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After a singular, potentially £80 million goal, a German blitzkrieg against Olympus, a passing tango from the Spaniards and a Lion pack making all the wrong roars, the Euro 2012 quarter finals are over and now only four teams remain.
Once again, I'm here to give you the highlights of the passed match day, and I tell you, there are a lot of exhilarating action and drama on this one.
1. Czech Republic 0-1 Portugal
A single Ronaldo goal was all it took to sink the Czechs in the first quarter final match of the competition between Portugal and the Czech Republic. Both sides asked questions to no avail and seemed to be on an immovable deadlock until the second half when Moutinho gave a crucial pass to striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who finds the net with an emphatic header for the win.
Check out the video below for that smashing Ronaldo header.
Ronaldo beats keeper Pert Cech to sink in a wonderful header.
Video retrieved from youtube.com. Uploaded by 123KyleT.
2. Germany 4-2 Greece
Joachim Loew had a lot of surprising changes to his side coming in to battle against Greece. No Muller or Gomez was in the starting line-up, for starters, and young guns Schurrle and Marco Reus were to start. A lot of implications surrounded this match, including political and economic ones, a fact the German government did not hide when its chancellor Angela Merkel attended the match. Greece is blasting Germany for imposing on the former more austerity measures to combat their growing debt.
But Loew's side had no bailout talks in mind as he blitzed through the Greece side with four goals to two. A brilliant long goal from defender and captain Philipp Lahm just before half-time sent the German side into overdrive.
Greece thought they got back in the game when Samaras equalized in the 55th minute, but rapid-fire goals from Khedira, Klose and Reus negated that goal in dramatic fashion.
German captain Philipp Lahm fires in a wonder goal just before half-time.
Video retrieved from youtube.com. Uploaded by Euro ZweiTausendZwölf.
3. Spain 2-0 France
Vicente Del Bosque, Spain's head coach, has again opted to use the False Nine tactic against France. Fabregas was in front and center with Iniesta and David Silva beside him. Spain have been accused of playing a "boring" passing game by critics who clamored for the defending champions to show their prowess in goal count. Del Bosque would've none of that.
A goal by Xabi Alonso in the first half was the impetus for Spain, as well as for Alonso himself, who's celebrating his 100th match in the national team. A second goal by him from a penalty sealed Les Bleus fate.
4. England 0-0 Italy (2-4 on Penalties)
The Euro 2012 quarter finals certainly ended with a dramatic bang. A few days prior, a seemingly prophetic Lampard told his teammates to prepare for a penalty shootout against Italy. His statement must've been lost on his colleagues Ashley Young and Ashley Cole. Beside their names being the same, they also now have another thing in common: both of them missed in their shots at the penalty shootout against Italy.
It was all Italy during the normal and extra time but they couldn't budge the England defense. England had a few chances of their own but weren't able to capitalize.
In the end, the Three Lions couldn't pull off a death bite and leave the competition empty-handed as they lose through penalties again.
Italian goalkeeper Buffon saves the penalty shot from Ashley Cole.
Image retrieved from The Mirror UK.
And that sums up the quarter finals of Euro 2012. Now, only four remain for the semi-finals. Spain keep their dream alive of retaining the championship and being the first team to win it three in a row. Here are the semi-final fixtures courtesy, once again, of Soccerway.com.
Don't forget to check back here for the highlights of Euro 2012. Until next time!
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