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Russia against Spain again at Euro 2008 this time fighting for the final.
European Championships Semi Final 2
Teams: Russia vs Spain
Date and Time: 20:45 CET - Thursday, June 26, 2008
Venue: Ernst Happel, Vienna
Both teams met in their opening fixture in the group stages of the competition where the Spanish won 4-1, but a lot has happened since then. It's the semi finals of Euro 2008 and both Spain and Russia can create history by being in the final on Sunday. But which team will come out victorious?
The Rematch
It must come as a conventional surprise to many that the Russians have made it this far in the Euros, but should it be surprising given the many exploits of the esteemed coach Guus hiddink?
The Russians star player CSKA Moscow forward Andrei Arshavin who did not feature in the opener will be hoping to make a difference in this crucial game.
The Russians will feature the same defense as they did in the first game and will be hoping they learnt from that experience.
The Spanish will be looking for repeat of the opener and will not doubt be cognizant of the Russian star Arshavin. The Spanish will also need to change their approach in midfield as a tighter midfield is expected by the Russians.
The outcome of this match will depend largely on each team's ability to adapt and scoring opportunities is expected to be at a minimal even with the attacking minded Spanish. the subs could be the differnce in this game.
A Look at the teams
Russia
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Ivan Saenko and Alexander Anyukov all have slight injuries but should be fit to play. Kolodin and attacking midfielder Dmitry Torbinski are both suspended.
Spain
From all indications Coach Aragonés will name the same team that that faced the Russians in the Spain's opener with Villa and Torres in front of David Silva, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta and Marcos Senna.
PREDICTION
The Russians have certainly grown since the group stages of the Euros and the Spanish seem to have lost their momentum as seen in their last game which they won on penalties. The Russians though will be familiar with the Spanish forwards and will hope to do a better job at making them. Spain seems to have lost their scoring shoes and must now try to do what they did in the group stages but with the Euros at stake. It will be close and the possibility of penalties looms, nonetheless the Russians should take it.
Spain 1 -- 2 Russia
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