy are four-time world champions; we won this competition four years ago. We have had similar tournaments. We were in the same group, have similar star players and both had to come through penalties.”
Blanc leaves France post
The French Football Federation have announced that Laurent Blanc will leave his role as national team coach following Les Bleus’ UEFA EURO 2012 quarter-final exit.
Morientes on Spain
Former Spain forward Fernando Morientes reflected on the holders’ use of a ‘false nine’, their impressive defence and their final opponents Italy as he spoke to UEFA.com.
Italy peaking at right time
Spain are standing on top of the world, looking down at the rest but Italy, says Richard Aikman, are getting closer and looking to plant their tricolore at the summit.
Fàbregas sings Iniesta’s praises
Fàbregas talks up Iniesta
Cesc Fàbregas refused to be drawn on Spain’s formation against Italy but said Andrés Iniesta is a “source of immense confidence” for a team bidding to make history in Sunday’s final.
Prandelli: No Spain fear
Cesare Prandelli, Italy coach, is a great admirer of Spain’s style but insists his side cannot afford to be cowed by their UEFA EURO 2012 final rivals. “We mustn’t fear them,” he said. “We’re here on merit.”
SuperMario strikes awe
Mario Balotelli’s career has been overshadowed by his private life, but following a match-winning display against Germany, Richard Aikman feels this bad boy has come good.
Semi Finals
28 June 20.45 semi-final full time Germany 1 (Özil 90+2 (p)) Italy 2 (Balotelli 20, 36)
The final whistle is blown. Italy are through to the final. A last-ditch effort by Germany fell short as two first-half goals from Mario Balotelli made the difference. Mesut Özil pulled one back from the spot late on, but it could not halt the Azzurri who face Spain on Sunday.
90 +2 Özil (Germany) scores from the penalty spot. Mesut Özil from a short run curls the ball neatly inside the right post at mid height.
36 Balotelli (Italy) scores! Mario Balotelli lashes the ball into the top right corner from the edge of the area after Riccardo Montolivo’s long ball forward puts the striker past the German backline.
20 Balotelli (Italy) scores! Giorgio Chiellini feeds Antonio Cassano down the left, he wriggles free of a challenge and chips into the area, where Mario Balotelli crashes in a close-range header.
Referee: Stéphane Lannoy (FRA) – Stadium: National Stadium Warsaw, Warsaw (POL)
27 June semi-final Portugal v Spain – Full Time 0-0 Spain win 4-2 on penalties
Spain progress to the final as their dream to reclaim the European Championship trophy is kept alive.
Penalties
4-2 Fàbregas (Spain) scores
3-2 Bruno Alves (Portugal) hits the crossbar / Sergio Ramos (Spain) scores
2-2 Nani (Portugal) scores / Piqué (Spain) scores
1-1 Pepe (Portugal) scores / Iniesta (Spain) scores
0-0 João Moutinho (Portugal) has his penalty saved by the goalkeeper / Xabi Alonso (Spain) has his penalty saved by the goalkeeper
Referee: Cüneyt Çakır (TUR) – Stadium: Donbass Arena, Donetsk (UKR)
Euro 2012 in pictures
Euro 2012 semi final Germany v Italy – Balotelli (Italy) scores 2 times, powers Italy through to final
Euro 2012 Semi Final Portugal v Spain – June 27: Jesus Navas, Sergio Ramos and Andres Iniesta of Spain celebrate the winning penalty during the UEFA EURO 2012 semi final match between Portugal and Spain at Donbass Arena in Donetsk, Ukraine. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Euro 2012 Quarter Final Italy v England – England 0-0 Italy (Italy win 4-2 on pens) Alessandro Diamanti struck the decisive penalty after Gianluigi Buffon had denied Ashley Cole as Cesare Prandelli’s side booked a semi-final with Germany
Euro 2012 Quarter Final France v Spain – Xabi Alonso is congratulated after his first-half goal
Euro 2012 Quarter Finals Germany v Greece – Germany celebrate their victory 4-2 in front of their fans as they book their place in the semi final
Euro 2012 Quarter Final Portugal v Czech Republic – Cristiano Ronaldo stretches to head in winning goal (Photo Gero Breloer AP)
Group D England 1 Ukraine 0: Wayne Rooney scored his first goal of the European Championship against Ukraine last night. It was the England striker’s first match of the tournament after serving a two-match suspension. Nigel Roddis / Reuters
Euro 2012 Group C Italy 2 Ireland 0 – Balotelli doubles Italy’s lead with a swinging overhead volley from a corner in the 90th minute.
Group B Portugal 2 Netherlands 1: Cristiano Ronaldo was back to his best as Portugal sent sorry Holland packing from Euro 2012.
Group D England v Sweden: Welbeck guided home Theo Walcott’s cross with a skilful turn in the 78th minute to seal victory for Roy Hodgson’s men 3-2
Group C Spain v Ireland: Fernando Torres outpaces Richard Dunne before slotting past Shay Given to make it 3-0
Group B Germany v Netherlands: Mario Gomez scored two goals as Germany took a giant step towards the Euro 2012 quarter-finals with a 2-1 defeat of the Netherlands
Group D Ukraine v Sweden: Andriy Shevchenko scores his second goal against Sweden. Ukraine outclass Sweden 2-1
Ireland 1 – Croatia 3 Nightmare: Given lies on the ground after Croatia’s third went in off his head
Russia’s Alan Dzagoev scores the opening goal against the Czech Republic in the Euro 2012 Group A game. Photo: Adam Ciereszko/EPA
Quarter Finals
Italy qualified for semi finals after Portugal, Germany and Spain
Semi-final line-up complete: Portugal play Spain in Donetsk on Wednesday, Italy play Germany in Warsaw on Thursday.
24 June 20.45 Quarter-finals Full Time 0-0 – Italy win 4-2 on penalties
The final whistle is blown. A shoot-out as dramatic as the game and tournament that preceded it, Buffon and Diamanti the heroes, Italy play Germany in Warsaw on Thursday. England can be proud though, they fought so hard.
23 June 20.45 Quarter-finals Full Time Spain 2 (Xabi Alonso 19, 90+1 (P)) France 0
Xabi Alonso brought up a century of international appearances with both goals as the defending champions booked a semi-final against Portugal.
22 June 20.45 Quarter-finals Full Time Germany 4 (Lahm 39 Khedira 61 Klose 68 Reus 74) Greece 2 (Samaras 55 Salpingidis 89(p))
Germany are through to the semi-finals following a dynamic attacking display here in Gdansk that put Greece to the sword. Goals from Philipp Lahm, Sami Khedira, Miroslav Klose, and Marco Reus brought Germany their 15th straight competitive win.
21 June 20.45 Quarter-finals Czech Republic 0 Portugal 1 (Cristiano Ronaldo 79)
79 Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) scores! The breakthrough finally comes for Portugal and it is the Real Madrid CF forward’s third of the tournament. He times his run perfectly to dart past Theodor Gebre Selassie at the back post to meet João Moutinho’s right-side cross and head powerfully into the ground and past Petr Čech who can do nothing.
Euro 2012 Group Standings
Group A
Teams P W D L +/- Pts
Czech Rep 3 2 0 1 -1 6 qualified
Greece 3 1 1 1 0 4 qualified
Russia 3 1 1 1 2 4
Poland 3 0 2 1 -1 2
Group B
Teams P W D L +/- Pts
Germany 3 3 0 0 3 9 qualified
Portugal 3 2 0 1 1 6 qualified
Denmark 3 1 0 2 -1 3
Netherlands 3 0 0 3 -3 0
Group C
Teams P W D L +/- Pts
Spain 3 2 1 0 5 7 qualified
Italy 3 1 2 0 2 5 qualified
Croatia 3 1 1 1 1 4
Rp Ireland 3 0 0 3 -8 0
Group D
Teams P W D L +/- Pts
England 3 2 1 0 2 7 qualified
France 3 1 1 1 0 4 qualified
Ukraine 3 1 0 2 -2 3
Sweden 3 1 0 2 0 3
Euro 2012 Group results
June 19 – Group D
Group D is decided! England and France advance to the Knockout Stage while Sweden and Ukraine are sent packing!
Sweden 2 (Ibrahimović 54 Larsson 90+1 ) France 0
Andrew Haslam, Olympic Stadium: Erik Hamrén’s team bow out of UEFA EURO 2012 with a display full of commitment, endeavour and no little skill. France, however, have plenty to ponder after finishing second in Group D, and will now play Spain in the quarter-finals in Donetsk on Saturday.
England 1 (Rooney 48) Ukraine 0
Steven Gerrard, England captain: We came into this group, a difficult group, and the idea was to try and win it. No one believed in us at the start, but we’re gaining momentum as we go along. The performance wasn’t fantastic but we worked hard and got the result.
June 18 – Group C
Group C is decided! Spain and Italy advance to the Knockout Stage while Croatia and Ireland are sent packing!
Croatia 0 Spain 1 (Jesús Navas 88)
Again Spain’s possession proved decisive – though Croatia worked hard, and actually covered more ground, Spain completed 83% of their 639 passes. Croatia were some way off that, only completing 61% of their 231.
Italy 2 (Cassano 35 Balotelli 90) Republic of Ireland 0
Goals from Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli sent Italy through to the quarter-finals of the European Championship as Group C runners-up.
June 17 – Group B
Group B is decided! Portugal and Germany advance to the Knockout Stage while Denmark and Holland are sent packing!
Portugal 2 Netherlands 1: Cristiano Ronaldo’s two goals have taken Portugal through to the final eight at Holland’s expense
Denmark 1 Germany 2: Lars Bender’s goal completed Germany’s 100% record, and knocked Denmark out
June 16 – Group A
Group A is decided! Czech Republic and Greece advance to the Knockout Stage while Russia and Poland are sent packing!
Greece 1 Russia 0: Greek tragedy for Russians as Arshavin and Co crash out
Russia have crashed out of the European Championships after Giorgos Karagounis’s strike on the stroke of half-time handed Greece a shock place in the quarter-finals.
Scorers Greece (Karagounis 45+2)
Czech Republic 1 Poland 0: Co-hosts out as Jiracek fires Bilek’s men through
Poland crashed out of their own tournament at the first hurdle after Petr Jiracek’s second half strike sent the Czech Republic through as Group A winners.
Scorers Czech Republic (Jiráček 72)
June 15 – Group D
Ukraine 0 France 2: Les Bleus strike twice after thunderstorms halt game
France showed their Euro 2012 title credentials with an impressive victory over co-hosts Ukraine. Scorers : Jeremy Menez (53) and Yohan Cabaye (56).
Sweden 2 – England 3: Welbeck to the rescue to seal victory for Roy Hodgson’s men, send Sweden out of Euro 2012
Sweden 2 (G Johnson OG 48, O Mellberg 59) – England 3 (A Carroll 23, T Walcot 64 D Welbeck 78)
June 14 – Group C
Italy 1 (Pirlo 39′) – Croatia 1 (Mandzukic 72′)
CROATIA striker Mario Mandzukic blasted home his third goal of the tournament to keep his side top of Group C and leave Italy’s quarter-final hopes on a knife-edge.
Spain 4 (Torres 4, 70, Silva 49, Fabregas 83) – Ireland 0
Fernando Torres dumped the Republic of Ireland out of Euro 2012 as defending champions Spain eased into top gear.
June 13 – Group B
Varela’s late strike spares Ronaldo’s blushes
Denmark 2 (Bendtner 41, 80) – Portugal 3 (Pepe 24, Postiga 36, Varela 87)
Substitute Silvestre Varela rescued Portugal’s Euro 2012 campaign with a late winner to deny Denmark a point in their Group B match. Portugal had led 2-0
Gomez stars for Germany
Netherlands 1 (Van Persie 74) Germany 2 (Gomez 24, 38)
Mario Gomez scored two goals as Germany took a giant step towards the Euro 2012 quarter-finals with a 2-1 defeat of the Netherlands, who remain alive for the knock-out stages thanks to Portugal beating Denmark 3-2
June 12 – Group A
Early strikes give Czech Republic upper hand over Greece
Czech Rep 2 (Jiracek 3, Pilar 6) – Greece 1 (Gekas 53)
Blaszczykowski’s brilliant equaliser grabs lifeline for Euro 2012 co-hosts
Poland 1 (Blaszczykowski’s 58) – Russia 1 (Dzagoev 38)
June 10 Group D
England drew 1-1 with France in their opening Euro 2012 match when Samir Nasri equalised following Joleon Lescott’s opener (England: Lescott 30 – France Nasri 39)
Andriy Shevchenko trumped Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring two great headers to give Ukraine a 2-1 win over Sweden (Ukraine: Andriy Shevchenko 55,62 – Sweden: Zlatan Ibrahimovic 52)
June 10 Group C
Cesc Fábregas saves Spain with equaliser against Italy 1-1 ( Italy: Di Natale 60 Spain: Fábregas 64)
Ireland 1 Croatia 3: No luck for Trap’s men as they face uphill battle to qualify (Ireland: St Ledger 19 Croatia: Mandzukic 3, Jelavic 43 Mandzukic 48)
June 9 Group B
Germany beats Portugal 1-0 (Gomez 72′)
Denmark stuns Netherlands 1-0 (Krohn-Delhi 24′)
June 8 Group A
Russia cruises past Czech Republic 4-1 (Russia 4: Dzagoev 15, Shirokov 24, Dzagoev 79, Pavlyuchenko 82 Czech Republic 1: Pilar 52)
Poland and Greece both end with 10 men in opening draw 1-1 (Poland 1: Lewandowski 17 Greece 1: Salpingidis 51)
Euro 2012 Championship
The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship, will be the 14th European Championship of its kind organised by UEFA. The final tournament will be hosted by Poland and Ukraine between 8 June and 1 July 2012.
The final tournament features 16 nations set in 4 groups. 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.
The final game will take place in Kiev NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium
For the third time, two nations are jointly hosting the finals: Poland and Ukraine. Belgium and the Netherlands did so in 2000 and then Austria and Switzerland in 2008.
Last winners
2008 Spain
2004 Greece
2000 France
1996 Germany
1992 Denmark
1988 Netherlands
1984 France
1980 Germany
1976 Czechoslovakia
1972 Germany
1968 Italy
1964 Spain
1960 USSR
Tournament Calendar
27 June 20.45 Semi-finals Winner quarter-final 1 v Winner quarter-final 3
Referee: TBD – Stadium: Donbass Arena, Donetsk (UKR)
28 June 20.45 Semi-finals Winner quarter-final 2 v Winner quarter-final 4
Referee: TBD – Stadium: National Stadium Warsaw, Warsaw (POL)
1 July Final Winner semi-final 1 v Winner semi-final 2
Referee: TBD – Stadium: Olympic Stadium
