Attack holds key to Ukraine hopes

Ukraine's challenge going into their final Group D match is a simple one. The tournament co-hosts need to win against England to advance to the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter-finals, the very same challenge they faced, incidentally, in their last home game of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying back in October 2009.

Nearly three years on and some 250km further eastwards, what else has changed? The answer is, not much in the Ukraine squad – 11 players (and four of the substitutes) from that 1-0 victory against England on the bank of Dnipro are still in the Ukraine squad and busy preparing amid the slag heaps of Donetsk for tomorrow's big match.

Relieved Italy ready for next challenge

There was a sense of relief in the Italy squad as they qualified for the quarter-finals, but also a sense of a job well done after Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli struck unanswered goals against the Republic of Ireland. Three Azzurri players spoke to UEFA.com at the Municipal Stadium Poznan.

Daniele De Rossi, Italy midfielder

Everything worked out well. We said many times that we had to focus on our own game and if we did we would qualify, as we knew that Spain would play like they did and beat Croatia. We've seen that it was also difficult for them. However, we struggled in this game, perhaps more than the previous two. We couldn't find any space as they closed it down well.

Croatia aware of how close they came

Ivan Rakitić, Ognjen Vukojević and Daniel Pranjić know how agonisingly close they came to causing a massive UEFA EURO 2012 upset against world and European champions Spain, but despite their Group C exit, there was pride in the Croatia camp at the performances they produced in Poland and Ukraine.

Ivan Rakitić, Croatia midfielder

I did not manage to take the chance that came my way. I think I will probably have sleepless nights, thinking about that. It was obvious that we gave everything on the pitch, we gave it our best shot. I can honestly say that my soul was left on that pitch, and I think I need a few people to carry me off the pitch because I am literally dead.

Casillas admits relief after Spain's nervy night

Captain Iker Casillas admitted that Spain's late victory over Croatia in Gdansk "felt like a weight off our shoulders" after the holders waited until the 88th minute before securing their place in the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter-finals through Jesús Navas's goal. Substitute Navas's strike wrapped up top spot in Group C and calmed Spanish nerves after a "draining" evening in Andrés Iniesta's words.

Navas strikes late to break Croatia resistance

A goal two minutes from time by substitute Jesús Navas earned Spain a hard-fought victory over Croatia that sent Vicente del Bosque's side through to the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter-finals and eliminated their opponents from the tournament. 

Both teams knew a victory in their final Group C game would ensure a passage through to the last eight as section winners and following a tense encounter at the Arena Gdansk, it was Navas who settled matters after slotting home  Andrés Iniesta's lay-off in the closing moments at the Arena Gdansk. 

Italy victory good enough to progress

Italy overcame the Republic of Ireland, and a bout of nerves, to take their place in the UEFA EURO 2012 quarter-finals after Spain defeated Croatia in Group C’s other deciding match.

The Azzurri knew victory was a must before kick-off, but they also had to rely on events in Gdansk. Antonio Cassano helped Cesare Prandelli's side towards their part of the bargain, heading in Andrea Pirlo's 35th-minute corner. Italian fears of a high-scoring draw in the corresponding game were allayed by a late Jesús Navas goal, and substitute Mario Balotelli hooked in a late second to make certain of the three points and, ultimately, second place in the section.

Attritional Arbeloa keeps Croatia at bay

Few would have predicted that Álvaro Arbeloa would be Spain's star man as they overcame Croatia 1-0 to top Group C, but the part the full-back played in an excellent defensive performance from La Roja meant he finished the match at the summit of the Castrol EDGE Index.

The Real Madrid CF man, awarded a rating of 9.25, was an integral figure as Spain quelled the attacking threat of their opponents. Arbeloa won possession back for the holders on 12 occasions during the match, including successfully executing two tackles.

Fans' Embassies a hub for supporters

Fans' Embassies in every host city have been catering for the needs of supporters at UEFA EURO 2012, with volunteers providing essential information for visitors in Poland and Ukraine.

Located in convenient, central positions in each host city, the embassies are run under the principle "by fans, for fans" and Sara, one of the volunteers in the Warsaw Fans' Embassy, has been kept busy. "Every day we get about a hundred fans visiting the embassy, and even more on match days," she told UEFA.com. "We also have to be on the phone a lot, since there is a 24-hour helpline in operation.

Clichy savouring France's sweet harmony

France coach Laurent Blanc described Gaël Clichy as having "fire in his legs" after the left-back's dynamic display against Ukraine. A Premier League winner with Manchester City FC, the 26-year-old is in the middle of one of the most exciting periods of his career. He spoke to UEFA.com about Laurent Blanc, an exceptional crop of talented French youngsters, and his desire to give the fans something to celebrate this summer.

Your tweets answered by Salenko

Former Russian international Oleg Salenko holds the record for scoring the most goals in a FIFA World Cup match after registering five against Cameroon in 1994. Now, as UEFA.com continues to give fans a voice at UEFA EURO 2012, the ex-forward dropped in to answer questions sent in by users via Twitter. Salenko had his say on Russia's performance, the best striker he played against and what the future holds for him.

Patience pays off for Portugal's Custódio

Published: Saturday 2 June 2012, 12.50CET

He could have been forgiven for thinking his chance had gone but Custódio, at 29 the oldest uncapped player selected for UEFA EURO 2012, could win his first cap tonight.

As seven teenagers wait in anticipation to make their mark at UEFA EURO 2012, there is one older head travelling to the finals who could have been forgiven for thinking his chance had gone.

After recently celebrating his 29th birthday, Custódio was the oldest of the uncapped players in the 16 squads selected for Poland and Ukraine. The moment that the SC Braga man received the call will live with him forever. "I was at home with my wife and kids," he said. "They all jumped on top of me. It was like I'd just scored."

Poland see of Andorra in emphatic style

Poland 4-0 Andorra 

The UEFA EURO 2012 co-costs ended their preparations for next week's finals with a commanding victory in Warsaw.

Co-hosts Poland secured a morale-boosting 4-0 win against Andorra in their final friendly match before UEFA EURO 2012.

Franciszek Smuda's side were three up at half-time through goals from Ludovic Obraniak, Robert Lewandowski and a Jakub Błaszczykowski penalty. A late second-half spot-kick from Marcin Wasilewski rounded off a convincing performance – and a national-record fifth consecutive clean sheet – before their opening Group A fixture against Greece on Friday.

Drmic delivers as Switzerland down Croatia

Croatia 1-2 Switzerland

Josip Drmic scored from close range in added time to ensure the visitors at least a runners-up finish in qualifying Group 5.

Switzerland assured themselves of a runners-up finish at least in qualifying Group 5 thanks to Josip Drmic's dramatic late winner away against Croatia.

Bidding to move beyond the reach of their third-placed hosts, Switzerland deservedly went ahead through Haris Seferovic after 15 minutes. They were forced onto the back foot after the break, though, and Croatia levelled through Dejan Glavica with 17 minutes to go, before Drmic sealed victory from close range in added time.

Welbeck secures England victory against Belgium

England 1-0 Belgium 

Danny Welbeck's solitary strike ensured Roy Hodgson's side concluded their UEFA EURO 2012 preperations with a win.

Roy Hodgson experienced his first Wembley victory as England overcame Belgium 1-0 in their final game before UEFA EURO 2012.

Nine days ahead of their Group D opener against France in Donetsk, Roy Hodgson named a strong lineup. Scott Parker returned to fortify England's injury-ravaged midfield, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added impetus to the attack on his first senior start. Another livewire, Danny Welbeck, proved the match-winner with a deft first-half finish.

Denmark end preparations with Australia win

Denmark 2-0 Australia

Daniel Agger notched a first-half penalty and Andreas Bjelland doubled the hosts' tally in a game that featured a number of chances for the visitors.

Denmark secured a deserved 2-0 friendly win against Australia in Copenhagen but will be keen to improve in a number of areas if they are to mount a prolonged campaign in Poland and Ukraine.

Daniel Agger put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot following excellent work from Christian Erikssen just after the half-hour and centre-back Andreas Bjelland doubled their tally midway through the second period. The win proved a welcome result following the 3-1 loss to Brazil last time out, but coach Morten Olsen will be concerned about the number of chances Australia were able to create.

All the latest build-up to EURO

Our latest updates include concerns for Croatia over Luka Modrić, Gianluigi Buffon allaying fears over his knock and the Dutch preparing to wave farewell with an Amsterdam friendly.

UEFA EURO 2012 kicks off on Friday and, as anticipation rises, our team of reporters assigned to each of the competing nations bring you the latest news from the camps.

France (Matthew Spiro, @UEFAcomMattS)

Samir Nasri, Hatem Ben Arfa, Olivier Giroud, Adil Rami and Karim Benzema were among those enjoying a spot of French Open tennis this weekend. Awarded time off by Laurent Blanc, several players were spotted in the stands at Roland Garros in Paris. Others had more pressing matters to attend to; Patrice Evra, for example, rushed to the capital "for family reasons", with radio station RMC reporting that the left-back was at his wife’s side when she went in to labour.

Netherlands slot six past Northern Ireland

Netherlands 6-0 Northern Ireland

Three up inside 29 minutes, Bert van Marwijk's team never looked back and went on to secure an emphatic victory in their final warm-up game.

The Netherlands sent out a warning to their UEFA EURO 2012 rivals by easing to a 6-0 victory against Northern Ireland at the Amsterdam ArenA.

As expected, Robin van Persie led the line, while Jetro Willems, who could become the youngest player to take to the field at a UEFA European Championship, was handed a starting berth. The writing was firmly on the wall when Van Persie scored either side of Wesley Sneijder's solo effort. An Ibrahim Afellay double made it 5-0 to the hosts, before Ron Vlaar completed the win.

Last-gasp leveller leaves Croatia flat in Oslo

Norway 1-1 Croatia

Eduardo put Slaven Bilić's men ahead in Oslo, but they were denied victory when Tarik Elyounoussi headed in from a corner in added time.

Tarik Elyounoussi scored a last-gasp equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw for Norway against UEFA EURO 2012 hopefuls Croatia in the visitors' last friendly before travelling to the finals.

Eduardo seemed to have earned Slaven Bilić's men a morale-boosting win when he headed in with just ten minutes to go, but there was a sting in the tail for Croatia as Norway restored parity in added time. Bilić will now be hoping for better against the Republic of Ireland next Sunday.

Portugal's woes continue with Turkey defeat

Portugal 1-3 Turkey

Umut Bulut struck twice as the visitors inflicted a surprise defeat on Paulo Bento's men, who have yet to record a victory in 2012.

Portugal suffered another setback in their preparations for UEFA EURO 2012 and will travel to the tournament without a win this year after losing 3-1 at home against Turkey.

Having previously recorded goalless draws with Poland and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in 2012, Portugal were undone in the second half as Umut Bulut scored twice. Nani restored a little hope for the hosts by halving the deficit and Cristiano Ronaldo missed the chance to level from the spot before Pepe's late own goal sealed the result.

Perfect France make light work of Latvia

France 3-0 Latvia

Eric Mombaerts's team made it six wins from six without conceding to leave themselves on the verge of booking a place in the play-offs.

France moved nine points clear in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 9 thanks to a comfortable 3-0 defeat of Latvia in Sedan.

Eric Mombaerts's team have now won all six of their games in the section without conceding and enjoy a healthy advantage at the summit, though second-placed Slovakia hold a game in hand. Vincent Pajot, Antoine Griezmann and substitute Steven Joseph Monrose got the goals to leave Les Bleuets able to seal their place in the play-offs when they face Kazakhstan on Friday.