UEFA EURO 2008 GROUP D
Spain 0-0 Russia
Greece v Sweden
GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times BST)
To get involved use 606 or text us your views & comments on 81111.
(Not all contributions can be used) By Jonathan Stevenson
1704: Denis Kolodin gives away a free-kick just outside the Russia box down the left, but Xavi's cross is poor and the Russians clear the danger confortably in the end.
1703: The rain has created a very greasy surface, which might just suit Spain's high tempo passing game.
1700: We're under way in Innsbruck, which is the cue for you lot to stop sending in Russian jokes, surely?
1659: Cracking anthem that Russian one and even Dutch coach Guus Hiddink is having a go. The Spanish players to a man stay silent during theirs and they look remarkably focused. Or are they feeling the pressure? We're about to find out.
1655: The players come out into the pouring rain and line up for the anthems. Who will win this afternoon's sing-off?
1654: Russia coach Guus Hiddink has taken his place on the bench nice and early. Today he creates history, becoming the first man to lead two countries at a European Championship finals. He was of course in charge of the Netherlands at Euro 96, when they were thumped 4-1 by England and bowed out in the quarter-finals on penalties to France.
1651: "The guy who delivers our soft drinks is Russian. His name is Dropusa Botlapopov."
From Carl, via text
Thanks for that pal.
1648: For those of you anticipating a goal fest from the Spanish at the Stadion Tivoli Neu in Innsbruck, it might be worth pointing out that Spain have never won a European Championship match by more than one goal. Which is why Stevo is predicting a 2-0 win for Aragones' boys, clearly.
1645: I think that some English fans are amazed at the news that players outside England can also play football. Iniesta is as good as Fabregas and obviously has a good understanding with Xavi."
messiisgod on 606
Join the debate on 606
1642: "(See 1618) The smallest telly ever was on a 1982 watch. It had a 1 and 1/4in screen. Sounds rubbish."
Luke, N Ireland, via text
Wish I'd watched France 0-0 Romania on it yesterday.
1638: If you're looking for an exciting match, the pre-match quotes from the managers bode well. "It'll be difficult for Spain to go one game without scoring," said their manager Luis Aragones. "People like to see a team that is going forward and taking risks," added Russia coach Guus Hiddink. Oh yes.
1636: Now, back to the game. Are Spain finally going to shake off their tag as the great 'underachievers' at Euro 2008? Or are they just not good enough to win tournaments? Are Russia too hampered by the loss of playmaker Andrei Arshavin through suspension and striker Pavel Pogrebnyak through injury to be a threat? Or can master manager Guus Hiddink work his magic again?
Hiddink poised for crowning glory
Can Spain win Euro 2008?
1632: If you are getting involved with the great outdoors while reading this, you might want to know that if you text the word 'euros' to 81010 you will get a link to our Euro 2008 website. Click on that and you're in a world of mobile international football tournament news heaven. But please remember that texts to the BBC cost 10p to 15p and that although our site is free for you to access, your network operator will charge you for the amount of data you use. Nice one.
1629: "Why is everyone writing the Russians off? I believe an upset could be on the cards. Remember, Spain are the best at underachieving."
stonecoldsober on 606
Join the debate on 606
1626: "I wonder if Fabregas would be interested in applying for English citizenship."
Nigel, Leeds, via text
1623: So it seems Ruud van Nistelrooy-gate is still rumbling on. I'm being urged to make a statement, after I claimed his goal against Italy was laughably offside last night. Well look, I've listened to all the evidence and it seems as though the rules suggest the goal should have stood. But no-one will ever, ever convince me that that was not offside. I believe common sense should play a greater part in officiating and for me, Ruud was off. So sue me. If you're desperate to find out what better people than me think, the BBC pundits will be talking about it at half-time in the Spain v Russia game - at about 1745 BST. Now let's concentrate on the matter in hand.
Dutch goal correct says ref chief
You Are The Ref special on Dutch goal
1618: "Hopefully I'll be able to see the games tonight as I'm currently sitting about 10 feet away from the smallest telly EVER, at work."
Meh, via text
Meh (is that your name or just a symbol of your frustration?), just how small is the smallest telly ever?
1614: So as expected, there is no place for Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas in Spain's multi-talented midfield and of the five Premier League-based players in their squad, only Liverpool striker Fernando Torres gets the nod for the opener.
1611: TEAM NEWS Spain v Russia
Spain: Casillas; Ramos, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila; Senna; Iniesta, Xavi, Silva; Villa, Torres.
Russia: Akinfeyev; Anyukov, Kolodin, Shirokov, Zhirkov; Semak, Zyryanov, Semshov, Bilyaletdinov, Sychev; Pavlyuchenko.
1608: And along with Iker Casillas, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Theofanis Gekas and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, you lot will be the stars of the show today. Forget work, forget the decent weather - in fact just forget everything else, think of it as a Euro 2008 lobotomy. Wipe every number from your phone except 81111 and get texting in. Oh, and don't forget to join the debate on 606 too. It got lively last night after the Dutch opener, I can tell you.
Join the debate on 606
1605: So get the tapas in, line up the vodkas, put the moussaka in the oven, get comfy on that Ikea sofa of yours and let the cream of Europe entertain you. After Berne's night, let's hope the cities of Innsbruck and Salzburg get something to feast upon today.
1600: I have a dream. That in years to come, magnificent saves, perfect passing moves and glorious goals are what we will most remember this European Championship for. After five games that failed to ignite, Euro 2008 exploded into life last night as the Netherlands crushed World Cup holders Italy, scoring two of the great counter-attacking goals in tournament history. Spain, Russia, Greece and Sweden, the standard has been set.
Read the latest from our blogger Fletch
BIG MATCH STATS
Head-to-heads
Spain and Russia/Soviet Union have met each other on eight previous occasions with Spain winning four times and losing just once.
The sole defeat for Spain came in a European Championship qualifier in 1971 with the Soviets winning 2-1.
Spain have won both encounters at the European Championship - 2-1 in 1964 and 1-0 in 2004.
Team facts - Spain
The five members of the Spanish squad playing their club football abroad are all doing so in England - four at Liverpool and one at Arsenal.
Spain have one of the most inexperienced squads at Euro 2008 - only Austria and Russia have fewer caps in the squad than the Spanish.
The next card shown to a Spain player will be their 50th at the European Championship. Spain's players have been shown a total of 48 yellow cards and one red in previous European Championships.
Won all four of their friendly matches in 2008.
Unbeaten in their last 16 matches and their last nine competitive matches.
Never won a European Championship match by more than one goal.
Team facts - Russia
Russia's coach Guus Hiddink is in charge at his fifth European Championship or World Cup. Only West Germany head coach Helmut Schon was present at more European Championships and World Cups.
Hiddink also becomes the first head coach to lead two different countries at the European Championship. He was the head coach of the Netherlands in 1996.
Player facts - Spain
Fernando Torres will win his 50th cap if he plays in this match. He made his international debut for Spain in a 3-0 friendly win in Portugal in September 2003.
David Villa was Spain's top scorer in qualification with six goals.
Player facts - Russia
Andrei Arshavin is suspended for this match after being sent off in Russia's final qualification match, a 1-0 win against Andorra. Arshavin will also miss Russia's second match at Euro 2008, against Greece on 14 June. Arshavin was the only ever-present in qualification.
Alexander Kerzhakov was Russia's top scorer in qualification with six goals but was not included in the Euro 2008 squad.
Russia have only one player in their squad who plays outside the country's domestic league - 1. FC Nurnberg striker Ivan Saenko. No other country at Euro 2008 has so many players from their own domestic competition.
The current Russian league leaders Rubin Kazan provide just one player for the squad - midfielder Sergei Semak.
The Berezutsky twins (Vasily and Aleksey) are the only twins present at Euro 2008. The Altintop twins (Turkey) and Degen twins (Switzerland) were in the preliminary squads for their respective countries but one of each failed to make the final line-up.
Big Match Stats source: Infostrada Sports
(BBC)
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