International performances 12th of September

Fans arrived singing songs of protest but left with a feeling of promise as Canada and Costa Rica played to an entertaining 1-1 draw on "Black Wednesday" at the National Soccer Stadium in Toronto.

Source: Soccer News Black Wednesday's silver lining - sportsnet.ca

The hosts were quickly into their stride at the Sparta Stadium, Libor Sionko's shot deflecting wide but a breakthrough was not long in coming, Jankulovski exchanging passes with Plašil and skipping past Richard Dunne to drill in. Sionko spurned another presentable opportunity and Ireland finally began to exert some pressure of their own, Dunne exploiting a Sionko miskick to play Doyle in on goal and the Reading FC striker guided his left-foot shot beyond Petr Čech only for the post to come to the goalkeeper's rescue.

Source: uefa.com / Czechs close in on finals place

Denmark kept alive their hopes of reaching UEFA EURO 2008™ as Morten Nordstrand scored twice in a convincing home victory over Liechtenstein.

Source: uefa.com / Nordstrand on song in Denmark stroll

Hangeland did not look particularly brilliant at the first Greek goal.
Source: uefa.com / Greece on course with Oslo draw

International performances 8th of September

San Marino - Czech Republic 0 - 3

San Marino far from disgraced themselves here, holding the Czech Republic to a (relatively) narrow victory in Serravalle - even after going down to ten men.

Source: Goal.com - Euro 2008 - San Marino Sink To Czech Republic Late Show

The Czech Republic picked up the expected win in San Marino which consolidated second place in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group D but they were made to work by their hosts.

Source: uefa.com - UEFA EURO 2008™ - Hard work pays off for Czechs

# 17 Libor Sionko unused substitute.

Sweden - Denmark 0-0

The home side will feel that they should have won the game, but Denmark have left the Rasunda with a point following a 0-0 draw. While Denmark looked good in places, it was the Swedes who carved out most of the openings - each of which, however, was wasted...

Source: Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Sweden And Denmark Play Out Entertaining Draw

Sweden stayed on course to reach UEFA EURO 2008™ thanks to a goalless draw with neighbours Denmark that took Lars Lagerbäck's team three points clear in Group F.

Minute-by-minute
1 Grønkjær (Denmark) is flagged for offside.
19 Grønkjær (Denmark) commits a foul after challenging Hansson (Sweden).
33 Grønkjær (Denmark) misses the target.
37 N Jensen (Denmark) delivers the corner.
80 Grønkjær (Denmark) is booked.
88 Mellberg (Sweden) gives away a free-kick following a challenge on Grønkjær (Denmark).
90+1 Gravgaard (in) - Tomasson (out) (Denmark)

Source: uefa.com - UEFA EURO 2008™ - Solna shutout suits Sweden

Jesper Christiansen injured in practice (!), Marcus Allbäck, Rasmus Würtz, Hjalte Nørregaard and Morten Nordstrand unused substitutes.

Moldova - Norway 0-1

Moldova kept the score down but failed to excite as Norway managed a narrow 1-0 win in Chisinau.

Source: Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Norway Edge Out Moldova

Steffen Iversen struck four minutes into the second half as Norway secured a victory against Moldova in Chisinau which boosted their bid to qualify for UEFA EURO 2008™.

Minute-by-minute
62 Hangeland (Norway) commits a foul after challenging Zmeu (Moldova).
82 Hangeland (Norway) delivers the corner.

Source: uefa.com - UEFA EURO 2008™ - Iversen goal takes Norway second

From Esbjerg to Benfica

In yesterday's 5-2 win I missed the last goalSporting Life / COPENHAGEN MAKE THEIR MOVE. Today, YouTube is my friend...



Tuesday night we'll be tuning in to the transmission from Portugal - with the weird comfort of risking little and the realistic hopes of winning everything. Here is some recent reading matter on Benfica:

Benfica Coach Fernando Santos is beginning to define how Benfica 2007-8 will look like in the wake of the pre-season experiments. The goal seems likely to stay in local hands and two promises appear to be on the way out as the Águias prepare to make a break from last year’s silverware drought…

Goal.com - Portugal - Benfica Shaping Up After Guadiana Test

In a sudden change of heart, Benfica’s first-choice left-back has reportedly asked to be allowed to rescind his contract and leave the Lisbon club just as the season appears around the bend…

Goal.com - Portugal - Brazilian Wants Out Of Benfica

17th of July training session

Here's a couple of photographs and notes on today's training session for you.

(For larger size images at Flickr.com just click.)

Coach Solbakken interrupted training often to explain, complain and illustrate. Here it seems to be on how to dance like a chicken

This is sideways jumping while grapping your crutch

Our Canadian super-star, Atiba Hutchinson, did nothing but jogging and stretching today

Niclas Jensen ready to fire off a left wing free kick

"Incoming!"

Our big guy, Brede Hangeland, about to get to it

Warming down

Today's audience

During today's training game Oscar Wendt did quite a bit of "first team" right back duty. And he did very well. Morten Nordstrand scored the only regular goal after creating a chance himself when exploiting the "second team" defense being sloppy with a fast ball at the wet surface.

Expected lineup

M Allbäck - A Almeida

J Grønkjær - HB Nørregaard - R Würtz - M Silberbauer

N Jensen - B Hangeland - M Gravgaard - O Wendt

J Christiansen

Friendly: Schalke 04 - FC København 2-2

5' 0-1 Michael Gravgaard
9' Kevin Kuranyi 1-1
32' 1-2 Morten Nordstrand
81' Kevin Kuranyi 2-2

Two national team periphery players signed

København complete double swoop

Aalborg BK midfielder Rasmus Würtz described FC København as "the perfect place to play" after joining the Superligaen champions along with FC Nordsjælland striker Morten Nordstrand on Friday.