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

I fancy Russia's chances. Think they're more a team than Spain.

By the way to all those talking about Cesc. Will he start?

Afellay wrote:Lothar Matthaus predicts:
"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."

In what sense. He is just talking about Ibrahimovic isn't he. A player who has never performed at a tournament.

Matthäus as a pundit is even worse than Matthäus as a manager. His predicitions usually are always wrong.

Aber auch ein blindes Huhn findet mal ein Korn.

Khadrim wrote:

Afellay wrote:Lothar Matthaus predicts:
"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."

In what sense. He is just talking about Ibrahimovic isn't he. A player who has never performed at a tournament.

Sweden have a Cr@p manager; Greece have a good one. I fancy Greece.

blutgraetsche wrote: His predicitions usually are always wrong.

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

That's odd. Most of the time you expect to see both full backs staying back even if they are productive from set pieces, yet in this case it's the reverse.

Dwarf wrote:

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

That's odd. Most of the time you expect to see both full backs staying back even if they are productive from set pieces, yet in this case it's the reverse.

Could be interesting cos Russia will play with wing backs so could Ramos and Capdevila could be crucial.

It is as predicted in the Russia line-up with Shirokov and Kolodin partnering each other at centre-back for the first time in a competitive game. Zhirkov and Anyukov are the full backs with the former being a naturally gifted left-sided player. Semak will sit in front of defence while Bilyaletdinov, Sychev and Bystrov will look to create while Pavlyuchenko will be alone up front.

Russia XI to play Spain:

Calidad wrote:It's probably because

the odds reflect the bets that have been made already

According to El Pais the starting lineup will indeed be with Senna instead of Cesc or De la Red, putting to rest the rumors that Aragones would have a change of heart about the DM.


....................................Dios...........................


.........Ramos........Marchena.......Puyol................Capdevila............


.........Iniesta.........Senna.............Xavi................Silva...............


......................Villa...................Torres.......................

Cec dropped by Spain, tbh i expected it, and laugh at all the media guys who have been tipping Spain just because of Torres and Cesc.

Sgoater1 wrote:Cec dropped by Spain, tbh i expected it, and laugh at all the media guys who have been tipping Spain just because of Torres and Cesc.

I would prefer Cesc ahead of Xavi to be honest. It's true that Cesc has underperformed for Spain, but he's never been given the freedom there to play like he does for Arsenal. This whole theory that Xavi does the business for Spain is bullshit. The only time I've seen Xavi do more than OK against a big team has been against England several years ago, and that was a friendly.

Russia to get the draw or even better beat Spain

Now Spain have become The BBC's adopted nation it gives me another reason for not wanting Spain to win Euro 2008

Torrente wrote:

Sgoater1 wrote:Cec dropped by Spain, tbh i expected it, and laugh at all the media guys who have been tipping Spain just because of Torres and Cesc.

I would prefer Cesc ahead of Xavi to be honest. It's true that Cesc has underperformed for Spain, but he's never been given the freedom there to play like he does for Arsenal. This whole theory that Xavi does the business for Spain is bullshit. The only time I've seen Xavi do more than OK against a big team has been against England several years ago, and that was a friendly.

I have a better idea, GUTI SELECCION

Spain lineup confirmed. As expected with Senna backing up a central midfield trio of Silva-Xavi-Iniesta (from L-R) and Torres+Villa up front. Marchena had to call the doctor during the warmup but is ok to play.

Torrente wrote:

Sgoater1 wrote:Cec dropped by Spain, tbh i expected it, and laugh at all the media guys who have been tipping Spain just because of Torres and Cesc.

I would prefer Cesc ahead of Xavi to be honest. It's true that Cesc has underperformed for Spain, but he's never been given the freedom there to play like he does for Arsenal. This whole theory that Xavi does the business for Spain is bullshit. The only time I've seen Xavi do more than OK against a big team has been against England several years ago, and that was a friendly.

Plus Cesc is a big game player. He almost always plays well in the big games.

I like both teams, but with Cesc not starting, I am goin to be rooting for Russia(who are my tip for surprise of the tournament).

Should be a cracking game and hopefully a Spain win

Good for Spain but a shame Zhirkov looks to be playing at LB, afterall he has been playing LW for CSKA for the last 3 or so years.

Really, everyone has an eagle as coat of arms..how boring is that!!

Classic Spain so far, all sideways passing.

Torres tries to be Cristiano Ronaldo.

I wonder if Russia can be a force again like the USSR was..sure they have less people, and imo the ones born in asia shouldnt be able to play here..but with all the money now there they can really become a force again me thinks.

Russia not defending well, they're allowing Torres and Villa to get the ball with space around them.

Xavi having a poor game so far, dwelling on the ball too much.

Well the russian defenders are trying to hump torres and villa everytime they have the ball

Russian passing/crosses into the box are terrible.

COTR wrote:Well the russian defenders are trying to hump torres and villa everytime they have the ball

Xabi in your sig

So many fouls

Russians look really good, not a year ago we crushed them with 4-0 or something..Hiddink is turning them into a great side.