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Thursday June 26, 2008 Finished Ernst Happel Stadion Vienna

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Russia

Spain

  • Xavi 50’
  • Guiza 73’
  • Silva 82’

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  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Russia
    • Spain
    • 90+2' The final whistle goes and Spain will face Germany in the final on Sunday, and they thoroughly deserve to be there! Thanks for joining us on a very special night in Vienna, see you again for the final.
    • 88' Russia have a free kick and a chance for a consolation. Arshavin whips it in and SYCHEV HEADS... Great save Casillas! Sychev completely lost his man and had a free header! Not that it matters, of course, but it means that Iker Casillas gets a star next to his name too.
    • 82' GOL GOL GOOOOOOOOOL!!! Fabregas sets up the killer third as he plays a perfectly-weighted ball across the boxx and David silva has enough time to take a touch and pick his spot before finishing with aplomb! It's all over for Russia now, it'll be Spain v Germany in the final!
    • 77' The Russians are looking pretty sorry for themselves right now. Where is all the reckless abandon with which they cut the Dutch down to size? They need to find it, because Spain are playing like this was an exhibition at the moment.
    • 73' GOOOOOOOOLAAAAAAAAAZZZZOOOOOO!!!! Cesc Fabregas deftly dinks Sergio Ramos's pass right into the path of Dani Guiza who calmly knocks it past Akinfeev! A wonderful goal created so cutely by Fabregas! It's a long way back for Russia now.
    • 70' Spain make their own double-switch, and Aragones takes off his two best performers. Torres and Xavi come off for Xabi Alonso and Dani Guiza, who one unnamed commentator has taken to calling 'Dani Geezer'!
    • 68' Fabregas is really pulling the strings now, and he slides a ball up for Torres to chase, but again he's outmuscled, this time by Zhirkov.
    • 66' Torres chases down a long ball and tries to knock it past Berezutskiy, who stands his ground and knocks the Spain forward off his stride!
    • 65' Russia still have it and the cross comes in and it's destined for ARSHAVIN... Sychev had strayed offside and the flag is up.
    • 64' Russia have a free kick here and if Zhirkov could send in a good delivery... He elects to strike... it hits the wall.
    • 63' Now Fabregas is out on that right wing and swings in another ball for TORRES... It was an awkward height and he didn't know whether to head or volley it.
    • 62' Spain coem again and Silva pulls a ball across for TORRES... Struck wide of the near post! Russia are under it now!
    • 60' Bilyaletdinov is the second Russian name in the referee's book in quick succession. Spain have the ball from the free kick and Silva finds Iniesta, who slips a wonderful ball through to Fabregas at the byline, but his pulled-back ball is headed away! Great football, que buena jugar!
    • 59' Xavi draws the foul in midfield. One commentator in Spain calss him "Xavi Humphrey Bogart", because he always plays it again. Bogart, Play it Again. Oh, never mind.
    • 57' Saenko comes off for Sychev as well, so it's a significant double-change by Guus Hiddink.
    • 55' Spain are riding the crest of a wave right now, and their support are in full voice, but this is by no means over yet. Russia replace Igor Semshov with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov
    • 52' Russia surge forwarrd immediately in reply and win a corner. It's cleared and SPain break forward again! Fabregas slips a pass out to Torres on the left of the area and he SHOOTS... Over the bar! This match has burst into life now!
    • 50' GOL GOL GOOOOOOOOOL!! Great work from Iniesta as he cuts inside in the box and curls in a ball for XAVI TO STAB HOME!!!! LA FURIA ROJA GO IN FRONT THROUGH XAVI HERNANDEZ!!!
    • 48' Zyrianov's boot comes off as he is fouled by Fabregas. Russia play iot short and keep hold of it in midfield. SPain win it off them and come forward. Silva feeds Ramos who crosses in and Semshov heads clear.
    • 46' Spain, in their mustard-coloured shirts, will get the second half underway!
    • HT OK, we're about to get underway for the second half. Sorry we couldn't publish all of your e-mails, but thanks for all your messages. Stay tuned!
    • HT Vincent Overmyer: "Just wanted to say thanks guys for the continual coverage of the Euro Cup. Thanks to you, all of us here in the USA can keep up with whats going on in the tourney while at work! Its kind of refreshing seeing countries like Turkey & Russia advancing so far. Thanks, & looking forward to the 2nd half of the Spain/Russia game." Aw, shucks, you're making us bluch Vincent.
    • HT Finally some support for Russia (of sorts) comes from Peter Harrison in LA: "Following the match at work in Los Angeles no television close by, so following the match online. I'm cheering for the Russians but wouldn't be at all disapointed in a Germany/Spain final. Euro 2008 is incredible!!!!" It certainly is Peter.
    • HT Fadi Kaseem in Canada: "I am going for Spain. I a big real Madrid fan and would love if Iker lifts up the trophy. I think Guiza should play in the second half, since he missed the penalty in the last game, i am sure he wants to correct his mistake. Beside, so far, Torres is out of luck in this tournament."
    • HT Poor old Zoe Roe: "Thanks for the commentary -- it makes being trapped in a windowless room with no TV during the semis almost tolerable! Though I do think Spain has their work cut out for them in the 2nd half. Russia's been scary late on."
    • HT Peter from Malaysia: "Spain going forward well but i think lady luck is on Russia's side. Hope to see a final of germany vs russia. I'm rooting for Germany all the way!" You're not making any friends here tonight then pal!
    • HT Jason Casillas (any realtion?): Go Spain Go, greetings from San Antoino, Texas.
    • 45+1' Arshavin and Puyol are both down are clashing heads as they went for a high ball. Both are up on their feet pretty quickly. Puyol doesn't look too bothered! That's the last action of the half, an intriguing 45 minutes. Stick around for the second half, and send us your thoughts during half time by sending your e-mails to tmabert@eurosport.com. Remember to let us know where you are, and who you're rooting for.
    • 42' Senna plays across to Sergio Ramos whose first touch has him bombing forward. Ramos pokes a ball up to torres, who valiantly tries to fight off two defenders but can't emerge with the ball.
    • 40' Spain's front five are constantly switching position, with David Silva just as likely to be the furthest man up as Torres at the moment.
    • 39' Fabregas dinks over a diagonal ball for Torres, whose first touch is excellent and helps him beat Zhirkov and SHOOT LEFT-FOOTED... It was a weak half-volley and Akinfeev gratefully collects.
    • 35' Almost as soon as play restarts Pavluchenko has a great chance to SLIDE IN A SHOT... The ball just whipped past him as it flew across goal. That would have been an awful minute for Spain if they had lost Villa and gone behind so quickly!
    • 35' It seems as though Villa pulled something when he took that last free-kick, and he'll be replaced by Cesc Fabregas. Bad news for Spaniards and neutrals.
    • 34' David Villa is sat down on the pitch, looking rather cheesed off. Is he coming off?
    • 33' Arshavin has played very deep so far, pretty much as a fifth midfielder. Consequently he's not had too much influence up until now.
    • 30' Arshavin slides in to dispossess Puyol on the edge of the Spain box and it breaks for PAVLUCHENKO... His shot from the edge of the area was curling but is wide of the top corner with Casillas stretching.
    • 29' Zyrianov slides right through the back of David silva and concedes the foul. He gets a final warning from the referee. David Villa will strike the free kick... It's on target but Akinfeev colects easily enough. He did well considering the greasy conditions.
    • 27' The ball is played in to Iniesta with his back to goal, but his has a good touch first touch that sets him up for the turn and the SHOT... Andres Iniesta slightly misjudges the effort and takes a swipe at thin air! He's one player who really hasn't turned up at this tournament so far.
    • 27' Referee De Beleeckere has a word with Saenko after he pushes over Marchena, but sensibly keeps his cards in his pocket. There are some spectacular flashes of fork lightning above.
    • 23' Russia fail to make anything of a corner but they have a sustained bout of possession in the Spain half, but Puyol marks Arshavin well to shepherd the ball out. This one's delicately poised at the moment, though admittedly it's been higher in technique than on thrills so far.
    • 20' Xavi and Iniesta combine well to release Villa, but Zhirkov was always favourite to that one. Two things for which we will remember this tournament - the heavy rain and the crowd singing Seven Nation Army - are both happening right now!
    • 18' This is great to see. Both full-backs from either side are bombing forward at every opportunity at the moment. The duels between Zhirkov and Ramos and Anyukov and Capdevilla may well hold the key to this match.
    • 16' Russia have a free kick. It's in a central area but abotu 35 yards out. That won't stop PAVLUCHENKO FROM SHOOTING... A wickedly struck shot, but Casillas watched it go over the bar!
    • 15' Sergio Ramos swings in diagonal ball for Torres in the box and he goes down under pressure from Ignashevitch... No peanlty! Torres is not really appealling, it was 50/50. Good decision by the official.
    • 14' David silva bangs into Zhirkov as he chases a bad touch, and goes flying under the challenge. Referee Frank de Bleeckere is having none of it.
    • 13' Russia win a corner. It's swung over to the far post and Sergio Ramos chests it coolly back to casillas. Let's see if he does that in the 90th minute. Actually, this is Sergio Ramos we're talking about...
    • 11' David Villa runs at goal with the ball and has time to SHOOT... It was a swerving, dipping effort but Akinfeev is equal to it.
    • 11' Pavluchenko can scamper up to chase the ball upfield, but Carlos Puyol takes it right off him!
    • 10' Some nice work from the Russians on the right wing and Anyukov can fire in a low ball... There is no red shirt to get on the end of it.
    • 6' Villa slips the ball into the box and Torres stuns it but the ball goes behind him. Torres spins and SHOOTS FROM CLOSE RANGE... Blocked at the near post by Akinfeev! Spain looking threatening in the opening exchanges.
    • 5' Xavi swings in an inviting cross for SERGIO RAMOS TO HEAD... The full-back just couldn't dive to meet it in time! Ramos fancies himself in front of goal, and he scores fairly regularly for Real Madrid. He's yet to get off the mark in this tournament though.
    • 3' Xavi releases Torres down the right wing, and Zhirkov slides in with a solid tackle.
    • 2' The ball has barely gone out of play in these opening two minutes, as each side takes turns to move forward beofre being tackled. David is pulled back by Zyrianov in midfield and gets the foul.
    • 1' So, will it be the Mañana men of Spain or the ice-cool customers from Russia? It's the red of the Russians to get us underway!
    • 19:43 The lyric-free Spanish anthem gets the rousing "la-la-la" treatment from the Spanish fans, before that cracker that is the Russian hymn is belted out with real gusto. We're just seocnds away from kick-off!
    • 19:40 Head-to-head: It's not good reading for Russian fans, if you believe that history matters in these situations, as their record against the Spanish reads L3, D1, W0. The most recent Iberian win coame in their opening Group D match, when Villa's hat-trick saw them run out 4-1 winners. But since then, Russia have only conceded once and scored six goals.
    • 19:34 For Russia, Vasilly Berezutskiy comes into the heart of the defence to partner Ignashevitch at the expense of Denis Kolodin. Roman Pavluchenko is again the lone frontman but expect the in-form Andrei Arshavin to provide more of the dazzling supply and support that helped Guus Hiddink's side knock out the much-fancied Holland in the last round.
    • 19:31 The big team news for the Furia Roja is that manager Luis Aragones has kept faith with the side that got here, meaning that once again there is no place for Cesc Fabregas in the starting XI. The lethal partnership of David Villa and Fernando Torres is raring to go.
    • 19:28 Welcome to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the Euro 2008 final between Russia and Spain! These two countries could hardly be further apart in Europe, both geographically and culturally. However, they have both lit up this tournament with some wonderful football, and with a place against Germany in the final at stake we could be in for a real cracker!!

  • Summary

    • 88' Russia have a free kick and a chance for a consolation. Arshavin whips it in and SYCHEV HEADS... Great save Casillas! Sychev completely lost his man and had a free header! Not that it matters, of course, but it means that Iker Casillas gets a star next to his name too.
    • 82' GOL GOL GOOOOOOOOOL!!! Fabregas sets up the killer third as he plays a perfectly-weighted ball across the boxx and David silva has enough time to take a touch and pick his spot before finishing with aplomb! It's all over for Russia now, it'll be Spain v Germany in the final!
    • 73' GOOOOOOOOLAAAAAAAAAZZZZOOOOOO!!!! Cesc Fabregas deftly dinks Sergio Ramos's pass right into the path of Dani Guiza who calmly knocks it past Akinfeev! A wonderful goal created so cutely by Fabregas! It's a long way back for Russia now.
    • 63' Now Fabregas is out on that right wing and swings in another ball for TORRES... It was an awkward height and he didn't know whether to head or volley it.
    • 62' Spain coem again and Silva pulls a ball across for TORRES... Struck wide of the near post! Russia are under it now!
    • 60' Bilyaletdinov is the second Russian name in the referee's book in quick succession. Spain have the ball from the free kick and Silva finds Iniesta, who slips a wonderful ball through to Fabregas at the byline, but his pulled-back ball is headed away! Great football, que buena jugar!
    • 50' GOL GOL GOOOOOOOOOL!! Great work from Iniesta as he cuts inside in the box and curls in a ball for XAVI TO STAB HOME!!!! LA FURIA ROJA GO IN FRONT THROUGH XAVI HERNANDEZ!!!
    • 30' Arshavin slides in to dispossess Puyol on the edge of the Spain box and it breaks for PAVLUCHENKO... His shot from the edge of the area was curling but is wide of the top corner with Casillas stretching.
    • 27' The ball is played in to Iniesta with his back to goal, but his has a good touch first touch that sets him up for the turn and the SHOT... Andres Iniesta slightly misjudges the effort and takes a swipe at thin air! He's one player who really hasn't turned up at this tournament so far.
    • 16' Russia have a free kick. It's in a central area but abotu 35 yards out. That won't stop PAVLUCHENKO FROM SHOOTING... A wickedly struck shot, but Casillas watched it go over the bar!
    • 15' Sergio Ramos swings in diagonal ball for Torres in the box and he goes down under pressure from Ignashevitch... No peanlty! Torres is not really appealling, it was 50/50. Good decision by the official.
    • 6' Villa slips the ball into the box and Torres stuns it but the ball goes behind him. Torres spins and SHOOTS FROM CLOSE RANGE... Blocked at the near post by Akinfeev! Spain looking threatening in the opening exchanges.
    • 5' Xavi swings in an inviting cross for SERGIO RAMOS TO HEAD... The full-back just couldn't dive to meet it in time! Ramos fancies himself in front of goal, and he scores fairly regularly for Real Madrid. He's yet to get off the mark in this tournament though.
    • 19:28 Welcome to Eurosport's LIVE coverage of the Euro 2008 final between Russia and Spain! These two countries could hardly be further apart in Europe, both geographically and culturally. However, they have both lit up this tournament with some wonderful football, and with a place against Germany in the final at stake we could be in for a real cracker!!

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  1. damn it

    From Daniel, on Fri 30 Oct 4:54PM
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