Euro 2008 Update #2

On June 13, the Czech Republic fell to Portugal 3-1. Deco put Portugal up 1-0 in the 8th minute, but Czech midfielder Libor Sionko equalized 9 minutes later with a header. The score was level at halftime, but with Portugal controlling more of the attacking play. In the 63rd, Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo scored with a hard, well placed shot from about 16 yards. The shot went through the legs of one Czech defender, past the leg of another, and was in the back of the net before goalkeeper Petr Cech really knew anything about it. Ronaldo turned provider in injury time as he dribbled past Cech and passed to substitute Ricardo Quaresma, who made it 3-1 with a cool finish into an open net. The Czechs now lie in second place in Group A, tied with Turkey.

Germany fell to Croatia, 2-1. In the 24th minute, Croatian midfielder Darijo Srna cut inside German left back Marcell Jansen to steer Daniel Pranjic's cross into the net. Though it pains me to say, the goal capped a succession of passes that spread the German defense and could well be the most well-worked goal of the tournament thus far. Germany attempted to strike back soon after, but striker Mario Gomez headed the ball over Stipe Pletikosa's net. In the second half, German keeper Jens Lehmann did well to parry a deflected cross, but the rebound deflected off the post right into the path of Croatian striker Ivica Olic (pictured right), who plays his club football in Germany for Hamburg SV. The goal rivals Swiss player Hakan Yakin's close range tap in against Turkey in its simplicity. After that, the coffin was all but nailed down, though the Germans did pull one back in the 79th. Lukas Podolski scored his third of the tournament to put himself on par with Spaniard David Villa as leading scorer. Germany now lies in second in Group B.