Euro 2008 - Mystic Matthaeus: Netherlands v Russia

Eurosport - Sat, 21 Jun 19:37:00 2008

Former Germany captain and Eurosport's expert pundit Lothar Matthaeus looks ahead to the last eight clash between Netherlands and Russia.

FOOTBALL 2008 Euro 2008 Netherlands fans supporters - 0

Matthaeus, a World Cup winner with West Germany in 1990 and the most capped German player of all time, will be giving us his thoughts on every game throughout the three-week long tournament.

And he is certainly well placed to do so - as well as featuring at five World Cups, the former World and European Player of the Year has appeared at four European Championships, winning one, in 1980.

Lothar says:Netherlands 2-1 Russia

A small advantage for the Netherlands in a game which will undoubtedly be played at a very high technical level. Their experience and the fact they are a bit more stable than the Russians, who have also convinced me of their ability. They're a technically strong team with a bright future.

Suspended: None

Misses next match if booked: Nigel de Jong, Andre Ooijer (Netherlands); Ivan Saenko, Dmitry Torbinsky, Denis Kolodin, Andrei Arshavin, Sergei Semak (Russia)

Injured: None

Changes: Netherlands coach Marco van Basten is set to make nine changes to the team that started against Romania, with winger Arjen Robben and defender Khalid Boulahrouz the only two expected to keep their places.

Russia coach Guus Hiddink is expected to name an unchanged line-up to the one that performed well in their 2-0 win over Sweden.

Key stats: Russia won the most corners of any team in the group stages (27). Netherlands won just seven, the least of the 16 teams competing.

Netherlands beat the Soviet Union 2-0 in the Euro 88 final thanks to goals from Ruud Gullit and Van Basten.

Follow live text commentary on the game right here on eurosport.yahoo.com from 19:45 BST.

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Comment 33 - 52 of 52

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  1. matthaeus... please stop. your job is surely at stake in eurosport, or "sports mysticism and fortune telling" in general for that matter.

    From devil_88, on Mon 23 Jun 1:27PM

  2. nice b00bs.

    From devil_88, on Mon 23 Jun 1:19PM

  3. Spain to beat Italy ~ whom suck anymore, getting too old and got lucky against France (they too are aging), Russia is dangerous, young and put on a one touch Clinique last game, but Holland is the best team in Europe right now so the Dutch win this game. Germany & Turkey, well Germany is definitely the superior and better side, but Turkey is the Luckiest (not good, but luckiest)team with the biggest heart that will not give-up, so this game could go either way, but I'll say Germany 3-0 only because of their size, power and experience. In the end the (by far) best team in Europe will win the finals, Netherlands!!

    Oh and 1 last thing, Shaunitha is hot!! ;)

    DaDa210- thank you, and well Italy's out!! , My gut feeling said Italy was gonna lose neways. sighz.

    On ward Germany!

    From Shaunitha, on Sun 22 Jun 11:45PM

  4. As far as tonight goes, I dont predict scorelines because (unlike Lothar) I think its impossible, but I think Russia are shaping up perfectly and victory against Holland would not really surprise me. Russia v Germany final? Why not? At least we get to see the lovely Shaunitha's photo a bit longer!-

    galbraith.andy, Aye i agree with you on that one, i never really forgave Italy for beating scotland, Scots deserved to go thru like, u know what i mean? ;)
    Cheers for the comment.

    From Shaunitha, on Sun 22 Jun 11:43PM

  5. shaunitha u look hot baby im also a german fan and live in usa, matheus was a great player one of the best nobody can predict the result but im gonna tell this germany will beat turkey 4-1 and beat the dutch....go deutschland---

    I guess i should say thanks?
    Lothar did predict that Spain was gonna win, and so they did. tho the scoreline was well was wrong.
    I certainly hope Germany will win, but this tournament's been full of surprises..But hey Germany always.

    From Shaunitha, on Sun 22 Jun 11:41PM

  6. I seriously think lothar should stop making predictions... why does he STILL insist on making them?? they never come true. he was a good player, but not a good analyst. i know it, you know it, sure as heck eurosport knows it, he should face it too.

    From devil_88, on Sun 22 Jun 11:09PM

  7. Hahahah!!! Russia won!! (I am from Russia :-$)
    I won't say "we are the champions" or "we are more powerfull than others"... but I can say to you another words. You can see our progress. Forget about past, live nowadays. Nowadays we have got rather strong team, Russia - Spain was just unluck.

    See ya in the final of Euro!
    Росси& amp;#1103; порве&#1 090; всех в клочь&#1 103; и у нее самые пизда&#1 090;ые фанат&#1 099;!!!! Ура!!!

    From apocalypszine, on Sun 22 Jun 12:09PM

  8. Now, you all who supported Holland s**k it!
    Russia vs Turkey is the final! Those "Favorited Teams" got to learn what team work is!

    From uzfarrukh, on Sun 22 Jun 11:21AM

  9. shuttttttttttt up y'all. AZZURIS FOR THE CUP.

    From sherifat a, on Sun 22 Jun 9:15AM

  10. Italians have the best team since 2006.

    From sherifat a, on Sun 22 Jun 8:45AM

  11. We all know the Netherlands is favorite but if Russia beats I won't be surprised. I want the Netherlands to win. The final between the Netherlands and Turkey can be really great.

    I must add that I'm proud of our football team -Turkey-. But it's difficult to realize how we've done. We won't be able to forget this tournament for years.

    From ertugrulpolat@ymail.com, on Sat 21 Jun 7:53PM

  12. I quite agree with Matthaeus, the game is going to end with neth taking the game Neth 2 Russia 1.

    Up Eagles, Nigeria continue their hundred per cent record today by beating Equi.Guinea 2 0.

    Chelsea for life

    From Unbeatable Saint, on Sat 21 Jun 7:36PM

  13. Turkey will be defeated hard by the Germans and thrown out of Europe again like they were thrown out of Bulgaria by Russian soldiers in 1878. Germany will beat Holland in the final 2-1

    From borlerer, on Sat 21 Jun 7:23PM

  14. Watch this space.Turkey are going to win the cup.When a team can come back so many times and against Croatia they showed some class too and had that touch of luck which all teams need to win with the last kick of the ball they got a goal,that says thier name is on the cup and a fairy tail story is again going to happen like four years ago with Greece.

    Also Turkey have some really good players and when luck is also on your side they it is made for you.Remember what I said cool.

    Roland

    From Roland, on Sat 21 Jun 7:00PM

  15. As far as tonight goes, I dont predict scorelines because (unlike Lothar) I think its impossible, but I think Russia are shaping up perfectly and victory against Holland would not really surprise me. Russia v Germany final? Why not? At least we get to see the lovely Shaunitha's photo a bit longer!

    From galbraith.andy, on Sat 21 Jun 6:54PM

  16. Germany will be very hard to beat - I believe Spain will be Euro Chaps!!!

    From writetomichael, on Sat 21 Jun 6:47PM

  17. For Shaunitha: Nobody denies Lothar was a brilliant player. Us Scots appreciate his skills, but his Mistake Maddeus predictions are pretty rubbish. But what the hell Shaunitha. With your good looks you can appear here and say whatever you want as often as you want!!!!!!!

    From galbraith.andy, on Sat 21 Jun 6:45PM

  18. Sooner or later the Dutch balloon will burst. Why not against Russia? If the Russians manage to destabilize their confidence with an early goal or Ribery style injury, the Dutch courage could rapidly dissolve.

    From canukh, on Sat 21 Jun 5:46PM

  19. Holland will win russia ,thats for sure ! Hollan 4-1 Russia !

    From gillipetersen, on Sat 21 Jun 5:22PM

  20. The referee is against them? Like in their last game when he already should stop the game in the 122th minute. I would say he helped them...

    From fhunor2002, on Sat 21 Jun 4:20PM
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