Russia vs. Sweden
This is the match of the day. The Russians are a bit dull, but finally we may get to see Arshavin after his 2 match ban. The Swedes are a little predictable, and may not be able to field Zlatan whose knee looked like the Hindenberg after the last round. It would be fun for Larson and Ljungberg to get a last hurrah, but it might be a test too great for the ageing Swedes
posted by gooner71 @ 7:57 AM
68 Comments:
Here are the sides for the Match of the Day:
Russia: Akinfeev, Aniukov, Ignashevich, Kolodin, Zhirkov, Semak, Zyryanov, Semshov, Bilyaletdinov, Arshavin, Pavluchenko
Subs: Gabulov, Malafeev, Vasili Berezutsky, Yanbaev, Alexei Berezutsky, Adamov, Torbinsky, Saenko, Shirokov, Sychev, Bystrov, Ivanov
Sweden: Isaksson, Stoor, Mellberg, Hansson, Nilsson, Elmander, Andersson, Svensson, Ljungberg, Henrik Larsson, Ibrahimovic
Subs: Shaaban, Wiland, Linderoth, Alexandersson, Majstorovic, Granqvist, Kallstrom, Sebastian Larsson, Allback, Wilhelmsson, Rosenberg, Dorsin
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)
The metric for this match is fairly simple. Both sides are on three points from their wins against the woeful Greeks. However, given that the Swedes have superior goal difference (+1) to the Greeks (-2), they'll go through with a draw. The Russians need a win.
Zlatan's knee is a real worry for Sweden. He'll likely not last the full distance today.
Game on! Let's hope it's a good 'un.
Zlatan catches the side of a Russian defender's head with an audacious backflick, which leaves the Russian prone for a few moments.
Andy Gray is gearing up for another long rant aimed at the feckless Russian striker Pavlyuchenko whom he roasted on Saturday.
From a set piece, Zlatan knocks it down but Larsson was slow to react and the keeper collected.
Isaksson picks up a silly yellow card for throwing the ball away at a Russian corner.
The Russians are starting to string a few good passes together and they're unlucky not to have taken the lead.
Freddy Ljungberg chips a lovely little ball in to Larsson who again comes up short. It's sad to say, but Henrik seems to be more than a yard short in this tournament. Surely there'll be an international retirement after they finish their part of the tournament.
The Dutch players watching in the hotel lounge won't be quaking in their boots at the prospect of meeting the winner of this match. Their second team dispatched a fairly decent Romanian side with some ease yesterday.
Arshavin's cross is so badly mishit that it tests Isaksson who gives up a corner.
From the corner, Zhirkov hits a sweet volley that just grazes past the post.
The Swedish fans are a fairly muted bank of yellow shirts while the Russians are bouncing up and down behind one of the goals making a hell of a racket.
GOAL! Pavlyuchenko finishes off a lovely move that built down the left. The Russians really haven't looked the side from the qualifiers until today but they've been quality so far.
Russia 1-0!
Larsson grazes the top of the bar with a brilliant header. Nearly 1-1.
Bilyaletdinov hits a sharp low drive straight at Isaksson at the end of another good move.
It's been a really good first half an hour of this match. More of the same, please!
The Russians pick up yet another corner. They haven't made the most of their set pieces yet.
Pavlyuchenko digs a shot out from the top of the box and it rockets off the bar. The Swedes are at full stretch here.
You can just see the Swedes nicking a goal back from a corner or free kick against the run of play.
End to end stuff now toward the end of the half. This really has been a quality football match.
Half-time: 1-0 Russia
Lagerback has some work to do with his side at half time. The oldest squad in the tournament is definitely looking its age against an inventive Russian side.
Second half starting....
It's all to play for here in Innsbruck.
Elmander picks up a yellow card for slamming the ball into the net after being ruled offside.
GOAL! Another brilliant team goal for the Russians. They sliced the Swedish defense open there, Zhirkov driving forward and then sliding a ball to Arshavin to angle into the bottom right corner.
Russia 2-0!
What now for the Swedes? They're going to have to gamble. Henrik Larsson hasn't looked up to the challenge in this tournament so far, but can Lagerback withdraw him and Zlatan at the same time? At the least, the lively Wilhelmsson should come on soon and perhaps Markus Allback as well before too long.
Hey, I am here. The Russian's scored a second.
Who scored? Whochanickabollockoff?
I guess England weren't that bad. Both teams that knocked them out are in the Quarter Finals
Here come the changes from Lagerback. Kim Kallstrom is coming on for Daniel Andersson.
The Swedes only needed a draw
Semak picks up a yellow for hauling down Henrik Larsson.
Half an hour left for the Swedes to rescue this.
Mellberg wins a header from a corner but a little nudge put him off and his corner went over the bar.
Welcome, Dave! How's everything in upstate New York today?
Just getting ready to give my final exams for tomorrow.
The Spaniards have scored
Yeah, you'll love the name of the goalscorer - De la Red.
Nice
Be nice to those kiddies, eh?
So who was it that predicted Spain and Russia going through from this group? Ahem ahem.
Cracking goal by THE RED
Quite. You could use someone with that name at Old Trafford, eh?
Did you see either of the Russian goals? They were both excellent team efforts. Some of the best of the tournament.
If he scores like that, yes!!
Good job with the predictions.
Of course, you have been silent with the others.
How did I do?
Didn't see them yet
Well, you also picked these two. I'm the only one who picked Turkey to accompany Portugal in Group A. All the rest of you lot picked the Czechs instead. All of us picked Croatia and Germany to go through, but not in that order. Group C was the wildest one. I picked Italy and France. You and Gooner picked the Dutch to go through but not top. Most had Italy going through top.
Here comes Markus Allback. He's never impressed me as much of a goal threat.
Off the post!!
Then they almost score again!!
Ooh, off the post! Nearly 3-0!
The Swedes look a bit like the Czechs at the end of their match. Zlatan is obviously playing crocked and the rest of them are the wrong side of thirty.
It doesn't sound like much but I reckon that Croatia vs. Turkey could be a cracker.
Should have scored again
Oh, Pavlyuchenko had a chance there but it was behind him.
You know, Guus Hiddink is a hell of a manager. Why couldn't we get him at England?
So, remind me the days and matches for the Quarters and then Semis
They've just mentioned on the other channel that Spain vs. Italy represents #3 against #4 in the FIFA World Rankings. Why are Spain #3? What have they ever won? Italy are the bloody World Champions!
I'll say again, I guess England weren't that bad. BOTH teams from their group are in the last 8
Yeah, tomorrow is Portugal vs. Germany. Friday is Croatia vs. Turkey. Saturday is Holland vs. Russia (unless the Swedes pull their fingers out!) and Sunday is Spain vs. Italy. All matches at 2:45 EST.
Then Wednesday is Portugal/Germany vs. Croatia/Turkey and Thursday is Holland/Russia vs. Spain/Italy.
Of course, your choice of Turkey was not going well for 75 minutes
Ta sir
How did the Russians not score there
I agree. Of course, England should have qualified from that group and they would have with a different manager, a different goalkeeper and a few breaks with injuries. I think that Rooney and Owen - still our best striking partnership - only played one game together in the qualifiers.
No 3rd/4th place match - has there ever been or only in the World Cup? Shame, I always enjoy those. They're just a bit more open and you can get some good goals.
Fair enough, the Turks are the ManYoo Class of '99 team of this tournament. I just thought they'd have a bit more than the Czechs.
I agree, I always remember the Italy England game in '90. Should have been the FINAL!!
Game over.
Well done Russia
We're on to the quarters.
Cheers
Spain are winning now
Full-time: That's it! Russia 2-0! They were good quality today. You'll enjoy seeing those goals. Really good stuff.
Sweden, on the other hand, like many sides in this tournament came in with a squad with bags of experience but not enough youthful enthusiasm. It'll be all change for them in the 2010 qualifiers.
Yeah, the late late show for Spain. Guiza scoring.
Cheers, mate!
Did you know that De La Red in Spanish means Of The Net? Probably maritime in derivation but pretty appropriate for a striker too.
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