Who would have thought that following a 4-1 mauling in their opening group match against Spain, Russia would again stand between Aragones’ side and a European Championship final.

The inexperienced Russians are learning fast under journeyman Hiddink and on the pitch, the return of Arshavin has transformed them into a potent attacking force good enough to take Holland apart.

Arshavin has clearly benefited from Dutch influence, Dick Advokaat is his coach at Zenit St Petersburg who Rangers fans will remember well from their UEFA Cup final defeat, the Russian’s assist led to the first goal.

There will surely be a stampede of top clubs trying to secure the Russian player’s services for next season and he is 8/1 to open the scoring against Spain.

Spain are arguably the neutral’s favourite having survived penalties against Italy and will surely fancy their chances against Hiddink’s charges once more.

Fans will be hoping this is a more open game favouring the attacking instincts of both sides. Spain will be looking to Villa, Torres and Fabregas in particular for the invention needed to break Russian hearts and get them to the Final.

Spain are 11/10 to progress in 90 minutes. Hiddink’s men are 13/5. Who’s your money on?

Well were in to the latter stages of Euro 2008 football championships. And i dont think anyone predicted Turkey to still be here. but have they got what it takes to take on the might of the Germans. Im not so sure. I think at 7/1 and 15/2 for Turkey to win just shows how much Germany are the favourites in this match. Could be worth a cheeky £5 on Turkey. After all they wasnt supposed to get this far. Can they go one step futher only time will tell.. at 7:45pm UK time.

Ladbrokes Prices: Germany 2/5 Draw 7/2 Turkey 7/1 Take Ladbrookes Price

Williamhill Prices: Germany 4/9 Draw 3/1 Turkey 15/2 Take Williamhill Price

Bet365 Prices: Germany 4/9 Draw 16/5 Turkey 7/1 Take Bet365 Price

My Football Predictions:
Germany win 3-0

I wonder who will be in this years Euro 2008 Football Final !
Ladbrookes

Russia were on fire yesterday to knock out the tournament favourites.. Infact Russia where still 14-1 to win outright wth www.bet365.com. That was an amazing price !. Today however we have 2 teams that know each other inside out. Italy V’s Spain. This should be a corker. With David Villa and Torres in fine form and the Italians on the up. It could be a clash of the titans. who will win only fate can decide. Get your betting in early for the best football prices.

Ladbrokes Prices: Spain 6/4 Draw 2/1 Italy 2/1 Take Ladbrookes Price

Williamhill Prices: Spain 6/4 Draw 2/1 Italy 2/1 Take Williamhill Price

Bet365 Prices: Spain 6/4 Draw 21/10 Italy 2/1 Take Bet365 Price

My Football Predictions:
Too close to call … Spain may just pip Italy if torres and Villa are still on form.. but Italy can always create goal chances.. Lets go crazy and predict a Spainish win and a 3-2 goal thriller

2 corners and a free kick and Pavluchenko headering one close just over the bar. Russia certainly came out firing in the first 10 minutes. Van Nistelroy missed a sitter just inside 30 minutes from a free kick. The ball glanced straight accross the box with an open goal but Van Nistelroy just couldnt get a foot on it.

Kolid had 2 amazing shots a few minutes later forcing Van Der Sar in to to worthy saves. Both shots were worthy of a goal but the game still stands 0-0 at half time. The second half kicks off much the same with Russia applying all the pressure. 10 minutes in and Semak breaks down the left side and puts a clean ball in for Pavluchenko to sweetly guide it home. To be fair to Russia they deserve it. They’ve had the best of it. They are out working, out playing and out manouvering Holland all over the pitch.

With 15 minutes left Pavluchenko almost makes it 2-0. But Edwin Van Der Sar who has easily been Holland best man stands talls and doesnt give Pavluchenko the chance to lob him. Great piece of goal keeping keeps Holland in the match.

5 Minutes to go and HOlland’s hopes were re-juvenated as Ruun Van Nistelroy comes in on the back post to header home a free kick from Sneijder. A superb piece of set piece to see Holland equalise. Russia always seem a bit open on set pieces and have been all tournament.

Full time finishes 1-1 and extra tim is imminent. Pavluchenko hits the cross bar in 6th minute of extra time. Although i think Edwin would of had a hand to it. Torbinsky comes close 3 minutes later as Russia again piled on the pressure. How Russia have attacked and played tonight they should be 4-1 up and the game all over except for Edwin Van Der Sar’s goal keeping.

The second half of extra time and Zhirkov goes down in Holland penalty box only for the referee to stand firm and wave it away. I think it was the right decision. would of been a harsh way to lose the game.

22 minutes in and Russia again break the deadlock with a fantastic run down Hollands left flank. and an amazing floating ball over Van Der Sars head which just basically hits Torbinsky on the head to put Russia 2-1 up.. Im not convinced Torbinsky knew too much about it but the cross over was beyond perfect which made it an easy finish.

Again Russia attack and Ashavin seals the deal with 3 minutes to go from a throw in a 20 yrd dash and slips it between the legs of Edwin Van Der Sar. Not a great way for Edwin to finish his international career. But a fantastic goal again from Russia and well deserved. Russia where just on fire all night and didnt give Holland a chance. They out worked them in every part of the field and had more that 10 decent goal scoring chances and the final score should of been more like 6-1.

It was an amazing performance from Russia and one that will be talked about for a long time to come.. Im sure if Italy and Spain where watching the match they will be wondering how they will beat them whoever wins.. Are russia this years Greece ?. Can they go all the way ? It certainly looks like it from tonight performance..

Final Score: Russia 3 Holland 1
Verdict: Russia where in amazing form and far too fit, fast and accurate for Holland to handle. A brilliant display of attacking fast paced football.

Well i managed to miss last nights game.. Although on the highlights it wasnt very spectacular. i think the first goal came in extra time from Croatia and was equalizes straight after by Turkey. It then went to penalties in which Turkey won and advance through to the Semi-finals.. Looks like Turkey are this years Greece.. I doubt they will go all the way though as spain and Holland are in too much form.. Tonight we have Holland playing Russia.. and i just cant see Russia doing it.. Holland are far more organised than Sweden. and have a better and faster attacking team. This is going to be one test too far for Russia.. but hey stranger things can happen. lets take a look at the football betting odds below.

Ladbrokes Prices: Holland 4/6 Draw 11/4 Russia 4/1 Take Ladbrookes Price

Williamhill Prices: Holland 8/11 Draw 3/1 Russia 4/1 Take Williamhill Price

Bet365 Prices: Holland 4/6 Draw 3/1 Russia 4/1 Take Bet365 Price

My Football Predictions:
Holland Win 2-0

Well we had a cracking game yesterday between Germany and Portugal. Unfortunatly for Portugal the German goal machine was in full ascendency. Today we have Croatia V’s Turkey. this could be a real messy game.. Especially if Croatia take the lead i can see Turkey kicking lumps out of Croatia and red cards shown.. Oh well its all for fun ! Check out the latest Football Betting Prices

Ladbrokes Prices: Croatia 5/6 Draw 12/5 Turkey 7/2 Take Ladbrookes Price

Williamhill Prices: Croatia 10/11 Draw 21/10 Turkey 7/2 Take Williamhill Price

Bet365 Prices: Croatia 5/6 Draw 23/10 Turkey 15/4 Take Bet365 Price

My Football Predictions:
Croatia V’s Turkey mmm tough one.. Croatia 2-1

A game of flare versus efficiency as Portugal take on Germany in the first of Euro 2008 Quarter finals gets underway. It took 15 minutes for the game to settle as both teams feel each other out. 20 minutes in Bosingwa crosses a great ball in from by the corner flag only for Moutinho to put it over the German bar.

Immeditatly after Germany breaks down the left wing with a 1-2 with Klose and Bllack to set Klose off down the left of field. He plays perfectly waited pass across in to the Portuguese box as Sebastian Schweinsteiger comes running in from no where to score the opener. It was a fantastic team effort and at lightening quick speed. More of the type of goal you would expect from Portugal. But Germany go 1-0 ahead.

With Germany in the ascendency it wasnt long before they scored again. This time from a free kick 35 yrds out. Sebastian Schweinsteiger floats the ball over in to Portugals box for Miroslav Klose to header the ball home. Germany are on fire and wel on their way to the semi-finals.

They say its never over until the whistle has blown and on the 40th minute Christiano Ronaldo breaks and shots at goal. Jens Lehman blocks the shot but puts it in direct view of Nuno Gomez, who doesnt need a second invitation and smacks it home for Portugals opening goal. 2-1 to Germany stil but Portugal have raised there hopes. Minutes later the first half ends.

Portugal start the second half, the brighter of the 2 teams with a goal to chase. As Germany pick up a few yellow cards from unruly tackles attempting to break up Portugals play. Its a tit for tat first part of a second half but Portugal definitly have the better of it.

Against the run of play Germany get another free kick just out side the area. Sebastian Schweinsteiger steps up again and floats a perfectly weighted ball accross to Michael Ballack, to which he uses his height advantage to header home Germany’s 3rd goal. Portugals goalie Ricardo should of done better realy, but he came early got comitted and didnt get close to the ball. Germany rest easy with a 2 goal advantage.

Although Portugal have had the best of both halves they just cant seem to find that direct pass or critial ball to score a goal. Germany are defending well and it looks like a German semi final. A cracking run by Nani with 3 minutes to go see’s him trick 3 defenders and float a glorious ball over to Helder Postiga who scores Portugal’s second goal giving Portugal a glimpse hope of what can be.

With a lot of pressure from Portugal Germany hang on to their 3-2 lead and continue in to the semi-finals. Portugal showed tremendous courage and conviction, and showed us some excellent one touch and inter play football but on the night they should of produced more goal scoring chances. Theres no mistaking the might of the Germans as they are the first team in to the Semi-finals of Euro 2008.

Final score: Germany 3 Portugal 2.
Verdict: Cracking game of football.