Russia V Spain

[loz]

I really hope Russia wins this. In fact I hope Russia wins the whole thing. Other than their horrific showing in the opening game I would say that of the remaining teams they are the ones I have enjoyed watching the most.

If Spain were to win then I would be backing Germany in the final purely because of the Ballack vs Torres thing but should it be Russia vs Germany the fact that Germany has Ballack would not wing my opinion in their favour.

 

[g3.7]

I hope germany win, and that we continue to see great games. but not in that order.

that is all.

 

[abramovich]

I obviously will be rooting for Russia but i'm afraid our run will stop tomorrow. Spain is the team i wanted to face the least, i felt that against Italy we'd have a a better chance.

Still, we live in hope.

 

[Alan]

Germany v Russia final methinks.

 

[valim]

gogog russia with arshavin

 

[lamps]

I really hope Russia wins this. In fact I hope Russia wins the whole thing.

+1 here with same expectations

Germany seem to be the closest to the trophy, even I'd give priority to whoever wins tomorrow's game, Spain or Russia

but, I didn't get to see a lot of this Euro ((( so don't take this statement seriously ))

I expected to see Russia - Turkey in the final match, what a match that would be LOL

 

[ethicalstrategy]

Spain just shat all over Russia.

Never mind Arshavin, we should sign Fabregas. He was superb. Villa's injury was the best thing that could have happened to Spain. Spain were a little fortunate with the first goal - I'm sure Iniesta was shooting, but after that Russia couldn't get near them.

I don't think Germany will make it quite so easy for them on Sunday though. They still remind me of Arsenal a bit - very good if you let them play but will struggle if you put them under pressure.

 

[Nibs]

I really hope Russia wins this. In fact I hope Russia wins the whole thing. Other than their horrific showing in the opening game I would say that of the remaining teams they are the ones I have enjoyed watching the most.If Spain were to win then I would be backing Germany in the final purely because of the Ballack vs Torres thing but should it be Russia vs Germany the fact that Germany has Ballack would not wing my opinion in their favour.

bo**ocks to that Loz. This isn't about Ballack and Torres - it's the f**king Germans for Christ sakes!!!

It should be all about who play the good football. The final will probably be a totally different game but going on semi final performances, Spains are streets ahead.

I'll be cheering Spain on (and their fans are a lot better looking!!!)

 

[loz]

I find it hard to like Spain - not just Fabregas but also TOrres and most significantly their manager is a racist old bugger. However I have to agree Spain play much better football than Germany and if you were basing it on that then they clearly deserve to win.

 

[just]

Really enjoyed the game. Very open. Felt Russia just edged it first-half but Spain were different gravy in the 2nd 45.

I also think that 2nd half performance from the spanish fully vindicated the Italian's defensive tactics from the quarter final. If they had thrown bodies forward and gone after Spain the way Russia tried to, the Azzuri would, in all likelyhood, have been just as comprehensively mullered.

 

[bjd]

I find it hard to like Spain - not just Fabregas but also TOrres and most significantly their manager is a racist old bugger. However I have to agree Spain play much better football than Germany and if you were basing it on that then they clearly deserve to win.

Yep The Hun for me too, this is purely because of the Ballack factor though.

 

[loz]

Surprised you thought Russia edged the first 45 Just. I thought Spain were the better side throughout, clearly streets ahead in the second but also more the more impressive in the first. I don't really think Russia could have had too many complaints about being 2 down at half time if that had transpired.

All in all a very one sided affair for a major semi final - quite disappointed as I had high hopes for Russia.

 

[abramovich]

Surprised you thought Russia edged the first 45 Just. I thought Spain were the better side throughout, clearly streets ahead in the second but also more the more impressive in the first. I don't really think Russia could have had too many complaints about being 2 down at half time if that had transpired. All in all a very one sided affair for a major semi final - quite disappointed as I had high hopes for Russia.

Well, just as i thought we were outclassed by a superior Spanish team yet once more. Still, proud of my young team and hope Hiddink will build on this towards the WC 2010.

 

[loz]

Well, just as i thought we were outclassed by a superior Spanish team yet once more. Still, proud of my young team and hope Hiddink will build on this towards the WC 2010.

I think that is a pretty good (and fair) attitude to take. A semi final place must have been about as much as Russia could have ever hoped for - of course it is gutting to fall so close to the final but to have got as far as they did and to have impressed along the way (other than the first game and obviously today where they were simply outplayed by a much better side) is something they can be proud of even though it probably doesn't feel that way at the moment.

It has been a good year for Russian football. Semis in the Euros, winners of the UEFA Cup and hosted the CL final. I think we will see more and more players making the move from Russia into the Spanish, Italian, German and English league over the coming years. A lot of money has been pumped into youth development in Russia and it would appear it may be starting to pay off.

 

[g3.7]

I think that is a pretty good (and fair) attitude to take. A semi final place must have been about as much as Russia could have ever hoped for - of course it is gutting to fall so close to the final but to have got as far as they did and to have impressed along the way (other than the first game and obviously today where they were simply outplayed by a much better side) is something they can be proud of even though it probably doesn't feel that way at the moment.It has been a good year for Russian football. Semis in the Euros, winners of the UEFA Cup and hosted the CL final. I think we will see more and more players making the move from Russia into the Spanish, Italian, German and English league over the coming years. A lot of money has been pumped into youth development in Russia and it would appear it may be starting to pay off.

strong performance from spain again, russia go out a credit to themselves and the tournament.

think the final is set up nicely, shame villa will miss it, but fabregas was great when he came on, a bit too much nonsense from pleat over his second assist (really the credit for that should go more to iniesta and silva, but his pass for guiza was sublime. arshavin never ever got enough of the ball, and zhirkov was pinned back for much of the game.

want germany to win because they have ballack, and because fabregas is a petulant twat and aragones an utter c**t.

the tournament has been excellent, international football at it's best (or at least, it's most watchable).

 

[JT26CFC]

So for Xavi's goal, freaking andy gray/tommy smyth whoever it was, was absolutley sure that iniesta was going for a shot in the top right corner. To me it looked like a cross. I can't believe i have to listen to that guy talk and he's still annoyed that portugal are out.

I really want Germany to win.

 

[ethicalstrategy]

So for Xavi's goal, freaking andy gray/tommy smyth whoever it was, was absolutley sure that iniesta was going for a shot in the top right corner. To me it looked like a cross. I can't believe i have to listen to that guy talk and he's still annoyed that portugal are out.I really want Germany to win.

It was a shot. You don't cross the ball like that.