Euro 2008: Russia vs. Spain (Matchday)
Good afternoon folks. Apologies for the delay in getting this post up but it's been a busy day.
Today marks the semifinal we've all been waiting for. Spain vs. Russia. Andrei Arshavin vs. Marcos Senna, Roman Pavlyuchenko vs. Carlos Puyol, Guus Hiddink vs. Luis Aragones.
There should be plenty of drama and plenty of skill in what should be a much better match-up than the first meeting between these teams in group play.
If you will be watching the action, or if you just need a place to follow along, please feel free to check in here and provide your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the match.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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Starting line-ups.
Russia:
1-Igor Akinfeev; 22-Aleksandr Anyukov, 2-Vasili Berezutski, 4-Sergei Ignashevich, 18-Yuri Zhirkov; 17-Konstantin Zyryanov, 11-Sergei Semak, 20-Igor Semshov, 9-Ivan Saenko; 10-Andrei Arshavin, 19-Roman Pavlyuchenko
Spain:
1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 5-Carles Puyol, 4-Carlos Marchena, 11-Joan Capdevila; 19-Marcos Senna; 6-Andres Iniesta, 8-Xavi, 21-David Silva; 7-David Villa, 9-Fernando Torres
No changes from Spain. Two changes for Russia, with Torbinski and Kolodin being suspended from yellow cards.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 02:52 PM
And Spain comes out in yellow looking like the Crew. Are they sponsored by Glidden as well?
Posted by: eric | June 26, 2008 at 02:53 PM
5th minute- Sergio Ramos dives in front of a crossed ball in his attacking zone, not quite getting on the other end of it. Good effort, though.
He's been lively going after the Russians so far. It will be interesting to see the battle between him and the Russian left back Zhirkov, who is also looking to go forward.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 02:54 PM
6th minute- Fernando Torres recieves a ball in from Villa on the right side of the penalty area. He tried to shoot first time, but a Russian defender got in the way, and by the time he turned around for another strike, the defense closed him down.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 02:55 PM
6th - Torres can't find the ball under his feet after Villa puts him free inside the box with just the keeper ahead of him. All he can get off is an awkward shot, easily saved.
Oh, sorry. Andy Gray says Spain is wearing mustard.
Posted by: eric | June 26, 2008 at 02:56 PM
11th - Russia makes their first trip down, but nothing really comes of it. They look much calmer in the early going, though.
Villa rips one, just wide.
Posted by: eric | June 26, 2008 at 02:58 PM
11th minute- Villa goes by his man and hits a shot from long range on the left, which the keeper stops without too much trouble.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 02:59 PM
13th minute- A Russian corer was played short, then floated in from the right where Ramos chested the ball back to Casillas.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:01 PM
16th - Pavlyuchenko gets a free kick from 30 out, hits it hard but too high.
Posted by: eric | June 26, 2008 at 03:04 PM
15th minute- Torres and and Ignashevich get tangled up in the box, and the call goes against Torres.
16th minute- Arshavin earns a free kick about 20 yards from the penalty area, near dead center.
Pavlyuchenko hit a shot that went about a foot high! It was a shot that looked dangerous at first sight, but never really troubled Casillas.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Thanks Manic for the live play-by-play. You're the official play-by-play of EURO 2008 for SBI! Ives, can we get him a T-Shirt or something?
Posted by: Jerry | June 26, 2008 at 03:04 PM
18th minute- Zhirkov gets forward for the first time in the match, but he was hounded by Ramos, and his ball went out for a goal kick.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:06 PM
Anyone have a non 360 live feed of the game online? I was able to search and find one for the last game without being asked to download extra software, this time no luck.
Posted by: pat pug | June 26, 2008 at 03:09 PM
20th minute- Spain has had the better of the play, but Russia hasn't played badly. It's been a pretty open game so far.
21st minute- Russia with a free kick from the right side of the field, about ten yards from the penalty area, but the crossed ball was headed away by Spain.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:09 PM
23rd minute- Russia play another corner short, which is knocked out for a throw, which does not result in anything.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:11 PM
I'm still thrown off by Spain in yellow. I don't like it, and I'm not alone, apparently Luis Aragones has an aversion to the colour, refusing to accept yellow flowers when Spain arrived at Dortmund for the 2006 World Cup.
Personally, I think he should just play Cesc in whatever jerseys they are stuck with, and a more relevant point is the game is pretty dull so far. Oh wait, it's a big match, we're supposed to call it 'cagey' or something.
Posted by: eric | June 26, 2008 at 03:11 PM
24th minute- Good play by a Russian defender to stop a streaking Torres from connecting onto a ball.
From the resulting throw in, Ramos hits a shot from the right side of the penalty area, a little bit out, which the keeper caught comfortably.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:12 PM
27th minute- Iniesta did well to chest the ball down on the left side of the area, his back to goal. He then completely whiffed on a turnaround shot.
I think Spain will have the same problems breaking down Russia as they did Italy, but Russia have more thrust in the attacking third, at least in this tournament.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Xavi springs Ineista, but he 100% wiffs on the shot and the chance is gone.
I keep waiting for the Russians to really start playing, but Spain is steadily taking control.
Posted by: eric | June 26, 2008 at 03:16 PM
29th minute- Zhirianov disposessed a Spanish player. The problem is he went through the player before that.
Free kick 10 or 15 yards from the area, near center. Villa hit it at goal, but right at the keeper.
Russia sprung with a counterattack, but it fizzled out.
It's raining really hard right now, and has been throughout the game.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:18 PM
31st minute- A great tackle from a Russian player in the attacking 3rd got the ball to Pavlyuchenko, who blasted a shot from just outside the area which went just wide!
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:19 PM
34th - Uh-oh
Posted by: eric | June 26, 2008 at 03:21 PM
34th minute- Arshavin earns a throw in the attacking area. Villa is down right now, and Fabregas looks ready to come in.
Villa is out for Fabregas.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:22 PM
35th minute- Pavlyuchenko gets a long ball into the box, and Pavlyuchenko gets the ball between 2 defenders. They recover, and bother Pavlyuchenko just enough into forcing a shot wide! It was poor plain from the Spanish.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:23 PM
In between subs, Russia nearly catch Spain sulking and Pavlyuchenko almost steals one. 2 good chances in a row for Russia.
Posted by: eric | June 26, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Must be nice to be able to take out the tournament goal leader and replace him with the Cesc Fabregas show.
Posted by: Fireball | June 26, 2008 at 03:24 PM
37th minute- Ramos was 1 v 1 with Zhirkov. Ramos turned him around a couple of times, before taking a shot from the top right edge of the penalty area, which went wide.
Ramos has dominated Zhirkov tonight, who has been one of the more impressive players in the tournament.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:25 PM
39th minute- Torres did very well to take the ball down on the right side of the penalty area, but he could only manage a weak effort on goal.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:27 PM
41st minute- Torres tries to juke a Berezutski on the right flank 1 v 1, but he stays calm and disposesses him.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:29 PM
42nd minute- Ramos makes a run into the Russian half, then sends a ball into Torres, but he loses track of the ball just as he was passing the defender.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Spain knocking it around with confidence before Cesc makes a dumb pass. Russia race down, and Ramos races back with it.
Ramos has done great with the runs, but not much for either shots or passes. Plus, as he gets forward more, I wonder if that opens it up for Russia's offensive players.
44th
Posted by: eric | June 26, 2008 at 03:32 PM
45th minute- Torres was just tackled to the ground by a Russian defender. Spain with a free kick from the left side of the field, very far out.
The ball was a poor one, put straight to the keeper who bobbled slightly but held on to it.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:33 PM
45+ minute- Puyol and Arshavin knock heads going after the same ball, but they are fine.
HALFTIME
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Spain has had the better of the chances but hasn't scored. With Villa out, and Torres not looking all that great this entire tournament, I'm not sure where the goal is coming from.
As for Russia, they've had a couple of good chances, but have not shown the form they had against the Netherlands. Arshavin needs to have more of an impact, but the player that really needs to step up is Zhirkov, who is being demolished by Ramos.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:49 PM
2nd half begins
46th minute- Ramos sent in a long ball which was in the area of a streaking Silva, but the goalkeeper caught it.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:51 PM
48th minute-Fabregas fouls Zhirianov, and Zhirianov loses a boot in the process.
49th minute- Ramos again making a run down the right side, receives a good pass, and crosses the ball into a dangerous area, though no one got onto it.
The Russians came back on the counterattack, and nearly got a chance on a 1-2 play.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:54 PM
50th minute- GOAL SPAIN!!!
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Iniesta got the ball on the left flank, and either hit a cross or a shot, with was hit by a rushing Xavi who deflected the ball with a raised boot and into the net! 1-0 Spain.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:56 PM
52nd minute- Torres received the ball on the top left corner of the penalty area, and shot it just a bit high!
Spain look like they're building on the confidence of that first goal.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:57 PM
Xavi's goal was very Michael Bradley in Holland-esque, he just continued his run and found himself in front of the goal with a chance to hammer a wayward ball home.
Torres has a rip now! Just high.
53rd
Posted by: eric | June 26, 2008 at 03:57 PM
Cesc goes to his knees clutching his face from the wind created by a phantom kick to the face.
Boo.
Posted by: Casey C. | June 26, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Worth nothing that Xavi started with the ball deep in the midfield, passed it off, and just kept running down the field. The Soccer Gods smile upon such running.
Posted by: eric | June 26, 2008 at 03:59 PM
55th minute- Silva nearly gets a great return pass to put him into a dangerous position on the left side of the penalty area, but the pass was just slightly off.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 03:59 PM
57th minute- Russia are making a change, with Semshov coming off from Bilyaletdinov. I have not been looking forward to typing that name.
Russia are also changing Saenko for Sychev, and Zhirkov was booked for a challenge.
The Russian keeper does well to clear a ball in, just feet ahead of a streaking Spanish player!
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Spain are firing on all cylinders, Russia needs to weather this only down a goal.
I'd say this is further proof that Spain are indeed best with Fabregas, as well.
Posted by: eric | June 26, 2008 at 04:04 PM
lol MM, I think the announcers said the same thing.
Posted by: Casey C. | June 26, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Russia are on their heels, big time.
Posted by: Casey C. | June 26, 2008 at 04:06 PM
60th minute- Bilyaletdinov booked for a late challenge on Ramos. The free kick was taken from long distance, but played short rather than a cross in the area.
Spain nearly get a great scoring chance, as Iniesta got a great ball on the right side of the area, which the keeper did well to stop.
Torres hit a shot on the left side of the area, but was under pressure and the shot went wide.
Spain is dominating right now.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 04:06 PM
63rd - Ouch! Torres can't decide if he's gonna head it into the goal or kick it, so instead knees it over the touchline.
Posted by: eric | June 26, 2008 at 04:07 PM
63rd minute- Ramos played in a beautiful ball from the right into the area. Torres beat his man, but couldn't get onto the ball and the chance glanced off his shoulder/arm and away! If Torres is on form he buries that, no question.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | June 26, 2008 at 04:07 PM