90' (+2): It's over SPAIN WON!!! THE NEW EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS!!! There won't be enough sangria in the streets of Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, etc... tonight!!!! CELEBRATION!!!!

90': And after that horrible cross it can be Auf Wiedersehen!!!

89': Another kerfufle inside Spain's box. The ref called a foul on Schweinsteiger and the German didn't like it...

89': You can hear the Spanish crowd singing happily now: España, España!!!

84': But Germany can still save this match. Lots of goals have been scored in this Euro. Can Germany do just like Turkey did a couple of times?

82': Spain is 8 minutes away from their first International title in 44 years. It's about time.

80': Right in time to catch this amazing play by Spain. Marcos Senna started the play an almost finished it in great style!!!!

66': Great set piece by Spain. The ball is crossed and Sergio Ramos with a splendid header forces Lehmann to make another good save.

62': Germany NOW is trying to put pressure on Spain's defense ... There's still time... This match is far from over

59': Ballack!!!!!! Almost, almost, almost!!!!

58': Here comes Kevin Kuranyi. Two Brazilian-born are on his pitch right now. Marcos Senna for Spain and Kevin Kuranyi for Gemrany

54': David Silva shooooootssss after the corner and Sergio Ramos tried a heel flick. If he scored that one he could've gone home and just chilled

51': Germany is in trouble. They are not creating. They're nervous and Spain seems more and more comfortable and dangerous.

47': So Lahm, the man who could follow the 12-year-old-girl-looking Fernando Torres, is out and replaced by Jansen.

45' (+1): Half time whistle. Spain 1, Germany 0. A first 45 with lots of ups and downs.

41': Another corner for Germany.

37': The ref is not happy with Ballack's blood. He's out again. I'm telling ... staple him, staple him!!!

36': Ballack headed Senna's head. Staple him and he'll be fine!

25': The match gained some speed finally. Both teams are now attempting offensive plays

22': Spain had a great chance with Torres. El Niño jumped so high to head that ball it looks like he had  coils on his boots. The ball hits the bar. Lucky Germans

19': Look at Torres punching the grass... hahahahaha... Metzelder who looks like a psycho with that beard got him. Free kick for Spain

15': Easy for Lehmann

14': Lehmannnnnnn!!!! Great save!!!! The shot was deflected by Mezelder and Lehmann found time to come back and make an amazing save!

12': I haven't seen Cesc Fabregas touch the ball yet. Did he go to the pooper and didn't come back???

10': The intelligence of the German strategy is admirable. Podolski and Ballack will explore the left side to force Sergio Ramos to stay in defense

7': Ballack just left Puyol eating dust with a sweet move on the far left but his cross was wayyyy far

6': Through ball to Capdevila on the left side of the attack but he was caught offside.

4': Sergio Ramos and all the Spanish defense has been flaky this tournament and the Real Madrid guy gave a present to Schweiney butthe German didn't take full advantage of it.

2': The match starts slow as I expected. Nobody wants to risk a crazy move in the beginning.

1': Here we go. Spain kicks it off.

Before Kick Off:

The National Anthems. Spain's players look a little nervous. I guess no matter how professional you are when it comes a decisive moment and the responsibility of proving you are really the best in the continent the tension takes over. All the German players (and the bench and crowd as well) are singing their anthem. A very beautiful moment

Before Kick Off: So here it is my fellow football lovers. The big Euro 2008 Final. Maybe not the final some expected but both teams got there with merits. Spain by playing an extremely offensive football and Germany with the well known organization and discipline.

90' (+2): The ref did the right thing. he didn't even wait the 3 minutes. The match is over. Spain is in the FINAL!!!

90': 3 minutes of stoppage time on this one

88': Cassiiiiiiiillllaaaaaassssss!!!!!! What a save!!!! A magnificent header the Russian player and Iker Casilas dives to his right for an splendid save!!!

87': Spain now pass the ball around trying to waste time while Russia does not do anything.

84': I still don't get why Fabregas start on the bench. He's got much more quality than Silva.

82': GGGOOOOAAAALLLLL... David Silva seals the Russian coffin!!! 3-0. The second half of a champion

79': Now Spain controls possession. And Russia is done. This match is over. Sunday we'll see a great clash between Germany and Spain

73': I told you, I told you, I told... Just put Guiza in for Torres.... In his first opportunity he scores!!!

73': GOOOAAAALLLLLL !!!! GUIZA!!!!

70': Cesc takes a good blaster from outside the box and forces Akinfeev to tip it out for a corner

68':

Thank God!!! Fernando Torres is leaving... and Guiza is coming in...  now Spain is going to score a second goal

66': Hahahahaha.... Torres runs like a drunk gazelle...  And gets shouldered by the russian defender!

64': Right into the wall...

64': Here comes a Free Kick for Russia....

62': What??? What the fuck Fernando Torres???? He was scared of the ball...

61': Excellent combination Iniesta/Fabregas. Russia is being creamed right now!!!

58': Is it just me or Fernando Torres really suck bad in this competition??? Put Guiza in... He was the topscorer of the season in La Liga

55': Saenko also left the pitch and Sychev takes his place.

55': Senshov is being replaced by Bilyaletnov (or something like that) on the Russian squad

54': Didn't Sergio Ramos just grab that ball with his hands??? hahaha...

51': Fabregas just received a free oral examination, Russian style.

51': What's wrong with Torres... He shouldn't have wasted that one. He was open on the left side of the box and with time to shoot much better

49': A cross by Iniesta to the middle of the box finds the boot of Xavi and the ball found the back of the net!!! Spain closer to the final now. 1-0

49': GGGOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL !!!!!! XAVI !!!!

47': Zyryanov just had his boot removed by Fabregas and unintentionally the Nike-sponsored-gooner just gave Adidas a chance for free advertisement

46': Ramos tries a deep ball for David Silva who has not participate in this match at all. Was he hiding somewhere during the first half?

45': All right... time to go downstairs and get some food and a beer, I mean, a soda!!! Fuck!!!

45': No blood??? What??? Pussies

45': That hurt... Will he get staples on his head too? That would be cool!!!

43': I need a beer!!! Oh shite... I'm at the office... A soda will do then

42': Here comes Ramos. Adventuring in the attack for the 19485th time and not doing anything

38': Wow... Look at Torres fancy play... He tipped the ball over the defender but the shot with the left was crappy...

36': Oh shit. Some photographer just got his camera broken ... That's about $1000 pounds

36': It seems that the Spanish team got psychologically affected by Villa's injury.

34': And Pavlyuchenko almost puts it in!What a chance!!!!

33': Uh-oh... Bad news for Spain, very bad news... David Villa is out!!!

33': Fabregas is already warming-up. It might be Xavi or Iniesta coming out earlier than expected

32': AAAAMMMAAAZZZIIINNNGGGG SHOT!!!!  A curvy ball that was touched by Casillas fingertips. The ref didn't see that... It should be a corner. Fucker!

26': Iniesta!!!! Oh Jesus Christ!!! He missed the ball... He can go to the third row to grab his "foot" back... hahahaha... Ridiculous

25': Marchena wanted to fight Saenko... Don't mess with the Russians mate! hahahaha

24': Sergio Ramos tries a wild long range shot but he can continue shooting like that all day long and he won't beat Akinfeev

22': Corner for Russia now! Played short and nothing came out of it.

21': Oh, and the more it rains the better it will be for Russia so Spain should really try getting a goal soon

20': David Villa still didn't find his space. But when the Ruski least expect he will be there... (the same with Arshavin on the other side)

15': Great strike by Pavlyuchenko!!!! But the ball flies over the bar and hits someone's beer in the 4th row

15': Casillas has his amrs up in the air... Maybe asking God to help him or something

14': I think the Russian guy pulled Torres but the ref didn't see it that way and now a dangerous free kick for Russia.

13': Sergio Ramos passes the ball back to Casillas with his chest! Classy

10': Fuck... Great Shot by someone in the spanish team. Akinfev saves it. And Peter Nguyen has his fat face in front of the TV... Move man!!!

6': There are 7 fucking hungry fellow co-workers mobbing on my desk to grab their food. Why the fuck they placed the food on my desk.? I can't see the telly... move you fuckers!

5': TOOORRREEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!! Almost... El Nino almost had it!

5': Great ball for Spain and Ramos almost touched his head on that one. Spain is looking dangerous right now

3': Free kick for Spain in midfield ends in nothing. Russia passes the ball in defense

2': Russia is passing the ball well. One can tell that they have incorporated the Dutch touch of Hiddink

Before Kick Off: Russia already won my vote for having sexier women than Spain. (Even though there some stunning Spanish women too)

Before Kick Off: Akinfeev; Anyukov, Ignashevich, V. Berezutski, Zhirkov; Semak, Saenko, Semshov, Zyrianov; Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko 

.:. Spain vs Russia .:.

Spain has a great chance to advance to the Euro 2008 finals. The team is very motivated and with talents like Fernando Torres, Sergio Ramos, Carles Puyol, Iker Casillas, Iniesta, Xavi and the inspired David Villa (and Cesc Fabregas on the bench (?)) one could only think that they are really the favourites to play Germany for the title on Sunday BUT some other facts should be taken in consideration before the fans of La Roja start celebrating.

Russia has a fast, disciplined and well trained team. Guus Hiddink is a very intelligent coach and he might use a strategy to surprise Spain just like he did with the Netherlands.

Another point that will make a difference today is the weather. It's been raining in Viena for quite some time and the wet pitch might give Russia a physical advantage.

So all I can really say is that there are no real favourites in this match. Russia has a not-so-well-known roster but that doesn't mean that they don't have the necessary quality to win and Spain, we all know very well. The team has quality, has talent and has already beat Russia once in this competition. But can they really perform under pressure?

We shall see ...

Penalties: Here comes Cesc Fabregas. If he scores Spain goes through to the semis... He runs and.... GGGGOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!! Spain is in the semifinals of the Euro 2008!!!!

Penalties: Guiza steps up to take the penalty for Spain: SAVED!!! SAVED By Buffon!!! Italy is alive in the match

Penalties: Camoranesi on the ball... He has to score... GGGOOOAAALLLL... a relief for Italy - Spain 3-2 Italy

Penalties: The brazilian born Marcos Senna with the chance of putting ahead: GGGOOOAAAALLLL - Spain 3-1 Italy

Penalties: De Rossi on the ball - SAVED!!! SAVED!!! SAVED!!! Amazing Save by Casillas!!!

Penalties: Santi Carzola for Spain... GGGOOOAAALLLL - Spain 2-1 Italy

Penalties: Now it's Fabio Grosso for Italy... GOOOOAAALLL: Spain 1-1 Italy

Penalties: David Villa takes the spot. GGGGGOOOAAAALLLL. Spain 1-0 Italy

120': The Ghost of Underachievement is right there now. Haunting every single Spanish fan, every single Spanish player. If Italy wins we will have for the first time in the Euro history NO group winners moving to the semifinals

120': And it's over!!! Penalty shootout...

119': And that was probably the last chance of this match. Wasted by Santi Cazorla...

117': I don't see any of the teams fighting to score a late goal. They attack but with no intensity

115':

Five more minutes and this match will be decided in the penalty shootout

113': Oh my God!!! The referee stopped the match AGAIN for nothing!!!

111': Great deep ball for David Villa... No offside... but his touch was not the best... Corner for Spain. Ramos heads it ... it goes out

109': Aquilani is coming and here comes the man... Alessandro Del Piero.

108':

A good free kick for Italy now. Grossos lifts it in the box and nobody reaches it.

106': The Spanish crowd is singing non-stop. They are expecting for a miracle goal from David Villa or La Liga's top scorer, Guiza.  Italy keeps its cool and the solid defensive style

105': And the the referee blows for half time of extra time

100': And we reached 100 minutes of football

100': Nice heel flick pass by Guiza to Cesc but he was offside.

98': All right. My wife got Baby Lucas now. And Fabregas fell in the box. Nothing it was nothing. Just good italian defense again

95': Casillas just made an incredible save for Spain.

94': sorry guys i'm typing with one hand and rocking the baby with the other

92': Great attack by Spain and it ends with Silva`s shot going centimeters away from the post

Extra Time: it's on. 30 more minutes of football betwee Spain and Italy

90' (+3):

we're going to extra time here

90' (+2):

Great defense by the Italian side. Corner for Spain... cleared

90': stupid ref!!! that was a clean tackle by Puyol

90': 3 minutes of stoppage time

87': Why did Guiza touch that ball with his hands... He had the chance to score the goal...

84': Torres is upset again. Aragones replaces him. Guiza is in

82':

We are less than 10 minutes away from another extra-time

80': A lost ball finds Marcos Senna again... Ultra powerful shot. Buffon can't hold and the ball touches the woodwork and then he picks it up... What a Blaster by Marcos Senna

79': Another free kick for Spain and it's Villa again. Senna is next to him. Marcos Senaaaaaa... and Buffon punches it out! Good strike by the brazilian-born

78': Another corner for Spain. Ball in the air and it's punched by Buffon

76':

Corner for Spain. Fabregas plays it short. The ball bounces back out of the box and back to Sergio Ramos's chest he couldn't quite get a good touch and it's another easy one for Buffon

73': Di Natale replaces Cassano on the Italian team

69': Zambrota bends a cross in for Toni and he hheads it. not his best header tough

69': Fabregas takes the corner and Ambrosini clears it

68': Deflected by the wall and it's a corner for Spain

68': Panucci came hard on David Villa. A free kick for Spain. It's a long one. Villa is on the ball.

66': The Italians are coming up more on this second half. Free kick for Italy. Camoranesi lifts the ball in the box but it goes wide and high. Far.

60': Casillas AMAZING save with his foot on the shoot by Camoranesi...

58': Substitutions for Spain now. Cesc Fabregas comes in for Xavi Hernandes and Cazorla takes Iniesta's place

58': Another corner for Spain. It's Xavi on the ball. Buffon punches it out and David Silva shoots the rebound far from the goal

57': A substution for Italy: Perrota comes out and Camoranesi takes his place. (no Del Piero so far)

55': Torres is running a lot in this second half. He got this ball and crossed low in search of Villa. the defender puts it out for a corner. And nothing comes out of that ... But it's good to see El Nino fighting for the ball

52': Great deep ball by Marcos Senna to David Villa but the attempt of cross was horrible!

50':

Toni almost got his head on the cross. The flag was up though, he was offside!

49': The Italian defense made it's first real mistake in the match and David Silva almost had that one

47': That's an interesting fact that they just showed on TV. the last time Spain defeated Italy in a major competition was in the 1920 Olympic Games.  

46': And we're off for the next 45 minutes of football between Spain and italy.

Half Time: As GoonerJoe just mentioned in the chat we just hope for a brighter second half.

45' (+1): And it's over. 45 dull minutes. I'm going to get food finally

45':

Iniesta takes another shot and it goes outy for a goal kick. Spain has more initiative but they still didn't figure out how to break the Italian defense. Italy had a couple of chances too but nothing to really force Casillas to work hard

41': How bad can referees be? That was obviously a foul. Not a penalty though but certainly a foul. It should be a free kick to Spain

36': Cassano turns Sergio Ramos in and out and gets a cross. Toni almost gets to it. The ball is cleared by Puyol!!!! (the exclamation marks are to try to bring some intensity to this very poor match so far)

34':

And I still didn't go get my drink and my food.

32': Spain is not being able to get inside the Italian box. The players insist on long range shots or deep passes. Uneffectevelly so far

30': Ambrosini saw an yellow card.

28': Long ball from Aquilani in the air. It's for Toni... But the ref blows the whistle on the italian striker. Free kick for Spain. 

27': Cassano keeps on giving Ramos a hard time.

26': Bad boy Cassano tanlges with Sergio Ramos and gets the free kick.

23':

Free kick for Spain. Good opportunity!!! Villaaaaaaa.... The ball goes fast on the ground but Buffon dives and keeps it safe

21':

Oh my... I want some action please

18': Great cross by Ambrosini and Perrota came as a surprise in the middle, right behind Puyol. The header was just not powerful enough. Casillas has the ball

17': Torres hasn't been the same in this Tournament. He just delivered an awful cross.

16': Italy kicks the ball out because David Villa was down. Ambrosini kicked him in the previous play but the ref didn't call the foul or anything.

15': Very slow match right now... Nothing really going on. I need some chips and a drink.

13': Another long ball lost in the Spanish attack

12': Long ball for Villa but he couldn't get to it in time. Spain is looking nervous in these first minutes. Is it the ghost of the underachievemts haunting them already?

11': The first yellow is finally shown and it's to Iniesta.

10': Cassano steals the ball and is fouled by Torres. The ref has a talk with El Nino.

8':

Iniesta is alternating sides, trying to confuse the Italian defense. But the match is still in a very slow pace. Teams seem to be studying each other

8': Good combination on the left of the Spanish attack. Buffon picks up the deflected shot

7': Free kick for Italy on the left side. De Rossi sends it to the box. And Casillas picks it up easily

6': A long ball to nobody in the the Spanish attack

5': Iniesta gets a good cross cross from the left but the defense clears. Italy goes for the counter but David Villa comes back to help the defense and recovers the ball

2': Tough tackle from Marcos Senna on Cassano. No card shown.

1': Here we go. Italy playing all in white and Spain with their traditional Red shirts and Dark Blue shorts and socks

Before Kick Off: Camoranesi... GOOOOAAAAALLLL...

Before Kick Off: Here comes the National Anthems!!!

Hello Everyone,

  VS  

Spain and Italy will step into the pitch in less than an hour and now I really don't know what to expect about this match. I could only predict or comment something after the first ten minutes and even after that things could drastically change.

It's a mach of high expectations. Spain has the potential (like always). Youth, talent, speed, determination... Let's just hope they have the balance.

Italy has tradition, balance, and luck. Oh yeah, and they are the World Champions! (a small detail right?)

An Apology

I haven't been watching the matches live since Wednesday (with the exception of Germany vs. Portugal on Thursday). The reason some of you already know. I just got a new acquisition to my "team". My son Lucas was born on Wednesday, the day that Brazil and Argentina played each other in my hometown, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. I'm already training him for World Cup 2022.

Anyway, I just wanted to pinpoint a few things about the three quarterfinals matches so far: (after watching all the highlights)

Germany 3 x 2 Portugal

I would be very stupid if I simply said that Cristiano Ronaldo let his team down. It's not true. Every chance, every goal scored by Portugal in this competition had this young guy's touch.

But was he the same as the Cristiano Ronaldo we know from Manchester United? Absolutely NOT! His club teammates play for him, they do all the hard work in order to let Cristiano Ronaldo shine. That doesn't happen in the National Team. There, the best player of the year has to work a little harder for the team. And sometimes he can't do it all. He's still Cristiano Ronaldo but not a Garrincha, Pelé or Maradona yet. Will he ever be? Who knows?

Germany played like the three-time World Champion and three-time European Champion that they are. Discipline, confidence and efficiency were the secrets of the German victory. (and a great performance by Schweiney)

Turkey 1 (1) x 1 (3) Croatia (penalties shootout)

What a match!!! It's hard to find words to describe how incredible this match was. I bet that a lot of cardiac attacks happened in both countries with all the tension and late goals and the penalty shootout.

And what can I say about Semih Senturk? Is this kid blessed or what? He comes in from the bench twice just to score the goals that the team needs to qualify. That's why he's called the Liferguard among his Fenerbahce teammates and fans. He does save the team.

As for the Croatians I believe they went as far as they could. They could've qualified if they had transformed the chances they had or the mistakes of the Turkish goalkeeper into goals. They didn't and paid a high price for not doing their job. This if football.

Netherlands 1 x 3 Russia

Russia played exactly like Zenit FC in the UEFA Cup semifinals against Bayern Munich. Keeping the ball possession and putting pressure on the opponent's defense. Great job by the Russians and well deserved.

The great Netherlands was once again the most pleasant team to watch in the group stage but then... underachiever's syndrome.

The problem is that this team was not expecting to be attacked. They were prepared for a timid and defensive Russia. And they were shocked, surprised and groggy by the Russian Roulette's impetuosity.

90' (+3): Anb it's over... disappointment for Sweden and ENORMOUS joy for SPAIN!!!! They are on their way to win this group (and avoid a confrontation with the Netherlands in the quarter finals)

90' (+2): He didn't play his best tonight but that's how the great players are... a long ball that Mellberg and Hansson could get to and David Villa didn't miss this time!!!! Great finish, great goal!!! and Spanish is going to win this one!

90' (+1): GGGGOAAAAALLLLL... VICTORY FOR SPAIN!!! DAVID VILLA!!!!

89': Rosenberg (who came in for Zlatan in half time), turns Marchena in and out but the defender recovers it in time

88': Great shot by Torres now. But it will take something much better to beat Isaksson tonight

87': Sub for Sweden: Kallstrom replaced Henrik Laarson

87': The ball is cleared but Spain still has it

86': Corner for Spain. Cesc on the ball

81': Not alot from David Villa and not a lot from Ljungberg

81': A second half that was not as good as the first. Not boring, but just not as good.

79': Now Sweden was very very close to their second goal. The free kick is sent into the box and Henrik almost picks up the pass... almost

77': Elmander is replaced by Sebastian Laarson on the Swedish squad

76': Isaksson just saved another one by intercepting the cross that was intended to Silva

75': 15 minutes to the end of the match and the teams are playing with more caution now. Spain with more possession. Sweden solid in defense and also great goalkeeping by Isaksson. That's pretty much what's been going on

71': Capdevilla moving up on the gets the corner. Corner taken and the ball is passed from head to head it ends again in the safe hands of Isaksson

67': Great brazilian play by Marcos Sena. Great shot but Isaksson makes also a great save

63': And after the corner the ball finds a safe place in Isaksson's hands

62': Jesus F%$#ing Christ!!!! Spain misses three goals in the same play!!!! Cesc, Villa, Torres, everyone!!! Great save by the keeper... but Spain might pay a high price for missing those chances

57':

A change for Spain... Cesc replaces Xavi ... Arsenal fans, rejoice!!!

And also Cazorla replaces Iniesta 

54': Finally a yellow card for Svensson... it's probably his 4th or 5th harsh tackle

52': Marchena tried to chop Elmander's legs... Yellow card for the Spanish

46': Still about the penalty. I think the referees are calling some bogus penalties this Euro. There's grabbing, pushing, holding in every ball that is played inside the box. If they were to call every foul there we would have a penalty or an offensive foul in every corner.

46': Spain already tries the first attack with Silva... The defense clears it

45' (+1):

The Spanish players are complaining as the referee blows for half time. They wanted the penalty... Are the Spanish already losing their temper? The team is young... it makes it easier to lose the balance.

Anyway, we'll see all that in the second half... pictures coming!!! Check them out 

44': The crowd (the spanish) wanted a penalty. I saw nothing!

41': What's is very interesting is that Sweden is a very calm team. They suffered the goal by Torres and continued playing their football. They had a couple of chances. And then Zlatan got his goal. The team is solid. Not extremely talented or renowned like the Spaniards but they have what it takes to move to the next round and be a problem to their opponents.  Much probably Netherlands

37': Danger for Sweden... A present from the Swedish defense to David Villa but he was impatient... he  took the shot and Isaksson picks it up

33': Zlatan!!!! Receives it in the box... Oh no he missed it... NO wait he got it, he got it, he got it!!! GOOOOAAAAALLLLL.... Sweden gets the equalizer... Zlatan Ibrahimovic!!!

32': Henrik for the header...... just a goal kick!

29': Now a free kick on the other side for Sweden. Delived inside the box. Elamnder had a piece of it with his head but the ball goes out for a goal kick!

28': Free kick for Spain. Svensson blocked Ramos.

23': Sergio Ramos now needs to stay more in defense instead of adventuring upfront

23': Bad news, Bad news, Bad nes for Spain!!! Puyol felt an injury and has to be replaced by Albiol

21': So far Spain is really playing better the Sweden. Using all of their talents in midfield and making the ball run fast to the offense.

21': Zlatan sends an splendid rainbow ball to Henrik in the Spanish box, but the shot didn't go well...

14': The Swedish defense is obviously taller than the Spanish team so the corner was a set up play passed on the ground by Xavi, then the ball was passed to the top of the box and Silva sends it inside the mob... Torres just stretched his leg and put the ball inside the net!!! Spain 1, Sweden 0

14': Corner for Spain. GGGOOOAAAALLLL!!! SPAIN!!!! SPAIN!!! TORRES!!!!

11': Xavi got a hit by Svensson and on the sequence the Swedish gently gave up the counter attack so the Spaniard could receive medical treatment...

9': Counter attack for Sweden. Right on the space left by Sergio Ramos. Henrik gives it it to Ljungberg... he shoots, but it was easy for Casillas

7': A lot of room is being left behind the Swedish defense. Xavi sent a nice ball to Villa but the defense recovered it

3': Iniesta... shoots... faaaaaarrr..... but the slow Swedish defense gave him a lot of room

2': Torres and Ibrahimovic already showed in less the two minutes in the match that they are willing to give them trouble tonight.

1': This second match will show us if Spain really has what it takes to win this competition. Why??? Because we'll be able to see if they have consistency. In a tournament as short as this one if a team doesn't maintain consistent good performances they might succumb to their own mistakes. The Netherlands already proved yesterday they are ready to fight for the title, let see if Spain can do the same

Before Kick Off: Hello everyone. Zlatan, Ljungberg, Henrik vs. Villa,  Torres,  Cesc... This is going to be good... Are the Arsenal fans cheering for  Spain because of Cesc Fabregas?

90' (+2): And it's over.... Spain nails this one... and the team looks pretty good!!!

90': GGGGGOOOAAALLLL for Spain... Cesc Fabregas 4-1... another counter attack after Russia missed a CLEAR chance again... Looks like a replay

90': Corner for the Ruski

89': Sergio Ramos made two or three ridiculous mistakes during this match that could be costly against a better team.

85': Roman Pavlyunchenko looked for a goal the whole match and he found one. A good, unstoppable header. 3-1 ... but there's no time for reaction

85': GGGOOOAAAALLLL... RUSKI

75': Spain is back to the pacing controlling, excellent passing line...

74': Hat Trick Hat Trick Hat Trick ... David Villa buries Russia for good!!! Villa Receives, turns the defender in and out and shoots... this time Akinfeev can't do anything!!! GGGGGOOOOLLLAAAAZZZOOOO

73': Great play by Fabregas on the right side. He crosses but the ball is saved by Akinfeev

72': Another shot for Russia. Pavlyuchenko risks it from the top of the box but the low shot was easy for Casillas.

70': This is a very, very, very strange decision for the Russian coach. He replaced the Bystrov who had come in in the second half (????)

64':

Spain with total control of the match... I mean, TOTAL CONTROL. La Furia is actually playing with a lot of calm. Passing the ball in defense, attracting the Russian team and exploring the space left behind their defense. 

64': Akinfeev had to work hard again. Villa found once again space behind the Russian defense but this time the keeper got to the ball before he could dribble and score the third

63': Andres Iniesta, who played a great match, leaves the pitch and is replaced by Santi Cazorla

61': Bilyaletdinov takes a good shot from the left side of the box that went really close to Casillas goal, but I don't see Spain losing control of the match. The Spanish team seems comfortable and wirking well in defense and midfield and creating good offensive plays. David Silva just had a great opportunity that was cleared by the Russian defense

57': Torbinskyi comes in for Senshov in the Russian squad

53': So I guess Aragonés is testing now his 4-1-4-1 formation right? With Villa being the only striker

53': Here comes Fabregas!!!! the number 10 comes in for Torres

49': Bystrov had a good chance after the corner but the shot went straight to Casillas hands

47': Bystrov tries to run with the ball on the right side but David Silva protects it and get the goal kick for Spain

45': A sub for the Russian team during half time: Sychev, number 21 leaves the pitch and Bystrov comes in

Half Time:

Two very different "schools" of European football. Spain with talent, technique, offensiveness versus Russia with discipline, tactics, pace control ... Both teams played well this first 45 minutes but Spain was just better. More efficient and after the initial "studying" period of the match Spain got their first goal, were save by the post and managed to explore the counter attacks well. Russia didn't give up but the second goal might have opened the door for Spain to score more. 

44': After the bad corner kick taken by the Russian team Spain used the same weapon used by the Netherlands to beat Italy: fast counter attacks. A great ball by Iniesta found Villa in good condition behind the defense and the forward didn't waste the opportunity. Spain 2, Russia 0.

44': GGOOOOAAAALLLLLL for Spain!!!! Villa again!!!!

43': Great play for the Russian offense. Another corner

40': Zhirkov goes down. Iniesta took him and the referee calls it a foul for Russia.

39': The Russians are alive!!! The Russian forward is caught offside but they are now finding spaces behind Spain's defense

35': 35 minutes of good and wet football. No team can claim dominance of the match so far. Spain scored their goal on a perfect combination midfield/Torres/Villa but Russia also had chances to level things up.

32': The Russians are trying but they struggle to penetrate Spain's line of 4 defenders.

31': Shot by Torressssss!!! No. That was an easy ball for the keeper

29': Zhirkov moves up and gets a corner for Russia. The corner is taken and Marcos Senna clears the danger

27': Another chance for Villa. Great pass by Iniesta and the keeper Akinfeev puts it out for a corner. Believe folks, there will be more goals in this match... and it could be for any of the teams

23': The match takes an incredible speed and despite the rain both teams are demonstrating a lot of energy and determination.

22':

Two minutes after Spain's goal Russia had the chance to tie the match... But the ball just hit the right post when Casillas couldn't do anything else.

In the sequence Spain also got close to score another one...  

20': A deep pass to Fernando Torres on the left. Torres takes on the defender and pass it sugar coated ball to David Villa who followed the play in the middle... And then it was easy: Villa just sent the ball inside the net... Great breakthrough goal for Spain right when Russia was starting to feel confortable

20': GGGGOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL for Spain!!!! David Villa!!!!

18': corner for Spain. After a good play by Villa on the left the defender knocks it out

18': Is Spain already suffering the pressure of being the eternal underachievers???

14': Here comes the Russians!!! Greatp lay on the right and the finish by Semshov goes wide but very dangerous

14': The rain might play an important role in favor of the Russians who are fast and play well the ball crossed in the box. For Spain the rain can be a problem because makes it more difficult for talented players to control the ball

10': Good play by the Russian team on the left but the flag went up... Offside

9':

Sorry folks... Technicals problems... But I'm here live now!!!

After a initial mistake by Sergio Ramos the match is pretty balanced...