Play for Cardiff and you'll never play for Scotland, Marsahll warned

CARDIFF CITY goalkeeper DAVID MARSHALL has been warned by new Scotland boss Craig Levein that his international career will end if he plays for The Bluebirds in their Cardling Cup tie with Burton Albion at CCS tomorrow night.

City and Last week, City and Dave Jones tried to withdraw "Mars" from Scotland's friendly in Sweden tomorrow (when he was certain to be on the bench) at a time they faced playing Burton with no recognised goalkeeper available, a situation which has passed after Tom Heaton has now registered with the club and he will surely figure tomorrow.

Marshall, apparently, has been struggling with an elbow injury for a while but flew to Scotland on Sunday evening after Cardiff's draw with Sheffield United to joj the squad and be medically assessed before being released. It therefore makes Levein's puiblic comments seem a bit harsh but as Wales fans have seen, there has been many a time a player has been "injured" for his country and then played for his club.

When asked what would happen if Marshall played for City, Levein was forthright, "If he plays for Cardiff tomorrow night, then I don't think he will be back in the Scotland squad. We have to put some rules in place that if you are playing in a game just before the call-up and you get an injury, then I think it is right that you turn up and let the doctors assess the injury - and that is what has happened."

"However he praised Marshall for joining the squad and his attitude, "I spoke to the lad amnd to be fair he came up on the flight Sunday night and flew back first thing yesterday. He has a problem with his elbow and has had it for weeks now. In my opinion and the medical team's opinion he is not fit to play on Wednesday. I have to look at these situations and listen to what the medical team tell me and really pleased the lad made the effort to come up when he knew he was not going to be involved."

"I am fairly comfortable (with reasons for the call-offs]. I just want to get this idea that if you do have an injury then I would like them to come up and be part of the squad, even if it is just for a night to see the guys. We don't get together often enough that we can let these opportunities go past."

FrIendly International: WALES 0 SWEDEN 1

A tepid Wales tasted home defeat in their first international of the year and build up to the Euro-2012 campaign starting in September aginst Sweden at Swansea City's Liberty Stadium.

Wales build up was hampered by the horrific injury suffered by Aaron Ramsey last weekend and overshadowed by manager John Toshack not selecting his previous Captain and in-form Craig Bellamy with reasons undisclosed so far. In his absence, former Cardiff City man James Collins was given the captain armband.

It meant another young side and, as usual, a dijointed friendly as the meximum of 6 second half subs were introduced.

Wales: Myhill (Hennessey 46), Gunter, Williams, Collins, Morgan, Bale (Nyatanga 67), Collison (Crofts 71), Davies (Cotterill 64), Vaughan, Evans (Earnshaw 46), Church (Vokes 53).
Subs Not Used: Eardley, Dorman, King.

In front of 8,256 fans, Wales started strongly winning corners with Ched Evans having a shot put behind and Collins seeing a header swept off the line but the visiotrs settled and were denied a rightful lead midway through the half as Toivenon had a goal ruled out for offside when he looked clearly onside, tv repleays confirmed that. Larsson of Birmingham missed by a fraction with a 30 yard free-kick.

However it mattered little as Bolton Wanderers Johan Elmander netted on half-time having a 25 yarder pushed around the post and firing into the top corner from just inside the box as the resulting corner fell his way.

The second half was poor watching and resembled a training session for long periods as it lacked all tempo and urgency, the succession of changes not helping. Both sides went close but the Swedes proved good value for their win. Wales will know they must do much better.

Eddie Johnson - the turnip's becoming a Swede?

It's being reported that Cardiff City loan misfit EDDIE JOHNSON may be about to jump ship for Scandinavia and join Swedish club Malmo on loan.

Johnson failed to score after joining Premiership Fulham from Kansas City Wizards this time last year and found his way to Ninian Park for a season's loan last August. The loan has proved a huge talking point and failure for City as they were duty bound to have him all season and paid his wages, reported between £15k to £18k weekly, in full.

While being arguably the best paid player at the club, Johnson has been the worst performer. Seemingly a nice guy and a trier, he has been woefully short of expectations and instead become a figure of fun amongst the City faithful who chant his name in humour rather than adoration. Some call him a cult ... at least that's what it sounds like they're saying!

EJ has had 3 starts for City and 14, usually very brief, sub outings but as 2 new strikers have now arrived in the shape of Quincy and Michael Chopra, it's looking highly doubtful that Eddie will even get a seat on the sub's bench so a move has to be in his best interests ... and those of Cardiff's accountants as well!

Malmo are playing coy but Eddie's agent, Richard Motzkin, has confirmed that he has travelled to Sweden and had talks. Malmo are also the former club of Roy Hodgson, now Fulham boss who brought Eddie to these shores last year.

An imminent deal is expected ... Cardiff fans hold their breath!

EURO'2008 GAMES 23 & 24: GROUP D - SPAIN 2 RUSSIA 1, RUSSIA 2 SWEDEN 0

People get ready, The Russians are coming! A sensational Swede-bashing performance sent the previous faltering Russians into the quarter-finals to play Holland with absolutely nothing to fear. The Swedes, meanwhile, becmae the third team to win their opening game yet still be knocked out after game 3.

The Russian attacking display was refreshing and compulsive viewing. The shot count probably around 30 to 5 in their favour with every player pouring forward, even at 2-0, and a telling factor was that both goals were assisted by both full-backs making the final pass after lung-bursting runs to get deep inside the penalty box.

The key difference was Arshavin, who ran Rangers ragged for Zenit St Petersburg in their recent winning UEFA Cup winning display, ruled this encounter from start to finish but the whole team display was so powerful and consuming, making Sweden - who only needed a draw to go through and knock Russia out - looked a one paced clueless outfit.

Goals came in each half through Pavlyuchenko and that man Arshavin with sweeping moves, both started by Arhsavin. They also hit the post twice, produced numerous saves from Isaksson, went close several more times whilst battering the Swedish defence and midfield and peppering shots on goal at every opportunity.

The Swedes were mauled and lucky to get away with 2-0 although that represented their biggest ever defeat in a Euros final. Larrsson and Ibrahimovich never linked up front although the former hit the bar with a clever header and a 2nd half shot hit the post but, truth is, they only had 1 decent 5 minute spell all night which came at the end of the first period. However one first half shot in the Innsbruck venue probably ended up in Switzerland which did link the co-hosts.

Dare I suggest it now puts Wales' World Cup qualifying group and hopes into sharp perspective?

Our kids are developing fast, we look more competitive and have picked up some good results, albeit in friendlies. It also encouraged that Germany and Russia have looked decidely dodgy in their early games which I liked too. But now reality dawns, we're facing two Euro quarter-finallists. I bet our will be the only group that will be able to 'boast' that. While they may not be the best German side ever, they're still quality and so organised. Russia, meanwhile, look a terrifying prospect in this mood. It'll be one hell of a job to be anywhere near them.

In the other fixture, Spain were already through and had won the group played defending Champions Greece who were already out and would finish bottom. The Spaniards made 10 changes yet still won 2-1. The Greeks opened the scoring with a terrific powered header by Christeas, the man who scored the Euro'2004 winner.

However the Spanish were the superior side throughout with Liverpool's Alonso so close three times with a shot from the halfway line that missed by inches and sent the Greek keeper clattering into his own post, a 25 yard free-kick that almost whistled past the post and a 30 yard screamer that hit the inside of a post and rolled across goal but victory came with goals by the spendidly named De la Red's shot just past the hour and Guiza's guided header with two minutes left.

Greece, 2004 Winners, were therefore sent packing as the only team in the tournament to lose all three games while Spain equalled their international best record of 9 successive wins. When they last achieved it, they played Italy who stopped that sequence continuing and, yes, their quarter-final opponents just happen to be Italy!


Video highlights of these games and every Euro'2008 match plus stats and other info can all be found on this excellent BBC page
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/schedule_and_statistics/default.stm

EURO'2008 GAMES 21 & 22: GROUP C ITALY 2 FRANCE 0, HOLLAND 2 ROMANIA 0

The repeat of the 2006 World Cup Final saw Italy and France, who both qualified form the same group edging out Scotland, fighting to stay in the competition knowing a win would not be enough if Romania beat Holland in the simultaneous group fixture.

As it was, the Dutch, even with 9 players rested, eased past a disappointing and ultra-cautious Romania 2-0 even with 2nd half strikes by Huntelaar and Van Persie. The Italians also found it rather too easy to repeat that scoreline against the worst French side seen for many years and who look in need of a drastic rebuild.

With the point shared between them in their dull opening clash being their only return of the finals, the French and Romanians head home while Italy and Holland march on although the Azzuri will have do make do without the suspended Gatuso and Perlo in their quarter-final.

The Italy v France contest was virtually over in the first 25 minutes as France lost their star man Franck Ribery to injury very early and then went one behind to a Perlo penalty and had Abidal sent off for bringing down Toni in thhe move that produced the spot-kick.

The French should have been out if sight by the interval but Toni somehow missed a literal hatful of chances with 6 clear sights of goal each failing to hit the target while Grosso hit the postt from a free-kick.

It got little better for France after the interval as Buffon has only one save of note to make all night as Thierry Henry, now a shadow of the player he was, rarely influential and it was ironic that Italy's clinching goal just past the hour was cruelly deflected in off Henry's boot after De Rossi's highly speculative 30 yard free-kick was heading wide.

Italy will face Spain in a tough quarter-final while Sweden and Russia effectively face off tomorrow for the dubious honour of taking on the unstoppable looking Dutch in the last 8.


Video highlights of all Euro'2008 games including the above matches can be found here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/schedule_and_statistics/default.stm

EURO'2008 GAME 15: GROUP D SWEDEN 1 SPAIN 2

The Spaniards are through to the quarter-finals with a game to spare but never matched the hieghts of their opening performance and needed a dramatic 92nd minute winner that nobody could see coming to dispose of Sweden.

The game was no classic and, later winner appart, all the key moments were in the opning period.

The contest started well and Spain grabbed the opener with just 15 minutes on the clock with Liverpool's Torres finishing a quality move in the same style. The Swedes, however, showed they are a useful side, even if limited up front, and grabbed an equaliser on 34 with Ibrhahim netting his second of the tournament after no Swedish goal for two and a half year. His goal against Greece was spectacular, this was a scrappy stab home.

It looked game on but apart from Spain being denied what looked a clear penalty, there was no other action of note. Spain showed glimpses but never when it mattered until the 2nd of 3 added minutes at the end, a ball pumped downfield, Villa got behind the defender with a deft touch and suddenly found his way to goal unbarred and his finish was cool.

Video Highlights
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/7455067.stm

EURO'2008 GAME 8: GROUP D SWEDEN 2 GREECE 0

Simple, bland but effective. That's Ikea for you but that''s also how it's nation of origin, Sweden, looked too brushing aside the limited challenge of current Euro Champions of Greece with a 2-0 margin.

There was little to enthuse about except the Swedish fans who filled two thirds of the stadium and, without exception, were donning a replica shirt.

The goals, both coming around the mid-point of the second half were sublime (Ibrahim's instinctive 20 yard drive probably the best individual goal so far) and ridiculous (as the Greek keeper missed a punch and a Swede just about bundled the ball home form a couple of feet with two Greeks on the floor). Sweden will be happy of course but they didn't suggest they'll be serious contenders when it gets to the business end of these Finals.

That's the first round of games over and rather than cagey football, it's produced 7 positive results. Can't say it's been the highest quality but it certainly has been entertaining and is set fair to get better and hotter as some sides have the win their next games or face early elimination.