Villa stars as Spain signal their intent

A scintillating hat-trick from David Villa gave Spain a clear-cut 4-1 victory over Russia in their first outing at UEFA EURO 2008™ and confirmed the immense power of the Valencia CF striker's partnership with Fernando Torres.

Thrilling match
In a high-quality Group D encounter, Russia provided moments to indicate that Luis Aragonés's side may still be vulnerable at the back and gained consolation with Roman Pavlyuchenko's 86th-minute header. But Villa's second goal in particular was a stunning team move which may already be one of the goals of the tournament. Only the seventh player in finals history to score three in a game, the 26-year-old's treble was the first in a EURO since Patrick Kluivert's against Yugoslavia eight years ago. Villa then utterly stamped his class on the match, crossing for Xavi Hernández to volley and substitute Cesc Fàbregas to head in the fourth in stoppage time.

Unerring finish
Torres has always asked for a quick supply of the ball at international level and in the 20th minute he got it. Courtesy of a Joan Capdevila interception and a notable right-footed pass from the left-back, the Liverpool FC forward was left one on one with his marker. Torres used good upper body strength to put Denis Kolodin under immense pressure and when the Spaniard skipped clear he allowed goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev to try and dive at his feet before slipping the ball to the right, into the path of Villa who finished unerringly. Such was the drama of the contest that within seconds Russia nearly equalised. Their love of overlapping full-back play had already caused havoc in the jumpy Spain back line, but instead of Aleksandr Anyukov this time it was Dmitri Sychev whose right-wing cross drifted, agonisingly, across Carles Puyol, Marcos Senna and even Andrés Iniesta before Konstantin Zyryanov cracked the ball off the post.

Second goal
Instead of daunting Spain, it seemed as if the players in red took their luck as an indication that this was their night. Within six minutes of Villa's first goal, he and Torres had created three outstanding opportunities – two of which needed smart blocks by Akinfeev. Russia, for their part, were fighting like terriers to impose themselves, repeatedly catching Iniesta in possession, and Pavlyuchenko even hit the bar with a left-footed shot though referee Konrad Plautz had already called a foul. Villa closed a sparkling 45 minutes with Spain's second, however, following a brilliant move. Zyryanov attempted an ambitious pass across the Spain box and David Silva ran to retrieve it, sparking a lightning-quick passing movement through Silva, Capdevila and Iniesta which left Villa sprinting into the box where he slipped the ball between Akinfeev's legs.

End to end
The introduction of Vladimir Bystrov for Sychev made an impact as Russia sought a way back. Guus Hiddink's men pushed forward relentlessly and Bystrov's header from Zyryanov's cross in the 51st minute brought Iker Casillas into action before Diniyar Bilyaletdinov shot narrowly wide eight minutes later. However, Spain were irrepressible. Fàbregas came on for Torres as Aragonés chose to rest his striker and give the Arsenal FC man a taste of the action. Villa almost had his hat-trick in the 66th minute but was prevented by a superb Anyukov tackle, yet the forward did not have to wait much longer. With 15 minutes left, he turned Roman Shirokov inside out and finished expertly with his right foot. It was just that Russia's commitment to attack eventually won some reward in the final minutes. Zyryanov, culpable for the second goal but Hiddink's best player, took a corner which Shirokov nodded on and Pavlyuchenko headed in at the back post. Even then Villa had the last word, though, creating Spain's fourth and Fàbregas's first for his country.

France's Gallas sets team goal

The France players who started Monday's opening game against Romania were in pensive mood as they watched the rest of the squad rattle in seven goals in a 45-minute training match against a junior regional team in Chatel-Saint-Denis today.

'Decisive'
In Zurich, France's first XI failed to find the net once against a well-organised Romania side – and more worryingly still, they also struggled to create chances. The result has left the two-time European champions under pressure ahead of their next Group C match against the Netherlands, and defender William Gallas is counting on a positive reaction from Les Bleus. "We don't have a choice any more," he said. "Every match will be decisive from now on and it's up to us to beat the Netherlands and get on top of the group. That won't be easy but we are capable of getting three points."

Quick passing
With Romania adopting a cautious approach, the Arsenal FC captain had a relatively quiet evening at the back, leaving him well-placed to observe the shortfalls of France's attacking play. He believes the speed at which they constructed their moves was the root of the problem, saying: "We need to try to accelerate the play to create more openings. We seemed to lack the energy needed to play quicker and that gave Romania time to get behind the ball. Perhaps we'll need to change our style and start passing a bit quicker."

Team meeting
Having had a day to digest the first game, Gallas was full of bright ideas at Tuesday's news conference and said he is looking forward to a frank discussion between players and coach Raymond Domenech at the next team meeting. "We need to respond positively by discussing everything as much as possible," the 30-year-old said. "Personally, I'm really looking forward to the meeting. We've got a lot of things to talk about. Having discussions like that is very important because it's the only way to move forward as a team."

Goal threat
While France looked as solid as ever in defence in Zurich, the crux of the debate is likely to focus on rediscovering their attacking fluency. Thierry Henry should return in Berne on Friday, but Gallas insists it is up to every player to try to score – himself included. "We mustn't only talk about the strikers because it's important to have players supporting them as well," he stressed. "All that matters is that we score a goal, it doesn't matter where it comes from. Even a defender can score from a set-piece. I intend to start practising getting my head on corners in the next training session."

Is Henry France's missing link?

Les Bleus produced little on Monday to suggest a third UEFA European Championship crown might be on its way, but there was some positive news when Thierry Henry revealed that the mystery injury he has been carrying is only a thigh strain and said he was confident of returning against the Netherlands.

Immense presence
Henry has divided opinions in his homeland for years. His elegant style has many fans in raptures, while others accuse him of arrogance and complain he has rarely shown his brilliant best in the blue of France. The 30-year-old has had a difficult season, but certain facts must not be overlooked: Henry is the most prolific player in France's history, he has also set up more goals for his country than the legendary Zinédine Zidane managed – and his immense presence was sorely missed in Zurich last night.

Exceptional strikers
Karim Benzema and Nicolas Anelka are exceptional strikers, bristling with pace and power, yet neither have Henry's presence, personality or know-how. They were starting together for the first time against Romania – and it showed. Henry may not have the legs he used to, but with Benzema and Franck Ribéry buzzing around him that would not matter. He gives the side a focal point, reassures team-mates and worries opponents in equal measure. He is also the man most likely to convert a scoring chance.

Dutch threat
If the FC Barcelona forward does not play against the Oranje on Friday, France could be packing their bags far earlier than they ever imagined. Do you agree, or do you feel Anelka and Benzema deserve another chance? Is Bafétimbi Gomis the answer, or would the out-of-favour David Trezeguet have won it for France last night? What do you think?

Bryant Leads Lakers to Game 3 Win

L.A. Lakers 87, Boston 81 (F)

LOS ANGELES, June 10 (AP) On his floor and on his game, Kobe Bryant revived the Los Angeles Lakers -- and the NBA finals.

With his team one loss from having to make an impossible climb, Bryant was close to MVP form, scoring 36 points on an assortment of spins, drives and jumpers and reserve Sasha Vujacic added 20 points as the Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 87-81 in Game 3 on Tuesday night.

A change of time zones, jerseys and attitude did wonders for the Lakers, who staggered home from Boston in an 0-2 hole and couldn't afford to fall any further behind in the first best-of-seven matchup between the league's marquee teams since 1987.

No team in NBA playoff history has ever overcome an 0-3 deficit.

Bryant made sure the Lakers won't have to.

And this time, the superstar got some help.

Vujacic, the self-proclaimed "Machine,'' made three 3-pointers, including a crucial one from the left corner with 1:53 left that gave the Lakers an 81-76 lead. Pau Gasol finally flexed his muscles with two inside baskets in the fourth quarter and Derek Fisher, who took an $8-million pay cut to come back and play for the Lakers, made two free throws with 1:33 remaining as the Lakers held on.

"We just wanted to play,'' said Bryant, whose only glaring flaw was an 11-of-18 night from the foul line. "I don't think anyone was feeling desperate.''

Game 4 is Thursday night at the Staples Center, where the Lakers are 9-0 in the playoffs and unbeaten in 15 games since March 28.

But it took everything they had to keep that streak alive as the Celtics, two wins from their 17th NBA title, made the Lakers play a more physical, Eastern Conference-style game.

Ray Allen scored 25 points -- 15 on 3-pointers -- for the Celtics, but only one-third of Boston's Big Three showed up.

Kevin Garnett scored 13 points on just 6-of-21 shooting and Paul Pierce, playing a short drive from his childhood home, had only six points, missed 12 shots and was in foul trouble all night.

Momentum Shifts Too Late for L.A.

BOSTON, June 8, 2008 -- Boston had Game 2 closed up in a Ziploc bag and just as it was applying the yellow plus blue makes Celtics green seal, L.A. almost pulled off a great escape.

Trailing 95-71 with 7:55 to go in the fourth quarter, the Lakers mounted a furious comeback as they drew to within two at 104-102 with less than a minute remaining before succumbing to the home team, 108-102 to fall down 0-2 in The Finals.

The Garden had transformed to The Graveyard for L.A. By midway through the fourth quarter, the game had all the makings of your classic blowout:

# Rajon Rondo had as many assists by himself as the Lakers did as a team. (Yikes.)
# The Celtics had a 10-0 run to start the second quarter and an 13-0 run in the third. (Uh oh.)
# Leon Powe had as many points as Kobe Bryant. (Seriously?!)
# Boston had as many made 3-pointers as L.A. had free throws attempted. (Not exactly a recipe for success right there.)

It seemed almost redundant that the capacity crowd at TD Banknorth Garden was continuing to shout its raucous “Beat L.A.! Beat L.A.!” chant because by that point, L.A. had already beat itself.

Instead of the Lake Show it was more like the Lake Didn’t Show Up.

But somehow, all of the sudden, despite all of the poor play by L.A. throughout the first 40 minutes of the game, the momentum started to shift in its favor. What appeared to be a too little, too late Kobe jumper sparked an unbelievable 31-9 run by the Lakers.

Bryant led the charge, scoring 13 of his game-high 30 points during the surge in which the Lakers shot 10-for-14 as a team, including 5-for-7 from deep.

It had to be most improbable turnaround since John Travolta’s career went from Look Who’s Talking Now in 1993 to Pulp Fiction in ’94.

“You just keep playing,” Bryant said. “You don't know what's going to happen.”

Bryant also said that he thinks his teammates learned on Sunday that, “you're never really out of a game,” which is an important lesson for a young squad to understand.

“We played with a sense of desperation and more aggression, and I think that's something for us to take home and learn from,” Bryant added.

Two Bryant free throws brought the Lakers within two with :38 seconds left, but the Celtics’ Paul Pierce (who showed no ill effects from the knee injury he sustained during Game 1) responded with two freebies of his own to boost his game total to 28 points and put Boston back up by four.

The Lakers called timeout with :22 seconds to go, still holding on to a glimmer of hope of returning to L.A. with the series tied 1-1, but Sasha Vujacic had his three-point attempt blocked by Pierce and the Celtics secured the victory.

L.A. scored 42 points in all of the first half and 41 points in the fourth quarter alone during its flurry.

Pierce said that he was disappointed in how his team closed out the game and Boston coach Doc Rivers damned the C’s performance with two C-words:

His team got “cute” when they raced out to a big lead and allowed L.A. to get “comfortable” in the game’s final stanza which opened the door for the Lakers to make their run.

As comfortable as Doc perceived the Lakers to have been, L.A. coach Phil Jackson doesn’t think his team’s cross-country flight back to STAPLES Center to host Games 3, 4 and 5* (*if necessary) will be too cozy.

And the Zen Master doesn’t expect the team’s plane to have a guest on it for the trip either.

Uncle Mo’ doesn’t travel coast to coast.

“It's 2,500 miles away,” Jackson said. “It's too far to carry [the momentum].”

Even if the Lakers don’t believe that they have momentum on their side, at the very least they should know their opponent better. Among the many adjustments Jackson will have make for his team before Game 3 you can expect Jordan Farmar to get more playing time in place of Derek Fisher to guard against Rondo’s first step, the Lakers to key in on their porous perimeter transition defense that allowed Boston to go 9-for-14 from three and for L.A. to ratchet up its intensity and aggression from the opening tip.

The game was reminiscent of Game 4 of the Lakers’ Western Conference Semifinals series with Utah when L.A. erased a 12-point deficit in the last four minutes of regulation to force overtime. But, just like on Sunday, the Lakers couldn’t complete the comeback as they lost that game to the Jazz by seven in OT.

“We just learned about momentum,” Jackson said. “We started turning the corner a little bit in the fourth quarter, but they'd come back, hit a three, something would happen, and I just kept saying we'll find a moment in this game to come back and play it. We just want this game to last long enough to carry it out. But it didn't. So we'll learn some lessons from that and we'll learn some lessons from what we have to do offensively to control the game and control the pace of the game.”