Grp D Spain 4-1 Russia Innsbruck - Tivoli Neu
David Villa scored a fantastic hattrick to destroy Russia in the first match of group D. One of the more interesting part of Villa’s performance was his link up play with Torres. They linked up very well and I would love to see him in a Liverpool shirt. I think it is very unlikely that we will sign him. He is probably out of our financial reach, but I can hope for it. I think we should try to sign Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid, when everyone is trying to go after Villa. He is much younger and one of the brightest stars of world football. Fabregas scored the fourth goal for Spain. Pavluchenko scored the consolation goal for Russia. I think Spain should be beware and do not read much into their performance. Spain started the 2006 world cup in the same dynamic, but they were out of the world cup in first knock out stage against France. I thought Torres also looked lively and he had couple of good chances to score the goal. He was not able to take those chances and he would have buried them on another day. It was an entertaining match and Spain kept attacking on Russian goal. I think Spanish defense need some improvement to have any chance of winning the Euro 2008. The defense can prove the liability in the end for Spain.

Man of the Match: David Villa (Spain)


Grp D Greece 0-2 Sweden Salzburg - EM Stadion Wals-Siezenheim
Greek came to this game with the same plan used by them in Euro 2004. As I said in my preview of Euro 2008, they will find it hard to play their 1-0 football this time around. The match was 0-0 by half time and Sweden were attacking on Greek, but I thought Greece had better chances than Swedes. Even though, they were defensive for the most part. Ibrahimovic and Hansson scored for Sweden to end the Greek resistance. I thought it was deserved victory for Sweden. I think Greece will find it very hard to get out of this group after the current defeat. They need a miracle in my opinion.

Man of the Match: Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden)

Romania 0-0 France Zurich - Letzigrund
The match between France and Romania never lived up to expectations. Romania coach probably watched the videos between Scotland and France in the Euro 2008 qualifiers. Romania came into match with a game plan. They decided not to let the French settle into their system and they were successful with their strategy. I think French will find it very hard to qualify out of so called group of death. Some of their players are too young and some are well past their best days. The successful teams in these tournaments have the age range of 24 to 28 and French are missing the players in this range. French created couple of good chances in the match, but they were not able to finish their chances. I think Benzema played too deep down the midfield. They need to play him as a striker to make an impact for France. Ribery was also kept quite by the Romanian defense. It was one of the most boring matches of the Euro 2008 so far.

Man of the Match: Cristian Chivu (Romania)


Netherlands 3-0 Italy Berne - Stade de Suisse
Creators of Total Football destroyed the creators of Catenaccio in the second match of group C. Dutch were brilliant against the Italians and they fully deserved their 3-0 victory. It was first time since 1978 world cup match that Dutch beat the Italians. I think Dirk Kuyt was awesome for the Dutch and he provided two assists for the match. He was my man of the match. Many people do not give him the credit for his hard work including some of the Liverpool supporters. I think he does all the donkey work to provide space for Torres and Gerrard. Rudd Van Nistelrooy scored the first goal from the cross provided by Kuyt and he missed two other good chances before and after that goal as well. It was dodgy goal, because he was in off side position. It was karma for Italians, they cheated against Australia to get the penalty and the first goal scored by AC Milan in 2007 European Cup final was hand ball. Sneijder beautifully headed the goal from Kuyt’s cross to make it 2-0. Van Bronckhorst scored the third goal in 80 minute. I think Italians need to go back to blackboard and work on the basics. They were lackluster and destroyed by a Dutch side missing some of their key players. It was the best match of the tournament and best match I have seen since the second leg match against Arsenal at Anfield in Champions League. Dutch kept attacking even after going up 2-0. Many pundits are considering the Dutch super hot favorite for the tournament after destroying World Champions. I think they must not get over confidents after this great performance. They still need to win 5 more matches to claim their first major honor on international stage since 1988.

Man of the Match: Dirk Kuyt (Netherlands)

Grp B Austria 0-1 Croatia Vienna - Ernst Happel
Croatia defeated host Austria thanks to a controversial penalty given to them in fourth minute. New Spurs signing Luka Modric scored the penalty. Croatia were failed to dominate the match as it was expected before the match. Austria was well organized and dominated the match especially in the second half. They were unlucky to not score a goal. They are the worst rank team in the tournament and they deserved at least a draw in the match. Croatia never got going after scoring the goal in fourth minute and they need improvement to have any chance of going far in the tournament.

Man of the Match: Emanuel Pogatetz (Austria)


Grp B Germany 2-0 Poland Klagenfurt - Wörthersee
Germans defeated the Poland in a very entertaining match thank to pair of goals from Lukas Podolski in either half. Poland is no match to Germany in world football, but they are two rival nations. Their rivalry goes back to 1930’s. Nazi Germany of Adolf Hitler invaded the Poland at that time. Germany dominated the match as they were expected before the match. New wonder kid of German football Gomez missed two brilliant chances to score the goal for Germans. Poland also had couple of good chances in the match, which they failed to convert. Germany was good value for their victory and they played some good football.

Man of the Match: Lukas Podolski (Germany)

Grp A Switzerland 0-1 Czech Republic Basel - St. Jakob-Park
Czech Republic beat the host nation Switzerland in the opening match of Euro 2008 thanks to a fortunate goal from substitute Václav Svěrkoš. Switzerland was better of the two sides and they were unlucky to not score a goal from various chances created by them. Liverpool new boy Degan was an unused substitute for the Swiss, because he is still recovering from his injury. I was hoping to see him in action. The match was cagey affair and Czech just had that little bit of luck to see off the Swiss challenge.

Man of the Match: Tomáš Ujfaluši (Czech Republic)


Grp A Portugal 2-0 Turkey Geneva - Stade de Genève
Portugal left behind all the speculations surrounding Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and star player Cristiano Ronaldo to defeat Turkey at Stade de Genève. Brazil born defender Pepe scored the first goal of the match in the second half. Substitute Raul Meireles scored the second goal to put Portugal on their way to victory in the match. Turks were composed and well organized, but they did not show any fire power in front of goal. Now, they need to win both remaining matches to reach quarter finals of this tournament. Portugal was the deserved winner and they are one victory away to book their place in quarter finals.

Man of the Match: Pepe (Portugal)

Senator Obama finally clinched the nomination to run as Democrat candidate in the 2008 Presidential election. It was a historical day in the history of our country. Obama became the first African American to run for President on the ticket of major political party. It shows how far we have come today. We had segregated facilities for colored people only forty years ago.

Clinching Democrat nomination ahead of Senator Clinton is huge achievement. Clinton's have been darling of Democrat party for the last 20 years. Hilary Clinton was odds on favorite to clinch nomination at the start of primary season. Obama was an unknown senator from Chicago. I think Hillary Clinton underestimated Obama to some extent.

I think credit should be given to Senator Obama and his team for setting up a strongest campaign from both major parties. He is different from any other candidate. He is the son of Kenyan father and white mother from Kansas. He is the symbol of American dream.

I have read and heard from many people that Obama should choose Hillary as his running mate. I think it is a terrible idea. It will be like throwing away the election. We have to be realist here. There are still people in our country, who would not vote for a women or African American for president. Obama need a conservative white man from southern states as his running mate to balance the ticket. I wish Senator Obama all the best in the November election and he can count on my VOTE.