A quick summary of action around the UEFA group phase on SAT 06 SEP 2008.
» Poland 01-01 Slovenia: Michał ŻEWŁAKOW scored for the home side on a first half penalty, but less than twenty minutes later, Zlatko DEDIČ had earned an equaliser for Slovenia. Meanwhile, Slovakia took the lead in Group 3 by defeating Northern Ireland.
» Albania 00-00 Sweden: A Swedish side already hit by injuries was made to suffer further when Tobias LINDEROTH was injured just five minutes in. Under new coach Arie HAAN, Albania kept up the tempo and earned a draw in their first Group 1 match. Portugal are atop the group with a win over Malta.
» Israel 02-02 Switzerland: Blaise N’KUFO had headed in the Swiss’ second after 56 minutes, but Yossi BENAYOUN scored one for Israel prior to Ben SAHAR’s stoppage time equaliser. But Greece and Latvia are tied for first in Group 2 after defeating Luxembourg and Moldova respectively.
» Austria 03-01 France: The day’s most surprising result had to be in Group 7, where Marc JANKO put the homestanding Austrians ahead in the eighth minute. Then, in the 72nd minute with the score 2-1, Janko drew a penalty that Andreas IVANSCHITZ converted to seal the win. Les Bleus now find themselves three points behind Austria, Lithuania, and Serbia.
» Spain 01-00 Bosnia-Herzegovina: The new European champions are off to a good start in Group 5, with David VILLA continuing his Euro 2008 form by scoring the only goal in the second half. Turkey and Belgium join Spain atop the group.