22/06/2012 Match of the Day

Hello. Last night, it was all about the one Ronnie, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Tonight, the story is not just about the euro's, but also the

Eurozone, as Germany and Greece met in a match with a significant

political backdrop. I am delighted to have them two men who are always

on the money, Robbie Savage and Steve Staunton, who will thankfully

stick to the football. After the action, we will hear from Roy

Hodgson. Its head straight to get danced for the last clash between

the group B winners and the Group E runners up. These two countries are

locked in a bail-out battle that could change the face of Europe.

Cure austerity groups are owed a 365 billions, but do not like the

terms and conditions. On the pitch, it is no surprise that Germany have

the upper hand. They cruised through the group, Mario Gomez as

the golden boy. As for Greece, they beat Russia to qualify with Cold

War pass Karagounis, but he is banned for this. The class of 2012

will miss him. They can look back at the class of 2004 for

inspiration. Simon Brotherton and years ago and have never managed to

beat them. But if they can cause an upset tonight, they deserve all the

England's win over Sweden, and before that Denmark's victory over

the Netherlands. Greece are without their talismanic leader and captain

this evening. He is suspended. Germany's footballing ability or

their economic strength, but in a one-off game, as Greece have shown

more than once in the past, anything can happen. That is why we

all watch football. Mark Bright is alongside made. I think everyone is

surprised that the German coach rang the changes. I think we can

understand a bit more physicality up front. Fees Germany looking to

attack straight away. Papastathopoulos had to step in

rapidly. It was not offside, but the assistant down the near side

gave it. That is the coach, in charge of 24 matches since taking

over. Greece have only lost twice. Schweinsteiger is taking on more

responsibility in the team following the retirement of Michael

Ballack. Germany looking lively. Germany are ahead already! The flag

goes up at the near side. It will not count. Excellent play from

Germany, taking the game to Greece. Khedira's shot was parried. Correct

decision. The goalkeeper stayed on the ground here. This was probably

where there was a compact. It was Greece. Grigoris Makos is playing

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very highly regarded player. He has had rave reviews during his couple

of seasons in the Bundesliga. Blocked by Sifakis and the way for

a corner kick. That looked as though it was going to be the

opening goal. Excellent stop by Germany have had almost 70% of the

play so far. Greece standing firm. Beaten away by the goalkeeper.

Greece are under pressure at the moment. They have to hold on.

much respite for Greece here, as Germany slowly up the ante, go

through the gears. So close. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in the

crowd tonight. She is considered a lucky charm for the national team,

having seen their 4-0 victory over Argentina at the World Cup finals

two years ago, but she was unable to attend the semi-final. So if

Germany get through, she will have to fit the football into her busy

schedule for the semi-. Germany are getting closer. Very good chances.

Unchallenged. I get the feeling of the coach expected slightly more

there. It looks like just a matter of time, but with Greece, you never

know. It does. Greece do not throw many players forward. Good job from

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Germany's point of view. I thought back as that ball was spilled by

body in the way. Good play once again. He is proving to be the hero

from the captain! Germany finally make the breakthrough. Sifakis

finally beaten by Philip Lahm, the man who scored the opening goal in

the World Cup of 2006. He scores the first goal of this quarter-

final here at Euro 2012. It is similar to the one he scored in

2006. Comes inside on to the right foot, and fires it. You see it

swerve away from Sifakis. That was the goal they were looking for.

is all Germany here. But Greece are still just about in the game. That

was very nearly two there from Andre Schurrle. I thought it was in.

ringing at the back. Good counter- attacking football. That is better

of the ball. Samaras is there! And Greece are level! Giorgos Samaras

with the goal. They have done ever so well with the counter-attack,

Greece. Lots of pace. He delivered the perfect pass. Greece well on

the ropes throughout the first half. Germany had the half-time lead, but

they would not lie down. Boateng does not do his job properly. I

think he gets his shirt pulled a bit, but this was an excellent ball.

Right across the six-yard box. Full credit to Greece. They have come

out and had a goal in the second half and made a game of it. Will

Germany sale on into the last four, or will Greece again came up --

come up with a massive upset here, having already knocked Russia out

in the group stages with a win in the final group match in Warsaw? We

Schweinsteiger. That was Khedira. It is 2-1 Germany. Greece were

level for barely five minutes. Germany stormed into action and

restore their lead. They had some long-range shots in the first half

and they broke from the midfield there and drove it into the penalty

area. Khedira chyme its dealing in. It was a fantastic finish. -- a

Sami Khedira. Ken Rees pick themselves off the canvas for his

second time there? Be better come offer a bit more going forward, a

bit more threat. They prove that when they want to go for it, if

they give it a real go, they are a of a merry dance at the moment.

That is a foul. Papastathopoulos is are heading now surely for another

European Championship semi-final. Klose scores on home territory.

Polish-born and there it is another goal for Germany. Right in the

middle of your screen their you can see it is brilliant. It was a neat

header. What a record Klose has in international tournaments. Quite

incredible. 64 goals and 120 games. Greece threatened to make it

interesting for five minutes in the second half. They did, you thought

they would test Germany. They looked at ease in the first half

and were more moving the ball around comfortably. Klose just went

for the perfect finish. Or to strike! Germany are flowing forward.

That was fine finishing from a Reus. Semi-finals of a now for Germany.

This is a decent save but that is an emphatic finish. The goalkeeper

was off the line and still had plenty to do. That was very

confident and bold. It is easy if you are 3-1 up. It shows the depth

in this court. It is an excellent finish. That was super-smooth this

right behind the ball there. It is not looking good for Greece. You

just get the feeling somebody is going to have to play very well to

Sifakis came low. His handling has not been the best tonight. Journey

last won the trophy from England back in 1996. This will be a free

kick for Greece. They went out in a group stages in those 20021004.

There was a rebuilding process going on between generations of

players. They were runners up four years ago, beaten by Spain. Always

there or thereabouts. Three-times winners and three time the runners

his back and hit him on the hand. He hasn't got much calms -- qualms

about that. It clearly struck him on the arm. A chance for a late

consolation from Greece here. This players scored the first ever World

Cup goal for Greece. His score their first goal in this tournament.

Will he bookend it nicely with of the last a goal that Greece will

score here in Poland? Yes. Years. It is 4-2 and Greece have a late

consolation. That is a bit more respectable. A super penalty.

put that away really well, Salpingdis. Germany is through to

the last four as most people Greece did not end up 0-0 there.

saw some contrasting styles of play there. The Greeks were very

defensive in everything they have done tonight. Then you had the

opposite with the free-flowing Germans. A very young and

experienced team. Wonderful talent. They are a joy to watch. All I can

say is, Greece were very lucky that the Germans did not score a little

bit more. So many chances at the start. The tournament has been very

pleasing and we have been enjoying every game and there have been no

neil-Neale's yet. That was great. Lahm produced the world. It took a

little bauble there. To be fair, I am sure the keeper could do a

little bit better -- I am not sure the keeper could do a little bit

better. I think he should. He ought to get a hand on it. That second

ball was a lovely ball in, and what a folly, I think he courted on him

shin but it is going only one place and that is past the keeper.

took the defender away and his sleep, he gets up so high. I have

got to say the Greek goalkeeper was shocking. A great header though.

Sifakis was Sunday League tonight. What a volley that is. Keep or no

keeper, he is not stopping that. Let us have a look at that. We know

in 2004 there was negativity over the Greeks but they have now done

themselves tonight really. That is a bit harsh but fair. Back in 2004,

the quality of the players they had was much better. My cap here from

the kick-off, they have no intention of winning or doing

anything in the game. They are playing for penalties already.

deeper and they would be in Warsaw! Look at this, this is the start of

the game and the Germans are just thinking, come on then, they have

thinking, come on then, they have to go forward. Here we go, we see

them here and they have got ten players in and around the box. The

centre-forward Salpingdis is halfway into his own half. There

are 11 of them and they are within 25 yards of the goal. They have no

chance of breaking out from there. It must be summoned to practise

that in the run-up to a game, the manager says close down one half of

the pitch. They did well to get to the quarter-final given how bad

they are. Can you born 18 into making mistakes? There were few

tonight. I think they did. I think Germany went down to their level.

Schweinsteiger was fantastic so far for Germany, dictating the wake of

play but he kept giving the ball away tonight. He was sloppy. Not

too many options. It was too easy for him and if England get through

they can watch this and say that if you put pressure on them they give

the ball away easy. Schweinsteiger here is giving the ball away. The

manager was going mad, he was getting frustrated. There are flaws

in their armour. Salpingdis here, except for the keeper's stock

position he was clean through on goal. Motta gives the ball away too

easy and that led to a goal. -- which is fair enough. He should be

sprinting back in there. Badstuber is on the wrong side. He should be

tucked round. He is trying to read the 1-2. He is trying to do the

overlap and run. Salpingdis turns and he should hit the target. It is

and he should hit the target. It is that -- it is that engine room for

them. Ozil was up with the best tonight. Yes he is up with the best.

I saw him in the young leek and he is a joy to watch. Look at him here.

is a joy to watch. Look at him here. He is in acres of space, he always

find space. He knows what is around him and he receives a on the half

him and he receives a on the half term. What a lovely little born in

there. He was unlucky. That wasn't the first few minutes. Here he

receives it and he does not have to look, he knows where his man is and

you can see there are three great players around him. Again he just

passes a, moves and finds a new position and gets it and weighs up

his option and passes forward and follows and keeps going and he

should do better actually, you would put money on him scoring a.

Again he picks it up on the right hand side, he goes into the

defender and commits them and that was a lovely little ball with his

right foot. He always finds his man. Again, in the whole, in that little

pocket, the right hand side takes one, a little shimmy and he goes to

the byline and there is nothing on and he keeps hold of it and wins

his team at free kick in a dangerous area. Again here, on the

half term, going into two centre- halves, puts them on their

backsides and he is unlucky with his right foot. Again will, on the

right-hand side, comes in and sprints after it. Again, unlucky

with his shot. He deserved a goal tonight. You would hope that

England will not give him that it England will not give him that it

amount of room. There was a sub- plot tonight about it being about

more than just football, with the Eurozone crisis and it is summed up

by the tears in this man's eyes. Juxtapose this against his

outpouring of glory from Angela Merkel, that is the definition of

rubbing it in. We are winning and we will take �350 billion. Germany

are through. Before we move on we will look at the action on the

will look at the action on the grass continuing. Tomorrow is the

final day of Royal Ascot and all eyes are on black caviar, the

wonder from Down Under is unbeaten in 21 races and is expected to fly

again and when the diamond Jubilee Stakes. We are back with highlights

of Spain against France tomorrow at 10:50pm on BBC One. On Monday,

strawberries, cream and Wimbledon begins. Watch it all across BBC One

and BBC Two and on the red button and BBC Two and on the red button

and online. That starts on Monday. If England beat Italy in Kiev on

Sunday they will reach the semis and equal their best ever Euros

record. Roy and his boys have done good and we caught up with him to

gauge his mood. The first thing to do is check

injuries, is everyone OK? everyone is good. There was a nasty

kick at the end of the game and he has recovered. Jermain Defoe was

back after his need to go back home before his father's funeral. Your

philosophy is organisation, discipline and unselfishness and

that is the Italian way? Would you agree? Yes, they are very

disciplined, they like organisation in the football. There have very

professional players and they really do accept that if you are a

professional football you have to make sacrifices in your private

life and in your professional life The Italians say a lot of Italian

in the English side. It all looks very evenly matched. It looks as if

they are trying to take credit for things. A lot of our players have

had a lot of Italian influence in their lives. They are also

organised and disciplined. When I came in, I had to change the whole

playing philosophy. The zonal system of play that you see today,

I could even suggest that the Italians get that from England.

their press Conference, they were saying that they are the underdogs.

That is very Italian! Let's say they are not and it is 50-50. We

have to tom penalties. Does everybody practice in training?

Everybody practises penalties. But you have to make sure you practice

in a very professional way. You have to get away from a golf

driving range mentality, where you take a bucket of balls and smash

them all around the driving range and remember the three good ones.

It is not about quantity? Not at all. Sometimes, the quantity

element is wrong. Regularity of practice is useful. It is not an

unattractive thing to do at the end of a training session, as long as

you make it clear to the players that you have to take three and try

and score three. I understand you occasionally break training to tell

the story of the scorpion and the Frog. It is the story of the frog

that carries the scorpion across. Yes, the scorpion wants to get to

the other side. And he can't swim, so he asks the frog if he would

give him a piggyback ride. And the frog says no, you are a scorpion.

You will sting me and I will die. And the scorpion persuades him that

that will not happen because if he stings him and from dies, he drowns.

So the Froch accepts that argument and the logic of it, so he puts the

scorpion on his back and swims him across the river. But halfway

across the age river, he feels a terrible sting in his back and says

to the scorpion, you have stung me. And scorpion replies, it is in my

nature. Why do you tell that? was a joke, because one of the

people had done something, and just to amuse them, I was making clear

that it was in the person's nature. He couldn't help it. It is the

nature of this team at the moment to fight and win. I hope that

continues. It is true. It is a very good natured and we are happy to

have got through the three games. Now we want to go on in the

tournament a lot longer. We have got a chance, and the players will

do their best to take that chance. Let's hope lackeys on our side.

there is no sting in the tail. He is a PR expert, Roy. Even Ashley

Cole was doing interviews today. Rare for him to come out and talk

so openly. I have turned private investigator today. It could go to

penalties, many people are saying. I have found evidence. You may

think this is bad news. It is from the Man City website, Balotelli

against Joe Hart. He was all over the place, but he learned from his

mistake. What about that? second one was a shocking penalty

by Balotelli. There is another interesting thing on the penalty

front. 16 years ago today, this happened. Let me take you to Euro

96. Who could forget this? So glad we have changed it are graphics. Go

on, Seiko! One of the most iconic celebrations in all of football.

Fantastic. He had a lovely quiff going on. Talking of bad hair, we

can't show the penalty being scored by peers without showing this one.

Happy memories. We were also chatting earlier about the player's

of the tournament so far. We have already highlighted one tonight.

Ronaldo goes without saying. The tournament could be his to take.

What about Stevie Gerrard? Gerrard has had its huge influence on this

England team and the tournament. Steve played with him at Liverpool,

and he has been absolutely superb. People talk about Beckham's

delivery being the best. Steven Gerrard's delivery this tournament

has been unbelievable. It is his attitude as well. He has got the

long-range passing and the short range. Look at this for a great

attitude. He hustles and hustles. He has led by example. He knows

Rooney is getting forward. He has been absolutely magnificent, Steven

Gerrard. Polo has had a great season. He is an unbelievable

player. Both feet, wonderful passer. Robbie, the key with how Roy has

managed him is, you can't make those runs all the time. You need

to conserve energy and choose your moments. That is what he has done.

They have got creativity in the wings. England have a chance.

tempt fate. I am even been cautious with this link. The BBC might have

one, two or three England games for you on the way over the next few

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Gentlemen, with Greece out of the way, we can look forward to a

mouth-watering five games ahead. There is really nothing now to be

negative about. This is the way it starts now. Spain, France, England,

Italy. The semi-finals will be But tactically, Spain versus France

could be one of those where you expect so much that it could turn

out to be a boring game. Are we feeling the French? I think so.