EURO 2008

Russia – The Russians showed a bit more urgency in the last game against Greece. Guus Hiddink’s Russian team salvaged some pride at the end of a very close match and lived up to his name as one of the most sought after coach in the world. Russian footballer of the year, Andrei Arshavin, is set to return after a two match suspension in the qualifiers. He could be the answer to end Russia’s firing of blanks in front of the goal mouth.

Sergei Semak`s brilliant overhead kick set up the only goal of the game & ended Greece Euro campaign.

Otto Rehhagel and Guus Hiddink shake hands at the end of the match

Sweden – Sweden played well against Spain with more shots on goal but is unlucky to concede a stoppage time goal to Spain losing 2-1. Ibrahimovic got himself on the score sheet again. The once great Henrik Larssen seems to be over the hill.

Ibrahimovic levels  the score for Sweden

Verdict -In the last game against Spain, Sweden looks potent in front of goal and strong in defence. Even Spain had problems displaying their flair. This is a match that can go either way.
Score: Russia 2 -3 Sweden.

Market odds: Russia (+1.0), Sweden (0, +0.925)

Greece – The reigning Champion once again looked vulnerable and disunited in the previous outing. Already eliminated from the group stage, will be playing their last game with only pride to salvage.

Spain – Spain’s play was mostly subdued by the Swedes in the last outing. They were unlucky to have a clear-cut penalty denied by the referee. Left it late to score a goal in stoppage time to put them on top of the table.

The two goal scorers for Spain Fernando Torres and David Villa.

Verdict - Spain needs a point to top the group if they were to avoid Netherlands in the quarter finals. If Spain lose, they will lose top spot only if Sweden beat Russia by at least 3 goals margin or Russia beat Sweden by at least 4 goals. So Spain looks like they will rest players and give the reserves a run-out here. It goes to show if Spain has quality and depth in its reserves. Score: Greece 0-1 Spain.

Market odds: Greece (+0.95), Spain (-1/2, +0.95)

Greece – The Greeks were not able to display the cohesiveness of the team that made Champions in 2004. The Greeks were largely contented to sit back and soak up pressure and waiting for the counter attack opportunity which never came. After conceding a goal from Snerijda which came out of no where, they conceded another one 5 mins later. Will that give them some urgency in this game remains to be seen.

Georgios Karagounis (Greece)

Russia – Players don’t show much skill in the opener. Even the goal keeper, touted to be of the same vein as Peter Cech of Chelsea, disappoints. Players took too long to capitalise on a shot on goal until it was quickly clamped down by the oppostion. Roman Shirokov and Sergei Semak conceded that Spain had got the result they deserved as they reflected on an error-strewn 4-1 loss for Russia in Innsbruck.

Sergei Semak (Russia)

Verdict – Both teams played their 2nd game knowing that a victory is a must they were to have any chance of going through the group stage. Russia can win the if they are a little more street wise. They looked evenly matched. A draw would be a fair result. Score: Greece 1-1 Russia.

Market odds: Greece (-0.9), Russia (-1/4, +0.825)

Sweden – Their game plan is passing the ball around man to man and waiting for opportunity to appear.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the first goal for Sweden.

Spain – In the opener, the Spanish looked lethal with their quick counterattack and agile footwork. Looks good to top the group. Currently my favourite to win the tournament.

Hat trick hero for Spain, David Villa.

Prediction – Spain looks more superior all round and is set to demolish its opponents once again. Score: Sweden 1-3 Spain.

Market odds: Sweden (-0.875), Spain (-3/4, +0.85)

Greece – Reigning Euro Champions, Greece team is all about teamwork. They work well and tirelessly with good passes and good pace, thriving on effective counter-attacks. Tops the group in the qualifiers which included Turkey and Norway. They have not lose much of their touch in winning games since winning Euro 2004.

Sweden – Qualified in a group behind Spain and ahead of N. Ireland and Denmark. Their qualification performance is very much on par with Spain in terms of points, goals scored and goals conceded. They had been a permanent feature in Euro and World Cup tournament. Can be very deadly with their speed.

Prediction – This is a very close match, Sweden is currently a slight favourite. If Greece can display the same brilliance as in 2004, they can win the game. There will be goals for both side. Score: Greece 2 -1 Sweden.

Market odds: Greece (+8), Sweden (-1/4, -875)

Spain – Perpetual underachiever in a major competition, could they turn the fortune this time round. This had led coach Luis Aragones to study the stars or the Kabbalah, an ancient tradition of explaining Judaism’s holy texts through mystical means. He believes that yellow is unlucky, despite the fact that it makes up half the Spanish flag. He has banned all his players from wearing yellow. Coming into the tournament, they are undefeated in 16 matches. In the last 18 matches, they have beaten world champions Italy, Argentina, France and England. Majority of their first-choice XI had Champions league experience.

Russia - Qualified at the expense of England. Coach Guus Hiddink have transformed the team into one of the dark horse of the tournament. 22-year-old goalkeeper, Igor Akinfeev, of CSKA Moscow, is a star in the making and is said to be in the same class as Peter Cech of Czech Rep. The back three also play for CSKA Moscow. Knowing each other well give them significant strength in defense.

Prediction – Expect coach Luis Aragones to turn the fortune for Spain around this time round with a low score line. Score: Spain 1-0 Russia.

Market odds: Spain (-3/4, +0.925), Russia (+1.0)