[Photo: MediaFax Photo]
So, it appears we may have not coordinated everything properly here at UF and we are without a liveblogger for the second semifinal match between Russia and Spain. We’ll give it a go with the open thread.
Russia has been certainly ascendant in this tournament. It was hard not to be after the opening match 4-1 thrashing it received from Spain. But, that was before Andrei Arshavin reappeared on the stage. Since he returned Russia has looked very dangerous and Guus Hiddink has his men attacking, attacking, attacking. Very exciting football.
Spain on the other hand started out the tourney in sterling fashion, but seems to have cooled a bit. Although, it still has not lost a match, advancing to this stage with a PK shootout victory over a negative Italian team.
Hopefully, this match can live up to the excitement of yesterday’s…and maybe, just maybe…a Russian player will get a couple of women for his efforts.
After the jump, the lineups.
Russia
Akinfeyev, Anyukov, Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Zyryanov, Semak, Semshov, Saenko, Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko.
Spain
Casillas, Ramos, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila, Senna, Iniesta, Xavi, Silva, Villa and Torres
Spain is wearing their unlucky yellows.
30 minutes in, we have a nice back and forth match. A Fabergas substitution allows me to stroke myself in Glee. Nice cross to…the Keeper.
40:45 Long runs by the Russians, but the Torres/Fabergas hookups are coming fast and free.
46 min: We’re wrapping up with Xavi’s free kick getting lost, my accountant walking into my office every 3 minutes, and I’m missing the action.
So far Arshavin has played “meh” but the style of play on both sides has been great. There is no Italy grind ‘em out match.
FIRST!
yeah, the game seems to flowing quite nicely. Both sides have had good opportunities. Hence,a nil-nil game will likely ensue.
So, lots of rain, high stakes…I smell a howler deciding this game.
Villa misses a nice set piece because he shoots it at the keeper, then falls down and whines like he lost his tickets for Wham!
It must be nice to be able to replace Villa with Cesc. Yes, different type players, stil… quality of the side isn’t reduced.
Ceeeeeeeeeeeesc time everyone
aaaand with Cesc on, Spain go into the favored formation of UF
thank god cesc is on…i gambled on him for my fantasy team.
THAT was exciting.
Villa hurt or was it strategic?
I don’t know what feed we have here in Canada but I think the (British?) announcer has, like so many others before him, a crush on Torres.
who doesn’t have a crush on Torres. I don’t even like The ‘Pool that much, I still like Torres. He’s like football’s version of Brad Pitt.
/overplayed hand.
I’m not that gay andrew.
But I can’t talk for Lingering Bursitis…
sorry, just visited kickette. it skewed my point of view.
any predictions for 2d half? I’d venture 2-1 for Spain.
Torres, Torres.
That’s a brace for Liverpool’s Number 9.
And, yes, I have a bit of a mancrush on Nando.
1-1, with Spain thru on PK.
@ Moonshine – I note your use of the qualifier “that” in your previous comment.
Beautiful score from Spain!
Torres just missed. well played. They have russia on their heels
You are neither Torres, nor Villa, nor Cesc. Therefore, Xavi, your goal does not help my fantasy team.
i still see Russia getting a sloppy pitch special in about the 78th minute.
Yeah, the Spanish have the momentum. Torres had a wonderful opportunity. He MAYBE should’ve made a touch, but decent strike nonetheless.
@Eladio – last time I got a sloppy pitch special, it only took 2 minutes
Can females have a man-crushes? As opposed to regular crushes?
ie: She has a crush on Casillas and a man-crush on Torres.
Am I losing credibility here?
thankfully the NBA finals are over so we won’t be hearing Healy and Gray discussing their Celtic-Laker predictions.
Torres! Finish! Please!
@ NY Kid: Behind the tube stop at Highbury, I’m assuming? I hear at the Emirates they last at least twice that.
what a shot by cesc…that kid’s going to be good one day, i s**t you not.
Torres of De Guiza on…this went so well last time
Guiza on for Torres. Aragones doesn’t seem to trust in Torres too much.
Spain is putting up some fine defense, and then stretching out the field.
Wow. Guiza. For real? Nice goal.
Game done. Russia hasn’t shown any capability in the last third.
C E S C
Guiza seriously needs to find a new way to control the ball. Too close for comfort on that arm funnel.
Silva, from Cesc.
You can’t beat that. Russia – DONE
CRNP: I would think you would have to qualify your “man-crushes” as sexual or non-sexual.
Spain looked the better squad this entire half.
Cesc deserves that 10 jersey.
this game is giving me a large cescrection
Spain will now s**t the bed against Der Mannschafft.
Arshavin still to Barca?
TFA: Right. Want to be Torres’s BFF and get busy with Casillas. Or Villa. Or Xabi. Etc.
Maybe I should head to kickette…
I am stuck at work right now and will have to watch the game on DVR later… has Foudy or Stone mentioned that the USMNT only lost to Spain 1 – 0 yet? How many times?
there’s nothing wrong with visiting kickette if you are male.
I go for the WAGs.
who picked the final correctly?
this guy
who is an idiot and didnt know he had to update his pickem pool after the group stages?
this guy
F**K