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.

Play at the worlds best loved 3D poker room PKRpoker.com