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UEFA Euro 2008
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| Fußball-Europameisterschaft 2008 (in German) Championnat d'Europe de football 2008 (in French) Campionato Europeo di calcio 2008 (in Italian) Campiunadi d'Europa da ballape 2008 (in Romansh) | |
|---|---|
 Expect Emotions | |
| Tournament details | |
| Host countries | Austria Switzerland |
| Dates | 7–29 June |
| Teams | 16 |
| Venue | 8 (in 8 host cities) |
| Final positions | |
| Champions |  Spain (2nd title) |
| Runners-up |  Germany |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 31 |
| Goals scored | 77 (2.48 per match) |
| Attendance | 1,143,990 (36,903 per match) |
| Top scorer | David Villa (4 goals) |
| Best player | Xavi |
← 2004 2012 → | |
The 2008 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA Euro 2008 or simply Euro 2008, was the 13th UEFA European Championship, a quadrennial football tournament contested by the member nations of UEFA (the Union of European Football Associations). It took place in Austria and Switzerland (both hosting the tournament for the first time) from 7 to 29 June 2008.
The tournament was won by Spain, who defeated Germany 1–0 in the final. Spain were only the second nation to win all their group stage fixtures and then the European Championship itself, matching France's achievement from 1984. Spain were also the first team since Germany in 1996 to win the tournament undefeated.
Greece were the defending champions going into the tournament, having won UEFA Euro 2004. They recorded the worst finish in Euro 2008, losing their three group fixtures and collecting the least prize money. Throughout 31 matches, the participating nations totalled 77 goals, the same as the previous tournament.
Austria and Switzerland automatically qualified as hosts; the remaining 14 teams were determined through a qualifying tournament, played between August 2006 and November 2007. As European champions, Spain earned the right to compete in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.
Bid process
[edit]Austria and Switzerland jointly bid to host the games, and facing competition from six other bids: Bosnia and Herzegovina–Croatia, Greece–Turkey, a 4-way Nordic bid (from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden), Hungary, Russia and Scotland–Republic of Ireland.[1] Austria and Hungary had previously bid together to host Euro 2004, losing out to Portugal, while Sweden had hosted Euro 1992.[1]
Austria–Switzerland, Hungary, Greece–Turkey and the Nordic bid were recommended, in that order, before the final vote by UEFA's National Teams Committee.[2]
The final vote by the UEFA executive committee was:[2]
- Austria–Switzerland
- Hungary
- Greece–Turkey
- Nordic
- Scotland–Ireland
- Russia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina–Croatia
The Austria–Switzerland bid became the second successful joint bid in the competition's history, following the UEFA Euro 2000 hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. The following tournament, held in Poland and Ukraine, became the third jointly hosted tournament.
Summary
[edit]Qualification for Euro 2008 started in August 2006, just over a month after the end of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The qualifying tournament was contested by national teams from each of UEFA's member associations except Austria and Switzerland, who had automatically qualified for the final tournament as hosts, and Montenegro, who came into existence too late to be admitted to UEFA. England was the only seeded team not to qualify for the tournament proper, whereas Russia was the only unseeded one to qualify. The tournament also marked the debuts of Austria and Poland.
The draw for the final tournament took place on 2 December 2007, and saw Group C immediately labelled as the "group of death", with Italy, France, Romania and the Netherlands competing for the two qualifying places. In contrast, Germany and Portugal were deemed to have an easy draw, as the tournament structure meant they could not meet Italy, France, the Netherlands or Spain until the final.
In the group stage, Croatia, Spain and the Netherlands all qualified with maximum points. Austria and Switzerland were not expected to progress, despite the advantage of being the hosts. In Group A, the Swiss lost their captain, Alexander Frei, to injury in their first game and became the first team to be eliminated from the tournament, after losing their first two matches. Switzerland managed to beat the group winner Portugal in their last game.
In Group B, Austria managed to set up a decisive final game against Germany, dubbed "Austria's final".[3] However, they lost by one goal, making Euro 2008 the first European Championship not to have one of the host nations present in the knockout stage. In an exciting final game in Group A, an injury- and suspension-hit Turkey came back from 2–0 down to beat the Czech Republic 3–2, after an uncharacteristic handling mistake by Petr Čech, in the last few minutes, left Nihat Kahveci with the simplest of finishes.
In the same game, goalkeeper Volkan Demirel was shown a red card for pushing Czech striker Jan Koller to the ground. The Turks joined Portugal as the qualifiers from Group A. France were the high-profile victims of Group C, recording just one point from a goalless draw against Romania in their opening game. Italy beat the French, on the final day, to finish on four points and join the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. Finally, in Group D, Greece failed to reproduce the form of their shock 2004 win, and ended the tournament with no points. Russia qualified at the expense of Sweden, after beating them in a final game decider, joining Spain in the knockout stage.
Torrential rain during the Group A match between Switzerland and Turkey on 11 June resulted in the pitch at St. Jakob-Park in Basel requiring to be re-laid. The new pitch was installed in advance of the quarter-final match between Portugal and Germany on 19 June.[4] In the quarter-finals, the Portuguese team was unable to give their coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, a fitting send-off – following the mid-tournament announcement that Scolari would be leaving to join English club Chelsea – losing in an exciting game against Germany. Turkey continued their streak of last-gasp wins, equalising at the end of extra-time against Croatia and advancing on penalties. Coached by Dutchman Guus Hiddink, Russia eliminated the Netherlands with two extra-time goals. The last quarter-final match saw Spain defeat Italy on penalties, after a goalless draw in regular time.
Turkey's progress was halted by Germany in the semi-finals. Turkey entered the game with nine of their squad members missing due to injury or suspension, but still scored the first goal. Later, they levelled the score at 2–2, before Germany scored the winning goal in the final minute. The world television feed of the match was intermittently lost during the match, which prevented the broadcast of Germany's second goal.
This was due to a thunderstorm at the broadcasting relay station in Austria, despite the game being played in Switzerland. Swiss Television SRG SSR still had a feed, because of their own broadcasting facilities at the venue. During the lost world feed, German and Austrian television ZDF and ORF started to broadcast the feed of German-speaking Swiss channel SF 1.
This act ensured that the German goal was actually broadcast in Germany although not in Turkey.[5] Spain won the second semi-final against Russia by three goals to nil, through second-half goals from Xavi, Daniel Güiza and David Silva, earning Spain their first appearance in a major final for 24 years.
In the final, held at Vienna's Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Spain became European champions for the second time after Fernando Torres' first-half goal proved enough to defeat Germany. Though Germany had a strong start, Spain started to look more dangerous after they had settled.
After half an hour, Xavi played a pass in behind the Germany back line towards Torres, who outmuscled a hesitant Philipp Lahm and clipped the ball over the diving Jens Lehmann and just inside the far post. That goal proved to be the only goal of the game, which Spain dominated despite Germany having the majority of the possession,[6] and Spain were crowned UEFA Euro 2008 champions.
Qualification
[edit]The draw for the qualifying round took place in Montreux, Switzerland on 27 January 2006 at 12:00 CET.
The qualifying process commenced a month after the 2006 World Cup. Austria and Switzerland automatically qualified for the tournament finals as host nations.
The qualifying format was changed compared to previous tournaments. The winners and runners-up from seven groups automatically qualified for the Championship, with the hosts filling the other two slots in the 16-team tournament. The change means there were no play-offs between teams finishing in second place in the groups – they qualified directly for the finals. Teams that finished outside the top two positions in their groups failed to qualify. Group A contained eight teams, and the others contained seven.
12 out of 16 teams who qualified for previous tournament also qualified, but the hosts, Austria, and Poland made their debuts at the European Championship. Romania and Turkey returned after missing out the 2004 tournament. For the first time since 1984, all five teams from the British Isles failed to qualify, including 2006 World Cup quarter-finalists England.[7] Other notable absentees were 2006 World Cup quarter-finalists Ukraine, and Denmark, who failed to qualify for the first time since 1980. Bulgaria and Latvia also failed to qualify after playing in Euro 2004.
As of 2024, this is the last time England and Ukraine have failed to qualify for the European Championship.
Qualified teams
[edit]| Team | Qualified as | Qualified on | Previous appearances in tournament[A] |
|---|---|---|---|
 Austria |
Co-host | 12 December 2002 | 0 (debut) |
 Switzerland |
2 (1996, 2004) | ||
| Germany[B] |
Group D runner-up | 13 October 2007 | 9 (1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004) |
 Greece |
Group C winner | 17 October 2007 | 2 (1980, 2004) |
 Czech Republic[C] |
Group D winner | 17 October 2007 | 6 (1960, 1976, 1980, 1996, 2000, 2004) |
 Romania |
Group G winner | 17 October 2007 | 3 (1984, 1996, 2000) |
 Poland |
Group A winner | 17 November 2007 | 0 (debut) |
 Italy |
Group B winner | 17 November 2007 | 6 (1968, 1980, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2004) |
 France |
Group B runner-up | 17 November 2007 | 6 (1960, 1984, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004) |
 Croatia |
Group E winner | 17 November 2007 | 2 (1996, 2004) |
| Spain |
Group F winner | 17 November 2007 | 7 (1964, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2004) |
 Netherlands |
Group G runner-up | 17 November 2007 | 7 (1976, 1980, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004) |
 Portugal |
Group A runner-up | 21 November 2007 | 4 (1984, 1996, 2000, 2004) |
 Turkey |
Group C runner-up | 21 November 2007 | 2 (1996, 2000) |
 Russia[D] |
Group E runner-up | 21 November 2007 | 8 (1960, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2004) |
 Sweden |
Group F runner-up | 21 November 2007 | 3 (1992, 2000, 2004) |
- ^ Bold indicates champion for that year. Italic indicates host for that year.
- ^ From 1972 to 1988, Germany competed as West Germany.
- ^ From 1960 to 1980, the Czech Republic competed as Czechoslovakia.
- ^ From 1960 to 1988, Russia competed as the Soviet Union, and in 1992 as CIS.
Final draw
[edit]The draw for the final tournament took place on 2 December 2007 at the Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre in Switzerland.[8]
As was the case at the 2000 and 2004 finals, the finalists were divided into four seeding pots, based on the 2007 edition of the UEFA national team coefficient ranking, which measured performance of teams in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying and Euro 2008 qualifying,[9] with each group having one team drawn from each pot. In a return to the format used at Euro 1992 and Euro 1996 the games in each group were held at just two stadia, with the seeded team playing all three matches in the same city. Switzerland and Austria, as co-hosts, were automatically assigned to positions A1 and B1, respectively. The remaining 14 teams were split into four pots, with title-holders Greece seeded alongside the Netherlands in Pot 1.[10]
UEFA came under heavy criticism from Raymond Domenech, manager of France, who was not satisfied with his team's position in the draw,[11] and was also in favour of having 2006 FIFA World Cup winners Italy as top seed.[12] On 22 November 2007, Giorgio Marchetti, UEFA's professional football director, announced that a review of the coefficient ranking system was under way for future European Championships.[8]
|
|
|
|
Automatically selected as a top-seeded team into pot 1, irrespective of their ranking position.
- ^ Co-hosts Switzerland (coefficient 1.800; rank 20th) and Austria (coefficient 1.500; rank 27th) belonged to pot 1 irrespective of their ranking position. Ahead of the draw, they were removed from pot 1 and automatically assigned to group positions A1 and B1, respectively.
- ^ Defending champions Greece (coefficient 2.167; rank 11th) were automatically assigned to Pot 1, and could be drawn into either Group C or D.
All teams from each pot, were drawn consecutively into Group A to D. From Pot 1, the remaining two teams for Group C and Group D were first drawn. All Pot 1 teams automatically occupy the first positions of their groups. Next step was to draw all teams in the order from Pot 4, Pot 3 and Pot 2; and for these teams the next group positions 2/3/4 were drawn separately from an extra glass bowl, for the purposes of determining the match schedules in each group. Coincidentally, all teams from Pots 2, 3, and 4 drew the exact same group position number as their pot number.[13][14]
The draw resulted in the following groups:[13][14][15]
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Venues
[edit]The tournament was played at eight venues throughout the two host nations; four in Austria and four in Switzerland. Each venue had a capacity of at least 30,000 for the tournament; the largest stadium was Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna with a capacity of 53,295.[16] It was for this reason that Ernst-Happel-Stadion hosted the final. Switzerland played all three group stage matches at St. Jakob Park in Basel, which also hosted the opening match of the tournament as a compromise for the final being held in Vienna. Austria played all of their group stage matches at Ernst-Happel-Stadion.
In 2004, the Zürich venue became a problem for the organisers. Originally, the Hardturm stadium was to be renovated and used as the city's venue, but legal challenges delayed the plan to a point that would not have allowed the ground to be used in 2008. This created a problem, as the agreement between UEFA and the organisers stipulated that four venues would be used in each country. The problem was solved when the organisers proposed renovating Letzigrund instead;[17] UEFA approved the revised plan in January 2005. The Letzigrund stadium hosted its first football match on 23 September 2007.
| Austria | Switzerland | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna | Klagenfurt | Basel | Bern |
| Ernst-Happel-Stadion | Wörthersee Stadion | St. Jakob-Park | Stade de Suisse |
| Capacity: 51,428 | Capacity: 31,957 | Capacity: 42,500 | Capacity: 31,907 |
|
|
|
|
| Innsbruck | Salzburg | Geneva | Zürich |
| Tivoli-Neu | Stadion Wals-Siezenheim | Stade de Genève | Letzigrund |
| Capacity: 31,600 | Capacity: 31,895 | Capacity: 31,228 | Capacity: 30,930 |
|
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Team base camps
[edit]Each team had access to a "team base camp" for its stay between the matches.[18] The teams trained and resided in these locations during the tournament, and travelled to games that took place away from their bases.[19][20] The 16 teams validated their option with UEFA on 18 December 2007.[18]
| Team | Base camp |
|---|---|
| Austria | Stegersbach |
| Croatia | Bad Tatzmannsdorf |
| Czech Republic | Seefeld in Tirol |
| France | Mont Pèlerin |
| Germany | Ascona |
| Greece | Hof bei Salzburg |
| Italy | Baden bei Wien |
| Netherlands | Lausanne |
| Poland | Bad Waltersdorf |
| Portugal | Neuchâtel |
| Romania | St. Gallen |
| Russia | Leogang |
| Spain | Neustift im Stubaital |
| Sweden | Lugano |
| Switzerland | Feusisberg |
| Turkey | Bellevue |
Squads
[edit]Teams were required to select a squad of 23 players, three of whom had to be goalkeepers, with the final squad to be submitted to UEFA by 28 May 2008. If a member of the final squad suffered an injury prior to his team's first game that would keep him out of the entire tournament, another player could be called up to replace him.[21]
Match officials
[edit]On 19 December 2007, UEFA announced twelve referees and twenty-four assistants were selected for the tournament.[22] In April 2008, after failing a physical fitness test, Norwegian assistant referee Erik Ræstad was replaced by fellow countryman Jan Petter Randen.[23] Italian referee Roberto Rosetti was selected to officiate both the opening match between Switzerland and the Czech Republic and the final between Germany and Spain.
Group stage
[edit]
The teams finishing in the top two positions in each of the four groups progressed to the quarter-finals, while the bottom two teams were eliminated from the tournament.
All times are local, CEST (UTC+2).
Tiebreakers
[edit]For the three-game group stage of this tournament, where two or more teams in a group tied on an equal number of points, the finishing positions were determined by the following tie-breaking criteria in the following order:[21]
- number of points obtained in the matches among the teams in question
- goal difference in the matches among the teams in question (if more than two teams finish equal on points)
- number of goals scored in the matches among the teams in question (if more than two teams finish equal on points)
- goal difference in all the group matches
- number of goals scored in all the group matches
- coefficient from the qualifying competitions for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and 2006/08 UEFA European Football Championship (points obtained divided by the number of matches played)
- fair play conduct of the teams (final tournament)
- drawing of lots
However, these normal criteria would not apply if two teams tied on points, goal difference, goals scored, and goals conceded, played against each other in their final group match, drew that game, and no other team in the group finishes with the same number of points; in that case, the tie would be broken by a penalty shootout.[21]
Group A
[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6[a] | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Turkey
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6[a] | |
| 3 | Czech Republic
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 3[b] | |
| 4 | Switzerland (H)
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3[b] |
| Switzerland | 1–2 | Turkey |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Group B
[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Croatia
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Germany
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 | |
| 3 | Austria (H)
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 1[a] | |
| 4 | Poland
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 1[a] |
Group C
[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | +8 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Italy
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 4 | |
| 3 | Romania
|
3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 2 | |
| 4 | France
|
3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | −5 | 1 |
Source: UEFA
| Netherlands | 3–0 | Italy |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| Netherlands | 4–1 | France |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
| Netherlands | 2–0 | Romania |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Group D
[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spain
|
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Russia
|
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 6 | |
| 3 | Sweden
|
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 3 | |
| 4 | Greece
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 0 |
Source: UEFA
| Spain | 4–1 | Russia |
|---|---|---|
| Report |
|
| Sweden | 1–2 | Spain |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
| Greece | 1–2 | Spain |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Knockout stage
[edit]
The knockout stage was different from that of past tournaments. Teams in groups A and B were separated from teams in groups C and D until the final. This meant that two teams who meet in the same group would meet again in the semi-finals instead of the final if they got this far. Also, in another major change, for the first time in a European Championship, only two venues (St. Jakob-Park, Basel and Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna—the two largest of the eight stadiums used) were used for the seven matches in the knockout stage of the tournament.[48]
As with every tournament since UEFA Euro 1984, there was no third place play-off.
All times are local, CEST (UTC+2).
Bracket
[edit]| Quarter-finals | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| 19 June – Basel | ||||||||||
| Portugal | 2 | |||||||||
| 25 June – Basel | ||||||||||
| Germany | 3 | |||||||||
| Germany | 3 | |||||||||
| 20 June – Vienna | ||||||||||
| Turkey | 2 | |||||||||
| Croatia | 1 (1) | |||||||||
| 29 June – Vienna | ||||||||||
| Turkey (p) | 1 (3) | |||||||||
| Germany | 0 | |||||||||
| 21 June – Basel | ||||||||||
| Spain | 1 | |||||||||
| Netherlands | 1 | |||||||||
| 26 June – Vienna | ||||||||||
| Russia (a.e.t.) | 3 | |||||||||
| Russia | 0 | |||||||||
| 22 June – Vienna | ||||||||||
| Spain | 3 | |||||||||
| Spain (p) | 0 (4) | |||||||||
| Italy | 0 (2) | |||||||||
Quarter-finals
[edit]| Portugal | 2–3 | Germany |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
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| Netherlands | 1–3 (a.e.t.) | Russia |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
|
Semi-finals
[edit]Final
[edit]Statistics
[edit]Goalscorers
[edit]There were 77 goals scored in 31 matches, for an average of 2.48 goals per match.
4 goals
3 goals
2 goals
1 goal
Ivica Vastić
Luka Modrić- Ivica Olić
- Darijo Srna
Jan Koller- Jaroslav Plašil
- Libor Sionko
- Václav Svěrkoš
Thierry Henry
Philipp Lahm
Angelos Charisteas
Daniele De Rossi- Christian Panucci
- Andrea Pirlo
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar- Dirk Kuyt
- Arjen Robben
- Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Roger Guerreiro
Deco- Nuno Gomes
- Raul Meireles
- Pepe
- Hélder Postiga
- Ricardo Quaresma
- Cristiano Ronaldo
Adrian Mutu
Dmitri Torbinski- Konstantin Zyryanov
Rubén de la Red- Cesc Fàbregas
- David Silva
- Xavi
Petter Hansson
Uğur Boral
Awards
[edit]
UEFA Team of the Tournament
[edit]The UEFA Technical Team was charged with naming a squad composed of the 23 best players over the course of the tournament. The group of nine analysts watched every game at the tournament before making their decision after the final. Nine players from the winning Spanish team were named in the team of the tournament, while no players knocked out in the group stage were included. Four players from semi-finalists Russia were also included, the first time ever there were Russian players in the Team of the Tournament following the fall of the Soviet Union.[55]
UEFA Player of the Tournament
[edit]The UEFA Technical Team also had to pick a Player of the Tournament, taking fans' votes into account. The player chosen was Spain midfielder Xavi.[56]
Golden Boot
[edit]The Golden Boot was awarded to yet another Spaniard, David Villa, who scored four goals, three of which came in his side's 4–1 win over Russia (the only hat-trick scored in the tournament).[57]
- David Villa (4 goals)
Prize money
[edit]UEFA announced that total of €184 million has been offered to the 16 teams competing in this tournament, increasing from €129 million in the previous tournament. The distributions as below:[58]
- Prize for participating: €7.5 million
Extra payment based on teams performances:
- Winner: €7.5 million
- Runner-up: €4.5 million
- Semi-finals: €3 million
- Quarter-finals: €2 million
- Group stage (per match):
- Win: €1 million
- Draw: €500,000
Spain, as winners of the tournament and winners of all three of their group stage matches, received a total prize of €23 million, the maximum possible prize money. Greece on the other hand, being the only team to lose all three of their group matches, were the only team to receive nothing more than the €7.5 million participation prize.
Discipline
[edit]At UEFA Euro 2008, players were suspended from playing in subsequent matches upon the collection of a certain number of yellow or red cards. If a player was shown a red card – whether as a result of two bookable offences or a straight red – that player got suspended from playing in his team's next match. If his team was eliminated from the competition before the end of his suspension, the games carried over to the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification matches. A player was also suspended for one match for picking up two yellow cards in separate matches. However, any yellow cards accumulated were annulled once a team got eliminated from the tournament or reached the semi-finals.[59]
In extreme cases of ill-discipline, UEFA could choose to have a disciplinary panel examine the incident in order to determine whether or not further suspension is required. One case of this at Euro 2008 was the suspension of Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel for two matches for pushing Czech striker Jan Koller.[60]
The following players were suspended for one or more games as a result of red cards or yellow card accumulation:
| Player | Offence(s) | Suspension(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Andrey Arshavin
|
 in Euro qualifying v Andorra
|
Group D v Spain Group D v Greece |
| Bastian Schweinsteiger
|
in Group B v Croatia
|
Group B v Austria |
| Sebastian Prödl
|
 in Group B v Croatia in Group B v Poland
|
Group B v Germany |
| Dorin Goian
|
in Group C v France in Group C v Italy
|
Group C v Netherlands |
| Mehmet Aurélio
|
in Group A v Switzerland in Group A v Czech Republic
|
Quarter-final v Croatia |
| Volkan Demirel
|
in Group A v Czech Republic
|
Quarter-final v Croatia Semi-final v Germany |
| Eric Abidal
|
in Group C v Italy
|
World Cup qualifying v Austria |
| Andrea Pirlo
|
in Group C v Romania in Group C v France
|
Quarter-final v Spain |
| Gennaro Gattuso
|
in Group C v Netherlands in Group C v France
|
Quarter-final v Spain |
| Tuncay Şanlı
|
in Group A v Switzerland in Quarter-final v Croatia
|
Semi-final v Germany |
| Arda Turan
|
in Group A v Czech Republic in Quarter-final v Croatia
|
Semi-final v Germany |
| Emre Aşık
|
in Group A v Czech Republic in Quarter-final v Croatia
|
Semi-final v Germany |
| Denis Kolodin
|
in Group D v Sweden in Quarter-final v Netherlands
|
Semi-final v Spain |
| Dmitri Torbinski
|
in Group D v Greece in Quarter-final v Netherlands
|
Semi-final v Spain |
Marketing
[edit]Television coverage failure
[edit]Three times in the second half of the semi-final between Germany and Turkey, nearly the entire global television coverage of the game was interrupted. A thunderstorm over Vienna caused technical difficulties in the International Broadcast Centre (IBC), which relayed the television feed from the match in Basel, Switzerland, resulting in one or more goals being missed by various audiences.[61] Various national broadcasters took emergency contingency measures such as reverting to radio broadcasting (for example, the BBC used coverage from BBC Radio 5 Live,[62] Ireland circumvented the problem by having RTÉ Two's studio presenter Bill O'Herlihy and panellists Eamon Dunphy, Johnny Giles and Liam Brady provide emergency discussion on what had happened in the match,[63] and Øyvind Alsaker, commentator from Norwegian TV2 picked up his mobile and filmed it over a 3G connection). Only the Swiss public broadcaster SRG maintained full coverage since it used a direct signal other than the IBC's.[64]
New trophy
[edit]A new trophy was awarded to the winners of the Euro 2008 tournament. The new version of the Henri Delaunay Trophy, created by Asprey London,[65] is almost an exact replica of the original designed by Arthus-Bertrand. A small figure juggling a ball on the back of the original has been removed, as has the marble plinth. The silver base of the trophy also had to be enlarged to make it stable. The names of the winning countries that had appeared on the plinth have now been engraved on the back of the trophy, which is made of sterling silver, weighs 8 kilograms (17.6 lb) and is 60 centimetres (24 in) tall.
Match ball
[edit]
The match ball for the finals was unveiled at the draw ceremony. Produced by Adidas and named the Europass, it is a 14-panel ball in the same construction as the Teamgeist, but with a modified surface design.[66] A version named the Europass Gloria was used in the final.[67]
There were concerns raised about the match ball, which was claimed to deviate unpredictably in flight, making it difficult to judge for goalkeepers. Notable players to criticise were Germany's Jens Lehmann and the Czech Republic's Petr Čech.[68] These claims were disputed by the ball's designer, Oliver Kahn.
Music
[edit]The official melody was composed by Rollo Armstrong of Faithless on behalf of UEFA.[69] The official Euro 2008 song was "Can You Hear Me" by Enrique Iglesias, which was performed live during the official closing ceremony prior to the final in Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna on 29 June.[70]
Two soundtracks, "Like a Superstar" and "Feel the Rush," were recorded by Jamaican reggae artist Shaggy as mascot songs for Euro 2008. They formed a musical background to video clips featuring the twin mascots Trix and Flix.[69]
The official Swiss song for the tournament was a new version of "Bring en hei" (Bring him Home) by Baschi.[70] Christina Stürmer sang the official tournament song of Austrian ÖFB, "Fieber" (Fever).[71] Croatia manager Slaven Bilić recorded his country's official Euro 2008 song, "Vatreno ludilo" ("Fiery Madness"), with his rock group, Rawbau.
"Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes was played when players walked out before kick-off,[72] and a remix of "Samba de Janeiro" by German dance group Bellini was played after each goal scored in the competition.[73][74]
Mascots
[edit]The two official mascots for UEFA Euro 2008, were named after a vote from the public of the two host nations from the following options:
- Zigi and Zagi
- Flitz and Bitz
- Trix and Flix
In April 2007, after receiving 36.3% of the vote, Trix and Flix were chosen. "I am sure the mascots and their names will become a vital part of the understanding of the whole event," said Christian Mutschler, the tournament director for Switzerland.[75] The mascots were unveiled on 27 September 2006, in Vienna, Austria. Their official début was on 11 October 2006, at the Austria vs. Switzerland friendly, which ended 2–1.[76]
Slogan
[edit]The slogan for UEFA Euro 2008 was chosen on 24 January 2007: Expect Emotions.[77] UEFA President Michel Platini stated, "It describes in a nutshell what the UEFA Euro 2008 has to offer: all kinds of emotions – joy, disappointment, relief or high tension – right up to the final whistle."[78]
Sponsorship
[edit]Global Sponsors:
- Adidas
- Canon Inc[79]
- Carlsberg Group
- Castrol[80]
- Coca-Cola
- Continental
- Hyundai Motor Group/Kia Corporation
- JVC
- MasterCard
- McDonald's
National Supporters (Switzerland):
- UBS[81]
- Swisscom[82]
- Ferrero Switzerland (Kinder Chocolate, Nutella, Ferrero Rocher)[83]
National Supporters (Austria):
Hublot were the official watch and timekeeper of the tournament,[85] while Intersport became the official retail licensee.[86]
BenQ were initially announced as one of the global sponsors of the tournament,[87] shortly after its mobile phone branch in Germany filed for insolvency.[88] The deal was later cancelled.
Broadcasting
[edit]References
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- ^ "Spain dominate Team of the Tournament". Union of European Football Associations. 30 June 2008. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
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- ^ a b "The official UEFA EURO 2008 music" (PDF). UEFA. 28 February 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 October 2017.
- ^ a b "Official UEFA EURO 2008 Song: "Can You Hear Me" by Enrique Iglesias" (PDF). UEFA. 20 May 2008. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
- ^ Christina Stürmers offizieller EM-Song heißt "Fieber" on orf.at
- ^ Seven Nation Army: the indiest football anthem ever?, The Guardian, 18 June 2008
- ^ What's That Song They Play After the Euro Goals? Archived 26 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Euro 2008 Championships on World Cup Blog
- ^ Dean, Will (18 June 2012). "Trending: The Euro 2012 chant that a Seven Nation Army couldn't hold back". The Independent. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
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- ^ "Euro 2008". gotrotting.ch. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
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- ^ "Official Newsletter of the 2008 European Championship - August 2007" (PDF).
- ^ "Telekom Austria signs National Supporter agreement for UEFA EURO 2008™" (PDF).
- ^ "UEFA EURO 2008™: Hublot to be Official Watch and Official Timekeeper of UEFA EURO 2008™" (PDF).
- ^ UEFA.com (16 September 2010). "INTERSPORT becomes retail licensee". UEFA. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ "BenQ announced as Global Sponsor for UEFA EURO 2008™" (PDF).
- ^ "From Bankrupt to Backer – DW – 02/08/2007". dw.com. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2008 UEFA European Championship.
- UEFA Euro 2008 at UEFA.com
- Official website at the Wayback Machine (archived 28 September 2008)
- Official Technical Report
| Tournaments |
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| Finals | |
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UEFA Euro 2008
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Host Selection and Qualification
Bid Process
UEFA opened the bidding process for the 2008 European Football Championship in 2001, inviting submissions from individual national associations or joint ventures involving two or more associations to promote regional cooperation and shared resources. Bidders were required to submit letters of interest by November 20, 2001, followed by confirmation of intent by the end of February 2002 and complete bid dossiers by May 31, 2002; these dossiers had to detail plans for at least eight stadiums with a minimum capacity of 30,000 seats each, robust infrastructure including transportation networks, comprehensive security measures, and provisions for an optimal fan experience such as accommodation and accessibility. Joint hosting was explicitly encouraged to distribute organizational demands and leverage complementary strengths between neighboring countries.[4][5] Seven bids were formally submitted: the joint Austria-Switzerland proposal, Bosnia-Herzegovina/Croatia joint bid, Greece/Turkey joint bid, solo Hungary bid, Nordic 2008 joint bid from Denmark/Finland/Norway/Sweden, solo Russia bid, and Scotland/Republic of Ireland joint bid. The Austria-Switzerland bid emphasized the countries' proximity, existing high-quality venues, and strong Alpine tourism infrastructure to ensure seamless cross-border logistics. In contrast, other bids like the Nordic proposal highlighted multi-nation collaboration for broader geographic spread, while Hungary's solo effort focused on central European accessibility but faced challenges in scaling stadium capacities alone.[6][4] The evaluation was overseen by UEFA committees, beginning with formal presentations by all candidates on June 19, 2002, at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, where bidders showcased their dossiers in alphabetical order. This was followed by on-site inspection visits from August to October 2002, assessing factors such as stadium readiness, security protocols, transportation links, and overall fan hospitality potential through structured reviews and consultations with local authorities. Bids were scored qualitatively on these criteria, with emphasis on feasibility, financial backing, and alignment with UEFA's standards for safety and sustainability; the process praised the high quality and enthusiasm of all submissions.[6][7] On December 12, 2002, UEFA President Lennart Johansson announced the selection of the Austria-Switzerland joint bid during a ceremony at the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva, following a vote by the UEFA Executive Committee where it secured the highest number of votes in the final ballot, reportedly edging out the Scotland/Republic of Ireland bid in the decisive round. The winning bid was lauded for its balanced infrastructure and cooperative spirit between the two nations. As hosts, Austria and Switzerland committed to significant upgrades, including renovations to existing stadiums like Vienna's Ernst-Happel-Stadion and Innsbruck's Tivoli Neu, construction of new facilities where needed, and enhancements to cross-border transportation such as expanded rail networks and integrated public transit systems to facilitate fan mobility.[8][9][10]Qualification Process
The qualification for UEFA Euro 2008 involved 50 UEFA member associations competing in a group stage, as Austria and Switzerland had already qualified automatically as co-hosts. The teams were drawn into seven groups on 27 January 2006 in Montreux, Switzerland, with seeding based on coefficients derived from their performances in the UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying tournament and the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where points were divided by the number of matches played to determine rankings. Greece, as the reigning European champions, was placed in Pot 1 alongside other top seeds including the Netherlands, Portugal, England, Czech Republic, France, and Sweden; subsequent pots included teams like Germany and Croatia in Pot 2, and lower-ranked nations in Pots 3 through 7, with Pot 7 featuring the eight weakest teams such as Liechtenstein and San Marino.[11][12] Group A consisted of eight teams, while Groups B through G each had seven, resulting in a total of 306 matches played in a home-and-away round-robin format from 2 September 2006 to 21 November 2007. The seven group winners and seven runners-up advanced directly to the finals, for a total of 16 participating nations. The campaign began with matches such as Armenia's 1-1 draw against Portugal on 2 September 2006 and concluded with decisive fixtures including Croatia's 3-2 home win over England on 21 November 2007, which secured Croatia's group leadership and eliminated England from contention.[13][14] Standout performances defined several groups, with the Netherlands dominating Group G by winning nine of their 12 matches, drawing the other three, and scoring 34 goals without a single defeat, led by forwards like Ruud van Nistelrooy and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. In Group E, Croatia emerged as group winners with an unbeaten record, highlighted by their resilient 2-0 away victory over England in October 2007 and the late drama against the same opponent in November, where goals from Eduardo da Silva and Ivan Klasnić propelled them ahead of Russia, who finished second after a strong run under Guus Hiddink. Other notable results included Germany's record 13-0 thrashing of San Marino in June 2007, the largest margin in qualification history, and Northern Ireland's David Healy becoming the tournament's top scorer with 13 goals, including two hat-tricks.[13][15] A significant administrative adjustment occurred due to the dissolution of the Serbia and Montenegro union in June 2006, after the draw had placed the joint team in Group A; UEFA ruled that Serbia would inherit the spot and continue the campaign as an independent nation, while Montenegro, granted full UEFA membership on 15 January 2007, did not enter the ongoing qualification process. No teams withdrew, and the overall tournament saw 839 goals scored across all groups, averaging 2.74 per match, underscoring a competitive and high-scoring phase leading to the finals.[16][17][13]Qualified Teams
The 16 teams that qualified for the UEFA Euro 2008 finals consisted of the co-hosts Austria and Switzerland, along with the winners and runners-up from the seven qualifying groups. These teams represented a mix of established powerhouses and competitive nations from across Europe, with qualification secured through a series of 12 matches per group in a double round-robin format from August 2006 to November 2007.[13] The qualified teams and their paths to the tournament were as follows:| Team | Qualification Path | Key Achievement in Qualifying | FIFA Ranking (Dec 2007) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Co-hosts | Automatic qualification | 94th |
| Croatia | Group D winners | Topped group with 9 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss (28 goals scored) | 10th |
| Czech Republic | Group E winners | Unbeaten with 9 wins, 3 draws (26 goals scored) | 6th |
| France | Group B runners-up | Finished second with 8 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses (25 goals scored) | 7th |
| Germany | Group E runners-up | Second place with 8 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss (35 goals scored, tournament-high) | 5th |
| Greece | Group C winners | Topped group with 10 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss (25 goals scored) | 11th |
| Italy | Group B winners | Unbeaten with 9 wins, 3 draws (23 goals scored) | 3rd |
| Netherlands | Group G runners-up | Second with 8 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses (34 goals scored) | 9th |
| Poland | Group A winners | Topped group with 8 wins, 4 draws, 0 losses (24 goals scored) | 22nd |
| Portugal | Group A runners-up | Finished second unbeaten with 7 wins, 5 draws (24 goals scored) | 8th |
| Romania | Group G winners | Unbeaten with 9 wins, 3 draws (26 goals scored) | 13th |
| Russia | Group D runners-up | Second place with 7 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses (18 goals scored) | 23rd |
| Spain | Group F winners | Topped group with 9 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses (28 points) | 4th |
| Sweden | Group F runners-up | Finished second with 8 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses (23 goals scored) | 24th |
| Switzerland | Co-hosts | Automatic qualification | 44th |
| Turkey | Group C runners-up | Second with 7 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses (24 points from late surge) | 16th |
Final Draw
The final draw for the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament took place on 2 December 2007 at the Culture and Convention Centre in Lucerne, Switzerland, starting at 12:00 CET.[20] The event was conducted by UEFA officials and attended by representatives from the 16 qualified teams, including coaches and captains.[21] The seeding system divided the 14 non-host qualified teams into four pots based on their UEFA coefficients, calculated from performances in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. Pot 1 consisted of the top four: Netherlands, Croatia, Portugal, and Spain. Pot 2: Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, and Romania. Pot 3: France, Greece, Sweden, and Turkey. Pot 4: Poland and Russia. The hosts Austria and Switzerland were automatically placed in positions A1 and B1, respectively, to ensure they were in separate groups and to facilitate logistical arrangements for opening matches.[22][20] This structure aimed to distribute stronger teams evenly across the four groups while avoiding the placement of both hosts in the same group.[20] The draw procedure began with Pot 4, drawing teams one by one and assigning them to one of the four groups (A, B, C, D) via a separate position draw to determine the slot (e.g., A4, B3), ensuring no conflicts with host positions. This process was repeated for Pot 3, Pot 2, and finally Pot 1, ensuring each group contained one team from every pot (except for the fixed hosts in A and B).[20] No major corrections were needed during the event, though the assignment of top seeds created what was immediately dubbed the "group of death" in Group C.[21] The resulting groups were as follows:| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Switzerland (host), Czech Republic, Portugal, Turkey |
| B | Austria (host), Croatia, Germany, Poland |
| C | Netherlands, Romania, France, Italy |
| D | Spain, Russia, Sweden, Greece |
Venues and Logistics
Stadiums and Venues
The UEFA Euro 2008 was jointly hosted by Austria and Switzerland, with matches held across eight venues in the following cities: Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Klagenfurt in Austria; and Basel, Bern, Geneva, and Zurich in Switzerland.[2] These locations were selected to balance geographical distribution and logistical efficiency, ensuring compliance with UEFA's requirements for neutral venues where no participating team could claim a home advantage.[23] All stadiums underwent preparations to meet UEFA standards, including hybrid pitches for optimal playing conditions, enhanced safety measures, and temporary expansions where necessary to achieve minimum capacities of 30,000 spectators.[24] The selected stadiums and their capacities for the tournament are detailed below:| Stadium Name | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Ernst-Happel-Stadion | Vienna, Austria | 50,000 |
| St. Jakob-Park | Basel, Switzerland | 40,000 |
| Stade de Suisse Wankdorf | Bern, Switzerland | 30,000 |
| Stade de Genève | Geneva, Switzerland | 30,000 |
| Letzigrund | Zurich, Switzerland | 30,000 |
| Tivoli-Neu | Innsbruck, Austria | 30,000 |
| Wörthersee Stadion | Klagenfurt, Austria | 30,000 |
| Wals-Siezenheim Stadion | Salzburg, Austria | 30,000 |
Team Base Camps
The team base camps for UEFA Euro 2008 were selected through a process where national associations chose from a pre-approved list of 16 facilities prepared by Euro 2008 SA, ensuring compliance with UEFA standards for accommodation, training pitches, and support services such as medical centers and media facilities.[27] These camps were distributed across Austria and Switzerland to facilitate proximity to match venues, with eight options in each host country to balance logistical needs like travel times and regional accessibility.[28] UEFA regulations required teams to arrive at their designated base camp at least five days before their first match, allowing time for acclimatization and preparation.[29] Each base camp featured high-quality hotels paired with dedicated training grounds, often including multiple pitches, fitness areas, and recovery facilities to support intensive sessions. For instance, facilities emphasized natural surroundings for mental relaxation, such as alpine or lakeside settings, while ensuring secure environments away from public disturbances. Medical and physiotherapy centers were standard, with some camps offering spa or wellness amenities to aid player recovery. No major changes to assignments occurred during the tournament, though teams like France conducted initial pre-tournament training in Tignes, France, before relocating to their Swiss base.[30] Logistically, camps were chosen for their strategic locations relative to group stage venues; Swiss-based teams benefited from shorter travel to stadiums in Basel, Bern, Geneva, and Zurich, while Austrian camps supported access to Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Salzburg, and Vienna. The Netherlands, for example, selected Lausanne for its closeness to Swiss flight hubs and venues like Stade de Suisse in Bern. Similarly, alpine sites in Austria, such as Neustift, provided cooler climates ideal for summer training but required adjustments for potential weather variability in mountainous areas.[31] The following table summarizes the confirmed base camps for all 16 teams, highlighting key facilities:| Team | Hotel | Location | Training Ground |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Balance Resort | Stegersbach, Austria | Stegersbach sports ground |
| Croatia | Avita Thermen-Wellnesshotel | Bad Tatzmannsdorf, Austria | Oberwart sports centre |
| Czech Republic | Dorint Sofitel | Seefeld, Austria | Seefeld sports centre |
| France | Le Mirador Kempinski | Mont Pèlerin, Switzerland | Stade du Lussy, Châtel-St-Denis |
| Germany | Il Giardino | Ascona, Switzerland | Tenero sports centre |
| Greece | Arabella Sheraton | Hof bei Salzburg, Austria | Aug sports centre, Seekirchen |
| Italy | Hotel Schloss Weikersdorf Residenz | Baden bei Wien, Austria | Sports centre Südstadt, Maria Enzersdorf |
| Netherlands | Beau Rivage Palace | Lausanne, Switzerland | La Pontaise, Lausanne |
| Poland | Spa Der Steierhof | Bad Waltersdorf, Austria | Thermenstation Bad Waltersdorf |
| Portugal | Beau Rivage | Neuchâtel, Switzerland | Stade du Littoral, Colombier |
| Romania | Säntispark | St Gallen, Switzerland | Espenmoos, St Gallen |
| Russia | Der Krallerhof | Leogang, Austria | Leogang sports centre |
| Spain | Milderer Hof | Neustift, Austria | Kampl sports ground, Neustift |
| Sweden | Hotel Villa Sassa | Lugano, Switzerland | Cornaredo sports centre |
| Switzerland | Panorama Resort | Feusisberg, Switzerland | Chrummen sports ground, Freienbach |
| Turkey | La Réserve Genève | Bellevue, Switzerland | Colovray sports centre, Nyon |
Match Officials
UEFA selected 12 referees, each paired with two assistant referees from the same country, along with 8 specialist fourth officials for the tournament, drawing exclusively from its elite referees' list. These officials were chosen based on their proven experience in high-stakes matches, including UEFA Champions League games and prior international tournaments like UEFA EURO 2004, as well as their established teamwork dynamics demonstrated over the preceding year.[32] The selection process emphasized balanced geographical representation across Europe to ensure impartiality, with main referee trios hailing from 12 different nations.[32] The appointed main referees and their assistant referees were as follows:| Referee | Assistant Referees | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Konrad Plautz | Egon Bereuter, Markus Mayr | Austria |
| Frank De Bleeckere | Peter Hermans, Alex Verstraeten | Belgium |
| Howard Webb | Darren Cann, Mike Mullarkey | England |
| Herbert Fandel | Carsten Kadach, Volker Wezel | Germany |
| Kyros Vassaras | Dimitris Bozatzidis, Dimitris Saraidaris | Greece |
| Roberto Rosetti | Alessandro Griselli, Paolo Calcagno | Italy |
| Pieter Vink | Adriaan Inia, Hans ten Hoove | Netherlands |
| Tom Henning Øvrebø | Geir Åge Holen, Jan Petter Randen | Norway |
| Ľuboš Micheľ | Roman Slyško, Martin Balko | Slovakia |
| Manuel Enrique Mejuto González | Juan Carlos Yuste Jiménez, Jesús Calvo Guadamuro | Spain |
| Peter Fröjdfeldt | Stefan Wittberg, Henrik Andrén | Sweden |
| Massimo Busacca | Matthias Arnet, Stéphane Cuhat | Switzerland |
Participating Teams and Preparation
National Squads
The final 23-player squads for UEFA Euro 2008 were submitted to UEFA by all 16 participating nations by the deadline of 12:00 CET on May 28, 2008, comprising a total of 368 players with each team required to include at least three goalkeepers.[37] Austria, co-hosts under coach Josef Hickersberger—who had led the team to qualification with a strong defensive record—featured a squad blending homegrown talent like Andreas Ivanschitz and Martin Harnik with veteran goalkeeper Alexander Manninger; notable was the inclusion of 38-year-old Ivica Vastić as the tournament's oldest player, providing experience from over 100 international caps.[37][38] Croatia, managed by Slaven Bilić—a former defender with extensive playing experience at West Ham United and Everton—submitted a youthful squad, highlighted by emerging stars like Luka Modrić, Niko Kranjčar, and goalkeeper Stipe Pletioksa; the team emphasized midfield creativity, with no major injury exclusions reported at submission.[37][38] Czech Republic, led by Karel Brückner in his fourth major tournament as coach, fielded a robust squad, anchored by captain Pavel Nedvěd's midfield vision and striker Jan Koller's physical presence, supported by goalkeeper Petr Čech; exclusions included aging winger Karel Poborský, prioritizing fresher options.[37][38] France, coached by Raymond Domenech—who had guided the team to the 2006 World Cup final—selected a high-profile squad, featuring Thierry Henry, Franck Ribéry, and Patrick Vieira despite Henry's ongoing recovery from a preseason groin injury that caused him to miss early preparations; notable exclusion was David Trezeguet, overlooked in favor of younger forwards like Karim Benzema.[37][39][38] Germany, under Joachim Löw—who succeeded Jürgen Klinsmann with a focus on fluid attacking play—assembled a balanced squad, with Michael Ballack as captain, Miroslav Klose up front, and Philipp Lahm at full-back; the group drew on 2006 World Cup experience, excluding retirees like Oliver Bierhoff.[37][38] Greece, defending champions coached by Otto Rehhagel—the tactician behind their 2004 upset victory—opted for a defensive-minded squad, relying on Angelos Charisteas for goals and Antonios Nikopolidis in goal; key inclusion was veteran Traianos Dellas, with no significant injuries affecting selection.[37][38] Italy, managed by Roberto Donadoni—appointed after Marcello Lippi's departure post-2006 World Cup win—chose an experienced squad averaging 29.57 years, the oldest in the tournament, starring Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo, and Luca Toni; surprises included Antonio Cassano's recall, while Filippo Inzaghi and Massimo Oddo were notable exclusions, and captain Fabio Cannavaro later withdrew due to an ankle injury replaced by Alessandro Gamberini.[37][38][40][41] Netherlands, coached by Marco van Basten—a former Ballon d'Or winner with a playing career at AC Milan—fielded a dynamic squad averaging 28.52 years, featuring Arjen Robben's pace, Rafael van der Vaart's creativity, and Edwin van der Sar in goal; Ruud van Nistelrooy was excluded due to an ankle injury, emphasizing youth over experience.[37][38][42] Poland, led by Leo Beenhakker—the experienced Dutch coach with prior stints at Feyenoord and Ajax—submitted a squad averaging 27.2 years, centered on Euzebiusz Smolarek's goals and Artur Boruc's goalkeeping; midfielder Jakub Błaszczykowski was a late exclusion due to a hamstring injury.[37][43][38] Portugal, under Luiz Felipe Scolari—the 2002 World Cup finalist with Brazil—assembled a star-studded squad averaging 27.8 years, with Cristiano Ronaldo's flair, Deco in midfield, and Luís Figo as a veteran leader; no major exclusions, focusing on attacking depth.[37][38] Romania, coached by Victor Piţurcă—a former national team player with multiple league titles—selected a squad averaging 27.4 years, highlighted by Cristian Chivu's defending and Adrian Mutu's forward play; the group drew on domestic league experience with few international stars.[37][38] Russia, guided by Guus Hiddink—the seasoned Dutch coach known for World Cup runs with South Korea and Australia—formed a young squad averaging 26.26 years, featuring Andrei Arshavin's creativity and Igor Akinfeev in goal; Hiddink's tactical acumen from prior international successes emphasized counter-attacking potential.[37][44][38] Spain, coached by Luis Aragonés—the veteran tactician with a storied career at Atlético Madrid—put together a technically gifted squad averaging 27.1 years, boasting Iker Casillas in goal, David Villa and Fernando Torres up front, and midfield maestros Xavi and Andrés Iniesta; exclusions favored youth, omitting Raúl González.[37][38][45] Sweden, under Lars Lagerbäck—who co-managed the team to the 2004 quarter-finals—chose a physically imposing squad averaging 29.35 years, led by Zlatan Ibrahimović's skill and Henrik Larsson's experience; the veteran-heavy approach excluded younger prospects like John Guidetti.[37][38] Switzerland, co-hosts coached by Jakob Kuhn—a former national team midfielder—fielded the tournament's youngest squad at 26.39 years, with Alexander Frei as captain and Eren Derdiyok as the sole teenager; the emphasis on home talent included Hakan Yakin, reflecting Kuhn's belief in emerging players.[37][38] Turkey, led by Fatih Terim—the charismatic coach with three Turkish league titles—submitted a resilient squad averaging 27.6 years, featuring Rüştü Reçber in goal and Nihat Kahveci in attack; multiple players like Emre Belözoğlu were included despite prior injuries, showcasing squad depth.[37][38]Pre-Tournament Friendlies
The pre-tournament friendlies for UEFA Euro 2008 were scheduled primarily in late May and early June 2008, providing the qualified teams with opportunities to test lineups, refine tactics, and evaluate player condition ahead of the finals opening on 7 June. These matches allowed coaches to experiment with formations while adhering to UEFA guidelines that limited long-haul travel to prevent fatigue, ensuring most games were played in Europe or nearby locations.[46] Spain demonstrated strong form in their warm-up games, followed by a 2–1 victory over Peru on 31 May where Villa scored twice, and capping preparations with a 1–0 win against the United States on 4 June via a late Xavi Hernández strike. These results highlighted Spain's possession-oriented 4–3–3 system under Luis Aragonés, emphasizing midfield control and quick transitions, while maintaining a clean sheet in each match to build defensive confidence.[47] France, meanwhile, played out a 0–0 draw with Paraguay on 31 May and secured a 1–0 win over Colombia on 3 June, with Franck Ribéry converting a penalty in the latter to mark Thierry Henry's 100th cap; these games allowed Raymond Domenech to assess attacking options amid concerns over Patrick Vieira's thigh injury, which threatened his participation.[48][49] Germany's preparations included a 2–2 draw with Belarus on 27 May, where Miroslav Klose and Mario Gómez scored but defensive lapses exposed areas for Joachim Löw to address in his balanced 4–2–3–1 setup. Croatia showed solidity in a 1–0 win over Moldova on 24 May, courtesy of Niko Kovač's goal, reinforcing their counter-attacking style led by Luka Modrić. Portugal tested their squad depth with a 2–0 win over Georgia on 31 May, focusing on Cristiano Ronaldo's integration into a fluid 4–3–3.[50][51][52] Several teams faced squad adjustments due to injuries sustained around this period, though few directly from friendlies. Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro was ruled out on 3 June after an ankle injury in training, forcing Giorgio Chiellini into the central defense role and prompting Roberto Donadoni to recalibrate the backline with replacement Alessandro Gamberini. The Netherlands lost winger Ryan Babel to a torn ankle ligament from training on 31 May, impacting their attacking width. Poland's Jakub Błaszczykowski aggravated a hamstring injury on 5 June and was ruled out of the tournament, as confirmed after initial concerns during preparations. These changes underscored the fine margins in final preparations, with teams prioritizing recovery and tactical drills in the days leading to the finals.[53][43][41]Tournament Format
Group Stage Rules
The group stage of UEFA Euro 2008 featured sixteen qualified teams divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D) of four teams each, with matches played in a single round-robin format within each group.[54] Each team thus competed in three matches, resulting in six fixtures per group and a total of 24 group stage games across the tournament.[54] The top two teams from each group advanced to the knockout phase, yielding eight qualifiers for the quarter-finals, while no third-placed teams progressed.[54][2] Teams earned points according to the standard system: three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss.[54] In cases of tied points, further criteria such as goal difference and goals scored would determine rankings, though specific applications of tiebreakers were handled separately. The final two matches in each group were scheduled to kick off simultaneously to ensure competitive integrity.[54] The group stage commenced on 7 June 2008 with the opening match between co-host Switzerland and the Czech Republic at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, and concluded on 17 June 2008, spanning three matchdays with typically two matches per day.[2][54] Scheduling was organized over these days to allow for rest and travel, with fixtures distributed to balance the workload across the eight host venues in Austria and Switzerland—four stadiums in each country.[2] For instance, Group A's matches were predominantly assigned to Swiss venues, including Basel and other sites, to facilitate logistical efficiency for participating teams.[2] This distribution ensured an equitable spread of games between the co-host nations while adhering to UEFA's venue management protocols.[54]Tiebreakers
In the group stage of UEFA Euro 2008, teams were ranked based on points earned from matches, with three points for a win, one for a draw, and none for a defeat. If two or more teams finished level on points, a series of tiebreaking criteria were applied in the following order to determine their positions. These rules ensured fair and objective classification without the use of penalty shootouts for group rankings, except in a narrow special case where two teams were tied solely after their mutual final group encounter and no other teams shared their points total.[54] The primary tiebreaker was the number of points obtained in the matches played among the tied teams, effectively prioritizing head-to-head results. For example, if Teams A and B were tied on overall points but A had defeated B in their direct encounter, A would rank higher. If this did not resolve the tie—such as when three teams were involved and all had drawn against each other—the secondary criterion was the goal difference resulting from those head-to-head matches. Continuing the hypothetical, if Teams A, B, and C had identical head-to-head points but A had a +2 goal difference in those games while B and C had +1 and 0 respectively, A would advance in ranking.[54] If still tied, the number of goals scored in the head-to-head matches served as the next tiebreaker, applicable particularly when more than two teams were involved; for instance, among three tied teams where all head-to-head results were level on points and goal difference, the team with the most goals scored in those specific games would rank highest. The process then shifted to overall group performance: superior goal difference across all three group matches, followed by the total number of goals scored in all group matches. Hypothetically, two teams with equal head-to-head records but one holding a +3 overall goal difference versus +1 would see the former ranked above.[54] Further tiebreakers included the teams' coefficient rankings derived from their performances in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying and the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying competition, which reflected prior competitive strength. If unresolved, fair play conduct during the final tournament was considered, penalizing teams with more disciplinary points (yellow cards counting as one point, red cards as three, and double yellows as four). As a last resort, the UEFA Executive Committee would conduct a drawing of lots to decide the ranking. These criteria, outlined in the official tournament regulations, applied uniformly to all four groups and ensured that no group stage qualification hinged on shootouts.[54]Knockout Stage Format
The knockout stage of UEFA Euro 2008 featured a single-elimination format with the top two teams from each of the four groups advancing to determine the champion through quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final. The quarter-finals were scheduled from 19 to 22 June 2008, the semi-finals on 26 and 27 June 2008, and the final on 29 June 2008 at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna.[55][56] The bracket was structured to separate teams from Groups A and B in one half and Groups C and D in the other until the final, preventing early clashes between sides from the same group pairing. Specifically, the winner of Group A faced the runner-up of Group B, the winner of Group B faced the runner-up of Group A, the winner of Group C faced the runner-up of Group D, and the winner of Group D faced the runner-up of Group C in the quarter-finals; winners from the A/B quarter-finals advanced to one semi-final, while those from C/D advanced to the other.[57][58] Each knockout match lasted 90 minutes, with two 15-minute halves of extra time if scores were level after regulation time, followed by a penalty shoot-out to decide the winner if necessary; the silver goal rule, used in prior tournaments, was abolished for this edition.[57] The quarter-finals were distributed across four venues in the host nations for logistical balance, while the semi-finals took place at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland, and Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, Austria, with the final exclusively at the Vienna stadium.[2][59] Unlike earlier editions of the European Championship up to 1980, UEFA Euro 2008 did not include a third-place play-off, focusing solely on crowning the champion through the main knockout progression.[2]Group Stage Matches
Group A
Group A featured the host nation Switzerland alongside the Czech Republic, Portugal, and Turkey, with all matches hosted in Switzerland at venues in Basel and Geneva. The group stage ran from 7 to 15 June 2008, determining the top two teams to advance to the knockout stage. Portugal dominated early, securing qualification with two victories, while Turkey's dramatic late comebacks propelled them through as runners-up on goal difference ahead of the Czech Republic. Switzerland, despite a strong finish, exited with just one point after two defeats.[14] The final standings were as follows:| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 7 |
| 2 | Turkey | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | Czech Republic | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 3 |
| 4 | Switzerland | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Group B
Group B of UEFA Euro 2008 featured co-hosts Austria alongside Croatia, Germany, and Poland, with all matches hosted in Austria across Vienna and Klagenfurt.[33] The group was marked by Croatia's dominant performance, securing maximum points, while Germany advanced as runners-up; Austria and Poland were eliminated after earning just one point each.[33]Final standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Croatia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Germany | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 3 | Austria | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 1 | |
| 4 | Poland | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 1 |
Group C
Group C of UEFA Euro 2008 featured the Netherlands, Italy, France, and Romania, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stage.[14] The group was considered a "group of death" due to the presence of world champions Italy and 2006 World Cup runners-up France alongside the strong Dutch side and a resilient Romania.[79] The opening matches on 9 June saw the Netherlands deliver a stunning 3–0 victory over Italy at Stadion Wankdorf in Bern, with goals from Ruud van Nistelrooy (26'), Wesley Sneijder (31'), and Giovanni van Bronckhorst (79'), exposing vulnerabilities in Italy's defensive setup under Roberto Donadoni.[80] In the concurrent fixture at Letzigrund Stadion in Zurich, France and Romania played out a cautious 0–0 draw, as both sides prioritized solidity in a low-scoring affair marked by few clear chances. On 13 June, the Netherlands secured their quarter-final spot early with a dominant 4–1 win against France back in Bern, where Dirk Kuyt opened the scoring (9'), followed by Robin van Persie (59'), Arjen Robben (72'), and Sneijder (90+2'); Thierry Henry replied for France (71'), but the result highlighted France's attacking struggles under Raymond Domenech.[81] Meanwhile, in Zurich, Italy salvaged a vital 1–1 draw with Romania, as Adrian Mutu gave the Romanians the lead (55') before Christian Panucci equalized (56'), with Gianluigi Buffon making a crucial late penalty save from Mutu to preserve the point.[82] The final matchday on 17 June confirmed the outcomes. In Bern, the already-qualified Netherlands rounded off a perfect group campaign with a 2–0 win over Romania, goals coming from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (54', assisted by Ibrahim Afellay) and van Persie (87', assisted by Demy de Zeeuw), maintaining their defensive record.[83] In Zurich, Italy clinched second place and advancement with a 2–0 defeat of France, as Andrea Pirlo converted a penalty (25') and Daniele de Rossi added a deflected free-kick (62'), eliminating the French who finished with just one point and no goals in their first two games.[84] The final standings reflected the Netherlands' dominance and Italy's recovery, while France's early struggles—marked by a goalless opener and a heavy loss to the Dutch—led to their shocking group-stage exit as defending runners-up.[14]| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | +8 | 9 |
| 2 | Italy | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | –1 | 4 |
| 3 | Romania | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | –2 | 2 |
| 4 | France | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | –5 | 1 |
Group D
Group D featured the defending champions Greece alongside Spain, Russia, and Sweden. The group was marked by Spain's commanding performance, securing all three victories and topping the standings, while Russia recovered from an opening defeat to advance as runners-up. Greece, who had stunned the football world by winning Euro 2004, suffered an early exit with three losses, highlighting a stark contrast to their previous success.[85] The final standings were as follows:| Team | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 9 |
| Russia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| Sweden | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
| Greece | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
Knockout Stage Matches
Quarter-Finals
The quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2008 took place over four days from 19 to 22 June, featuring the top two teams from each group stage group in a single-elimination format, with winners advancing to the semi-finals.[92] The matches were hosted at two venues: St. Jakob-Park in Basel, Switzerland, and Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, Austria. Germany, Turkey, Russia, and Spain progressed to the semi-finals after dramatic encounters that included extra time and penalty shoot-outs in three of the four ties.[93] The first quarter-final saw Portugal face Germany at St. Jakob-Park in Basel on 19 June 2008, with an attendance of 39,374.[33] Germany took a 2–0 lead in the first half through Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 22nd minute and Miroslav Klose four minutes later, exploiting Portugal's defensive lapses.[94] Nuno Gomes pulled one back for Portugal just before half-time in the 40th minute, but Michael Ballack restored Germany's two-goal advantage on 61 minutes with a composed finish. Hélder Postiga's late 87th-minute strike offered hope, but Germany held firm for a 3–2 victory, advancing to face Turkey in the semi-finals.[94] On 20 June 2008, Croatia met Turkey at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna before 51,428 spectators.[33] The game remained goalless through 90 minutes and most of extra time until Ivan Klasnić headed Croatia ahead in the 119th minute from a Mladen Petrić cross. However, Semih Şentürk equalized dramatically in the 122nd minute with a low drive past Stipe Pletikosa, forcing a penalty shoot-out.[95] Turkey prevailed 3–1 after misses from Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić, with Rüştü Reçber saving Mladen Petrić's penalty; Darijo Srna scored Croatia's lone penalty. Hamit Altıntop, Semih Şentürk, and Arda Turan converted for the winners. This result sent Turkey to the semi-finals against Germany.[95] Netherlands hosted Russia the following day, 21 June 2008, at St. Jakob-Park in Basel with 38,374 in attendance.[33] Roman Pavlyuchenko gave Russia the lead in the 56th minute after a quick counter-attack, but Ruud van Nistelrooy equalized in the 86th minute with a header from a Wesley Sneijder free-kick.[96] Extra time saw Russia strike twice late on: Dmitri Torbinski in the 112th minute and Andrey Arshavin in the 116th, securing a 3–1 win (after extra time) and a semi-final berth against Spain. The Dutch exit marked the end of a strong group stage campaign.[96] The final quarter-final pitted Spain against Italy on 22 June 2008 at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, drawing 51,178 fans.[33] Neither side scored in 120 minutes of tense, defensive football, with Iker Casillas making crucial saves, including from Antonio Di Natale late in extra time.[97] In the ensuing penalty shoot-out, Spain triumphed 4–2: Cesc Fàbregas, Dani Güiza, Marcos Senna, and David Villa converted, while Casillas stopped Daniele De Rossi and stopped Fabio Grosso from scoring; Italy's successful penalties came from Di Natale and Mauro Camoranesi. This breakthrough victory propelled Spain to the semi-finals against Russia, ending a long winless streak against Italy in competitive matches.[97]Semi-Finals
The semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2008 took place on 25 and 26 June 2008, determining the finalists in a tournament noted for its high-stakes drama and attacking play.[98] Germany faced Turkey in Basel, while Spain met Russia in Vienna, with both matches showcasing resilience and tactical discipline under intense pressure.[99][100] The first semi-final pitted Germany against Turkey at St. Jakob-Park in Basel on 25 June 2008. Turkey struck first in the 22nd minute through Uğur Boral's volley from a corner, capitalizing on an early opportunity against a Germany side missing key players due to suspensions.[101] Germany responded swiftly, equalizing in the 26th minute when Bastian Schweinsteiger converted a penalty after Mehmet Topal's foul on Miroslav Klose.[101] The match remained tightly contested through the first half, with Turkey's defensive resilience and counter-attacks frustrating Germany's possession-based approach. In the second half, Klose restored Germany's lead in the 79th minute with a clinical finish from a Toni Kroos cross, seemingly securing their place in the final.[101] However, Turkey mounted a dramatic comeback, leveling the score in the 86th minute via Semih Şentürk's header from a Sabri Sarıoğlu delivery, echoing their late heroics from earlier knockout rounds.[101] With the game poised for extra time, Philipp Lahm delivered a stunning winner in the 90th minute, rifling a long-range shot into the top corner after a quick exchange with Thomas Hitzlsperger.[101] The 3–2 victory propelled Germany to the final, attended by 39,374 spectators in a stadium electric with tension from both fanbases.[102] Turkey's persistent comebacks highlighted their underdog spirit, but defensive lapses ultimately ended their improbable run.[99] The second semi-final unfolded the following day at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, where Russia challenged Spain in a rematch of their group-stage encounter. Spain, unbeaten and dominant throughout the tournament, controlled possession from the outset but struggled to break down Russia's compact defense in the first half, managing only a few clear chances despite 62% ball control.[103] The breakthrough came in the 50th minute when Xavi Hernández curled a precise 25-yard free-kick into the top corner, exploiting a lapse in Russia's wall.[103] Spain's midfield orchestration, led by Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, continued to dictate play, with 11 shots on target compared to Russia's solitary effort.[103] Daniel Güiza added the second goal in the 73rd minute, latching onto Cesc Fàbregas's lofted pass to chip Igor Akinfeev.[103] David Silva sealed the 3–0 win eight minutes later, tapping in from a Xavi Alonso assist after a fluid counter-attack.[103] Russia's fatigue from their extra-time quarter-final triumph was evident, limiting their attacking threat despite contributions from Andrey Arshavin. The match, witnessed by 50,000 fans, underscored Spain's tactical evolution under Luis Aragonés, blending possession with clinical finishing to advance unbeaten.[104] Germany and Spain, both seeking their first European title since 1996 and 1964 respectively, advanced to the final on 29 June in Vienna, setting up a clash between two of the tournament's most formidable sides.[98]Third-Place Play-Off
Unlike the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2008 did not include a third-place play-off match between the semi-final losers.[105] This format had been standard since UEFA discontinued the match after the 1980 edition, where Czechoslovakia defeated hosts Italy 9–8 on penalties to claim bronze.[106] The decision to eliminate the fixture aimed to streamline the tournament schedule, reduce player fatigue after a grueling campaign, and address the low spectator interest and television ratings typically associated with such consolation games.[107] In place of a play-off, UEFA awarded bronze medals to both semi-final losers, Russia and Turkey, recognizing their achievements in reaching that stage.[108] For official final rankings, however, Russia was positioned third ahead of Turkey based on the outcomes of their respective semi-finals—Russia's 0–3 loss to eventual champions Spain and Turkey's 2–3 defeat to runners-up Germany—applying tiebreakers such as overall tournament performance metrics including goals scored and disciplinary records.[109] This assignment highlighted Russia's strong run, including a quarter-final extra-time victory over the Netherlands, which earned widespread acclaim in Russian media as a "golden bronze" achievement for the nation's first major tournament medal in decades.[110] The absence of a third-place match drew minimal controversy in 2008, as it aligned with long-established UEFA policy, though some fans and pundits expressed mild regret over the lack of a decisive showdown between the resilient Turkish side—known for dramatic late comebacks—and Russia's counter-attacking flair.[111] No official post-tournament exhibition or friendly replicated the fixture, with both teams focusing on recovery and preparations for subsequent internationals.[112]Final
The final match of UEFA Euro 2008 took place on 29 June 2008 at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, Austria, drawing an attendance of 51,428 spectators.[56] The championship game pitted Spain against Germany, following Spain's 3–0 semi-final victory over Russia and Germany's 3–2 win against Turkey.[98] The match was officiated by Italian referee Roberto Rosetti, with assistants Alessandro Griselli and Paolo Calcagno from Italy, and Swedish fourth official Peter Fröjdfeldt.[113] Spain secured a 1–0 victory after extra time, with Fernando Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 33rd minute during normal time.[56] Throughout the contest, Spain asserted dominance through possession, holding 63% of the ball, while goalkeeper Iker Casillas produced key saves to maintain a clean sheet.[98] The game did not proceed to penalties, concluding after 120 minutes without further scoring.[56] In the aftermath, Spain lifted the Henri Delaunay Trophy, marking their first major international title since the 1964 European Championship.[98] Widespread celebrations ensued across Spain, with captain Iker Casillas receiving the trophy from UEFA president Michel Platini amid joyous scenes on the pitch.[98]Results and Statistics
Tournament Summary
The UEFA Euro 2008, jointly hosted by Austria and Switzerland from 7 June to 29 June, featured 16 national teams competing in 31 matches across eight venues, culminating in Spain's 1–0 victory over Germany in the final at Vienna's Ernst-Happel-Stadion.[98] The tournament showcased a blend of defensive resilience and attacking flair, with a total of 77 goals scored at an average of 2.48 per match, matching the output of Euro 2004 and highlighting efficient, low-scoring encounters typical of the era's tactical evolution.[114] Attendance reached 1,140,902 spectators overall, averaging 36,803 per game, with the final drawing a record 51,428 fans for the host nation Austria, reflecting strong public engagement despite logistical challenges like upgraded stadiums and cross-border coordination.[115] Key themes included notable upsets, such as the early group-stage eliminations of world champions Italy and France, which underscored the tournament's unpredictability and exposed vulnerabilities in established powerhouses.[116] Spain's triumph marked the emergence of their tiki-taka style—a possession-dominant, short-passing approach under coach Luis Aragonés—that propelled them to their first major title in 44 years and set the stage for a dominant decade.[117] Host nations Austria and Switzerland disappointed, finishing bottom of their groups with minimal points, a rare joint failure that contrasted with the event's organizational successes.[98] The mild summer weather facilitated smooth proceedings, though occasional heavy rain and storms—such as in Basel and Vienna—prompted minor adjustments like pitch replacements and power backups, without causing significant disruptions to the schedule.[118] In legacy terms, Euro 2008 boosted UEFA's global popularity through high-quality football and broad media reach, generating €1.3 billion in revenues and influencing subsequent events by emphasizing sustainability and fan zones, while Spain's success reshaped international tactics.[119]Goalscorers
David Villa of Spain won the Golden Boot award as the tournament's top scorer with four goals.[98] The tournament featured 77 goals scored across 31 matches, averaging 2.48 goals per game, with contributions from 64 different players.[114][120]| Rank | Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Villa | Spain | 4 |
| 2 | Lukas Podolski | Germany | 3 |
| 3 | Hakan Yakin | Switzerland | 3 |
| 4 | Roman Pavlyuchenko | Russia | 3 |
| 5 | Semih Şentürk | Turkey | 3 |
| Team | Goals Scored |
|---|---|
| Spain | 12 |
| Germany | 10 |
| Netherlands | 9 |
| Russia | 6 |
| Turkey | 5 |
| Croatia | 5 |
| Portugal | 5 |
| Czech Republic | 4 |
Disciplinary Records
During the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament, a total of 122 yellow cards and 3 red cards were issued across 31 matches, resulting in an average of 3.94 yellow cards and 0.10 red cards per game.[120] This marked a 21.8% decrease in yellow cards compared to the 156 issued in UEFA Euro 2004, attributed to stricter pre-tournament guidelines on player conduct and referee training emphasizing proportionality in bookings.[33] No players were sent off for receiving two yellow cards in a single match, reflecting improved discipline in high-pressure situations.[33] The three red cards were distributed as follows: Volkan Demirel of Turkey received a straight red in the 90+2nd minute against the Czech Republic on June 15 for pushing opponent Jan Koller, resulting in a two-match suspension that sidelined him for Turkey's subsequent group match and quarter-final. Eric Abidal of France was dismissed in the 24th minute of their group stage match against Italy on 17 June for a foul on Luca Toni denying a goal-scoring opportunity, resulting in a penalty kick. Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany was shown a red card in the 90+3rd minute against Croatia on June 16 for violent conduct after slapping opponent Ivica Olić, leading to a one-match ban that caused him to miss Germany's final group game against Austria. These incidents highlighted instances of tactical fouls and emotional reactions under tournament pressure. A total of 10 players missed matches due to accumulating two yellow cards, with no carryover from qualifying suspensions affecting the finals except for Russia's Andrei Arshavin, who sat out the first two group games following a red card in qualifiers.[33] Notable examples included Italy's Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo, both suspended for the quarter-final loss to Spain after bookings in group play; and two unnamed Russian players absent for the semi-final against Spain due to yellow card accumulation.[33] Turkey faced the most challenges, entering their quarter-final against Croatia with eight players one yellow away from suspension, compounded by Demirel's absence.[33] UEFA's policy of clearing all yellow cards after the quarter-finals prevented further semi-final absences from bookings.[125] Yellow cards were unevenly distributed among teams, with Turkey receiving the highest total of 16, averaging 3.20 per match and contributing to their poor disciplinary record.[33] The following table summarizes yellow cards by team:| Team | Yellow Cards | Average per Match |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 16 | 3.20 |
| Austria | 8 | 2.67 |
| Greece | 8 | 2.67 |
| Switzerland | 8 | 2.67 |
| France | 7 | 2.33 |
| Poland | 7 | 2.33 |
| Romania | 7 | 2.33 |
| Italy | 9 | 2.25 |
| Russia | 10 | 2.00 |
| Portugal | 8 | 2.00 |
| Croatia | 7 | 1.75 |
| Spain | 8 | 1.33 |
| Czech Republic | 4 | 1.33 |
| Germany | 7 | 1.17 |
| Netherlands | 5 | 1.25 |
| Sweden | 3 | 1.00 |
| Rank | Team | Points | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sweden | 8.416 | 3 |
| 2 | Netherlands | 8.312 | 4 |
| 3 | Spain | 8.291 | 6 |
| 4 | Germany | 8.000 | 6 |
| 5 | Russia | 8.000 | 5 |
Awards and Recognitions
The UEFA Euro 2008 awards recognized outstanding individual and collective performances throughout the tournament, as selected by UEFA's technical observers who analyzed matches and player contributions. The primary honors included the Player of the Tournament, the Golden Boot for top scorer, and the Team of the Tournament, a 23-player squad highlighting the best performers across positions. These awards were announced post-final on 30 June 2008, emphasizing Spain's dominant campaign that culminated in their 1–0 victory over Germany.[126] Xavi Hernández of Spain was named Player of the Tournament for his pivotal role in midfield, dictating play with precise passing and vision that underpinned Spain's unbeaten run and possession-based style. The 28-year-old Barcelona midfielder featured in all seven matches, providing creativity and control that earned praise from the nine-member UEFA technical team of observers.[127][126] The Golden Boot was awarded to David Villa of Spain, who scored four goals, including decisive strikes against Russia in the semi-final and earlier group stage matches, making him the tournament's leading scorer. Villa's clinical finishing and movement highlighted Spain's attacking prowess, tying him ahead of other contenders like Russia's Roman Pavlyuchenko and Germany's Lukas Podolski, both with three goals.[128] The Team of the Tournament comprised 23 players selected by the UEFA technical observers based on overall impact, technical quality, and consistency across the competition. Spain contributed the most with ten players, reflecting their championship success, while Russia, Germany, and others added depth from standout group and knockout performances. The squad was structured to represent a balanced starting XI plus reserves, as follows:| Position | Player | Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Gianluigi Buffon | Italy |
| Iker Casillas | Spain | |
| Edwin van der Sar | Netherlands | |
| Defenders | José Bosingwa | Portugal |
| Philipp Lahm | Germany | |
| Carlos Marchena | Spain | |
| Pepe | Portugal | |
| Carles Puyol | Spain | |
| Yury Zhirkov | Russia | |
| Midfielders | Hamit Altintop | Turkey |
| Luka Modrić | Croatia | |
| Marcos Senna | Spain | |
| Xavi Hernández | Spain | |
| Konstantin Zyryanov | Russia | |
| Middle-to-Front | Michael Ballack | Germany |
| Cesc Fàbregas | Spain | |
| Andrés Iniesta | Spain | |
| Lukas Podolski | Germany | |
| Wesley Sneijder | Netherlands | |
| Attackers | Andrey Arshavin | Russia |
| Roman Pavlyuchenko | Russia | |
| Fernando Torres | Spain | |
| David Villa | Spain |