Thursday, June 26, 2008

Open Thread: Spain v. Russia


[Photo: MediaFax Photo]

So, it appears we may have not coordinated everything properly here at UF and we are without a liveblogger for the second semifinal match between Russia and Spain. We'll give it a go with the open thread.

Russia has been certainly ascendant in this tournament. It was hard not to be after the opening match 4-1 thrashing it received from Spain. But, that was before Andrei Arshavin reappeared on the stage. Since he returned Russia has looked very dangerous and Guus Hiddink has his men attacking, attacking, attacking. Very exciting football.

Spain on the other hand started out the tourney in sterling fashion, but seems to have cooled a bit. Although, it still has not lost a match, advancing to this stage with a PK shootout victory over a negative Italian team.

Hopefully, this match can live up to the excitement of yesterday's...and maybe, just maybe...a Russian player will get a couple of women for his efforts.

After the jump, the lineups.


Russia
Akinfeyev, Anyukov, Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Zyryanov, Semak, Semshov, Saenko, Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko.

Spain

Casillas, Ramos, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila, Senna, Iniesta, Xavi, Silva, Villa and Torres

Spain is wearing their unlucky yellows.

30 minutes in, we have a nice back and forth match. A Fabergas substitution allows me to stroke myself in Glee. Nice cross to...the Keeper.

40:45 Long runs by the Russians, but the Torres/Fabergas hookups are coming fast and free.

46 min: We're wrapping up with Xavi's free kick getting lost, my accountant walking into my office every 3 minutes, and I'm missing the action.

So far Arshavin has played "meh" but the style of play on both sides has been great. There is no Italy grind 'em out match.


41 comments:

EbullientFatalist said...

FIRST!

yeah, the game seems to flowing quite nicely. Both sides have had good opportunities. Hence,a nil-nil game will likely ensue.

RK5 said...

So, lots of rain, high stakes...I smell a howler deciding this game.

MoonshineMike said...

Villa misses a nice set piece because he shoots it at the keeper, then falls down and whines like he lost his tickets for Wham!

EbullientFatalist said...

It must be nice to be able to replace Villa with Cesc. Yes, different type players, stil... quality of the side isn't reduced.

Ian said...

Ceeeeeeeeeeeesc time everyone

Email us at said...

aaaand with Cesc on, Spain go into the favored formation of UF

The Fan's Attic said...

thank god cesc is on...i gambled on him for my fantasy team.

EbullientFatalist said...

THAT was exciting.

chipped red nail polish said...

Villa hurt or was it strategic?

I don't know what feed we have here in Canada but I think the (British?) announcer has, like so many others before him, a crush on Torres.

EbullientFatalist said...

who doesn't have a crush on Torres. I don't even like The 'Pool that much, I still like Torres. He's like football's version of Brad Pitt.


/overplayed hand.

MoonshineMike said...

I'm not that gay andrew.

But I can't talk for Lingering Bursitis...

EbullientFatalist said...

sorry, just visited kickette. it skewed my point of view.

any predictions for 2d half? I'd venture 2-1 for Spain.

The Fan's Attic said...

Torres, Torres.

That's a brace for Liverpool's Number 9.

And, yes, I have a bit of a mancrush on Nando.

Eladio said...

1-1, with Spain thru on PK.

EbullientFatalist said...

@ Moonshine - I note your use of the qualifier "that" in your previous comment.

MoonshineMike said...

Beautiful score from Spain!

MoonshineMike said...

Torres just missed. well played. They have russia on their heels

The NY Kid said...

You are neither Torres, nor Villa, nor Cesc. Therefore, Xavi, your goal does not help my fantasy team.

Eladio said...

i still see Russia getting a sloppy pitch special in about the 78th minute.

EbullientFatalist said...

Yeah, the Spanish have the momentum. Torres had a wonderful opportunity. He MAYBE should've made a touch, but decent strike nonetheless.

The NY Kid said...

@Eladio - last time I got a sloppy pitch special, it only took 2 minutes

chipped red nail polish said...

Can females have a man-crushes? As opposed to regular crushes?

ie: She has a crush on Casillas and a man-crush on Torres.

Am I losing credibility here?

EbullientFatalist said...

thankfully the NBA finals are over so we won't be hearing Healy and Gray discussing their Celtic-Laker predictions.

EbullientFatalist said...

Torres! Finish! Please!

Eladio said...

@ NY Kid: Behind the tube stop at Highbury, I'm assuming? I hear at the Emirates they last at least twice that.

Eladio said...

what a shot by cesc...that kid's going to be good one day, i shit you not.

Ian said...

Torres of De Guiza on...this went so well last time

EbullientFatalist said...

Guiza on for Torres. Aragones doesn't seem to trust in Torres too much.

MoonshineMike said...

Spain is putting up some fine defense, and then stretching out the field.

EbullientFatalist said...

Wow. Guiza. For real? Nice goal.

Game done. Russia hasn't shown any capability in the last third.

MoonshineMike said...

CESC ME UP !!!!

I'm gay andrew, but i'm gay for Cesc.

Ian said...

C E S C

chipped red nail polish said...

Guiza seriously needs to find a new way to control the ball. Too close for comfort on that arm funnel.

MoonshineMike said...

Silva, from Cesc.

You can't beat that. Russia - DONE

The Fan's Attic said...

CRNP: I would think you would have to qualify your "man-crushes" as sexual or non-sexual.

EbullientFatalist said...

Spain looked the better squad this entire half.

Cesc deserves that 10 jersey.

Ian said...

this game is giving me a large cescrection

EbullientFatalist said...

Spain will now shit the bed against Der Mannschafft.

Arshavin still to Barca?

chipped red nail polish said...

TFA: Right. Want to be Torres's BFF and get busy with Casillas. Or Villa. Or Xabi. Etc.

Maybe I should head to kickette...

hockalees said...

I am stuck at work right now and will have to watch the game on DVR later... has Foudy or Stone mentioned that the USMNT only lost to Spain 1 - 0 yet? How many times?

EbullientFatalist said...

there's nothing wrong with visiting kickette if you are male.

I go for the WAGs.