La enhorabuena a la Furia Roja!! Luis is finally earning his nickname "El Sabio" as of late. Cesc was impressive and to be honest Villa wasn't a factor at all during his first 35 minutes in the match. He'll be out for the Germany match with a pulled muscle on his femoral bicep of his right leg. That means Cesc more than likely will take his place. Aupa Espanha y Viva Er Beti Manque Lopera!! La Furia Roja!! Er Pichi
Muchas felicidades por la victoria! Congrats to Spain on reaching the 1st final since 1984! Impressive performance after the interval against Russians who couldn't confirm their great shape from the Sweden & Holland games. They had a big scoring opportunity by Pavlytshenko in the first half, but looked very tired after the 0:1 lag. Arshavin was totally invisible this time (really surprising), so the Russian team lacked the creativity shown against Sweden & Holland! The Russians conceded 7 of their 8 goals against Espana.
congratulations to spain hope it'll be an attacking final and that spain will be built up as favourites in the days leading up to it
great preformance by Cesc Fabregas, he really played advanced and was integral on the goals. Senna did a masterfull job of shuting down the Russian midfield, much better than Engalaar did for the Dutch. I think the Villa injury has opened the door for Spain to play in a 4-5-1 with Cesc starting.
I agree with you on all accounts. Cesc has been massive for Spain and Senna is one of the players of the tournament. Unsung guy who allows Xavi, Cesc, and Iniesta to create. Hes a rock.
I just don't see this particular Spanish national team doing that. They really, really are a special bunch.
For the neutral, this was among the dullest matches of the entire tournament. Much less interesting than Italy-Spain, even. The fan zone shots during the blackout of the other semi were more interesting than long stretches of this one. Russia had absolutely nothing. Croatia, say, or Portugal would have beat them five-nil on that performance. What was Hiddink thinking switching to such a negative strategy? A guaranteed momentum killer, they should have blasted away at Spain right out of the gate. It would have been far better to give up an early goal than fritter away the team's self-belief. Guus, genius that he is, has to shoulder heavy blame for how bad Russia looked. Everyone is going ga-ga over Spain now, but they didn't impress me at all. They got a semi-fluky goal and then put together a couple of nice passing moves at the edge of the box after Russia had laid down and died prematurely. So what? I expect the final to be dire. Even if there are a few goals, neither Spain nor Germany has really shown me anything to cheer about. It will be a clash of mediocrities with a very few class plays by individuals scattered here and there... Podolski, Pigboy, Cesc, that's about it. Ramos and Lahm feeling lively would help, but not enough. Some absolute howlers from the defenses and keepers (well, from Lehmann anyway) would be welcome too, just to spice it up, and as early in the match as possible. Euro 2008 ends with a whimper.
I think Russian left the best of their game for Holland. They should have been a tad fresher against Spain not having played to penalties, yet they looked flat. Credit Spain though, they did a great job of marking Arshanin completely out of the match. He made some runs in the first half and rarely touched the ball in the second half and when he did he was picked clean of the ball by Spanish defenders. Lovely one touch on the build up for the third goal. That was an incredible sequence. Thank God we get to see a team play in a final that brings creativity and a mind set to attack. Germany will no doubt hack the living crap out of the Spaniards. Hopefully, the referee will clamp down on hard challenges and persistent infringement, because that is how Germany plays when they come across more technical and more skillful teams.
You wanted or not. Spains passing abilities are espectacular. Not many sides arround the world are that good with the ball. Perhaps, argentina on a superb day. Russia got nothing? lets not be retarded here. Russia's striking capabilities are far stronger than croatia. Saying that croatia or portugal would of beaten Russia five-nil is beyond stupid. Holland was far superior in every aspect than quote ''weak russia''. When russia attacked holland it was ah sublime display, you wanted or not IT WAS. I dont think you understand that russias style of play is perfect for the spaniards game. Spain tired them down, like they have done with the 22 teams they have beaten prior to the game. Posesion of the ball is a big advantange against a team which runs a lot. Aragones defeated hiddink. 4-1 and 3-0. Hiddink was not to confident about beating spain. Just look at his comentaries before the match. Says something. This is idiotic. What side impressed you? Holland? Portugal? who? Spain have their style of play which is short passes and they had some great, I mean great one touches. To take that away from spain, is not understanding what football is about. Passing. Germany play classy football. pass, Cross, Header. They play the basics. Spain plays possesion, skills, and art. These two teams have different styles of play and they are really dangerous teams. So, im happy they are playing against each other. Speak for your self, and the team you supported.
That's not true, man. Look to the UEFA statistics! Both teams very fair, Spain 6 yellow cards, Germany 5 yellow cards and dump red card from pigman. It was deserved but not a brutal foul. And now, fouls committed: the Spanish team with the second place of all teams with 95 fouls committed at all, the German team only 71. Per cent this will be about 5 mor fouls committed in one game. Fouls suffered, Spain is even on top with 95, Germany with 82. At all, the German play is very fair to opponents. www.uefa.com
Wehrmacht will steamroll Spain this Sunday, after Spain's pityful display against Italy and Russia i'm preparing for 3:0 or 3:1 (Germans might give up late goal after game will be decided).
Yep. Hopefully the refereeing will be better informed and less biased than some comments by the moderators here.