Time to get ready for the Group D start with Spain and Russia getting us going. If you have access to cable tv, switch on ESPN 2 for the 11:45 EST kickoff. If you are at work check back with me for halftime and postgame reports. Anyone watching feel free to comment with your own updates. Flashscore.com can also be a useful tool to follow along with soccer scores if you are stuck at work.
What do we have to look forward to in this match? Well I think the Russian team has been much improved in recent years and should provide a good test for this Spanish team. The Spanish team will rightly be considered the favorites, but Russia has firepower of its own, with Andrei Arshavin and Pavel Pogrebnyak on display at the UEFA Cup final for eventual champs, Zenit St. Petersburg. The former has been rumored as a transfer target for some major club sides. Spain has a more balanced distribution of talent, with of course Fernando Torres, favorite of teen girls everywhere, up top, with Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso sitting behind him in the midfield.
The X-Factor for this game could be the managerial skills of Russian coach Guus Hiddink who has a strong track record for getting the most out of his players. Can he guide them to an upset win to start the competition? My guess is no. While I expect a competitive game that may well see Russia getting on the board, I like Spain's overall class and see them being a contender deep into this tournament. I predict Spain wins 3-1. UPDATE: We're at kickoff and Fabregas will be on the bench for Spain. Arshavin and Pogrebnyak are out with suspension and injury, and now I don't see Spain having any trouble with Russia.
What do we have to look forward to in this match? Well I think the Russian team has been much improved in recent years and should provide a good test for this Spanish team. The Spanish team will rightly be considered the favorites, but Russia has firepower of its own, with Andrei Arshavin and Pavel Pogrebnyak on display at the UEFA Cup final for eventual champs, Zenit St. Petersburg. The former has been rumored as a transfer target for some major club sides. Spain has a more balanced distribution of talent, with of course Fernando Torres, favorite of teen girls everywhere, up top, with Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso sitting behind him in the midfield.
The X-Factor for this game could be the managerial skills of Russian coach Guus Hiddink who has a strong track record for getting the most out of his players. Can he guide them to an upset win to start the competition? My guess is no. While I expect a competitive game that may well see Russia getting on the board, I like Spain's overall class and see them being a contender deep into this tournament. I predict Spain wins 3-1. UPDATE: We're at kickoff and Fabregas will be on the bench for Spain. Arshavin and Pogrebnyak are out with suspension and injury, and now I don't see Spain having any trouble with Russia.
20th: GOAL: Spain gets out to a 1-0 start. Torres gets past a defender and with the keeper challenging lays the ball off for Villa who slots home.
21st: As I type Russia his a post. Shot was taken by Konstantin Zyryanov. This game seems to be opening up now. I wasn't planning a running commentary but I will do my best. I will be back and forth a bit so if I disappear for awhile it may mean nothing is happening but more likely there is a goalfest going on while I am running errands...
24th: Torres with a chance but the shot is saved.
28th: Dear Cesc Fabregas, if you are bored on the bench I propose becoming a US citizen, you could start for us anytime! Too bad he's cap-tied. As I joke, Villa fires and it deflects wide for a corner. Nothing comes of the corner for Spain.
30th: Corner coming here for Russia, they aren't exactly boring themselves, however the corner is not the best taken I've seen.
37th: Yes, I'm still here, but you haven't really missed anything worth posting. Some back and forth play yielding few exciting moments.
39th: Torres just got the ball in a dangerous position near the endline. He laid the ball back and it was deflected out for a corner. A pair of Spanish defenders effectively deny each other a scoring chance on the ensuing corner.
44th: GOAL: Spain goes up 2-0 on a second goal by David Villa. Russia turns the ball over under pressure and Iniesta sets up Villa for his second of the first half.
Halftime: We're through the first half, and Spain leads 2-0. While there are 45 left to play, it is difficult at this point to see any result other than a Spain win.
Halftime: I will be away for a bit of the start of the second half, if anyone is watching and following along here, feel free to post updates in the comments section.
75th: GOAL: I'm back, and lightning has struck 3 times in the same place. David Villa gets the hat trick and Spain leads 3-0.
84th: Iker Casillas is down for Spain. He came out to punch a ball and was hit pretty hard taking a shoulder to the head. He will stay on, though Spanish fans probably weren't as worried as some nations when their top keeper appears hurt. They have a pretty good second option in Jose Reina.
86th: GOAL: Russia gets a consolation goal and ruins Casillas' clean sheet. A corner is flicked on to the back post where Pavlyuchenko heads it into the goal. 3-1 Spain.
90+: GOAL: Spain goes ahead 4-1 in stoppage time! Cesc Fabregas gets the goal as a substitute with a diving header at the back post.
Final: Spain wins 4-1. It must be said they looked strong today with the exception of a few sloppy moments bordering Russia's goal. Otherwise Spain's quality on the ball really has shown through today. Yes, Fabregas' late goal ruined my 3-1 prediction, but I must reinforce that I think this Spain team can do some damage in the tournament.
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