Fantastic extra time. The Russians deserve to win the Cup, if it comes to that. It seems hard to predict anything this time. If anyone had told me that Turkey and Russia will make it to the finals, I would have laughed in their faces. Klose has been despairingly out of form, and he can't seem to find his pace with Gomez around. I think only Lahm has been consistent so far of the entire squad: keeps his cool, never seems to suffer from major injuries and avoids making a scene.

Any guesses on tomorrows match, Italy vs Spain?

Dutch team just fell to pieces, and Russia were all over them at the end.

What a tournament though.

Some wonderful play from the Dutch at the start, breathtaking comebacks from the Turks, the emergence of Russia...

Its all starting to look good for the Azzurri for me, but Spain is going to be a tough game, and you can never discount the Germans... and Turkey are playing like their name is on the trophy... and Russia just took Holland apart... so its anyone's game right now!

I'd back Italy right now though, even with a very tough QF to come.

I dont care how bad they play, or how many chances Luca Toni misses (or how slow he moves), how many senior players they miss:- at the business end of a competition they are a very hard team to beat.

Is Gattuso suspended for tomorrows match? A part of me is glad that Cannavaro is out, with him around, no one has any chance of breaking the defense.

I'd like to see Germany beat Turkey. Russia could take on Italy (IF they win) and then Germany might play one of them in the finals.

I'm hoping it's Italy. At the risk of sounding like a fanatic, I hope the Italians don't score like they did in '06 :oogle:

Seeing Russia play like they did today, I wouldn't be surprised if they booted Italy out.

Yeah, Gattuso is out; Pirlo too I think.

I think thats a bit unfair to be honest.

Fair dues, when the tournament started I was dissapointed that England werent there and wasnt looking forward to it, but there have been so many great games - and I havent been going on about how everyone misses England like some English fans. Its disrespectful to the teams that qualified, and we didnt qualify for a simple reason - we didnt win enough games.

But, over two matches against us, Russia were a poor side in the qualification league. Croatia were a better team than England over the games, and Russia werent... but they won through, and they must have deserved to cos they had more points than us - end of story.

They WERE poor against Spain and turgid against a toothless Greek team. I think Sweden were there to get knocked over... but you cant argue with what theyve done tonight... they have turned over the best team in the competition, and this one result marks their emergence on the world scene.

__

But I havent been moaning that England arent in it, ever since this tournament started, Ive just been enjoying the great football.

Not unfair at all - Russia and England split the spoils in qualification. Neither side were consistent, Russia however, got through.

As for the match against Spain, did you actually watch it? I did, pulling for Spain all the way, but I see it much the way the two coaches did and how most media observers did - it was more of a 3-2 game than a 4-1 game. Spain deserved the win, but it was not as resounding as the scoreline suggests.

If Russia had a real predator - a Van Nistleroy type - they'd have scored 50% more goals than they have. But Pavlyuchenko takes half a dozen shots to score one, and that may well be their downfall in this tourney.

Not sure of what Im supposed to make from that... if England has Nistlerooy we would have qualified probably.

Over 180 minutes Russia were a poor team in qualifying, thats all I can tell you - I didnt watch their other games... but I think they qualified off the back of home form.

Didn't watch Russia play either, just caught the highlights the next day. But after I read about how everyone was praising them, I decided to observe them more closely. And I like Guus Hiddink too. :thumbsup:

Yes, you have missed the point ... which is that Russia are a very good team, but their lack of a real hitman is an evident weakness and one that might let them down in the semis or finals if they get that far as a they run into teams who will contain their running better and who will limit their chances. Nothing to do with Ingerland in the slightest.

But thats my point - the Russian team DONT have Nistlerooy.

You can say "add a world class player" to any team in the world, and it will make them better.

If Lionel Messi was Dutch, they might have beaten Russia... but what does it mean?

The lack of a goal scorer after Owen's injury problems is probably the biggest problems the England team have as well - but thats the reality of the situation.

You are still not understanding - my comment is merely an analysis of Russia's abilities. They may have the wheels to win this competition - they are fast and skilled and well coached - but the fact that they lack a goal mouth predator is a potential downfall.

Stop bringing England into this ...

____________________________________________________________

OK, if you prefer, here's my analysis of the remaining teams:

Russia - Pro: fast, skilled, maybe the best coached team, brilliant player in Arshavin.

Con: Untested, young keeper, no out and out striker.


Germany - Pro: Brutally strong and fit, experienced, full of belief.

Con: Slow defence, young coach, main two strikers misfiring, crazy Jens Lehman.


Turkey - Pro: More confidence than anyone after recent results, play cohesively, players well acquainted with one another, experienced coach.

Con: Injuries and suspensions mean a short bench, may be out of gas.


Italy - Pro: Reigning world champs, experienced, the best keeper in the world in Gigi Buffon, know how to win, feared.

Con: Old, missing many key players, questionable coaching.


Spain - Pro: The best collection of individual players on earth, fast, skilled, Villa-Torres combo may be the best in world football, deep bench.

Con: Lack of self-belief, shaky defence that can be exploited by strength and physical play.

The spain-Italy game today will be awesome!!

I predict : Italy 2, spain 1. Italy will score 1st and then spain and near the end, Italy again. No overtime.

Well, it was anything but awesome! Unfortunately, it was probably the worst game of the tourney so far, but we were due for a dog eventually after so many excellent matches.

Glad to see Spain go through - they (usually) play nice football, and we'll see how the rematch with Russia goes. Their first game was much closer than the scoreline suggests and Russia have gained heaps of confidence since.

I have to agree. fucking boring game! I actually fell asleep in the 2nd half.
what a disappointing game.

I liked the game. Note the liked and not loved. I fell asleep too, but that was because it was 1.30 am here. I have managed to stay wide awake only for the games that Germany play. :hyper: :hearts:

Toni was frustrating, missing shots or misfiring them. He and Klose play well for Bayern Munich, and yet they've been flop shows so far.

Italy lost because they didn't have Gattuso, Pirlo and Cannavaro. The rest looked old and tired. Spot-on analysis, highthief. :) Buffon looked out of form during the penalties.

So, Germany vs Turkey.
Russia vs Spain, any guesses?

We could go for a Germany (fingers crossed) vs Spain. Russia and Turkey (especially Turkey) face injuries and suspension issues.

Spain v. Germany final, I hope! Turkey are brave but I don't really, as a fan, want them in the final. Russia have a shot, but for all the press Arshavin gets, they'll be missing Kolodin in the semis and that is going to hurt.

Those fucking Oranje-clad bastards.

Sorry...I'm just really disappointed in their shocking collapse.

Bad luck for the Turks. Injuries and suspensions, rumor has it that they've got only 13-14 people to choose from. :sad:

daylight robbery.

What a shame for the Turkish team.

despite the repeated breakdowns in television imagery, a hell of a game.
it is a shame for turkey.
i was really hoping they'd beat germany.
ah well.

Daylight robbery my foot. :p They all played well. *Dances* Fail for the glitches, I missed the last 3 goals because of that.

So who pulled the worldwide TV plug (several times) on that one? Listening to the Icelandic sportscasters stumbling over their words in shock was pretty funny... "Uh... we are... uh..."

'We apologize for the inconvenience'

Lehmann was creaky. Lahm was brilliant and so were the Turks. :thumbsup:

Turkey are the story of the tournament to me, they can go out with their heads held high.

Germany were awful tonight in patches, but they found a way to win - and as a team thats what they do.

They looked shakey but as if they could come into form against Poland, were outclassed by Croatia, were woeful against an awful Austrian side who wouldnt have qualified for the championships if they had twice as many games as the other teams, had the least of the play but took their chances against Portugal, and again tonight they were outplayed for much of the night, looked dodgy at the back, but they took their chances and found a way to win.

They're the one's in the final, and thats the only stat that matters.

I think a lot of people's perception of Turkish football has been changed by their lads though, and it shows what we always knew about a German national team - however they play - they tend to be in the mix at the business end of a major championship more often than not.

The game lasts 90 minutes and at the end Germany wins :D

OK, now for Spain to do the trick against Russia and we have the sort of final many fans will have been hoping for.

The ref was crap in that Germany-Turkey match - the least Lahm should have gotten was a free kick and possibly a penalty, depending on where contact really was made.

^^What he said.

The German defense absolute rubbish. Lehmann was an ape yesterday (I finally realized why they call him mad). Metzelder and Mertesacker could do a good job. The Turks played much better than what I expected/

I think no matter who goes through from Spain-Russia, there should be goals in the final. None of the 3 teams has a great defence, but all have potent offences. So long as the coaches don't get nervous and adopt an Italian approach, it could be a really sweet final!

Fingers crossed!

Spain lose their most potent striker yet score 3 goals! Did not get to see all the second half, but all the reports suggest it was an excellent performance with Fabregas and Senna especially taking control.

Looks good for Sunday!

^I think Fabregas is the Golden boy in everyone's eyes right now, I;ve been checking a number of football forums.

I missed that last half hour. :( But Spain did play well for what it's worth. I still don't see what the fuss about Arshavin is about. He fizzed out after a couple of good performances. He was practically invisible during the game.

Pity Pavlyuchenko didn't score, he did try his best. i feel so sad for Hiddink.:shakehead:


So, Germany vs Spain. Your take on it, folks. :thumbsup:

Watching the replay, Arshavin really did get shut down a fair bit by Senna - he never got up the head of steam he seems to need to be so productive.

Anyway, civil war is about to break out here - my wife is for Germany and I must pull for my cultural brothers in Spain! I bought her a little present last night in anticipation of difficulties come Sunday!

I have this horrible feeling Germany's going to lose. :shakehead:

i sure hope your gut feeling is correct LOM

*Shakes fist* :mad:

The Spanish players are easy on the eyes though. :bowdown:

Go Spain! :D

GO GERMANY! http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/4499/xcivyxie5.gif

The formbook says it has to be Spain

History says you discount the Germans at your peril

Torres!!!!

i am definitely pulling for spain--i only just got in at the end of the first half--spain looks good---how would you assess the first half (which i missed)?

best team won

no question.