A look at the likely formations, strengths and weaknesses of Russia and Spain, who meet in the second semi-final of Euro 2008:

FORMATIONS:

Spain have settled on 4-1-3-2 with Marcos Senna as the deep-lying midfielder. Russia are more of a 4-4-2 but with forward Andrei Arshavin operating "in the hole".

STRENGTHS

Spain keep the ball effortlessly and have plenty of interchangeable midfield options. David Villa and Fernando Torres are a mobile front duo who carry a varied threat.

Russia have momentum, confidence and variety. Coach Guus Hiddink gets the absolute best out of his players and in striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and Arshavin they have two of the players of the tournament.

WEAKNESSES

The goalless draw against Italy exposed the lack of variety in their slow, precise build-up play, which can be swamped by the opposing defence and midfield sitting deep.

They lack height and though they handled Italy's Luca Toni well, they carry little aerial threat of their own at set pieces.

Russia looked disorganised defensively at the start of the tournament and though they have tightened up they can be caught out of position when their own attacks break down. So much goes through Arshavin that any injury to him would all but end their chances at a stroke.

DEFENCE

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas captains the team and brings an authority to the back which will only have been enhanced by his penalty shootout saves against Italy.

Carles Puyol is a superb modern sweeper who sniffs out and then snuffs out danger.

Hiddink has worked hard to get his defence organised but the suspension of Denis Kolodin could unsettle them again.

Both sides have wingbacks who like to drive forward, with Sergio Ramos and Joan Capdevila for Spain and Russia's Alexander Anyukov and Yuri Zhirkov. While the tactic adds weight going forward it can also leave their teams exposed to rapid counter-attacks.

MIDFIELD

Spain's midfield fulcrum is Xavi, who has one or a dozen touches in just about every move.

Andres Iniesta and David Silva are similarly compact, probing players while Cesc Fabregas and Santi Cazorla, who are usually thrown on for the last 30 minutes, add a bit more spark.

They are all good, but mostly good at the same things.

Russia's speedy, accurate and inventive attacks on both flanks tore through the defences of Sweden and Netherlands and are particularly dangerous on the counter.

Arshavin, who was suspended for the first two games, is quickly making up for lost time with his creative and positive play that makes chances for himself and those around him.

ATTACK

Villa, with four goals from his first two games, offers a mobile target for his midfielders while Torres loves to get the ball and drive into the box.

Pavlyuchenko is back to his best and full of confidence. Strong and good in the air, he will give the Spanish centre-backs a stiff examination.

Eurosport