Euro 2008 matchday 3 roundup

Several more Reds saw the pitch in the last matchday of the group stages, thanks to Spain fielding a B team having already qualified.

In Spain’s game, 3 Liverpool players started. Fernando Torres was rested alongside 9 other starters, which made room for Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, and Xabi Alonso. Alonso was the captain on the day and picked up a Man of the Match Award from UEFA.

He played much deeper than usual, conducting the attack from the back as a lone defensive midfielder. Reina and Arbeloa’s defense conceded one goal from a set piece, but their teammates bailed them out by scoring two in the second half to preserve Spain’s win streak.

All 3 went the full 90 minutes, and Arbeloa collected a yellow card. They now advance to the quarterfinals to face Italy. Torres is a certainty to return for that game, and Alonso won’t have done his chances any harm, though he will likely still miss out to the more physical Marcos Senna.

One day prior, Dirk Kuyt helped the Netherlands keep a similar 3 game win streak intact when he came off the bench for Holland.

A victim of the wholesale changes that saw the reserve side fielded against Romania, Kuyt replaced Arjen Robben after an hour of play. Holland won 2-0 and will now face Russia. With Robben and Robin van Persie back to fitness having played this game, Kuyt faces stiff competition to keep his place.

He’s not quite a Red yet, but future signing Philip Degen will take no further part in the Euros after host nation Switzerland crashed out of the tournament.

Degen did not gain fitness quick enough to be involved in any games, and will rightly be disappointed with the tournament.