Spain went in to this game favorites after progressing impressively from their group stage, and already beating Russia by four goals to one. The Russians, however, had impressed every one in their last three games, including two wins in their group stage, and beating favorites Holland in the quarter final.
Spain started off well, playing some good attacking football and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres looked a real threat, but so did Russian striker Pavlyuchenko, who has had a brilliant tournament, and was taking on three players on his own at times!
Russia stopped Spain from scoring with a five man defense, and were playing counter attacking football, which meant that the Russian forwards were very isolated because no one could keep up with the pace of their counter attacks, and, rather ironically, this included their own players!
The teams went in for their half time break with neither team really dominating, and there were few chances worth talking about. But Spain will be concerned with an injury David Villa picked up while taking a free kick, as this may put him out of Sunday’s final, should Spain get through.
In the second half, Spain tore Russia apart, scoring the first goal on the fiftieth minute after a quick break, and Xabi converted the phase of play in to a goal. Then, with seventeen minutes remaining, Spain doubled their lead through Daniel Guiza, after a simply amazing pass from Arsenal play maker Cesc Fabregas, and Russia looked unlikely to find a way back after that.
Spain’s victory was confirmed when David Silva scored with eight minutes remaining, again after a fabulous pass from Fabregas, meaning that Silva’s finish was simple.
Overall, a pretty uneventful first half, but in the second half Spain gained control of the game and Russia simply couldn’t handle them. Cesc Fabregas played brilliantly, and he has helped his Spanish side through to Sunday’s final, in which they will play against Germany.
Final Score:
Russia 0 – 3 Spain
Watch the three GOALS:
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June 27th, 2008
Ok, so before you call me crazy and mad, even if they are saying the truth couldn’t they link with another channel which was showing the match? Ok maybe not, but do not blame me for thinking they are lying because when I see that the match is working with no problems on other channels and they are not showing it I will have to assume they are just giving excuses. Anyway, just hope these rains and thunders do not show up tomorrow and leave us hanging in the middle of the match.
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June 26th, 2008
I was watching the Germany vs Turkey match and on the second half Aljazeera Sports Channel kept cutting off the match and showing people in the stadium and people in Germany watching the match on a big screen, and every time they cut back the match the commentator apologizing saying that it is a problem from the source, and that they have no control in this. From the SOURCE!!??!?!?! Does Aljazeera really thinks we are that stupid ?! A number of European channels showed the match in full and without interruptions. Some even watched in full over the Internet.
I do not want to go in detail, but the thing that made me mad is the lying more than the cutting, why do they need to lie. We missed 3 goals, the match ended 3-2 for Germany, the only goals we were able to watch were the first two goals from both sides.
Aljazeera is still saying that the reason for the interruptions are the rains and thunders in Vienna 
And they are promising to show the match in full later tonight. How lucky we are to have you Aljazeera Sports Channel you are so special, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this AMAZING coverage for a freakin SEMI FINAL.
UPDATE: Ok Ok So Maybe Aljazeera Sports Channel was not Lying (Video)
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June 26th, 2008
This was the final quarter final of the tournament, and Spain went in strong favorites after winning all three of their group games and playing some extremely good football. The current World Cup holders Italy went in to this game after beating France and Romania, but suffering a disappointing defeat to the Dutch, in which they lost by three goals.
In the first few minutes, Spain created some good opportunities, and this was evident in the stats, which said they had nearly three times as many shots as the Italians in the first ninety minutes. Italy’s best chance of the regular ninety minutes fell to substitute Camoranesi, who’s close range volley was dealt with excellently by Iker Casillas, but overall, in the initial ninety minutes, it was Spain who were the better side, and they really should have finished the game off quite quickly, but instead the game went to extra time for the third time in three days.
In the first period of extra time, the game was pretty up in the air, with both teams having good opportunities, but neither of the players showed the drive to score, and it looked highly probable the game was going to penalties. And it turned out this was going to be the case, after another period of extra time was played, neither team had scored.
In the penalty shoot out, Iker Casillas saved two of the Italian’s penalties, but the Spanish kept their nerve, and four out of five spot kick takers scored against Buffon, meaning they go through.
Not a very good game at all, both teams lacked desire and forward momentum. They looked tired the whole way through the game, and it came down to penalties for an outcome. Tonight’s result means that the semi finals are Germany v Turkey and Russia v Spain.
Final Score:
Spain 0 – 0 Italy
(Italy win 4-2 on penalties)
Watch the Penalties:
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June 24th, 2008
Spain went in to this game guaranteed first place, after beating Russia (4 – 1 to Spain) and Sweden (2 – 1 to Spain). Greece, however, went in to this game knowing that there was nothing they could do to stay in the competition, after a disappointing campaign, losing both their initial games.
In the opening stages of the game Spain looked to be the better team, with Arsenal midfielder Cesc Febregas right in the middle of the action, and he was playing very well. Spain were playing attacking football and made the Greece defense look very nervous, but they started to cope with the make shift Spanish attacking duo.
Xabi Alonso, the player who has just left Liverpool, made a brilliant chance for himself from inside the center circle, with the Greece goal keeper back pedalling frantically, but it didn’t go in.
Then, against the run of play, Greece scored. After a cross from a free kick made by Karagouni, a brilliant header from Charisteas left Spanish goal keeper Reina no chance.
After the half time break, Spain took control again, and it was inevitable when Ruben de la Red smashed a lethal shot in the sixty first minute, giving the stunned Greek goal keeper no chance at all.
Greece maybe should have scored again a few minutes later, and had a couple more opportunities in the game, but they couldn’t stop Guiza from losing his marker and scoring a header in the last minute of the game.
Overall, not a very good game, and it was slightly boring at times, although the class of Spain got them through this game with a win, and it means they top the group going in to the quarter finals. Greece will be disappointed though, as they are current holders and only managed to score once in their whole campaign.
Tonight’s results mean that Spain top the group with three wins, Russia go through with them and Sweden and Greece follow, but leave the tournament empty handed.
Final Score:
Greece 1 – 2 Spain
Watch the three GOALS:
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June 19th, 2008
Spain went into this game expected to win. The majority of Britons asked said they thought the Spanish international side were the most likely to go all the way, but first they had to get through their first game against Russia.
For the first ten minutes or so, neither team really found their feet, and it was very hard to decide who would get the first goal, but around the fifteen minute mark, Russia started to play some good football and looked very threatening, although they failed to utilize this advantage and on the twenty minute mark, the Liverpool top goal scorer, Torres made a break down the left hand side, before attracting goal keeper and coolly passing the ball into Villa for a simple tap in.
The first half in general belong to Spain, although it wouldn’t be fair to say Russia didn’t have their chances, including hitting the post, hitting the crossbar and having a one on one opportunity canceled for offside.
The Spanish side then made Russia pay for this mistake. Russia played a short corner and way over hit the cross, then Spain made a counter attack extremely similar to the Netherlands’s, where the left back ran the length of the pitch, before the ball found it’s way through to David Villa, who scored his second of the game calmly passing the ball through the keepers legs.
A number of players looked extremely close to getting booked in the first half, with the referee seeming to disallow psychical contact altogether, giving a lot of free kicks, and it was unsurprising no one received a yellow card, although this didn’t ruin what was a very good game of football so far.
Coming out for the second half and it looked like the Russians might just find a way back into this game, putting the Spanish defense under a lot of pressure for around a quarter of an hour before the tables turned and on the seventieth minute David Villa got his hat trick after an excellent cross-pitch pass from substitute Cesc Fabregas, meaning all Villa had to do was slot the ball neatly home at the near post.
The Spaniards then carried on putting the Russians under pressure, until around the eightieth minute where Russian player Roman Pavlyuchenko headed the ball in to the Spanish net to make the score 3 – 1, but this didn’t mean the Spanish stopped. With yet another counter attack they surged forward, Villa holding the ball up and chipping to Igor Akinfeyev who blasted it to the keeper, who could only rebound the ball in to Cesc Fabregas’ path for a diving header.
The first game of Group D was a good one, with lots of action, and, at last, a decent amount of goals. The Spanish played well, and thoroughly deserved the win. They certainly look like a team with the quality to win this competition.
Final Score:
Spain 4 – 1 Russia
Watch the Five GOALS:
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June 11th, 2008
News of the World is claiming that Henry is looking forward for the summer to leave Barcelona, its also believed that he prefers to be back to EPL, specifically London. Well we all know that he did struggle this season he only scored 7 goals from his 25 appearances, so the news was not a shock to many people who follow his news.
So its not wether he would leave or not, its where is he heading. Many Arsenal fans are looking forward for him to be back where he left last season, but I really doubt that happening. Actually I see that Arsenal is better without Henry, and don’t look to our status now we did suffer heavily from injuries. I think the players felt more at ease when Henry left and they became more creative, I believe that Arsene Wenger himself wont allow him to be back.
But the excuse he is using to leave Barca is that he is not seeing his daughter “Tea” as much as he wants after he broke up with Claire Merry. So what?! he didn’t know this would happen before signing for Barcelona!! Please…. Anyway its expected that Chelsea will most likely end up getting his signature, other team such as Newcastle and Manchester City are also watching and trying but it would take something so special to lure him.
A while after “News of the World” broke the story the Barca chief dismissed the news and ruled out his move. But I guess this is just playing games.
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April 20th, 2008
A lot was at stake today, it is the grand slam Sunday, Manchester against Liverpool, Arsenal against Chelsea. Manchester won 1-0 by Tevez’s goal, so Arsenal had to win to stay top of the table, and they WON.
A very vital win against rivals Chelsea. Arsenal simply deserved to win today by far more than just a 1-0 scoreline, two goals were canceled, and tons of amazing shots on target. Amazing game, great goal by Gallas in the last seconds of the first half, huge team effort.
Read more and watch the video highlights after the jump…
Today Gallas gave Arsenal the first win against Chelsea since 11 matches in all games, the last time Arsenal beat Chelsea was in a Premier League match on Feb. 2004 that ended 2-1 in the Stamford Bridge. Gallas have also saved Arsenal last month when he gave them the equalizer against Manchester United which ended 2-2.
Arsene Wenger seemed satisfied, he said: “It was a tough game, locked in the first half, open in the second and one where we should have scored a second goal, our defense was outstanding today. Not only did they keep a clean sheet but they scored the goal as well. Overall I felt it was a great football game.”
Terry was injured in the 40th minute of the first half, but it is still not clear if it is a serious injury. 5 players from both sides were given yellow cards. The match heated up in the last 15 minutes of the second half, Van Persie and Adebayor both scored, but the goals were disallowed, one was an offside and the other was a foul.
Video Highlights:
Players Entering the Field
Players Fighting (Minute 29)
Fight between Fabregas and Ashley Cole (Minute 95)
Gallas Goal (47th Minute - First Half)
Arsenal Disallowed Goal (Minute 85)
Arsenal Disallowed Goal (Minute 89)
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December 17th, 2007
What Arsenal fans were afraid of happened, Arsenal unbeaten streak comes to an end. Arsenal still top of table with one point more than Manchester United. Today Arsenal lost 2-1 to Middlesbrough ofcourse the absence of Fabregas, Hleb, Van Persie, and other players was a main reason for this defeat.
Although Arsenal was not beaten in earlier matches while those same players were absent, but even then they were still effected and were lucky to draw with Newcastle.
I really get frustrated from watching Adebayor, its like a gamble every match. He reminds me of Recoba in Inter Milan, he has this same illness were he will be unbelievably fantastic one match but then he will stay unproductive for the next 5 to 10 matches. Am not saying Adebayor did not save us in some matches, but why the risk?!?!
Wenger should allow Gilberto to transfer or retire, to give chance to Diarra. And am still in my opinion that Eduardo is not first team standard. Wenger relies on Fabregas and Hleb and Van Persie too much.
I wish wenger does buy new players during the winter transfer window. This is not panic buy or anything, I have been saying this from the start, we need between two and four new players, one of them should be a new goalkeeper.
We at least need a midfielder and a striker. I know how wenger thinks, and although I trust his judgment, But I don’t think he is going to make a big purchase. If he does buy a player it wont be somebody famous, maybe it would be a good player, but not famous, so he wont disrupt the harmony in the squad.
Bottom line, we need new quality players to continue the season in the right way.
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December 9th, 2007
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