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Old 2004-06-13, 22:57   Link #94
Scrumhalf
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The Euro 2004 Football Championships.


Best of Day - June 13
We look at the best action from today's games in Euro 2004.
by Alex Dunn - Last Updated 14 Jun 2004

Player of the day - Zinedine Zidane



The world's best player proved his pedigree with two moments of sumptuous skill and stole the game from England's grasp.

Whilst his team-mates looked dejected, the maestro conjured a majestic free kick in the final minute and then dispatched a penalty with consummate ease.

The Real Madrid man finished last season without a trophy but is clearly not in the mood to surrender France's title as Europe's best side.

On the biggest stage, Zidane exposed the thin line between endeavour and class.

Goal of the day - Zinedine Zidane



With England on the verge of a monumental victory, Zidane made the sweetest of contacts with a dead ball and David James was left clutching broken dreams.

The Manchester City custodian had previously been relatively untroubled but genius can only be subdued for so long.

After England conceded an unnecessary free kick on the edge of their own box, Zidane stepped up and arched a magnificent strike into the far corner of James' goal.

It's not always easy but sometimes you have to salute the irrepressible skills of the mercurial Frenchman.

Save of the day - Fabien Barthez



When Silvestre upended a rampaging Wayne Rooney in his own box there was to be only one outcome.

David Beckham, who missed his last spot kick against Turkey, stepped forward with confidence and focus.

However, despite striking the ball well, former Manchester United team-mate Fabien Barthez went to his right and pulled off a breath-taking stop.

England's chance of claiming a much needed second goal evaporated and the rest is history.

Pass of the day - Zinedine Zidane



The France captain could only notch a double salvo tonight but we give him a hat-trick of awards with pass of the day.

Hitting a 70-yard ball from left to right may seem effortless to Zidane but we still think it deserves a mention.

Robert Pires was the grateful beneficiary and another lighting France counter attack was launched.


Miss of the day - Ivica Olic



In a dour game between Switzerland and Croatia, Ivica Olic was left with his head in his hands after being found guilty of a glaring miss.

A free kick from the right was delivered into the box and with Switzerland's offside trap lacking cohesion, Croatia's Josip Simunic was left with a free header.

Swiss custodian Jorg Stiel managed to get a firm palm to the ball with an agile stop but it only spun to Olic, whose header was woeful from a yard out and rolled onto the top of the bar.

Dive of the day - Dado Prso



In a monumentally dull contest between Switzerland and Croatia, Dado Prso and Ivica Mornar deserve credit for brightening up the proceedings with some laughable diving.

Both players are big robust forwards and there is little more entertaining than watching a large man role about in agony after a feeble tackle.

Prso just about takes today's trophy - as he was attempting to win a penalty in the dive which earned him a yellow card.

Tactic of the day - Kobi Kuhn



An easy choice for Tactic of the Day - We salute Switzerland coach Kobi Kuhn.

Reduced to ten men early in the second period after a moment of petulance from Johann Vogel, Kuhn organised his side into a tight defensive unit.

Croatia may have been too negative in their outlook but Kuhn and his side can be credited for reducing their opposition to hopeful long-range efforts.

Celebration of the day - David Beckham



Ultimately it may have been a miserable night for England's captain but his reaction to Frank Lampard's goal deserves a mention.

Whilst Lisbon rejoiced and the whole of England began to wave their flags in jubilation - Beckham screwed his face and frowned...

And then screamed with joy as he realised the Chelsea man had thundered his delivery past Fabien Barthez and not wide of the post.

http://www.euro2004.com/

http://www.football365.com/

http://www.soccernet.com/

Last edited by Scrumhalf; 2004-06-14 at 20:28.
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