match 1:
Innsbruck - Tivoli Neu - Austria
SPAIN 4 - 1 RUSSIA
Innsbruck - Tivoli Neu - Austria
SPAIN 4 - 1 RUSSIA
Spain
Villa 20, 44, 75
Fabregas 90+1
Russia
Pavlyuchenko 86
Entertainment value: 4.5 / 5
match 2:
Salzburg - EM Stadion Wals-Siezenheim - Austria
GREECE 0 - 2 SWEDEN
Villa 20, 44, 75
Fabregas 90+1
Russia
Pavlyuchenko 86
Entertainment value: 4.5 / 5
match 2:
Salzburg - EM Stadion Wals-Siezenheim - Austria
GREECE 0 - 2 SWEDEN
Ibrahimovic 67
Hansson 72
EV: 4 / 5
Finally a match which had both teams scoring featuring one victor who has not fulfilled their potential for a really long time with their opponents probably realising that Guus' golden touch has probably deserted them at the wrong time. In the other match, European Champions Greece are facing stark reality with much to think about if they are to retain the trophy after losing without a fight against Sweden. Plus, this match has the 2nd contender for goal of the tourney after Ibrahimovic splendidly struck a thunderbolt from outside the box.
In the 1st match of the night, Spain proved they can be a handful against most teams and no wonder why as David Villa sensationally struck a hat-trick against a hapless Russian side who is good (any team that beats England in a competitive match must be good) but not half as good as the Spanish side who must be brimming with confidence after the 4-1 win. The Russians can still recover against the lesser two teams and they should not let the defeat hurt their chances.
The other match. Greece : Fluke current champions definitely, deserving current champions probably, future champions no way. Sweden battered the European champions the whole night with the Greeks fully exposed so ruthlessly against a team most predicted is over the hill. If Greece think everyday is Sunday, they better think again. With a defensive mindset, it is probably too late to overhaul their tactics, but they should try to break out of it and improve for the next game to stay in the competition. Sweden will be happy with the result, knowing a victory against either Russia or Spain will stand them in good stead for the next round.
Spain were so good last night that they can probably beat any team in Europe at the moment including the best other team (Holland) so far in the tournament after the first round of group matches. Such was their ability to defend deep in numbers and quickly move out to attack that they simply ripped Russia apart last night. Their key to winning the game was the number of nippy pacy forwards that they have that can play the pass-and-move strategy with players such as hat-trick hero Villa, Silva, Iniesta and Xavi. The transition from defence to attack was reminds one of a certain Arsenal team. They may look lightweight against other physical teams though but with confidence high in the sky, they could make light of their physical attributes. If not, they still have the reliable and compact combined defensive pairing of Marchena and Puyol coupled with the extremely safe hands of Casillas to stop the opponents from scoring.
Russia were unlucky to not score their goals with shots hitting the crossbar on occasions and faced with an impressive Spaniard defence. They were also hit on the counterattack by the pacy Spaniards but their ability to create chances should not be downplayed.
Greece must by now realise that their defensive strategy won't work as teams know them by now. They are not offensively sound but if they don't start scoring, they will be stagnating for the future. Unfortunately, their defending and attacking are nowhere near the best of half of the teams in the tourney and their fall from grace will be complete in the next game.
Sweden surprisingly fielded 35 year old Henrik Larsson alongside self-confessed fan Ibrahimovic in attack but the strategy paid off as the chemistry between the two is really sizzling. They were pouring shots on the Greek goal with regularity making a joke of the (in)famous Greek defence but it took a spectacular Ibrahimovic goal to break the deadlock. The co-conspirator to that goal: Henrik Larsson. The true test of their strength however will come in the form of their stronger remaining teams Russia and Spain.
akim - the Italian fan
In the 1st match of the night, Spain proved they can be a handful against most teams and no wonder why as David Villa sensationally struck a hat-trick against a hapless Russian side who is good (any team that beats England in a competitive match must be good) but not half as good as the Spanish side who must be brimming with confidence after the 4-1 win. The Russians can still recover against the lesser two teams and they should not let the defeat hurt their chances.
The other match. Greece : Fluke current champions definitely, deserving current champions probably, future champions no way. Sweden battered the European champions the whole night with the Greeks fully exposed so ruthlessly against a team most predicted is over the hill. If Greece think everyday is Sunday, they better think again. With a defensive mindset, it is probably too late to overhaul their tactics, but they should try to break out of it and improve for the next game to stay in the competition. Sweden will be happy with the result, knowing a victory against either Russia or Spain will stand them in good stead for the next round.
Spain were so good last night that they can probably beat any team in Europe at the moment including the best other team (Holland) so far in the tournament after the first round of group matches. Such was their ability to defend deep in numbers and quickly move out to attack that they simply ripped Russia apart last night. Their key to winning the game was the number of nippy pacy forwards that they have that can play the pass-and-move strategy with players such as hat-trick hero Villa, Silva, Iniesta and Xavi. The transition from defence to attack was reminds one of a certain Arsenal team. They may look lightweight against other physical teams though but with confidence high in the sky, they could make light of their physical attributes. If not, they still have the reliable and compact combined defensive pairing of Marchena and Puyol coupled with the extremely safe hands of Casillas to stop the opponents from scoring.
Russia were unlucky to not score their goals with shots hitting the crossbar on occasions and faced with an impressive Spaniard defence. They were also hit on the counterattack by the pacy Spaniards but their ability to create chances should not be downplayed.
Greece must by now realise that their defensive strategy won't work as teams know them by now. They are not offensively sound but if they don't start scoring, they will be stagnating for the future. Unfortunately, their defending and attacking are nowhere near the best of half of the teams in the tourney and their fall from grace will be complete in the next game.
Sweden surprisingly fielded 35 year old Henrik Larsson alongside self-confessed fan Ibrahimovic in attack but the strategy paid off as the chemistry between the two is really sizzling. They were pouring shots on the Greek goal with regularity making a joke of the (in)famous Greek defence but it took a spectacular Ibrahimovic goal to break the deadlock. The co-conspirator to that goal: Henrik Larsson. The true test of their strength however will come in the form of their stronger remaining teams Russia and Spain.
akim - the Italian fan