Euro 2008 pads the budget at UEFA

Zurich, Switzerland (TSR, text and video, Fre) - The Euro 2008  matches are a fading memory in the fans' minds, but they are a healthy bit of black ink on the financial ledgers of the organizing body, UEFA: CHF2.15 billion in revenues, an increase of 50% over money taken in four years earlier in Portugal. With expenses of CHF1.7b, UEFA is left with CHF412 to finance junior and women's programmes.

UEFA Direct, August issue, is available as a PDF and features a look back at the Euro 2008 championship, with statistics, a review of the matches and photos.

Euro fans boost rail traffic

Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Euro 2008 fans are likely to guarantee that Switzerland remains well in the lead for European rail travel: the CFF reports that some two million football fans travelled on over 4,000 additional trains it put on, to watch the matches.

Euro 2008: Spain, Euro champs after 44 years

Vienna, Austria (GenevaLunch) - Spain has been crowned the European football champion for the second time since 1944.

Hands for Spain, photo @ Amir Rijavec

Fernando Torres scored the only goal in Vienna, Austria to defeat Germany in the final of the European Football Championship 2008. Spain had not made it past the quarter-finals of any competition in 24 years, yet this time around they became the undefeated team of the Cup.

It was 21 June 1944 when Spain beat the USSR squad 2-1. Luis Aragone's men claimed the Henri Delaunay trophy for Spain against Germany, a squad that wanted to win their fourth European title. Germany has played in 13 finals in World and European Cups.

This was the first game in which Spain played with a counter-attacking strategy and did not dominate from the beginning. Aragones' team only had 48 percent ball possession.

Thousands of revelers gathered in Plainpalais in Geneva, to celebrate Spain's undefeated reign in an attendance record-breaking evening.

[Update, Monday] Details, swissinfo

Euro 2008: first time in 24 years, undefeated Spain to finals

Vienna, Austria (GenevaLunch) - Spain extended its unbeaten streak to 21 games and reached the Euro 2008 final with a 3-0 win against Russia in the European Football Championship. Russia had previously eliminated the Dutch, one of the favourites, but fell to the "bravio" of the Spanish squad.

Photo, Spanish fans in Geneva @ Amir Rijavec

Spain had not been one of the favourites to win the Euro Cup but against many odds it became the only undefeated team to make it to the semi-finals. Second-half goals from Xavi Hernández, Daniel Güiza and David Silva sends Spain through to a EURO 2008 final against Germany.

Spain coach Luis Aragonés was full of praise for his side's "fantastic" performance after a dominant display against Russia took his team into the final of a major tournament for the first time in 24 years. Russian coach Guus Hiddink was generous in defeat and agreed Spain's short passing game made the difference.

Ads spending up thanks to cool drinks for Euro 2008

Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Advertising in Switzerland rose by a hefty 8.4% on an annual basis for the month of May, according to figures published by Media Focus. A large part of the boost comes from heavy spending on ads for drinks, probably linked to the Euro 2008 football matches, the media observer notes.

Euro 2008: Turkey eliminated! Germany goes to the finals

Basel, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Another fabulous match for Turkey, but unfortunately, the "comeback" kids could not overcome Germany and were eliminated 2-3.

Turkey's coach, Fatih Terim, also known as "The Emperor" in his country, says he is very proud of his team but he will most likely go back to coaching a football club somewhere in Europe.

Miroslav Klose, who scored one of the goals for the German squad, says his team played with passion at the end and deserved to win. But, he says, "We didn't want to play like this." Germany will play against the winner of the Spain vs Russia match this Sunday in Vienna.  

Euro 2008: Football euphoria returns to Switzerland, one last time

Basel, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Football fans are already flocking in to Basel for the last of the European Football Championship games to take place in Switzerland. At stake is the qualification for the finals that will take place 27 June in Vienna, Austria.

Photo @ Roi Shiratski

In this semi-final game, the "come-back" kids: Turkey will face the ever strong Germany. The Turks will play their first ever semi-final on the European stage. Turkey coach Fatih Terim says there are no miracles in football, rather "there are three results you can get: win, lose or draw" and Terim thinks Turkey can win tonight in Basel.

Photos: Basel city centre, @ Euro 2008 S.A.

Germany captain Michael Ballack, says his team is ready to face Turkey and does not underestimate their game. "How could we underestimate a team that beat Croatia? We lost against that team and did not look good doing so."

Let the knockout game begin, 20:45. This will be the last match to be played in the Confederation, the next games will be played in Vienna.

Swiss train workers take off orange vests to save Dutch football fans

Basel, Switzerland (Reuters) - In one of the odder twists to the Euro 2008 Cup football games, Swiss railway CFF workers have switched from orange to yellow vests in Basel, a centre for Dutch fans during the championship. The change in 1,500 workers' safety vests was made after a group of Dutch fans followed a worker wearing their national orange colour onto the tracks.

International sports, football: Euro 2008

(GenevaLunch, by Nick Bates) - Spain beat Italy 4-2 on penalties after a dull 0-0 match went to extra time. The Spanish star was goalkeeper Iker Casillas who saved two penalties. On Saturday the attractive Dutch team was beaten 3-1 by Russia despite the support of the massive orange army of fans. Details: swissinfo

Euro 2008 pause: click! a word of thanks

GenevaLunch would like to say thank you to the photographers who have been sharing their great Euro 2008 photos with us: you can see their images in our collection of Euro 2008 stories. While we are at it, a big thank you goes to the contributors who regularly share with us their views of life in the Lake Geneva region. Over the past few months, some 20 photographers from around the region have posted their photos here and they deserve a round of applause. See the entire collection by selecting Photos/Flickr from our menu at the top of the page, then view more of their great photography by clicking on their names or images. Welcome to the newest contributor, Genevajyc! You can see more images, mainly from the region, by GenevaLunch staff in our photo albums. Most of our images can be viewed larger by clicking on the image itself - try it with this poppy for a little nature break.