Denmark and Sweden send Italians packing
Italy, runners-up four years ago, made an extraordinary exit from Euro 2004 on Tuesday despite beating Bulgaria 2-1 in their last group game.
Italy, runners-up four years ago, made an extraordinary exit from Euro 2004 on Tuesday despite beating Bulgaria 2-1 in their last group game.
Denmark and Sweden qualified for the quarter-finals from Group C after the Scandinavian neighbours drew 2-2 in Porto, a result which suited both teams and is certain to fuel Italian conspiracy theories.
Sweden top the group after midfielder Mattias Jonson poked in an equaliser one minute from time, sparking delirious scenes among the Swedish players and fans.
Seconds later Italy grabbed victory in Guimaraes with a goal from Antonio Cassano deep in injury time. But it was to no avail and Italy were out.
It was only in the closing seconds of a full-blooded game that the Swedes played out time in their own half to guarantee a 2-2 draw, a result that had been the focus of huge speculation in the days leading up to the game.
Sweden, Denmark and Italy all finished on five points, but the Italians go out as a result of scoring fewer goals in the games involving the three teams.
Denmark now face the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals. Sweden will play the runner-up in group D, either Germany, the Netherlands or Latvia.
Italy, who had trailed at halftime to a Martin Petrov penalty, equalised through a second half goal from Simone Perrotta before Cassano's late but futile strike.
Striker Jon Dahl Tomasson scored both goals for the Danes, who led twice. Sweden's Henrik Larsson had equalised for Sweden early in the second half, before Jonson saved the Swedes from elimination with his late goal.
Jonson pounced after Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen failed to hold a cross shot.
Off the field, a 28-year-old England soccer fan was stabbed and killed when he chased after a pickpocket early on Tuesday after chasing a pickpocket.
Police arrested a Ukrainian in connection with the incident which authorities said was unrelated to Euro 2004 rivalries.
Holders France, who will play Greece in the quarter-finals on Friday, have lost defender Willy Sagnol who broke his arm in the 3-1 victory over Switzerland on Monday. Sagnol is almost certain to miss the rest of the tournament.
Excitement is building as hosts Portugal prepare to meet England in the first quarter-final on Thursday.
Portugal fans are camping out for nearly two days to buy tickets for the game.
About 100 supporters equipped with sleeping bags and garden chairs were queuing outside the Portuguese Soccer Federation offices on Tuesday to buy some of the 500 tickets to be made available on Wednesday.
The full quarter-final line-up will be settled on Wednesday.
Germany must beat the Czech Republic to ensure a place in the last eight and will face weakened opposition. Czech coach Karel Brueckner confirmed he would rest several senior players for the game ahead of his team's quarter-final.
The Dutch, 1988 champions, play Latvia in the other group D fixture on Wednesday.
After Wednesday's final Group D match against Germany the Czechs players will get to see their wives and girlfriends, ending several weeks of celibacy.
"It isn't only about sex. It's a psychological freeing-up," said team doctor Petr Krejci.