17 minutes in and Russia definitly have the best if Sweden. They seem to be able to break down the right wing at will and stick a ball across the Swedish goal. Although for the first 20 minutes with numerous chances they seemed to lack that cutting edge finish.

23 Minutes in and im forced to eat my own words as the red army celebrates a fantastic fast paced opening goal from Pavluchenko, putting Russia in the driving seat. Henrick Larson comes close to equalising 3 minutes later ricocheting one off the Russian crossbar.

Russia again piled pressure on the Swede’s goal with several chances in the first half with 2 shots just wide of goal and 1 bouncing off the Swedish goal posts. The Russians seem so much faster and pacier that then Swedish who are struggling with the games pace. The fact that Sweden has the oldest team in the tournament and Russia has the youngest is really starting to show. 3 Minutes before half time and Freddie Ljungberg has a shot from 20 yrs out which the RUssian number 1 manages to push wide for a corner. The first half finishes 1-0 Russia.

The second half prety much played out like the first. the Russians having most of the posession and most of the forward attacking momentum. Russia’s second goal comes in the 56th minute from a superb free-flowing run straight down centre of the pitch Andrei Arshavin finds Yuri Zhirkov’s rampaging run down the left who slips it in for Arshavin who puts the ball in to the net. It ws a sweetly timed pass which killed off Sweden.

With a few more chances here n there from both teams. It was plainly obvious Sweden couldnt cope with Russias fast pace and im sure if the Holland team where watching back at camp they wll be taking notes and getting slightly nervous about this years dark horse in the tournament.

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Final Score: Russia won 2-0
Final Verdict: Russia’s fast pace won the game

Well Holland managed to keep a clean sheet. A 100% winning record and maintain their odds on favourite status. France on the other hand had a nightmare !. one man sent off with injury another red carded and a lacking strike force, saw them lose 2-0 too the current world cup holders Italy. So Italy and Holland venture forth in to the Quarter Fiansl. Lets see who else will join them.

Today is Spain V’s Greece, and Sweden V’s Russia. I think its safe to say Spain will over power Greece. Its just a matter of how many goals, and what team they put out. what players they rest etc. Where as Sweden V’s Russia. I think Russia will tip the match in thei favour. With sheer work rate and attacking presence. Although Sweden are good they seemed to lack the killer instincts that a team needs to win matches.

Ladbrokes Prices: Spain 4/6 Draw 11/4 Greece 4/1 Sweden: 7/4 Draw: 23/10 Russia: 6/4 Take Price

Williamhill Prices: Spain 8/11 Draw 5/2 Greece 4/1 Sweden: 17/10 Draw: 11/5 Russia: 13/8 Take Price

Bet365 Prices: Spain 8/11 Draw 13/5 Greece 4/1 Sweden: 17/10 Draw: 11/5 Russia: 17/10 Take Price

My Football Betting Predictions:
Spain Win 2-0
Russia Win 2-1

4 minutes in and Luca Toni blasts a shot just wide. 4 minutes later and Ribbery the play maker of the French team over stretches when making a tackle and is stretched off with a suspected torn hamstring. Its not good news for France as Ribbery is there only real forward attacking momentum. Nasi comes on in place of Ribbery and play resumes.

Amazing turn of events in the 22nd minute as Eric Abidal gets a straight red card for tripping Luca Toni in the penalty box and gifitng Italy a penalty. Pirlo duly steps up to take the kick and makes it 1-0 to Italy. France are shattered. 1-0 down and Ribbery injured. Italy start a massive push forward in the next 10 minutes with Lua Toni having 5 good goal scoring shots but fails to capitalise.

Then second part of the first half passes without much excitement apart from Perotta taking an excellent free kick in the 44th minute only for a finger tip save from France’s goalie (Coupet) to deny Italy a second goal. The first half ends 1-0.

Second half starts with France in attacking form. They start the stronger of the 2 teams as Italy sit back on their 1-0 advantage. A few half chnces go begging and the match seems to fall stale. 15 minutes in to the second half and not a lot of action. Then no sooner than writing that. Italy get a free kick which Derossi takes from about 30 yrds out. Unfortunatly for Thierry Henry he is the last man on the wall and sticks a left boot out to deflect the shop. Only to turn around and see he has sent his own goalie the wrong way with a deflection and 2-0 for Italy.

Nicholoas Anelka came on but made very little impact. Infact i didnt see him touch the ball. In the 73rd minute Benzema attempted a cracking curling strike out side the box to force Buffon into a fantastic one handed save. But other than that it was all standard stuff. Italy where happy with their 2-0 lead and France could not muster anything that resembled a goal or even a meaningful attack on goal. With 10 minutes left the game fell flat as France looked tired and dejected. The final whistle went and Italy won 2-0.

France where never really in it. After Ribbery got inured they were always on the back foot. and Eris Abidal’s ridiculous penalty mistake. France where all set for the trip home. On reflection Italy wernt much better. Luca Toni could and mabe should of had a hatrick tonight but could barely manage a goal. Italy met Spain in the Quarter finals and if they play anything like they did tonight. Spain should walk it 3-0.

Final Score: Italy Win 2-0
verdict: Poor Game - France have lost it big time.

Well we have to exciting matches today.. Holland v’s Romania and Italy V’s France. After HOllands flying start im sure they are going to want to maintain there status as Tournament favourites and put on a formidable display against the romanians. Italy and France on the other hand are fighting for 2nd place. As France have totally miss-fired in their last 2 games and Italy showing only a bit of promise it will be hard to decide whihc of these teams can finish top. I do think Italy have a bit more class about them than the French. So maybe that can shine through. Either way it should be an entertaining match.

Ladbrokes Prices: Holland 7/4 Draw 11/4 Romania 5/4 Italy: 11/8 Draw: 13/5 France: 7/4 Take Price

Williamhill Prices: Holland 19/10 Draw 13/5 Romania 5/4 Italy: 7/4 Draw: 13/5 France: 11/8 Take Price

Bet365 Prices: Holland 9/5 Draw 13/5 Romania 11/8 Italy: 7/4 Draw: 13/5 France: 7/5 Take Price

My Football Predictions:
Holland Win 2-1
Italy Win 2-1

Well we had two pretty standard games yesterday. Russia with a 2-1 win over Greece to send them crashing out of the European championship. Also Spain had a lack lustre win over Sweden. Today weve got Switzerland and Portugal. I have a horrible feeling Switzerland are in for a hammering, and possible embarrasement from Portugal. Switzerland are already out of Euro 2008 and have nothing to lose. But they also have nothing to win. I feel it may be a training game for Portugal’s next round.

The Czech Republic play hosts to Turkey in there 3rd match. I think this is the match where the action may be. Both teams are fighting for that second place in to the next round. It is going to be a close game, and i see tempers flaring. And maybe a Turkish red card. Lets hope so . lol.. anyway lets see the betting prices below:

Ladbrokes Prices: Switzerland 11/5 Draw 12/5 Portugal 6/5 Czech Republic: 11/8 Draw: 21/10 Turkey: 21/10 Take Price

Williamhill Prices: Switzerland 11/5 Draw 9/4 Portugal 5/4 Czech Republic: 12/5 Draw: 2/1 Turkey: 13/10 Take Price

Bet365 Prices: Switzerland 23/10 Draw 9/4 Portugal 5/4 Czech Republic: 13/10 Draw: 2/1 Turkey: 5/2 Take Price

My Football Predictions:
Portugal win 3-0 over Switzerland
Czech Republic win 2-1 over Turkey

A much better opening from Russia and Greece, with some fast paced zippy football. High energy all the way. Russia almost go 1-0 down in the first 15 minutes with a fumbling clearance from Igor Semshov that bounces of his head then leg and out for a corner.

Russia start to build up pressure as Christos Patsatzoglou hits a shot from 30 yards which is saved by Nikopolodis. 3 minutes later Russian pressure gets the better of Greece as Dimitry Torbinsky floats a ball into the penalty area. gets pushed wide left for Sergi Semak to make an amazing overhead kick just left of the Greek goal line straight in to the path of Konstatin Zyryanov for a 1-0 lead.

5 minutes later Russia again come close with a Diniyar Bilyaletdinov 25 yard strike that flies just over the crossbar. Giourkas Seitaridis is inured and replaced by Giorgios Karagounis. Russia are in command now atacking Greece with a one goal advantage. 2 corners and several balls into the box but Russia fail to capitalise.

The second half starts much like the first with both teams playing open fast football. Karagounis comes close on the 52nd minute making Russias No.1 stand his ground to block the shot. Basinas puts one over the bar and Russians fans and players are starting to feel the resurgence of the Greek team.

10 minutes later Russia relieve the pressure by attacking the Greek goal from a corner kick but they fail to get a goal. 60 minutes in and its pretty end to end stuff with both goalies being tested. And defenders getting jittery. Both teams are making a concerted effort to pysh the ball forward and win the match.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov is replaced by Ivan Saenko for a straight swap with 20 minutes to go. Within minutes of coming on Ivan Saenko almosts assists the best goal fo the tournament, as he skips past 2 tackles and drives a 30 yr pass into Roman Pavlyuchenko who just misses with a screamer of a shot from 25yrs.

Greece make a subsitution and bring onStelios for Yannis Amanatidis for the last 10 minutes.. Greece press the Russian defense some more..In the dying minutes Theofanis Gekas is in on goal from a greek headr forward, only to have his shot blocked, rebound and fall for Angelos Charisteas who easily puts it in to the back of the net. But jubilation is short lived as its ruled off-side.

Roman Pavlyuchenko is the only one to have another chance in the 3rd minute of extra time only to blast it over the bar, and it all ends in a Russian win 1-0.. They should of really been 2-0 up atleast but Pavlyuchenko is far to selfish a striker to allow team mates to score. If he can curb his glory hunting, Russia could go far in this years European championships and in future tournaments. I guess only time will tell.

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Final score: Russia win 1-0
Verdict: Great match just Roman Pavlyuchenko needs to stop being such a glory hunter.

The opening 10 minutes were a bit bland. And not a lot of action to speak of. It took 14 minutes for a well thought out corner from spain to take them 1-0 ahead by Fernado Torres. It was a crafty piece of training ground shenanegans that opened the score sheet.

Henric Larson had a great chance in the 21st minute but gotit all wrong and tried to lob the keeper rather than a direct shot. I had a feeling Sweden would score today and on 34th minute Ibrahimovich gets the ball tangeled between his legs in the penalty area and manages to slip it under Casillas’s arms.

Sweden seemed to have the best of it for most of the posession and pressure. Then in the last minute of extra time Spain were denied a clear penalty shout. The first half ends soon after with half the Spanish team harassing the referee about his decision.

Some fantastic passing from Spain opens up the second half and see’s them come close to scoring with several chances. 10 - 15 minutes in the game goes a bit stale. So Spain promptly make a double subsitution. Xavi off for Fabregas and Iniesta for Cazorla.

3 Chances in 1 came shortly as Spain pressed the Swedish goal line. shots from David Villa, Torres and someone else were all denied as Sweden scramble in and around there own box. The goalie gets a kneww in the face for a heroic save and a corner for Spain is cleared with ease..

Another lull in play until Marcus Senna takes a shot for 30 yrds ut forcing Isaksson to make a pretty standard save in the 68th minute. 80 Minutes in and both teams seem to have settled for a draw with neither team taking the initiative or comminting enough players upfront to take the lead.

Torres has a shot on the 88th minute which is easily dealt with by Swedens No.1. Then when everything looked all wrapped up Joan Capdevila feeds in David Villa who takes advantage of a dithering Petter Hansson to slot it in for Spains second goal and another win in Euro 2008.

Overall the game was a bit stale. Neither team committed enough forward. Spain were half the team they were against Russia, although showed signs of passing expertise. It was all a bit lacklustre.

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Final score: Spain win 2-1
Verdict: Could of done better!