Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his first goal for Sweden since 2005 with a stunning strike on 67 minutes. The second goal was scrambled home by Sweden's Petter Hansson on 73 minutes. Greece are apparently the current holders, but on this display they looked nowhere near the team that shocked Europe four years ago.
Basically Greece's involvement in the competition is over and I can't see them qualifying. However, Sweden's chances have been given a boost and they have a good chance of getting a result against Russia.
Result
Greece 0-2 Sweden
David Villa became the first player to score hat-trick at the Euro 2008 as Spain thrashed Russia 4-1 in the opening game of Group D. Roman Pavlyuchenko scored a consolation for Russia with a header on 86 minutes, but Cesc Fabregas headed his first goal for Spain to seal the victory.
Spain's forwards looked on fire especially David Villa, but the movement of Fernando Torres was excellent. If Spain can perform like this every time then they will have a good chance of going all the way to the final.
Russia were disappointing considering they qualified instead of England, I'm sure England would of given Spain more of a game and not just rolled over.
Result
Spain 4-1 Russia
The Netherlands gave a master class in counter-attacking football to the current World Cup holders Italy. This game was the most entertaining so far, for a neutral fan is was refreshing to see a game with both teams going for the win from the start.
The Netherlands got lucky with the first goal as Ruud van Nistelrooy was offside when he deflected the ball into the back of the net. However, the second goal was a joy to watch, with Italy attacking from a corner one minute and Wesley Sneijder hitting the back of the net the next. The third goal was another flowing counter-attack started by Edwin van der Sar's brilliant saves from Fabio Grosso and Andrea Pirlo before Giovanni van Bronckhorst finished off the move by heading the ball passed Buffon after 80 minutes.
If the Netherlands keep this form up then they must be favourites to reach the final and win the tournament. They really were a joy to watch, fast flowing football. However, the world champions Italy have a mountain to climb with Romania and France to face. They must get over the defeat quickly otherwise they will find themselves on the plane home early.
Result
Netherlands 3-0 Italy
France failed to beat Romania, which could become costly in the 'group of death' Group C. Both Patrick Vieria and Thierry Henry were missing from the starting line-up and without these two players France struggled to create any chances. Romania will be the happiest of the two teams with a draw as they still have a say in who will qualify from this group.
I predict France will struggle to qualify as they have to get a result against the Netherlands and Italy.
Result
Romania 0-0 France
Tournament favourites Germany sink Poland with Luka Podolski scoring both goals. Polish-born Podolski slid home his first from close range after a pass from Miroslav Klose on 20 minutes. Podolski added his second with a rasping volley that flew passed Boruc on 72 minutes.
Germany didn't ignite the competition with this performance, but they've started the competition in typical German fashion and will probably make the finals.
Result
Germany 2-0 Poland
Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria pushed Croatia to the final whistle, but Luka Modric penalty on four minutes was enough to take all three points. Croatia were gifted the penalty after Rene Aufhauser clumsily challenged Ivica Olic.
Croatia didn't look like the team that knocked England out during the qualifying stages, but I still predict they will cause an upset. Especially in the latter stages of the competition against the bigger teams.
Result
Austria 0-1 Croatia
Portugal started their Euro 2008 campaign in style by beating Turkey 2-0 and almost look certain to qualify from Group A along with Czech Republic who beat Switzerland earlier.
Portugal's centre-back Pepe opened the scoring, surging forward from the back playing a nice one-two with Nuno Gomes and then calmly slotting the ball pass the Turkish keeper Volkan Demirel. Raul Meireless scored the second in injury time sliding home after a flowing move started by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal could have scored more, with Cristiano Ronaldo hitting the post from a first-half free-kick and Nuno Gomes also hitting the woodwork twice.
Result
Portugal 2-0 Turkey
The UEFA Euro 2008 finally kicked off yesterday (07/06/2008) and the Czech Republic beat hosts Switzerland in the opening match of UEFA Euro 2008, courtesy of a goal scored by substitute Vaclav Sverkos.
Even more bad news for Switzerland is that their influential captain Alexander Frei has been sidelined for the rest of Euro 2008 after injuring his knee in the opening game as he limped off in tears. Alexander Frei is an important player as he's the one who scores Switzerland's goals and without him the Swiss will struggle.
Result
Switzerland 0-1 Czech Republic
Just checked the Predict Addict inbox and I've received an email asking me to fill out a short survey on predicting Euro 2008.
After filling it out, it made me realise how little I know about the players who will be playing in the competition. Most of the players I've never heard of, so some new stars could emerge.
It you have 10-20 minutes spare then help Stefan conduct his survey about how people predict outcomes in the context of football during the Euro 2008.
Here's the link to the online study http://phpserver.psycho.unibas.ch/em2008/
With the Euro 2008 about to kick off I can't help feel a little deflated due to England's failure to qualify for the competition. So much was expected, but England just didn't live up to those expectations.
I'm sure that my enthusiasm will return when the first game kicks off on Saturday and the competition explodes onto our screens. Glad in a way that England aren't there because their chances are always over hyped and the media make the whole nation believe that this is their year and England just never lives up to it.
So, the question is "Who Will You Support In Euro 2008?"