Italy Hopes Of Quarter-Final " Still Alive " As Ireland Won't Battle

Italy vs. Ireland, Prandelli to Tactically Outwit Trappatoni

Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli Has been Surprised By Irish Display.Cesare Prandelli has admitted his surprise that the Republic of Ireland will not be fighting for Euro 2012 qualification tonight.The Italy boss will send his team out to face Giovanni Trapattoni's men with his own hopes hanging by a thread, but the Republic's long gone.In opening defeat by Croatia was followed by a 4-0 demolition job by reigning champions Spain, meaning that Ireland will be heading home on Tuesday regardless of the result in Poznan.Asked if he was surprised the game is not the decider the Irish hoped it might be, Prandelli said: "Yes, quite honestly, I am."We have watched the Croatia game again and they had prepared for that game with a tactical approach."But then Ireland conceded a goal after just three minutes and they couldn't change the way the game went."Although Ireland's hopes have gone - even a victory would simply restore a little pride - the Italians have to win and hope the Spain v Croatia game ends in a victory for either side if they are to progress.A 2-2 draw in Gdansk would put Prandelli's men out regardless, although he is not allowing himself to consider that particular scenario, and is instead focusing only on winning the game.He said: "They are a strong team and we need to be wary of them. They have got a lot of national pride and they have got a great ability to fight in games."As [Trapattoni's assistant] Marco Tardelli has said, they always go out for the win, and they want to give this gift to their many fans."There are a lot of different components here and that will make it a difficult game, of course."Prandelli was questioned repeatedly by Italian journalists about the system he might employ, his tried and trusted 3-5-2 or a more experimental 4-3-1-2 which he is understood to have trialled in a behind-closed-doors training session, although he was shedding little light on his plans.He said: "We hadn't even finished the training session when the news was already out there. A team must be able to change and adapt both within a game and from match to match."The way I see football, if we play with a three-man defence, then Daniele De Rossi is in that defence. If De Rossi goes to the midfield, then we reconstruct the squad to give the strikers the right build-up."We are not taking on public opinion. I prepare the training sessions and the games to have an advantage during the match. It's not a lack of respect for the fans or media. We are together."We accept criticism, but too often we get criticised before we have even done anything! We haven't chosen our system yet and are already getting criticised for it."

Darren Bravo's Groin strain Sends Him Back To Home

Darren Bravo had returned to form with a hundred against Middlesex before his injury

Darren Bravo The Left Handed Batsmen For West-Indies ,Meanwhile Has Picked A Groin strain Injury Which Has Forced Him To Go to His Home From England.Meanwhile, there remain doubts over the fitness of Chris Gayle, who has been sent for a scan on his foot injury, along with Andre Russell who also missed training at The Oval.Gayle had picked up a stress reaction in the bone on his left foot during the warm-up match last Wednesday against Middlesex at Lord's, while Russell injured his left shoulder in the defeat at West End on Saturday. A West Indies team spokesman said both players had been sent for precautionary scans with the outcome expected later in the day.It is understood that in Gayle's case, the West Indies physio CJ Clark just wanted a scan to allay any further fears and the batsman is expected to take field on Tuesday, but the situation could change if the scans reveal anything untoward. In the absence of Bravo, West Indies will hope Gayle returns strengthen the top order following the heavy 114-run defeat in the opening match.With the updated ICC regulations not allowing a runner, Bravo walked in at No. 9 in the first ODI and could barely run as he managed 8 towards the end of the match. He was the second West Indies player to pick an injury during the game as Russell later slipped while turning for a second run early in his innings. Russell had already had a forgetful day going wicketless in his six expensive overs which went for 43 runs.During the Test series Shannon Gabriel (back) and Kemar Roach (shin) were forced out of the tour.

Barclays Premier League Fixtures For season 2012-2013 are Released

The full fixture list for the 2012/13 Barclays Premier League campaign has been released

Barclays Premier League Season 2012-2013 Fixtures Has Been Released today Monday Morning 

Please Note: The Fixtures Are Subject to Change

Saturday, August 18th, 2012

Arsenal v Sunderland

Everton v Manchester United

Fulham v Norwich City

Manchester City v Southampton

Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur

Queens Park Rangers v Swansea City

Reading v Stoke City

West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool

West Ham United v Aston Villa

Wigan Athletic v Chelsea

Saturday, August 25th, 2012

Aston Villa v Everton

Chelsea v Newcastle United

Liverpool v Manchester City

Manchester United v Fulham

Norwich City v Queens Park Rangers

Southampton v Wigan Athletic

Stoke City v Arsenal

Sunderland v Reading

Swansea City v West Ham United

Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion

Saturday, September 1st, 2012

Chelsea v Reading

Liverpool v Arsenal

Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers

Newcastle United v Aston Villa

Southampton v Manchester United

Swansea City v Sunderland

Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City

West Bromwich Albion v Everton

West Ham United v Fulham

Wigan Athletic v Stoke City

Saturday, September 15th, 2012

Arsenal v Southampton

Aston Villa v Swansea City

Everton v Newcastle United

Fulham v West Bromwich Albion

Manchester United v Wigan Athletic

Norwich City v West Ham United

Queens Park Rangers v Chelsea

Reading v Tottenham Hotspur

Stoke City v Manchester City

Sunderland v Liverpool

Saturday, September 22nd, 2012

Chelsea v Stoke City

Liverpool v Manchester United

Manchester City v Arsenal

Newcastle United v Norwich City

Southampton v Aston Villa

Swansea City v  Everton

Tottenham Hotspur v  Queens Park Rangers

West Bromwich Albion v  Reading

West Ham United v  Sunderland

Wigan Athletic v  Fulham

Saturday, September 29th, 2012

Arsenal v Chelsea

Aston Villa v West Bromwich Albion

Everton v Southampton

Fulham v Manchester City

Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur

Norwich City v Liverpool

Queens Park Rangers v West Ham United

Reading v Newcastle United

Stoke City v Swansea City

Sunderland v Wigan Athletic

Saturday, October 6th, 2012

Chelsea v Norwich City

Liverpool v Stoke City

Manchester City v Sunderland

Newcastle United v Manchester United

Southampton v Fulham

Swansea City v Reading

Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa

West Bromwich Albion v Queens Park Rangers

West Ham United v Arsenal

Wigan Athletic v Everton

Saturday, October 20th, 2012

Fulham v Aston Villa

Liverpool v Reading

Manchester United v Stoke City

Norwich City v Arsenal

Queens Park Rangers v Everton

Sunderland v Newcastle United

Swansea City v Wigan Athletic

Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City

West Ham United v Southampton

Saturday, October 27th, 2012

Arsenal v Queens Park Rangers

Aston Villa v Norwich City

Chelsea v Manchester United

Everton v Liverpool

Manchester City v Swansea City

Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion

Reading v Fulham

Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur

Stoke City v Sunderland

Wigan Athletic v West Ham United

Saturday, November 3rd, 2012

Fulham v Everton

Liverpool v Newcastle United

Manchester United v Arsenal

Norwich City v Stoke City

Queens Park Rangers v Reading

Sunderland v Aston Villa

Swansea City v Chelsea

Tottenham Hotspur v Wigan Athletic

West Bromwich Albion v Southampton

West Ham United v Manchester City

Saturday, November 10th, 2012

Arsenal v Fulham

Aston Villa v Manchester United

Chelsea v Liverpool

Everton v Sunderland

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur

Newcastle United v West Ham United

Reading v Norwich City

Southampton v Swansea City

Stoke City v Queens Park Rangers

Wigan Athletic v West Bromwich Albion

Saturday, November 17th, 2012

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

Fulham v Sunderland

Liverpool v Wigan Athletic

Manchester City v Aston Villa

Newcastle United v Swansea City

Norwich City v Manchester United

Queens Park Rangers v Southampton

Reading v Everton

West Bromwich Albion v Chelsea

West Ham United v Stoke City

Saturday, November 24th, 2012

Aston Villa v Arsenal

Chelsea v Manchester City

Everton v Norwich City

Manchester United v Queens Park Rangers

Southampton v Newcastle United

Stoke City v Fulham

Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion

Swansea City v Liverpool

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United

Wigan Athletic v Reading

Tuesday, November 27th, 2012

Aston Villa v Reading

Manchester United v West Ham United

Southampton v Norwich City

Stoke City v Newcastle United

Sunderland v Queens Park Rangers

Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool

Wigan Athletic v Manchester City

Wednesday, November 28th, 2012

Chelsea v Fulham

Everton v Arsenal

Saturday, December 1st, 2012

Arsenal v Swansea City

Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur

Liverpool v Southampton

Manchester City v Everton

Newcastle United v Wigan Athletic

Norwich City v Sunderland

Queens Park Rangers v Aston Villa

Reading v Manchester United

West Bromwich Albion v Stoke City

West Ham United v Chelsea

Saturday, December 8th, 2012

Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion

Aston Villa v Stoke City

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur

Fulham v Newcastle United

Manchester City v Manchester United

Southampton v Reading

Sunderland v Chelsea

Swansea City v Norwich City

West Ham United v Liverpool

Wigan Athletic v Queens Park Rangers

Saturday, December 15th, 2012

Chelsea v Southampton

Liverpool v Aston Villa

Manchester United v Sunderland

Newcastle United v Manchester City

Norwich City v Wigan Athletic

Queens Park Rangers v Fulham

Reading v Arsenal

Stoke City v Everton

Tottenham Hotspur v Swansea City

West Bromwich Albion v West Ham United

Saturday, December 22nd, 2012

Chelsea v Aston Villa

Liverpool v Fulham

Manchester City v Reading

Newcastle United v Queens Park Rangers

Southampton v Sunderland

Swansea City v Manchester United

Tottenham Hotspur v Stoke City

West Bromwich Albion v Norwich City

West Ham United v Everton

Wigan Athletic v Arsenal

Wednesday, December 26th, 2012

Arsenal v West Ham United

Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur

Everton v Wigan Athletic

Fulham v Southampton

Manchester United v Newcastle United

Norwich City v Chelsea

Queens Park Rangers v West Bromwich Albion

Reading v Swansea City

Stoke City v Liverpool

Sunderland v Manchester City

Saturday, December 29th, 2012

Arsenal v Newcastle United

Aston Villa v Wigan Athletic

Everton v Chelsea

Fulham v Swansea City

Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion

Norwich City v Manchester City

Queens Park Rangers v Liverpool

Reading v West Ham United

Stoke City v Southampton

Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur

Tuesday, January 1st, 2013

Chelsea v Queens Park Rangers

Liverpool v Sunderland

Manchester City v Stoke City

Newcastle United v Everton

Southampton v Arsenal

Swansea City v Aston Villa

Tottenham Hotspur v Reading

West Bromwich Albion v Fulham

West Ham United v Norwich City

Wigan Athletic v Manchester United

Saturday, January 12th, 2013

Arsenal v Manchester City

Aston Villa v Southampton

Everton v Swansea City

Fulham v Wigan Athletic

Manchester United v Liverpool

Norwich City v Newcastle United

Queens Park Rangers v Tottenham Hotspur

Reading v West Bromwich Albion

Stoke City v Chelsea

Sunderland v West Ham United

Saturday, January 19th, 2013

Chelsea v Arsenal

Liverpool v Norwich City

Manchester City v Fulham

Newcastle United v Reading

Southampton v Everton

Swansea City v Stoke City

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United

West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa

West Ham United v Queens Park Rangers

Wigan Athletic v Sunderland

Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

Arsenal v Liverpool

Aston Villa v Newcastle United

Manchester United v Southampton

Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur

Queens Park Rangers v Manchester City

Reading v Chelsea

Stoke City v Wigan Athletic

Sunderland v Swansea City

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Everton v West Bromwich Albion

Fulham v West Ham United

Saturday, February 2nd, 2013

Arsenal v Stoke City

Everton v Aston Villa

Fulham v Manchester United

Manchester City v Liverpool

Newcastle United v Chelsea

Queens Park Rangers v Norwich City

Reading v Sunderland

West Bromwich Albion v Tottenham Hotspur

West Ham United v Swansea City

Wigan Athletic v Southampton

Saturday, February 9th, 2013

Aston Villa v West Ham United

Chelsea v Wigan Athletic

Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion

Manchester United v Everton

Norwich City v Fulham

Southampton v Manchester City

Stoke City v Reading

Sunderland v Arsenal

Swansea City v Queens Park Rangers

Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United

Saturday, February 23rd, 2013

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Fulham v Stoke City

Liverpool v Swansea City

Manchester City v Chelsea

Newcastle United v Southampton

Norwich City v Everton

Queens Park Rangers v Manchester United

Reading v Wigan Athletic

West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland

West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur

Saturday, March 2nd, 2013

Aston Villa v Manchester City

Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion

Everton v Reading

Manchester United v Norwich City

Southampton v Queens Park Rangers

Stoke City v West Ham United

Sunderland v Fulham

Swansea City v Newcastle United

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal

Wigan Athletic v Liverpool

Saturday, March 9th, 2013

Arsenal v Everton

Fulham v Chelsea

Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur

Manchester City v Wigan Athletic

Newcastle United v Stoke City

Norwich City v Southampton

Queens Park Rangers v Sunderland

Reading v Aston Villa

West Bromwich Albion v Swansea City

West Ham United v Manchester United

Saturday, March 16th, 2013

Aston Villa v Queens Park Rangers

Chelsea v West Ham United

Everton v Manchester City

Manchester United v Reading

Southampton v Liverpool

Stoke City v West Bromwich Albion

Sunderland v Norwich City

Swansea City v Arsenal

Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham

Wigan Athletic v Newcastle United

Saturday, March 30th, 2013

Arsenal v Reading

Aston Villa v Liverpool

Everton v Stoke City

Fulham v Queens Park Rangers

Manchester City v Newcastle United

Southampton v Chelsea

Sunderland v Manchester United

Swansea City v Tottenham Hotspur

West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion

Wigan Athletic v Norwich City

Saturday, April 6th, 2013

Chelsea v Sunderland

Liverpool v West Ham United

Manchester United v Manchester City

Newcastle United v Fulham

Norwich City v Swansea City

Queens Park Rangers v Wigan Athletic

Reading v Southampton

Stoke City v Aston Villa

Tottenham Hotspur v Everton

West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal

Saturday, April 13th, 2013

Arsenal v Norwich City

Aston Villa v Fulham

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur

Everton v Queens Park Rangers

Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion

Newcastle United v Sunderland

Reading v Liverpool

Southampton v West Ham United

Stoke City v Manchester United

Wigan Athletic v Swansea City

Saturday, April 20th, 2013

Fulham v Arsenal

Liverpool v Chelsea

Manchester United v Aston Villa

Norwich City v Reading

Queens Park Rangers v Stoke City

Sunderland v Everton

Swansea City v Southampton

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City

West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United

West Ham United v Wigan Athletic

Saturday, April 27th, 2013

Arsenal v Manchester United

Aston Villa v Sunderland

Chelsea v Swansea City

Everton v Fulham

Manchester City v West Ham United

Newcastle United v Liverpool

Reading v Queens Park Rangers

Southampton v West Bromwich Albion

Stoke City v Norwich City

Wigan Athletic v Tottenham Hotspur

Saturday, May 4th, 2013

Fulham v Reading

Liverpool v Everton

Manchester United v Chelsea

Norwich City v Aston Villa

Queens Park Rangers v Arsenal

Sunderland v Stoke City

Swansea City v Manchester City

Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton

West Bromwich Albion v Wigan Athletic

West Ham United v Newcastle United

Sunday, May 12th, 2013

Arsenal v Wigan Athletic

Aston Villa v Chelsea

Everton v West Ham United

Fulham v Liverpool

Manchester United v Swansea City

Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion

Queens Park Rangers v Newcastle United

Reading v Manchester City

Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur

Sunderland v Southampton

Sunday, May 19th, 2013

Chelsea v Everton

Liverpool  v Queens Park Rangers

Manchester City v Norwich City

Newcastle United v Arsenal

Southampton v Stoke City

Swansea City v Fulham

Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland

West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United

West Ham United v Reading

Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa

Shanghai Offers Drogba 200,000 pounds a week.

 the Ivory Coast, Didier Drogba , gestures before the start of an exhibition match in New Delhi on June 17, 2012. Drogba is in the city for the grand finale of the Pepsi T20 football tournament. 

Shanghai Shenhua Offers Drogba 200,000 Pounds a Week If he tends to Play For the Chinese Club States Chinese Media.Didier Drogba Would Probably Become the Highest Paid Footballer In China.Reports say Drogba, who left Chelsea after helping them win the Champions League final against Bayern Munich last month, will join the Chinese Super League club and may announce the move later on Monday.According to the official Oriental Morning Post, the two sides have already reached agreement “in principle” for a two-and-a-half-year contract.The proposed salary would exceed the pay of Drogba’s former Chelsea teammate and Shenhua’s current top player Nicolas Anelka, who is reported to be receiving 200,000 euros a week, it said.Shenhua declined to comment on Monday, and an official said Drogba would make the announcement himself if he decided to sign.The Ivory Coast star said Sunday that information about his future was due shortly but he side-stepped questions as to whether he would link up with Shenhua.“The next step is interesting,” the 34-year-old said during a visit to New Delhi.The earliest Drogba could arrive in Shanghai to begin playing for the club is early July, the report said.It added that the proposed deal includes Drogba becoming a spokesman for a Chinese online gaming company, in a similar arrangement to French striker Anelka, who joined Shenhua in January.Anelka was paid $3.4 million to endorse an online game developed by Internet company The9, whose chairman Zhu Jun is also the chief investor in Shenhua.Under the terms of the possible deal with Drogba, Shenhua would also participate in charitable projects, possibly involving a hospital that he is having built in his native Ivory Coast, the newspaper said.Drogba is active in charitable causes through his foundation, which seeks to provide support in health and education to African people.Shenhua, now 12th in the 16-club league, have struggled despite hiring Anelka and head coach Jean Tigana, who was later sacked and replaced with former Argentina manager Sergio Batista.

David Nalbandian apologizes for his action

David Nalbandian Kicks Advertising Panel Which Injures Line Jugde's Leg

David Nalbandian after wasting  the chance of ATP title at 250 Queen's because of an emotional imbalance, Argentine he public apology for the incident in London, England. In the decision of the competition on Sunday against Croatian Marin Cilic, Nalbandian kicked an advertising board angry at the loss of a point and hit the line judge. The unsportsmanlike were punished with disqualification and the loss of points and awards. "Sometimes you get so angry that he can not control. It happens. I know I made a mistake, I apologize. Not want to hurt the judge," acknowledged the world number 39. Nalbandian said the action was reckless and that he did not think it would have such consequences. "Many times you play the racket to the ground, in other gives a cry or do something weird. When I kicked the board, was not to be with that strength. But it happened, I lost control for a few seconds," he said. "Maybe it's just, if you have to pay for it, I agree. I was really nervous at these times you do not see what you're doing. I can not explain what happened. When I saw the gravity, just worried about whether the judge was well, "said the Argentine. However, David Nalbandian also shared the blame with the Association of Tennis Professionals, the ATP. The Argentine, players are subjected to an exhausting marathon of games, which can cause bruising. "Earlier in the season, you have to sign a contract that says he agrees with everything that makes ATP, but sometimes you disagree. However, if no sign, does not play the circuit. The players are under pressure and many get injured, but in these cases, nothing happens, "he complained.

Fernando Torres Warns Spain Ahead Of Croatia Clash

Spain's Fernando Torres scored twice against the Republic of Ireland and said he is enjoying the tournament so far. 

The Spaniard Striker Fernando Torres Suggests That Spain has To be Carefull Ahead Of their Last Group Stage Match Suggesting " Anything Can Happen Just Like Russia ".Russia, who also went into the final game seemingly guaranteed to progress, top of their group with four points and five goals scored, are out. Fernando Torres admitted that their elimination has come as a timely warning for Spain, while their coach, Vicente del Bosque, insisted that praise is dangerous."The Russia result is a good wake-up call for us," Torres said. "We need to win the last game. This is a tournament where even with six points you can go out. Against an opponent like Croatia who also need to win, we need to be careful. We are aware of their strengths, we have been watching videos and we believe that we can play our game and win. But the most important thing is for us to respect them. We know that Russia are out because of just one goal. That is a warning."Del Bosque continued along similar lines. "The worst thing that can ever happen in football is for people to think it is easy. Russia getting knocked out shows that football is permanently handing out lessons. Anyone filling in their pools coupon would have gone for Poland and Russia but it was Greece and the Czech Republic who went through."That's football and we have to be aware of what may happen. It is extremely dangerous to consider yourself better than the other team. And so much praise is dangerous too. You have to protect yourself from that and prepare yourself for adversity."Torres also rejected suggestions that the two sides could agree to draw 2-2, a result that would put them both through. He insisted that talk of a pact was "a lack of respect". And he clearly felt that there has been a similar lack of respect in media coverage of his performances since leaving Liverpool. Asked if he felt that he was getting back to his Liverpool form, having scored twice against the Republic of Ireland, Torres responded sharply: "It is your job to decide and that has been your job ever since I moved to Chelsea."I have been playing with confidence. I am enjoying the time I am spending here and I was given the chance and the trust of the coach in the second game. We all train to be part of the starting XI and then if the coach picks you, perfect. If he picks someone else, perfect too. What matters is that we win.""We know that people back home are going through a bad time, we all have friends and family who are struggling [with the financial crisis]. If football can be an escape valve and take people's minds off the situation for a while, that can provide with extra motivation. Hopefully we can help to unite the country and put a smile on people's faces."Del Bosque said he has finally signed a two-year contract extension that will see him lead the world champions in their title defence in Brazil in 2014. The most successful coach in the national team's history previously said a deal was in place but he preferred not to sign it before the European Championship. The 61-year-old, who took over from Luis Aragonés following the country's Euro 2008 win, said "there was no rush" to sign the deal.

Didier Drogba Got to Be " Killing "

Drogba says His Move to other Club would be "Fascinating"

Didier Drogba Arrival In India,said That He will Surprise His next Move But The Spectators Have to wait a Moment, But Linked Heavily to Chinese Club where Nicolas Anelka Is Player coach.During a promotional trip to India Drogba said his next move would be 'interesting', but teased fans by telling them they would have to wait for his announcement. The next step is going to be an interesting one and I think soon I'm going to announce it. For now, I'll just ask you to wait a few moments.' Fans may not have that long to wait, with China's state-run Xinmin Evening News reporting that the 34-year-old's deal will be officially announced on Monday. The paper said Drogba has agreed to a two and a half year contract worth £9.7million, with the Ivorian star set to arrive in Shanghai in early July.

The Gunner Theo Walcott A Doubt For Ukraine's Match

Theo Walcott was key to England's victory over Sweden on Friday

The Arsenal and England Winger Theo Walcott Slightly to Miss Ukraine Match due to a tightness in his hamstring.Walcott made his first appearance at a major international tournament on Friday as he came off the substitutes’ bench to provide a goal and an assist in the 3-2 victory over Sweden.As a result of that performance, the Arsenal winger had been tipped to start Tuesday’s game against the co-hosts, but he was forced to leave Sunday’s training session early after suffering what Hodgson described as “a tightness in his hamstring”.“Unfortunately he had a slight setback in training,” Hodgson told,“He felt the hamstring that kept him out for so long at the end of the season and which we were slightly concerned about when he came to us.“We have been lucky nothing has occurred with that but in a little training session today we had to take the precaution of taking him from the field because he felt some tightness there.“Whether he is a real contender for a starting position will depend upon what the medical people can tell me and how much guarantee they can give me that if I do start him he won't be leaving the field after five minutes, forcing us to have 13 men rather than the 14 I would rather count on.”Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney has said the England camp under Hodgson is the happiest it has been since he made his international debut in 2003.“It feels more like a club team now, rather than an international team,” Rooney told . “Everyone gets on with each other and there's a lot of trust between the players and the coaching staff, and everyone's happy.“You only have to go to the hotel to see the lads. You've got City players playing snooker with United players, Chelsea players playing Liverpool. Everyone's mixing, everyone's getting on well and there's a good chemistry between the lads.“At the minute, it's certainly the most comfortable I think the team have been off the pitch since I've been in the squad.”

Group B:Germany beat Denmark 2-1 at Euro 2012

Lukas Podolski celebrates Germany's opener on his 100th cap.

Germany beat Denmark 2-1 advanced to a quarterfinal against Greece after beating Denmark 2-1 on Sunday in their last Group B match at the European Championship.The Danes were eliminated.Lukas Podolski opened the scoring for Germany in the 19th minute and Lars Bender slotted home the winner in the 80th after Michael Krohn-Dehli had equalized for Denmark in the first half.Germany controlled possession, had the best chances and were never really challenged by the Danes, who go home after stunning the Netherlands in the first match but losing to Portugal in the second.Germany seized the initiative from the kickoff and came close twice before Podolski, playing his 100th international match, scored his first goal of the tournament.Mario Gomez set him up with a deft backheel touch following Thomas Mueller's low cross from the right flank.Denmark replied just five minutes later with Krohn-Dehli heading in the equalizer from a set piece that stunned the German defense. A corner found Nicklas Bendtner, who headed the ball into the area where Krohn-Dehli nodded home his second goal at Euro 2012.Jakob Poulsen missed a chance to put Denmark in the driver's seat at the start of the second half when his shot grazed the outside of German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's right post.After that scare, the Germans were firmly in charge and denied Denmark any real chance of getting back into the game.Coach Morten Olsen's men were already looking tired when Bender, replacing suspended right back Jerome Boateng, picked up a pass from Mesut Oezil and made it 2-1.Germany finished on top of the group with a perfect record of three wins and will face Euro 2004 champion Greece on Friday in Gdansk.

Group B:Portugal beat Holland 2-1 at Euro 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his second goal which sent Portugal through to the quarter-finals.

Portugal beat Holland 2-1 at Euro 2012.The Real Madrid star Christiano Ronaldo grabbed both goals and hit the woodwork twice as Portugal came back to beat the Dutch after Rafael van der Vaart's early opener.Having been mocked by Denmark fans with chants of "Messi, Messi" in his last game, Ronaldo laid down his credentials of being the world's best player with an unstoppable display.And while Holland fly home having lost all three of their games in the 'Group of Death', Paulo Bento's men will now surely fancy their chances against Czech Republic in the last eight.with the Czech Republic and condemn the Dutch to a first group-stage European Championship exit since 1980.Needing to win by two clear goals to stand any hope of progressing, Holland took an early lead through Rafael van der Vaart but were undone by goals in each half from man of the match Cristiano Ronaldo.From a Dutch perspective, the final score was rendered immaterial as Denmark's 2-1 loss to Germany in the other Group B match meant they would not have qualified for the last eight even in case of victory.Portugal, for whom Ronaldo belatedly reproduced his Real Madrid form at this tournament, will compete for a semi-final place against the Czechs in Warsaw on Thursday.Runners-up at the World Cup two years ago and top scorers in qualifying, the Netherlands leave Ukraine with their tails between their legs after three consecutive defeats.Mindful of the pressing need for goals, Holland coach Bert van Marwijk handed starts to both Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and van der Vaart, who replaced captain Mark van Bommel and inherited the captain's armband from him.Van der Vaart needed less than 11 minutes to vindicate his manager's decision, collecting a pass from Arjen Robben and shaping a delightful 25-yard shot inside the left-hand post to put Holland ahead.However, if the Dutch thought they were in for a comfortable evening, Portugal quickly had them on their toes with a flurry of chances sparked by Ronaldo drifting inside and brushing the post with a low strike.Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was allowed to shine on his 50th appearance, thwarting Helder Postiga following an errant back-pass by Gregory van der Wiel and then showing sharp reflexes to box away a Ronaldo header.Holland failed to heed the warnings though, and in the 28th minute Ronaldo levelled, powering onto Joao Pereira's incisive, stabbed pass and clipping the ball past Stekelenburg from close range.Strangely, scoring the opening goal seemed to have inhibited the Dutch, and they were cowed even further by Ronaldo's equaliser.So often scorned for his international displays, Ronaldo was a man transformed, and after working Stekelenburg with an audacious dipping shot from 35 yards, he crashed a header narrowly wide from a corner.Van Marwijk gambled in the second half, throwing on winger Ibrahim Afellay for left-back Jetro Willems, but still Portugal came, Nani spurning a good chance by firing at Stekelenburg after Ronaldo had rolled the ball across goal.The Madrid man was not so forgiving when Nani returned the favour in the 74th minute, checking inside sharply to send van der Wiel sprawling and then calmly beating Stekelenburg at his near post.Van der Vaart hit the post with a right-foot curler, but it was the only bright moment in what was a desperate second period for the Dutch, who saw Ronaldo wobble an upright in the final minute.