Euro 2008 Day Eight

[Newshound]

14 June 2008<br>
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GREECE 0<br>
RUSSIA 1 (Zyrianov 33)<br>
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Charisteas, the hero of Euro 2004 wasted Greece's best chance of the half, failing to connect with a superb Basinas free kick which Semshov almost turned into his own net. George Clooney gave the Russians a chance even they couldn't miss. Torbinski played in Bilyaletdinov on the left of the penalty box, Bilyaletdinov overhit his cross, George ran across his six yard box and tried to punch the ball clear but missed, Semak hit an overhead kick back across goal and Zyrianov tapped into an empty net. <br>
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In the first minute of the second half Charisteas did a Luca Toni. A ball over the top sent him clear, his first touch was great, his second absolutely woeful. Akinfeev made a meal of a Karagounis drive and Basinas blazed over from 12 yards. Bye bye Greece, you suck.<br>
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I'm not going to waste my time describing Russia's chances. If you've seen anything of the Russian national team over the years you'll know what to expect. Fast counter attacking, some great technique and embarrassingly poor finishing. These guys couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo and for this reason I'd prefer to see the dire Swedes face the Dutch in the last eight. At least they will put up a fight. Russia will create and miss chance after chance before being annihilated on the break.<br>
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Attendance : 31,063<br>
Assist : Semak<br>
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SWEDEN 1 (Ibrahimovic 34)<br>
SPAIN 2 (Torres 15, Villa 92)<br>
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Spain continually attacked down the right with zero joy. As soon as they switched the focus of the attack to the left side they scored. Capdevilla forced a corner. Xavi played the ball short to Villa, he passed to David Silva who chipped a low cross into the box and Torres got in front of Hansson to stab the ball inside the left post. Spain switched off and almost gave up an immediate equaliser. Henrik Larsson received possession on the edge of the box and slipped a pass through to the overlapping Rosenberg who could only find the side netting. On 24 minutes Bam Bam Puyol went off injured and nothing of note happened until the Swedes suddenly equalised. An excellent crossfield pass out of defence found Stoor in acres of space on the right, he didn't have the confidence to take on Capdevilla so swung a cross into the box, Ibrahimovic recovered from a heavy first touch to bring the ball under control, Ramos jumped in with a tackle and missed, Ibrahimovic hit a weak shot on the turn which crept under Casillas' arms. A rare mistake from the normally brilliant Real Madrid goalkeeper. In first half injury time Spain should have been awarded a penalty when Elmander ran over David Silva in the box.<br>
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Silva bottled out of a chance to put the finishing touch to a lovely move involving Iniesta and Villa, inexplicably returning a pass to the striker despite having a clear sight of goal. Villa cut in from the left and took out three defenders before finding Silva near the penalty but he hit an awful weak shot straight at Isaksson. Senna snapped into a tackle in midfield and bulldozed his way through three Swedes before letting rip with fierce right foot drive which Isaksson tipped away for a corner. Both teams seemed content with a point until the Spanish were gripped by a sense of urgency as the clock ran down. There were at least sixteen passes leading up to a Torres shot, unfortunately he hit the ball straight at Isaksson. The Spanish scored a typically un-Spanish goal. Capdevilla hit a hail Mary ball out of defence down the left channel, Hansson ran across Villa but forgot to clear and as Isaksson came off his line Villa calmly stroked the ball into to the corner.<br>
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This was the real Spain. A poor return of chances despite monopolising possession and overmatched physically. Senna is just as much of a key player as Torres and Villa. If he gets suspended or injured Spain are totally f*cked.<br>
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Attendance : 30,000<br>
Assists : Silva, Stoor, Capdevilla<br>

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