My Euro08 Group D Day 4 Analysis

Group D Analysis

Final Score : Spain 4 - 1 Russia

1st Half

Torres outwits Kolodin on the left-hand corner of the penalty area before toeing the ball past the advancing Akinfeev to Villa, who sidefoots the ball into the empty net ! 1-0 to Spain.
Unlucky Russia HIT THE POST! A low cross from the right reaches Konstantin Zyrianov at the back post, and he turns the ball against the left-hand upright from 15 yards! Spain counter-attack, and Torres gets in behind the Russia defence before flicking a shot over Akinfeev but wide of the near post! They break at pace from the corner, Iniesta slips a cute ball behind the Russia defence to Villa and he slots the ball between Akinfeev's legs to double Spain's lead! Lovely football.Double joy for Spain @ half-time Game Over.

2nd Half

Chance for Russia ! Bystrov gets his head to Zyrianov's cross from the left but puts his header straight at Casillas ! Spain go close twice! First, Senna's header from Xavi's corner is pushed out by Akinfeev, and then Silva follows up with a beautifully struck volley from outside the box that's straight at the Russia keeper ! HAT TRICK FOR DAVID VILLA ! He latches onto Fabregas's pass to the left-hand side of the area, cuts inside Shirokov and tucks the ball inside the near post ! Well Deserve man of the match performance and he e become the 1st hat trick hero in the Euro08 tournament.Russia's corner is flicked on at the near post by Shirokov before being powerfully headed home at the back post by Pavlyuchenko! And, for the first time in this tournament, both sides have scored in a game.Too little too late they should have pounce on Spain with free kicks and corners as most Spainish players are not even 1.8m tall and clearly look weak @ set piece suitations.David Villa scoops the ball into Xavi's path, Xavi's volley is parried by Akinfeev and Fabregas dives in to head home ! Icing on the cake and that is total disaster for Russia while joy all round for Spain.

Conclusion : Guus Hiddink got it all wrong as his makeshift backline totally didn't work and the Russia players except for hard working positive attitude striker Pavlyuchenko gave up the match after the 2 goals went in during the first half.Pavlyuchenko could have score more goals and deserve the goal for his effort one to look out for.Spain have it all too easy against Russia as their defence look disorganised and totally incapable for dealing with Villa and Torres.

Final Score : Greece 0 - 2 Sweden

1st Half

Charisteas weaves his way past a couple of defenders on the right-hand edge of the penalty area before driving in a low left-footer that's straight at Andreas Isaksson.Anders Svensson thumps a left-footed volley @ the edge of the box over the crossbar ! just inches away! Ljungberg curls a cross into the box from deep on the left and Ibrahimovic heads it inches over the bar with to produce a good save from Isaksson.Basinas ram the ball from distance and Isaksson drops to his left to push the ball around the post ! Boring 1st half.......

2nd Half

Wilhelmsson is picked out in acres of space on the Swedish right-hand side but with Nikopolidis racing from his line he sidefoots the ball over the crossbar ! yet other chance wasted by Sweden ! Dellas's right-wing cross is headed backwards by Hansson and goes wide of the left-hand post by inches with Isaksson beaten! Almost a superb own goal.An absolute belter from Ibrahimovic! He exchanges passes with Larsson on the right-hand corner of the penalty area before rifling an unstoppable drive into the top-left corner! Screamer that is just what the game needed.Ljungberg's shot is saved, Elmander pokes the ball up into the air and Hansson somehow scrambles the ball home off his left knee at the back post ! Greece with 18 minutes left to chase back 2 goals an impossible task thus it is game over for them.

Conclusion : Sweden look strong and compact with Star Striker Ibrahimovic On Fire but need to convert the chances created against Russia and Spain or else they are likely to be make to pay.Greece legendary Euro2004 Champaign are not set to repeat itself as they look to be down and out just like Russia.

Group D Winners Predictions : Spain
Group D Runner-up Prediction : Sweden

Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea And Italy Fan cfcghimpheng.blogspot.com