ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA earned a record $394 million from the 2008 European Championship.

European football’s governing body said that is an increase of $42 million from Euro 2004, and would be enough to pay for its youth and women’s competitions until 2012 as well as refereeing and coaching programs.

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There is a lot of money to be made in football. I’m always interested in articles relating to the business of the game. This article no exception.

Torres Clinches Euro 2008 For Spain

Spain overcame a nervy start to outclass and control Germany in a largely one-sided Euro 2008 final…

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Who would of guessed that in 2008 not only would Eli Manning and the New York Giants would be Super Bowl winners but Spain would also win a major event. Much like the 2004 final one moment, one mistake and the game was decided as Torres who ran his lungs out the entire game fought through Phillip Lahm and chipped it over Jens Lehmann for the deciding goal. History will more than likely remember Lahm for his deciding goal against Turkey but it must be said that his defence was below par the entire tournament.

Spain 3-0 Russia: Fabregas proves the inspiration

Superb Spain stormed into their first final in 24 years by rolling over in-form Russia at Euro 2008 in Vienna

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You can’t change who you are over the course of two weeks. Spain handled Russia in the group stage and history repeated itself in the semi finals. Russia hung tough for the first 50 minutes but once Xavi scored the class of Spain shown through. Spain now head off to their first major final since 1984 on Sunday against 1996 winners Germany.

Lahm’s Late Show Kloses The Door On Turkish Passage

They came, they saw, they very nearly conquered. An extremely fortuitous Germany are on the way to the Euro 2008 final after being pushed so close by Turkey. The Turks took a first half lead through Ugur Boral before a swift equaliser by Bastian Schweinsteiger. Late drama ensued as Miroslav Klose and Semih Senturk swapped goals, before Phillip Lahm popped up with the winner.

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Lightning struck in Basel which knocked out the television coverage for most of the second half. Lightning however did not strike twice for Turkey in the knockout round as it was they who had a suffer a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Germany.

Phillip Lahm’s beautiful taken goal in the last minute ended Turkey dream run to the semi finals. It was interesting since previously to that Lahm’s wasn’t having his finest hour out there but all of that is now forgotten as Germany heads to the finals.

Italian Rosetti to referee Euro 2008 final

REGENSDORF, Switzerland, June 23 (Reuters) – Italian Roberto Rosetti will referee the Euro 2008 final in Vienna on Sunday, organisers UEFA said on Monday.

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Pierluigi Collina he isn’t but Rosetti is a fine referee in his own right. Both Rosetti and Lubos Michel are the cream of the crop when it comes to referee’s in Europe.

Casillas The Hero As Spain Send Italy Packing

Iker Casillas was the hero as Spain progressed to the semi-finals of Euro 2008 after defeating Italy 4-2 on penalties after 120 minutes of football faild to produce a goal.

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Full credit goes to Spain in this game. One team played to win and another team played not to lose. I can’t fault Italy’s gameplan of soaking up pressure thinking it would frustrate Spain then lead to a mistake and a goal on the counter attack. If that didn’t pan out they still have penalty kicks to fall back on. That coin flip didn’t go Italy’s way today as Spain were worthy winners as they were the more positive side of the two.

Hiddink’s Boys Shock Holland

Guus Hiddink’s Russia pulled off a shock yet richly deserved 3-1 extra time win over tournament favourites Holland.

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This game reminded me of the Super Bowl a couple of years ago between Oakland and Tampa Bay. Jon Gruden seemed to have known everything his old team was going to throw at him and that also appeared to be the case with Guus Hiddink against the Dutch this afternoon.

The Euro’s/World Cup is a lot like a horse race. The teams that race out in front early are rarely the teams that cross the finish line in first.

This is written yesterday. Better late than never.

- Turkey can hold it’s head up high no matter what happens against Croatia. That come back against the Czech Republic will go down as one of the great games in Euro history.

- Top Three Goalies in the World right now.

1. Gianluigi Buffon

2. Artur Boruc

3. Iker Casillas

Always rated Boruc highly but his performance for Poland were outstanding.

- Petr Cech, you took it like a man. That is why you are just about the only likable player on Chelsea for non Chelsea fans. You stood there after the game, answered every question about your mistake when it could of been so easy to blow everyone off, blame the ball etc.

- Despite scoring one goal and getting one point Austria can be proud of their performance. They gave both Germany and Croatia a hard fought game.

- I was spot on Poland about them not advancing due to being the likely team to drop points against Austria

- Was dead wrong on Holland forever.

- Could of looked smart on Romania but that final game display was horrid. An utter lack of heart.

- The bloom is off the Raymond Domenech rose.

- Shocking that Spain looked like World beaters in the group stage.

- Andrei Arshavin is top class. Some team will sign a big check trying to acquire him.

- As Denny Green would say Greece is who we thought they are. Unlike the Arizona Cardinals no one let them off the hook.

Gallant Germans Send Portugal Packing

Germany booked their place in the semi-finals of Euro 2008 after a thrilling 3-2 win over Portugal at St. Jakob Park in Basel.

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I really don’t know what to say. Germany was class and I’ve been worried all along about Portugal’s defending on set pieces. It’s horrible that they can’t improve on that. If it was a 50/50 ball that a German player won I could live with that but both were wide open. Nice push on Ballack’s part however. Atleast Portugal didn’t roll over after going down 2-0, usually the red cards just flying in those spots.

Pre Scolari going to Chelsea 2 wins 0 losses. Post Scolari announcing he was going to Chelsea 0 wins 2 losses.

French Sent Packing As Italy Set Up Spain Classic

Italy qualified for the Euro 2008 quarterfinals with a 2-0 win over ten-man France, courtesy of an Andrea Pirlo penalty and a deflected Daniele De Rossi free-kick…

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Guess this makes up for Euro 2004 where Italy didn’t deserve to be knocked out of the group stage. No Ribery equaled to no chance for game in this game. He was the only player who was able to link up with the offensive talent up front for France. Without Zidane, Raymond Domenech doesn’t look so smart anymore.