Soccer Euro - 2012: "Ciao England" .... as Italy beats England 4-2 on penalties - by Jack Bezants

Alessandro Diamanti scored the decisive penalty kick Sunday to send Italy through to the European Championship semifinals with a 4-2 win in the shootout following a 0-0 tie with England and Ashley Young hit the crossbar with England's third, and Ashley Cole's attempt was saved by Gianluigi Buffon.

Italy will next play Germany in the semifinals on Thursday in Warsaw, Poland.

Italy dominated the match, which ended 0-0 after 120 minutes of play. The Italians twice hit the post, but were also let down by poor composure in front of goal. Diamanti clipped the post with a curling cross in the 101st minute, and swept a clear shot wide.

The first scoreless match at Euro 2012 was neither dull nor lacking good soccer.

Italy's attacking desire and creativity under coach Cesare Prandelli had playmaker Andrea Pirlo at its heart. Italy had 35 shots, compared to only nine for England.

EU-Digest

European Soccer Cup: Ronaldo's goal sends Portugal to semifinals

After his fine footwork failed to find the target, Cristiano Ronaldo knocked in the only goal Thursday with a thrusting header, sending Portugal into the European Championship semifinals with a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic.

After Ronaldo twice hit the post, he finally darted in from behind his marker in the 79th minute with all the instincts of an all out striker and headed a cross from Joao Moutinho straight at the ground and up past the flailing hands of Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech.

"I remember in the last game I hit the post twice, too," said Ronaldo, who scored his third goal in the last two matches. "But the most important thing is I managed to score this time, we won and are in the semifinals. Now it is big smiles and good music."

Read more: Ronaldo's goal sends Portugal to semifinals

Soccer: Greece delight while Poland, Russia crash out at Euro 2012 - by John Doyle

It was important that co-host Poland stay in tournament. All that money spent on stadiums and infrastructure to showcase the country. If Poland itself had to drop out after just three games, then more than the feel-good factor would evaporate. Jobs lost, less money spent on meals, merchandise and beer.

Awkward questions being asked about billions spent on an event that turned into a fun time for somebody else.

Poland is out of the tournament, defeated 0-1 by the Czech Republic.  The co-hosts utterly controlled the first half, but for all the passion, running and attempts at scoring, the key weaknesses in the team was exposed - Poland was not equipped with enough speed in midfield to allow its strikers to take full advantage of scoring chances.

The small contingent of Greece supporters and media had justification for feeling left out of the fuss. This game against Russia had context for Greece too, coming the night before another crucial election there.

Even the financial markets were watching this game closely - some analysts predicted that if Greece won and stayed in the tournament, then the pro-austerity parties were more likely to win. And a global economic crisis averted. A handy side-effect, you might say.

Greece did win. And soundly, defeating a Russian team of vastly talented, deeply experienced players. And that is the most stunning, shock result of this tournament so far.  Greece used the same quiet, defensive determination it used to win Euro 2004, a waiting game relying on corners, free kicks and mistake by opposition to squeeze out a win.

Russia looked like strolling into the quarter-finals until Giorgios Karagounis scored on the cusp of half-time. All it took was a Yuri Zhirkov mistake and Karagounis pounced to fire a low shot into the net.

Greece stays in the Euro, the soccer tournament. Happiness in Athens and who knows what will happen from that? Poland is out of the Euro and Russia collapse. The Czechs do well, unexpectedly. All on a day when the stock markets aren't even open. Always, soccer games mean more than the game itself.

Read more: Greece delight while Poland, Russia crash out at Euro 2012 - The Globe and Mail

Netherlands opens quest for Euro title against Denmark today

Anything but a victory over Denmark would be a minor disaster for Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and their Netherlands teammates on today.

They all know the deal: As runners-up in the 2010 World Cup, they can't claim success this time around unless they return to Amsterdam with the European Championship trophy.

Failing to beat the Danes in their first Group B match would complicate things to say the least, with Germany and Portugal left to play in the most challenging group of the competition.

"We realize this is perhaps our last chance to win a tournament," Netherlands winger Dirk Kuyt said. The core of the team which lost the World Cup final to Spain is expected to start against Denmark in Kharkiv.

The game starts at 18.00 CET Europe - noon USA EST in Charkov, Poland and can be viewed in the US on ESPN and Fox Sports Channel as will all the other European Soccer Championship games. In Europe it will be on practically every TV and Radio station - just check your local listing. For all the latest results and commentary click here.

Read more about: Netherlands opens quest for Euro title against Denmark

EU Predicts Polish Economy Will Expand at Bloc’s Fastest Pace This Year - by Agnes Lovasz and Ott Ummelas

Poland, the European Union’s largest eastern member, will post the 27-nation bloc’s fastest economic growth this year, driven by corporate investment,the European Commission forecast.


Gross domestic product will grow 2.5 percent, with quarterly expansion of about 0.5 percent during the year, the EU’s executive arm said in a statement today. Spending on road and rail upgrades for the Euro 2012 soccer championship will help boost the pace of growth, it said.

“Investment spending growth is expected to remain robust, supported by accelerating private investment,” the commission said. “The corporate sector is likely to continue to increase capacity, financed by intensifying inflows of foreign capital, retained earnings and growing corporate credit.”

For more: EU Predicts Polish Economy Will Expand at Bloc’s Fastest Pace This Year - Bloomberg