Semifinal #2 Russia v Spain [R]

[footyfan1]

I think this match will be a freakin' classic. Don't forget to set the DVR's to record!

Prawn, your avatar nearly made me spit out my coffee. Hilarious!! :D

[Pit-182]

Bah... maybe 2008 could really be the year where "furia roja" wins something.

[footyfan1]

Bah... maybe 2008 could really be the year where "furia roja" wins something.

They broke their June 22nd "jinx". Maybe it is their year.

[Ramon Allones]

This thread is about Russia V Spain, no? Lets forget about Italy...They are old news.

I'm glad we will play a team like Russia, that has an open style. But I expect Guus to play a little more cautious against us this time.

Russia scares me in attack cause Spain always has trouble with midfielders that can shoot through the offensive zone quickly.

I always felt that no team in the world (except maybe Brazil or Argentina) could play Spain with an attacking style and still win. We are masters at open play. But Russia has me convinced that they are the revelation of the tournament. I expect a great game: maybe 2-2 after regular time and someone will win it in extra time or pk's.

[Txtriathlete]

This game will be a lot more open, and Spain will get what it needs to win, space.

[Juanele]

Will be interesting to see how much of a difference Arshavin will make in this game. We have the players to exploit their defense and that will happen again if Russia push too much.

[Pichi]

Will be interesting to see how much of a difference Arshavin will make in this game. We have the players to exploit their defense and that will happen again if Russia push too much.

I don't think that Gus likes to play catenaccio so unless he changes his mind, there should be more open play and both sides will have scoring opportunities. If Spains defense plays like it did yesterday things will be difficult for the Russians.

Prediction 3-1
Senna will finally get his goal that he deserves

Aupa Espanha y Viva Er Beti Manque Pierda!!

La Furia Roja!!!

Er Pichi

[laudrup]

^ That Kolodin guy being out will make a huge difference for them... Hiddink will have to revert to one of his clunkier defenders, which is why we won in the group stage.

We can take them.

[dmar]

Just heard on the radio that Aragonés is considering to field Cesc and Alonso for Villa and Senna. I shudder to think in Alonso facing the pacey russian midfield.

[canadianscraggledog]

Such a tough one to call. Spain are more skilled. Russia are stronger and never give up.
Really depends what kind of team Spain shows up.
I predict 2-1 for Spain.

[Oscar]

Just heard on the radio that Aragonés is considering to field Cesc and Alonso for Villa and Senna. I shudder to think in Alonso facing the pacey russian midfield.

He wouldn't take out 2 of our best performing players.....¿would he?

[soccermoms2]

I look forward to a match up between Arshavin v Puyol (my fave defender) and Pedyulin??? v Ramos. Casillas' experience will prevail over the newbie Russian keeper.

And can someone please remind ARagones that the Gruizet? guy who subbed in for Torres was not of the same caliber and should have stayed on the bench. What a waste!

[Ramon Allones]

And can someone please remind ARagones that the Gruizet? guy who subbed in for Torres was not of the same caliber and should have stayed on the bench. What a waste!

I disagree. Guiza is a hell of a player. IMO he has performed well for us when given a chance and is one of the best strikers in the world. (notice he led La Liga in goals without scoring a single PK).

Guiza had a better chances than torres in much less time. IMO Guiza should have been played earlier against a overloaded defensive team. Now, in an open game, I prefer Torres for his speed (and he is certainly a better pk taker).

[laudrup]

Just heard on the radio that Aragonés is considering to field Cesc and Alonso for Villa and Senna. I shudder to think in Alonso facing the pacey russian midfield.

A Alcalá no le hagas ni puto caso.

He also said the main reason is that they both have yellows... which means he doesn't know that the cycle "resets" after the QFs, not after the group stage.

It's going to be the same eleven. If anyone deserves to be dropped, it's Ramos (for whom we don't have a sub that's even close to his level) and Iniesta. I think there's some merit to starting Xabi Alonso, if only to launch fast counters in 2-3 touches, but I doubt it will happen. Cesc for Iniesta should be a given, though.

[Zenit]

^ That Kolodin guy being out will make a huge difference for them... Hiddink will have to revert to one of his clunkier defenders, which is why we won in the group stage.

We can take them.

Kolodin played three horsecrap games in a row, his loss is no big deal. My guess is that Guus will put Shirokov back in, because of his speed.

[laudrup]

Kolodin played three horsecrap games in a row, his loss is no big deal. My guess is that Guus will put Shirokov back in, because of his speed.

You obviously know your Russians better than me, but if Shirokov is the same Shirokov that played against Spain, then speed is one of the things he doesn't have.

[three lions]

What are the chances Fabregas gets the start?

[Sheva7]

Isn't it about time to change the title of this thread? Anyone who doesn't know the result by now is living in a hole.

[dmar]

A Alcalá no le hagas ni puto caso.

He also said the main reason is that they both have yellows... which means he doesn't know that the cycle "resets" after the QFs, not after the group stage.

Well, he also said that the result depended on the physical tests today, and considering that Villa looked really tired at the end against Italy and the effort Senna displayed, I think Aragonés might be considering dropping those two.

I don't want to see Alonso handling DM position alone. He doesn't have the mobility. Pity that grandpa won't consider De la Red.

[footyfan1]

Interesting story in the link below.

Those of us here in Germany who witnessed Arshavin's direction of Zenit St. Petersburg's absolute destruction of Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals and further absolute destruction of UEFA Cup favorites Bayern Munich in their semi-final home leg, know this is not a ridiculous assessment in the story.

I got to see him play live in Zenit's match-up with Bayern in Munich and he is very impressive indeed.


Yahoo Sports: Arshavin's Euro Debut Mirrors Pele's '58 World Cup Debut (http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-euro2008-extratime&prov=ap&type=lgns)