Euro 2008 (include all discussions)

Russia were superb except defending set pieces (something Hiddink will need to work on) and completely deserved the victory. It was a fantastic display and Russia have far exceeded my expectations, even if I thought they'd be tough due to Hiddink.

Arshavin deserves all the credit he gets, he was simply out of this world. Definitely a few clubs will be looking at him now as a potential signing. That said, he was superb all year, it's just now he has the world watching him.

I have already mentioned some pages before why Netheland has been lucky, though they deserve credits for whta they have done against Italy and France...

Here goes:

Originally Posted by Jeff

I think you have a good point; Netheland beat Italy (with a very very controversial goal) and then allow to sit back and defend (not well, but somehow Italy didn't take their chance, or wait, did they ever create any? ).

Same case today. With a free-kick Netheland scored and again allowed to sit back and defend. But here is what I don't agree with you mrki.

France created waves and waves of chances after 1-0; It differs from the game against Italy because Italy created virtually nothing. But France DID create more than enough chances to score and pull level (with Henry's unbelievable miss, so akin to Toni's incredible miss), but they did not.

You also talked about Robben coming in and Van Persie etc. One of the major reasons why Robben came in is that VB would like himto be able to get hold of the ball in the midfield and slow down France's possession because France dominated them at the end of the first-half.

Whe Robben came in, the situation did not improve. France is pressing and shooting like crazy against Holland and Holland fans are left wondering when France are going to score. Or why france is not scoring.

Then one counter-attack and BOMB. 2-0.

And even until then France is pressing and creating goal-scoring chances that only Henry et al. know how the hell they can be so wasteful in front of the goalkeeper, whether it's 1vs1, crosses, free kicks.

Suprise the score line is 2-1? No.

Then Robben came in rescue, with a fantastic run that deserves the full credit but little to the coach because he simply got one chance and take it.

That's Ithink what giancarlo is arguing, and I agree. This is why when you encounter a team with better defense (which btw, I haven't seen any strong defending team yet at the moment with all sort of errors, including those of Dutch), Dutch may run into trouble. In fact, a weaker team that decides to defend against the Dutch may work out (wait, that sounds like ROmania ).

****

Regardless, if there is one thing that separate the Dutch from the rest, it's finishing. Congrats to the Dutch.

It turns out that the strong defense team is: RUSSIA (who is poor at set piece though)...

Russia gave Holland a taste of their own medicine, although they missed out a little too many goals for my taste, but they showed something all the football analist in TV never said about Holland how terrible their defense is (and VDS period of grace finally ended).

#10 of Russia (I suck at remembering names) looks pretty damn good, as well as some others that I don't even remeber their number. If Italy qualifies it'll be hard for them (not sure about the final outcome, but it's Italy so suffering isn't out of the question), if Spain qualifies (which I hope isn't the case), Spain will win (they usually beat with ease the non big teams).

Russia was bad today in defending from set pieces. The Russian players just disappear when ball comes in the penalty area. Also if their finishing had been good, they would have had scored 2-3 more goals. Still, I hammered and sickled by Russia's display.

True that Russia doesn't defend well set pieces...it actually surprised me how many fouls they made near the area in the final 10 minutes of the 90 minute match (hence why Holland tied).

I guess the big question is the following: is our beloved board paying atention to that young and skillful russian national side, a side where ALL the players are still performing for russian clubs, which turns them a lot easier and cheaper to sign than any Adbebayor, Eto'o or Drogba?!? I fail to see why cannot not try to sign Arshavin or Pavlyuchenko, for instance! If the problem is that of extracommunitary places on the side, why not drop Kalac, so?!?

Pavlyuchenko is a good player, but not ready for a club like Milan. His decision making is poor. Arshavin looks very impressive indeed. The fullback Anukov is also one to watch.

I think Ancelotti explcitly says that he is excited by Russia #10 before this game?

Originally Posted by K77SH C

Pavlyuchenko is a good player, but not ready for a club like Milan. His decision making is poor. Arshavin looks very impressive indeed. The fullback Anukov is also one to watch.

Hmmm... Arshavin is certainly better, but I'm also impressed with Pavlyuchenko's performances on the whole season.

Originally Posted by Nordahl

the players are still performing for russian clubs, which turns them a lot easier and cheaper to sign than any Adbebayor, Eto'o or Drogba?!?

Do you know how rich is russian football ? Certainly more than us...

Spain has the shortest players in all EURO 08 competition, statistics say. Set pieces can be crucial.

Netherlands vs. Russia

European Championship quarter-final
Saturday, 21 June 2008, 20:45 CET
“St.Jakob-Park”, Basel, Switzerland
Referee: Ľuboš Michĕl (Slovakia)


Pre Match Videos


PES 2008 Predicts the Match
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Match Preview
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Goals


First Goal For Russia By Pavluchenko 56"
Click Here for Video


First Goal For Holland By Van Nistelrooy 86"
Click Here for Video


Second Goal For Russia By Torbinskiy 113"
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Third Goal For Russia By Archavin 116"
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Extras


National Anthems of Netherlands & Russia
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Zhirkov Freekick Saved By van der Sar 6'
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Pavluchenko Header Goes over the Goal 7"
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Arshavin's Shot Saved By van der Sar 31"
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Kolinov Shot Saved Again By van der Sar 33"
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van der Vaart Shot Saved By Akinfeev 43"
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First Half Highlights : Netherlands 0 - 0 Russia
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Van Persie's Shot goes wide 45"
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Arshavin's Freekick 55"
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A Chance for Anyukov saved by van der Sar 70"
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Sneijder's Shot to the Left 81"
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Van Nistelrooy Shot 93"
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Pavluchenko's Shot hits the Crossbar 96"
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Russian Players Celebrations
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======================

EURO 2008 - Fifteenth Day's Goals Compilation Quarter Final R3



June 21th,2008

Netherlands vs Russia

Click Here for Video

Regards

Originally Posted by Giovanni

Do you know how rich is russian football ? Certainly more than us...

They are actually considerably priced lower than Barcelona or Arsenal. Arshavin and Pav are two players I want to see come to Milan. I was stunned at how they did even a man down. I thought by then the Netherlands would take the initiative. But the Russians were true fighters. I saw the second half on a plasma TV at my friends... didn't make it to watch the first half. But I can say, that the Russians comprehensively outplayed the Dutch in every way shape and form.

Originally Posted by Giovanni

Do you know how rich is russian football ? Certainly more than us...

Ok, so Arshavin or Pavlyuchenko will be more expensive than Eto'o or Adebayor? Yeah, right...


Well, why you don't see, so, a russian side signing nowadays someone like Messi, CR or Kaká?

Originally Posted by Giancarlo

They are actually considerably priced lower than Barcelona or Arsenal. Arshavin and Pav are two players I want to see come to Milan.

Of course, of course... I'm dead certain that Milan can sign Arshavin, for instance, if the board wanted to.