Day 4 - 10/6: Spain v. Russia and Greece v. Sweden

The last group gets underway today. Spain-Russia could be a very intriguing match...the way I see it, the match is set up perfectly because the two teams play opposite styles. Spain likes to keep the ball and pass it through the midfield a lot, whereas Russia will be happy to sit back and hit Spain on the counter.

Meanwhile, I think Greece should be able to beat a Sweden side who are not the same as in recent years. Good article about Rehaggel:
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AqB2LC108km2ltZTKm6HAk0mw7YF?slug=ro-greece061008&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

I expect a lot from the Spain - Russia match, although I wouldn't want to predict the winner...

As long as one of the two games (probably and preferably Spain-Russia) won't be a borefest like France-Romania.

Two dull defensive games would suit me fine. The actual tournament can begin tomorrow.

I want Spain-Russia to be an exciting match (with Spain winning), but I also have Ramos and Akinfeev in my team, so I wouldn't mind a 0-0 either

Andres MOTM

Will be interesting to see how Ibra plays today as well. I have a feeling Sweden are going to be devoid of any creativity

Russia are a massive 9/2 just to in tonight ! and Pav first goal scorer 1-1 is 40/1. The bokies seem to think it will be an easy win for Spain. Dont get me wrong i think they have a great team and could win it but i think Russia wil do very well despite Arshavin and Pog being out.

Losing Pogrebnyak is such a blow given his recent exploits at club level and an overall threat, Arshavin likewise; UEFA must reconsider these suspension rules. Of course we must look at Pavlyuchenko as the one to cause the Spaniards problems but the likes of Zhirkov, Zyrianov & Sychev could pose some problems. Spain on paper should have enough to win the game, but we know the surprises of tournament football.

I don't think Russia will miss Arshavin that much as they have similar players in Bilyaletdinov, Semak, Sychev, etc. I think they will miss Pogrebnyak as he is more direct than Pavlyuchenko. The key player is Zyrianov though as he is the link between defense and attack.
I would worry about the defense though as it can be bullied.

Khadrim wrote:I don't think Russia will miss Arshavin that much as they have similar players in Bilyaletdinov, Semak, Sychev, etc. I think they will miss Pogrebnyak as he is more direct than Pavlyuchenko. The key player is Zyrianov though as he is the link between defense and attack.
I would worry about the defense though as it can be bullied.

Yeah Zyryanov will be key along with Semshov, they have got to protect the back 3. Russia work as a unit and i think Spain will find them hard to break down, the lack of wingers in the Spanish team will help the Russian's imo.

come on, Greece

make Otto proud

you owe him big

How good are Russia defensively?

Calidad wrote:How good are Russia defensively?

Put it this way, if spain play anywhere close to their potential it will be a pretty comfortable win

If they play as many of us are expecting (ie how they usually play ) they will make russia look better defensively than they are

Khadrim wrote:I don't think Russia will miss Arshavin that much as they have similar players in Bilyaletdinov, Semak, Sychev, etc. I think they will miss Pogrebnyak as he is more direct than Pavlyuchenko. The key player is Zyrianov though as he is the link between defense and attack.
I would worry about the defense though as it can be bullied.

For what it's worth, Pavlyuchenko did look in excellent form recently. he scored a brilliant goal against Lithuania.

Calidad wrote:How good are Russia defensively?

Well Akinfeev is a top class keeper who i wouldnt be surprised to see at Arsenal or another top class team in the future if CSKA decide to sell.

At the back will be the Berezutski twins and Ingashevich, they arent renound for their agility but its a pretty solid defence, they are strong and physical, plus they all play for CSKA so they know eachoter really well.

A big big plus for Russia is that their season is only something like 10 games in to a new season so most of the players will be very very fresh.

cheers guys

I might keep Akinfeev as my keeper for the entire group stages then. Spain probably will score today, but I reckon Russia might be able to get 2 clean sheets in the other two games

I'm not expecting much today. The afternoon games are always dour, and the other game has Greece in it.

Russia could be playing with a Libero, you don’t see this these days.

Khadrim wrote:I don't think Russia will miss Arshavin that much as they have similar players in Bilyaletdinov, Semak, Sychev, etc. I think they will miss Pogrebnyak as he is more direct than Pavlyuchenko. The key player is Zyrianov though as he is the link between defense and attack.
I would worry about the defense though as it can be bullied.

I dont think its that bad mate, they are pretty strong, all over 6ft and wont be intimidated.

Calidad wrote:cheers guys

I might keep Akinfeev as my keeper for the entire group stages then. Spain probably will score today, but I reckon Russia might be able to get 2 clean sheets in the other two games

IMO i think they might conceed tonight and might conceed 1 against Sweden...but win 2-1, i expect a clean sheet against Greece. But thats just my prediction.

Kimbo wrote:I'm not expecting much today. The afternoon games are always dour, and the other game has Greece in it.

Greece are more attractive to watch than Sweden imo. I'm not even gonna bother watching that one


Spain game has some potential but on the other hand it could just involve xavi, iniesta and senna/cesc passing the ball about the midfield the whole match while russia park the bus

Russia have to be careful on setpieces...Ramos is excellent in the air and Capdevila always causes havoc.

Sgoater1 wrote:

Calidad wrote:cheers guys

I might keep Akinfeev as my keeper for the entire group stages then. Spain probably will score today, but I reckon Russia might be able to get 2 clean sheets in the other two games

IMO i think they might conceed tonight and might conceed 1 against Sweden...but win 2-1, i expect a clean sheet against Greece. But thats just my prediction.

yea that's a good tip. I'm going to watch Sweden tonight for that reason. See how they do

Khadrim wrote:I don't think Russia will miss Arshavin that much as they have similar players in Bilyaletdinov, Semak, Sychev, etc. I think they will miss Pogrebnyak as he is more direct than Pavlyuchenko. The key player is Zyrianov though as he is the link between defense and attack.
I would worry about the defense though as it can be bullied.

very true, he's an out and out striker & I rate Pogrebniak very high, but he's most useful in or around the box, for which you need to dominate your opponent. Pavlyuchenko on the other hand is better for counterattacking, which they can do very well anyway. Don't know about his shape, but if he's on song he's classy too. He used to be picked over Pogrebniak anyway.

Russia/Greece to win,But saying that I really don't care who goes through in this group as long as it isn't Spain!

Russia now out to 11/2 to win and its 5/2 a draw, the bookies love Spain.

It's probably because they're English bookies, and Spain have Torres + Fabregas

Sgoater1 wrote:

Khadrim wrote:I don't think Russia will miss Arshavin that much as they have similar players in Bilyaletdinov, Semak, Sychev, etc. I think they will miss Pogrebnyak as he is more direct than Pavlyuchenko. The key player is Zyrianov though as he is the link between defense and attack.
I would worry about the defense though as it can be bullied.

I dont think its that bad mate, they are pretty strong, all over 6ft and wont be intimidated.

Except the Berezutsky's have been by Heskey, Rooney and others. For a giant 6ft defensive line-up they are wimps. However Hiddink has introduced Kolodin and Shirokov and hopefully will start with them. Shirokov in particular did well against Toni for Zenit so hopefully will do well.

In the friendlies Russia were doing all the attacking. And whilst they can do this I think they would be better to play a counter attacking game against the Spanish. The one thing they have in abundance is pace.

Khadrim wrote:

Sgoater1 wrote:

Khadrim wrote:I don't think Russia will miss Arshavin that much as they have similar players in Bilyaletdinov, Semak, Sychev, etc. I think they will miss Pogrebnyak as he is more direct than Pavlyuchenko. The key player is Zyrianov though as he is the link between defense and attack.
I would worry about the defense though as it can be bullied.

I dont think its that bad mate, they are pretty strong, all over 6ft and wont be intimidated.

Except the Berezutsky's have been by Heskey, Rooney and others. For a giant 6ft defensive line-up they are wimps. However Hiddink has introduced Kolodin and Shirokov and hopefully will start with them. Shirokov in particular did well against Toni for Zenit so hopefully will do well.

In the friendlies Russia were doing all the attacking. And whilst they can do this I think they would be better to play a counter attacking game against the Spanish. The one thing they have in abundance is pace.

Yeah they did well but i dont know if they will start with them, id like to see Shirokov play after a brilliant season for Zenit, but he only has something like 4/5 caps and i dont knw if Hiddink will give him a start in such a massive game, i think he might go for experiance.

Yeah lots of pace, Bystrov is incredible and will be a big test for Capdevila.

I think this will be a tight game and the Russians might sneak it or get a draw.

Other than the 2 games vs England they only conceeded 3 goals in the other 10 games - the 3 coming against Israel. 8 clean sheets is pretty impressive.

Lothar Matthaus predicts: Spain 2-1 Russia

"With goal machine Fernando Torres, Spain are my secret favourite and the Spanish league is really strong. With Arsenal's Francesc Fabregas in the midfield, Torres virtually guaranteeing goals for Liverpool and outstanding players featuring in their own country, Spain really have a chance to go far.

"Russia with Guus Hiddink are certainly better educated tactically now than in the past. The club success of Zenit St.Petersburg also adds something positive for them. Nevertheless, the Russian team isn't strong enough to face up to Spain and therefore the Iberians will get the opening win."


Lothar Matthaus predicts: Greece 1-1 Sweden

"Greece won't be the same as they were four years ago, they won't get to the final. The team, a credit to manager Otto Rehhagel, managed to qualify top of their group, a really easy group though.

"However, they did lose during their preparations in a friendly against Hungary.

"The Swedes will provide awkward opposition, as they are a physically strong team. That won't suit Greece, especially on set pieces, one of their strengths. Sweden have a player in Ibrahimovic who can make the difference at the top level.

"Nevertheless, Greece will manage a draw in the beginning against a Sweden side that is man for man stronger than the defending champions."