LEAVE MY POOR ROBBIE ALONE says DAVE JONES

City boss Dave Jones has made scathing comments about Cardiff City supporters expressing their angwer and dismay at the way Robbie Fowler has dumped the club where he verbally agreed to sign a new contract in favour of training only ahead of a possible short-term deal at Blackburn.

Fowler: You expect me to wear this again? F**k that, I'm off!

On the one hand, I think Jones has a point. The CardiffCity.com messageboards have been awash with no holds barred flak towards Fowler, much of it coming from fans who didn't want him to be offered a new contract or to stay anyway. In that sense, their comments are contradictory and hypocritical.

On a personal level, I am delighted Fowler is off the club's books - even if it took him to leave City than the club to realise enough was enough.

However, the flip side of the argument is that DJ has failed to show any understanding why supporters should express their feelings on a poor episode and the behaviour of Fowler plus his agent. He may not agree with it but he should be realistic enough to appreciate why Cardiff City fans will have their fully justified views.

Here's the article from WalesOnline

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2008/07/14/time-to-leave-robbie-alone-jones-tells-fowler-critics-91466-21334406/

Bent signing for Cardiff City

CARDIFF CITY have announced the signing, subject to Monday medical, of Marcus Bent from Charlton Athletic for an undisclosed fee.

City were declined with a £1M bid for the player, apparently with £500k paid up front, last week so whether they have offered a higher price or more money in advance is a matter for speculation.

Marcus Bent and Gemma Atkinson

sunning themselves at Barry Island as the new Gavin and Stacey

(*ok, it's not Barry Island really)

It will be Bent's 11th club and the fee means the 30 yr old strong 6 foot striker will have been sold for a value of over £10M during his career. He is set to sign a 3 yr deal with City.

Most opinions are favourable as he is a strong hold up the ball player that City need as a pivotal point of attacks but chief grumble is that his goalscoring record, especially in recent years, is nothing to get excited about.

On loan at Premiership Wigan last season - a deal agreed after Charlton dropped out of that division - he notched 7 goals in 25 games plus 6 sub outings but that included a hat-trick and he has failed to score since last November - a run of 18 games. Prior to that, he scored just 4 times in 46 games for Charlton in the Prem and 7 in 38 (+ 17) sub outings with Everton.

However his record is much better than 1 in 3 at all previous clubs played for at this level including Ipswich, Sheffield United and Dave Jones will be hoping that's how it works with City.

Cardiff fans are also delighted as Bent is a favourite of the WAGS and is currently dating Gemma Atkinson. Doubt we'll see her eating a Clarks Pie on the Grange End but you never know!

Pre-season friendly: MERTHYR TYDFIL 1 CARDIFF CITY 3

While I was at Carmarthen, most City fans went to Penydarren Park, Merthyr. It's a bit closer to home - especially for the Valley Boys - and you're able to take your drink into the game.

Unfortunately, a few City young pups couldn't handle it and engaged in a drink throwing and then fighting contest against each other which led to a police presence and some arrests. Incredible.

As for the football, Cardiff City cruised to a 3-1 victory, nowhere near as satisfying in standards as Carmarthen but the object today is to develop fitness, nothing more.

City's side featured the rest of the first teamers in Peter Enckleman, Darren Purse, Roger Johnson, Riccy Scimeca, Darcy Blake and Joe Ledley plus first year pro Jon Brown and Academy boys. Joe Ledley played an hour, Thommo 80 minutes and the rest got a full 90.

Thommo set up JON BROWN to open the scoring on 25 minutes but Merthyr levelled when Peter Enckleman made another gaffe, this time Steins profited. THOMMO made it 2-1 at the interval after Brown's shot found him off the post.

Like Cramarthen, the second half was a non-event but City rounded off the afternoon when BILLY TAYLOR scored only 2 minutes after coming on as a late sub meeting a Darcy Blake cross.

Pre-season friendly

At Waun Dew. Carms

CARMARTHEN 0

CARDIFF CITY 5
Paul Parry (3)
Kelleher
Own goal


The Bluebirds opened their pre-season calendar, just as last year, by splitting the squad into two and heading to simultaneous games in Merthyr and Carmarthen. I got picked up by my brother fully expecting to head to Merthyr's Penydarren Park but he had other ideas and we were off to Y Dre to watch City's other game at Carmarthen. I'm glad I went as I'd been to Merthyr numerous times, Carmarthen was a new experience and it was a chance to see the City new boys and it was also the better encounter of the two.

It was almost as quick to reach Waun Dew as Merthyr - an hour even with police cameras - and cheaper too at just £6 for adults and £1 for kids (compared to £8/£3 at Merthyr), programmes were free as was car parking, hot dogs (with a double sausage) were £1 for the kids, no queues at the clubhouse bar and the added bonus of passing the City dressing room to get to the clubhouse bar. Others were watching the game from the beer garden of a nearby pub, presumably for free. As I came out of the bogs, I almost led the City team onto the pitch, it was that intimate.

Cardiff had all the new players on show except for Mark Kennedy who was absent. That's keeper Tom Heaton, centre half Darren Dennehy, left back Miguel Comminges and forward Ross McCormack. They were supplemented by Kevin McNaughton, Glenn Loovens, Steve McPhail, Gavin Rae, Peter Whittingham, Paul Parry and Academy player Rhys Kelleher. The bench consisted of another 7 Academy boys, all of whom got 2nd half playing time.

The weather was mild, some rain driving to the game held off, the ground was decent for its level with flat ground terracing on three sides, a smart pitchlength stand, a small but friendly clubhouse over the changing rooms and various portakabin buildings. The crowd was probably around 400 - just over half there to support City. Is it possible to have any greater contrast to the last City viewing at Wembley 7 weeks ago in the F.A. Cup Final and these surroundings next game?

While City took time to settle, Carmarthen were out of the traps and put everything into an opening 20 minute blitz. However they failed to convert that into shots on goal, a couple from distance were high and wide, and once that subsided, their threat had gone. In that spell however, the home side did put some good pass and play moves together and were enjoying some success in attacking City's braided left back Miguel Comminges who was quiet on the pitch and looked a little rusty as they won corners and got around or behind him a couple of times. Dennehy was strong in the middle while Loovens did what Loovens does and there was no passing McNaughton on the right, his Midnight Express number 1 all over haircut enough to put off anyone wanting to attack SuperKev!

The Carmarthen player who stood out for me though was one of their subs who was barely 5 foot and made me look a giant. I felt good! The corner-flag looked bigger than him. Rumours are he can only play for Carmarthen until November as he's needed by Snow White for panto afterwards.

The tide turned as McCormack, already showing well, won a free-kick which Whittingham placed towards top corner to be met by a flying save. After that, City's passing and movement shifted up a couple of gears and the home side couldn't deal with it. McPhail must have been enjoying looking up to see the runs Parry and McCormack were making and chances came after Parry was narrowly wide, McCormack hit a post and just missed while the Carmarthen keeper made a smart stop but then it was 4 goals in no time at all.

The opener was clever as McCormack played in PAUL PARRY and he rolled his effort across the keeper into a corner, the second goal saw Parry beat a challenge to find Academy man RHYS KELLEHER who showed no first touch all afternoon to this point but then finished exceedingly well. The third was a comedy OWN GOAL that Darren Purse would have been proud of. McNaughton's cross saw the keeper darting from near to far post while his centre-half ran the opposite direction and chested the ball into the empty nearside of goal. Then on half-time, PARRY grabbed his second with another good finish.

Half-time: Carmarthen 0 City 4

City declared at the interval and were always going to use Academy players and the full bench through the second half so the game lost its cohesion and flow. Even so, a few of the big names put in a good shift and some played the full 90. Can't really say any of the Academy kids stood out in the way Aaron Ramsey did this time last year at Merthyr, most of them looked like they should be tucked by 9pm.

PAUL PARRY got his hat-trick in completing the scoring to make it 5-0, a smart finish high into the top corner from 12 yards after being set up by McCormick. After that, there was still time for McCormack to test the keeper with a clever 20 yard effort, Whittingham to smash the bar and miss a sitter skying the ball over the bar but that was topped by goalkeeper turned striker Josh Magennis who found himself clear on goal yet almost hitting the corner flag with his close range effort, the ball did sit up as he fired. Enjoyed hearing him shout "**** off" to one of his team-mates taking the proverbial.

All of the new players acquitted themselves well for their first outing and showed promise to varying degrees. I'd summarise them as;

Tom Heaton - very little to do but kicked exceedingly well and long with the ball from his his hands, not as well with the ball on the floor, a good shouter and organiser. His size surprised me a little bearing in mind Dave Jones' known preference for big keepers. He is Neil Alexander dimensions, perhaps a touch shorter. His father came down to follow him and revealed his girlfriend is someone he pulled in his maths class at school. The things you learn from me!

Miguel Comminges - stands out with his braided hair but didn't stand out in the opening 25 as Carmarthen attacked his right side of defence and enjoyed some success. Looked a little off the pace but settled more as Carmarthen opening spell faded to nothing.

Darren Dennehy - he almost makes Roger Johnson look overweight. Slight but very tall and, like Johnson, puts himself about very well. Not very vocal for a centre half but definitely looked half decent.

Ross McCormack - probably the most impressive of the signing's on today's display in which he troubled Carmarthen throughout. Made excellent diagonal runs, always found space, tricky on the ball and able to/wanting to vary what he did. Someone commented how he reminded them of Paul Brayson which was a good shout. If City can get him a good strong striking partner, he could prove to be an excellent acquisition.

Final whistle blew and we were back in Cardiff by 5pm managing to pass Gavin Rae and Kevin McNaughton in their Audi and Merc suv's but blazed by Glenn Loovens who is a hell of a lot faster behind the wheel than he is on the pitch.

CARMARTHEN 0 CARDIFF CITY 5 - pictures from the game

Click this link

http://tinyurl.com/5ohuhl

for a full set of photos from today.

The City Targets That Got Away (assuming there was any merit in them at all)

It's sadly becoming all too familiar a story so little wonder some Cardiff City followers are openly questioning if it is a deliberate ploy by the club to hoodwink us into believing they're willing to splash the cash and are ambitious but bad luck prevents their plans rolling out.

The club seem quite happy to allow some targetted players to be revealed in the media, one or two of them will be the subject of supposedly significant bids yet City never seem to end up spending any money or capturing any of the targets. Still time to go but, for now, this are the players mentioned in dispatches.

Rangers declined a £2.5M bid for Kris Boyd, a player who himself turned down Risdale, Jones and City just two seasons ago in jumping to Rangers in the same style that Chris Killen replicated for Celtic last season. This time, Rangers declined the bid and City, despite suggestions otherwise, never raised their bid whilst the £2.5M kitty sees to have been misplaced too.

With Boyd out of the reckoning, City turned to his team-mate Daniel Cousin. A £1M fee was mentioned but there has been no confirmation any such bid was made or that City are progressing an enquiry.

All summer long, Michael Chopra and Ched Evans have been cited as loan targets. Chopra's still needed at Sunderland and appears to have been another 'red herring' while Cardiff are believed to be one of ten Championship sides chasing Evans. Sources say this remains very active but there has been only gossip, not news

Marcus Bent is the latest striking target. Cardiff have bid £1M for the striker who scored 7 on loan for Wigan in the Premiership last term on loan from Charlton but the Sarf Londoners want more and we wait to see if City do that.

Another media-trailed would be capture was Dutch midfield player Remco van der Schaaf. Peter Ridsdale only too happy to confirm Cardiff were close to capturing the man with Champions League experience. But after Cardiff turned up the heat, they quickly cooled it down talking about a major stumbling block. A couple of days later, the player signed a 3 year deal at mighty ... wait for it ... Burnley. Suspicions are that City didn't want to offer that length of contract but it doesn't look good yet again to trailblaze a player we lose to a lesser club.

Speculation also circulated that Cardiff were looking at the Crewe duo of midfielder Gary Roberts (£150,000) and promising striker Nicky Maynard (upto £2M) but, for once, Ridsdale moved to deny this rather than allow the stories to persist with a comment of "it is pure rubbish".

Meantime, one striker who many fans would like to see at Ninian Park as well as the player himself is Welsh international Freddy Eastwood. Cardiff were rumoured to have made enquiries about him and Wolves midfielder Jay Bothroyd but that has now fallen away with Jones also commenting with some arrogance, or perhaps confidence, "we're looking at better players than Eastwood".

What is clear is that Cardiff don't have the players in place yet that they'd like and probably need to sign at least one striker and two would be better before heading to pre-season camp in Portugal. They really need to move fast.

It remains to be seen whether Peter Ridsdale's latest quotes of City having just that by Tuesday comes to fruition. I don't think I'll be holding my breath over it.

fowler in the papers

Robbie Fowler is Blackburn bound
Cardiff left reeling by shock Fowler move
Robbie Fowler turns his back on Cardiff City
South Wales Echo

Fowler leaves Cardiff
Sky News

FEELINGS OF RELIEF AND ANGER AS ROBBIE FOWLER SH*TS ON CARDIFF CITY FOR BLACKBURN

According to the dictionary, an ENIGMA is "a person of puzzling or contradictory character" while USELESS is "not serving the purpose or any purpose; unavailing or futile" and PROCRASTINATE translates as "To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness".

GUESS YOU NOW KNOW MY FEELINGS ABOUT 12 MONTHS OF ROBBIE FOWLER AT CARDIFF CITY.

The media fell for it hook, line and sinker last summer with daily, the flattery of City being linked with an "audacious" move for such a player and, to be fair, many fans got sucked in too by "God" becomign a City player. If he's God, it only affirms why I'm a happy atheist who only worships at the Church of Ninian Park!

When Fowler eventually signed, far too late into pre-season and weeks of messing around, replica shirt sales with the name Fowler on the back were the ultimate fashion statement in Cardiff. Many fans, myself included, wanting to point out Fowler had been a player in decline - and injury - for 7 years since his mid-20's were stampeded and thought of as churlish.

Fowler had his debut in a pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad and could barely move, he showed one vintage touch and then went off injured and wasn't ready to start the season. He next showed up against Torquay and was always going to look classy in that company but it looked like Cardiff had 10 men playing competitive football and one - Fowler - who looked as if he was in a testimonial or Masters Football.

In September/October'07, Fowler had his one and only patch (temporary) of form as he scored doubles against a weakened West Brom in the Carling Cup and then against Preston in a live Sky game but two of them were penalties and his 6 goal tally for City featured 3 spot kicks. Fowler was injured again but did manage 10 minutes against Bristol City before Xmas, that was the last we saw of Robbie on the pitch for City.

While the overwhelming majority of fans had given up on him and hoped a severance deal would be sorted out - manager Dave Jones even attacked David Giles for having the temerity to suggest it in the media - The Bluebirds supplemented the £25k a week (upto that figure) reputedly being paid in wages for Fowler (even if the club were denying this) by sending him to Germany and America for radical career-saving treatement for injuries to both hips.

The club invested in Fowler like no other player but I doubt Fowler himself ever had any appreciation of it. At the season's end, supporters again felt it was time to cut ties and regard it as a failed gamble but, for the second summer running, the backdrop was a "will he, won't he" sign for City saga. Only Dave Jones and Peter Ridsdale seemed keen to keep him opening talks, meeting him in Dubai, offering a pay-as-you-play contract and then negotiating away in a manner that would not consider for anyone else.

His agent was as evasive as ever but insisted there was a deal to be done but you knew he would spin the dice until the very last second. Just yesterday, Dave Jones announced to the media that Fowler would be re-signing for City. He is also on record for saying he felt Robbie would offer us 20 goals this season ... please stop sniggering, especially as Fowler has not offered 20 games for most of the past 8 seasons!

I'm afraid Jones and Ridsdale were caught out and let down but their wanderlust for Fowler who later had an approach from Paul Ince to take a 1 year deal at Blackburn letting both down at a time when their stock is diminishing with unimpressive summer singings, no sign of spending as promised after last season's bonanza, the cock up over Hasselbaink's contract and revelations of Ridsdale's earning.

As for Robbie, in fairness, it's a good move and I couldn't care less he's left us. Good riddance in my mind, he gave us little so leaves with few thanks. The only question is why on earth did we allow ourselves to get messed around by someone clearly with no feelings whatsoever for this club and with so little to over over so many recent years?

Mugs'R'Us ... or them in the cases of Jones and Ridders.

THIS BLOG IS ON HOLS

It's summer, the only news is rumours and it's time to enjoy the weather so this blog is taking a fortnight's rest with several beers, topless girls and a big bunch of grapes - how I wish!

Back around July 12 ... or so.

Bye for now Amigos.

CARDIFF CITY PLAYER NEWS

SIGNINGS

Nothing has yet materialised. Boyd of Rangers does not seem to be going any further, the player is likely to stay there or sign for a 'bigger' club.

City are talking to a midfielder with Champions League experience - expect huge disappointment when it turns out to be be someone from Cyprus or similar who featured as sub in one game!

NEW CONTRACTS

It would appear that Peter Whittingham has commited to a new 3 year deal and the club are also expecting Roger Johnson to do likewise. Rumours of a RJ summer injury may not be true then.

Three other players - Paul Parry, Glen Loovens and Kevin McNaughton - are currently mulling over contract offers, all believed to be for 2 years. The club seem reasonably confident all will commit. Still no news that Robbie Fowler - anyone remember him? - is taking a pay-as-you-play contract but is likely too.

LEAVERS

Still no takers for the likes of Willo Flood, Warren Feeney and Steve Thompson amongst others but news is that Jimmy Floyd-Hasslebaink is linked with the vacant manager's post at MK Dons although the club are expected to go for an experienced boss.

Welsh Artist of the Year 2008

Take a look at the winning entries in Welsh Artist of the Year. Got to admit I'm no major fan of art and I can see a Bonsai Tree wrapped in thread (the winner) has some merit but is it just me or these crap, some looking as if they could have been made by schoolkids??

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7468109.stm

CARDIFF CITY SET TO INCREASE BOYD OFFER (and other City Scottish rumours)

Having had a club record bid of £2.5M turned down for Kris Boyd, the striker who almost signed for City 2 years ago then jumped to Rangers instead, Scottish media are suggesting that Dave Jones and Peter Ridsdale are returning with an improved £3M, offer with the extra apparently coming from incentivised offers.

Dave Jones seems very keen to land his target but Cardiff City now have a history of failing to land their public targets so many Bluebirds will treat, with some scepticism, club attempts to land the likes of Boyd, Ched Evans and Chopra until they are seen holding a City scarf over their heads holding their contracts. Each Dave Jones summer seems to see us linked with big names but we end up hitting the B or C list - Fowler and Hasselbaink being exceptions.

Let's see what develops particularly as newly promoted Premiership side Hull City seem set to move in too which means City wouldn't really be able to compete, such is football.

Exclusive: Cardiff set to return with new bid for Rangers striker ...

Glasgow Daily Record

In other news, City's Willo Flood and Robbie Fowler have both been linked, via the rumour mill of Setanta and 'In The Know' sorts in Scotland, with possible approaches from Celtic. With Flood having had an impressive season on loan at Dundee nited, I can understand that but surely any move for Fowler seems unlikely but they did express interest before he arrive at Ninian Park last summer. However, in a summer of a million and one rumours, don't believe anything unless it happens.

THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE'S SUPPORTERS SURVERY 2008

The Football League has just published its Supporters Survey 2008.

The report compiles the views of the 40,316 supporters who took part in an on-line survey, over half of whom reppresented Championship clubs, exactly 900 of them declared themselves as Cardiff City supporters.


The research reveals that:

- Respondents attended an average of 16 home matches and 5 away matches each season.

- 72% of supporters believe that Football League matches provide good family entertainment.

- Supporters identified match atmosphere as the single most important aspect of the matchday experience.

- 58% of fans prefer to see their clubs midweek matches scheduled on Tuesday nights compared to the 36% that prefer Wednesdays.

- Fans identified players showing dissent or a lack of respect to match officials as the most important area for the football authorities to address in the area of Fair Play, with 29% of supporters believing this to be the case.

To download a copy of the report, click here.

EURO'2008 GAME 25: QUARTER FINAL 1: GERMANY 3 PORTUGAL 2

The Germans, although not overly pressive, still proved too good and far too organised and brushed aside the Portuguese who have played good football but showed they have limitations.

I think most observers called it a 50/50 game but the Portuguese started the better without getting close on goal and then were hit by two goals in 5 minutes midway through the first half which was highly entertaining with quality on display from both sides.

Those goals came firstly from a superb move sweetly finished by Schweinsteiger and then poor defence gave Klos a free header on goal from a free-kick after Ronaldo let him go.

Portugal could have caved but took the game to the Germans with Deco and Ronaldo causing problems and got reward when Ronaldo, now getting behind the Germans, saw his shot saved by Lehman but turned home on the rebound by Gomez. Ronaldo missed eqaulising by a whisker on half-time and then Pepe header over in front of goal at the start of the second half.

The second period didn't match the first half intensity but Portugal always looked the likelier to score until the Germans won another free-kick and once again Portugal were undone by their own criminal defending, this time their keeper gifting Michael Ballack a free header on goal delighting his national manager watching in a box as he was banned from the touchline but agonising his new club boss, Scolari, who was coaching Portugal.

The Portuguese came again but never got sight of goal and thier distance shooting was hopeless but then came an 88th minute lifeline as sub Postiga headed home.

With 4 minutes added time, it was set for a Grandstand finish but the Germans held on comfortably. Great start to the quarter-finals opf what has been an excellent tournament.


Video highlights of this game and all others can be found at this BBC link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2008/schedule_and_statistics/default.stm

WALES AND SCOTLAND RENEW TALKS TO JOINTLY HOST EURO'2016

THE FAW and the SFA (not Supper Furry Animals!) have held further talks with a view to jointly hosting the Euro'2016 finals.

With joint hosts Austria and Switzerland enjoying a successful championships now and more joint hosts in 2012, it does seem the way forward. It's also possibly the only way Wales and Scotland will reach a finals again!


Wales and Scotland plan Euro bid
BBC News

JACKS vs CITY - NOW A SUNDAY SERVICE WITH SONGS OF PRAISE

This season's Swansea City vs Cardiff City Championship fixture, the first league clash between the Welsh rivals for 10 years, is being moved back a day to Sunday November 30th with a 11:30am kick-off and will also be televised live on Sky TV - what a treat for the viewers to watch and hear us lot going at it!

It was always believed this would happen once South Wales Police had their say and it is certain that it will be addionally confirmed as a coach-only "bubble" trip for Bluebirds followers. Police claims that one of the problems was that a Staurday game would clash with a Wales v Australia rugby international in Cardiff was probably of no major significance in truth. I can't even rememeber the last time a Cardiff v Swansea game had a bog-stand.

The question now is how many more Cardiff games will see their kick-off times or days changed for tv scheduling or police interference. I recall 5 games were moved before the season started and a few more during it. Even when we behave and get praised, City fans just cannot shake off the reputation tag.

DARREN DAY PISSED DOWN THE BAY, allegedly!

I don't there's too many more odious celebrities out there than Darren Day, that's assuming you still label as a celebrity these days.

He's in Cardiff currently appearing at a show in New Theatre but seems he was stopped cruising around Custom House Street(!) at 2am and has been charged with drink driving. It may stop him driving but I'm afraid he'll probably carry on acting which is a shame.

Darren Day charged with drink-driving after arrest in Cardiff
InTheNews.co.uk

CITY LINE-UP STRIKING TRIO

Will Fowler sniff out goals

for City next season?

As it's been a long time since Cardiff City actually landed the players named in newspapers, I can't get too excited at this stage but Peter Ridsdale is confident things are moving in his direction so we'll see.

The most certain 'arrival' appears to be that Robbie Fowler is set to sign a 1 year pay-as-you-play deal with Dave Jones and the club more excited about this than most supporters who have been distinctly unimpressed by Robbie and have every reason to speculate that he can't get the 20 goals that the boss suggests - 7 seasons of missing half the games and averaging 7 goals being as good as any. However, it's likely to be his last hurrah so we can only hope he does succeed.

More interesting is emerging news, eminating from Manchester too, that City are very close to landing Ched Evans on a season's loan from Manchester City. He's been a target for some time but some feared Mark Hughes would want to retain the Welsh starlet but as he chases down Brazilians and world stars and is set to splash the cash, it seems that he wants the player long-term but is considering allowing Cardiff - and possibly several other interested clubs - to give him more experience.

The names of Michael Chopra, Steve Howard and, worryingly, Mamady Sidibe continued to be linked as the club look set to play their own version of "Bargain Hunt" where we have antiques and stars are sold. :>)

Euro 2008 quarter-final line-up

The Group games are ended but starting form tonight, Euro'2008 swings straight into the quarter-finals with one game each night. Every game looks fascinating with the line up as follows;

Euro 2008 quarter-final line-up

Tonight - Germany v Portugal

Friday - Croatia v Turkey

Saturday - Netherlands v Russia

Sunday - Spain v Italy

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