SPAIN: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Spain revive Euro 2008 campaign with 2-1 win over 10-man Denmark

Record ID: 334933

  • Title: SPAIN: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Spain revive Euro 2008 campaign with 2-1 win over 10-man Denmark
  • Date: 26th March 2007
  • Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (MARCH 24, 2007) (REUTERS) CROWDS OUTSIDE OF STADIUM
  • Embargoed: 10th April 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA4JO7Q8ZS6HMOMWTAPFZI9B3CA
  • Story Text: Spain revived their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign after first-half goals from strike partners Fernando Morientes and David Villa earned them a 2-1 victory over 10-man Denmark at the Bernabeu in Madrid on Saturday (March 24).
    The win lifted Spain one place to fourth in Group F with six points, one behind Denmark, four behind Northern Ireland -- who have played an extra game -- and six adrift of leaders Sweden.
    Denmark made a bright start but their plans were derailed when defender Niclas Jensen was sent off in the 19th minute after picking up two quick-fire bookings.
    Spain were quick to take advantage, Morientes grabbing the first goal 11 minutes before the break and his Valencia team mate Villa making it 2-0 on the stroke of halftime with a classy individual effort.
    Denmark hit back at the start of the second period when Michael Gravgaard headed in at the near post, but although they gave a ragged Spain several scares the visitors were unable to find the net again.
    Spanish coach Luis Aragones said he was happy they won, but that they shouldn't have played that badly after being 2-0 up.
    "Nerves got the better of us in the second half. The young players should learn how to handle this type of game and not give away the ball so easily. We should have been able to score a third goal which would have put us at ease and in control of the game," he said.
    The match at the Bernabeu got off to a high tempo start as both sides went in search of an early goal, but it was Denmark who looked more dangerous with Dennis Rommedahl and Thomas Kahlenberg going close in the opening 10 minutes.
    Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson told Reuters how he saw the game.
    "I'm disappointed. We started really well, the first 20 minutes we played in my point of view better than Spain. Then we got the red card. I think the referee was involved -- the first yellow card was a disgrace, the second was all right. I don't know why he gave the first but it had a big influence on the game. But at the end of the day we played a good second half with 10 men and we almost got the second goal as well, so we can be proud today," said Tomasson.
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