Germans are on an average 1.5 inches taller than Turks. Turks fluked into the semis as luck deserted Croatia, a far superior team. Russians are a young side with the fittest players you will see anywhere. No one can forget the sizzling shots in Russia vs Netherlands game which the Russians should have got 5-1. Spain looked aged and clueless against an equally unimaginative Italy. I think Russians are going to defeat Spain with their lightning speed and engergy. The only problem with Russia is they fumble at finish and are not good at marking the opposition. Dont be surprised if Russia goes to the finals to make it Russia vs Germany.
Spain vs Italy was a damp squid..It lacked the beauty, the speed, and the thrills of Russia vs Netherlands game. Spain has no chance against Russia, if Russians dont fumble at finish. Russians are young and have lightning speed. Oldies like France have outclassed.
RE:Horrible game
by cuzo on Jun 23, 2008 09:20 PM Permalink
spain beat russia 4 - 1 in the first outing. Did you see that, or read about it or were you sleeping even then ???
Russia and Turkey have shown tremendous grit and spirit to get to the semis. But history shows that these minnows generally sink without a trace after shining in a couple of matches.
Of course there could be exceptions like Denmark who went on to win Euro 92 after they were not even supposed to play and got in only after the Yugoslavs did not play...
But in most cases(Turkey SF WC 02, Croatia SF WC 98, Sweden WC 94 etc) these teams capitulate on the big stage and sink without a trace. That could be a real dampener for what has been a splendid tournament.
Russia played tactically brilliantly against a dutch side which was tired after a long league season. But one shudders to think that if actually the dutch had played in the same vein as the group stages and beaten Russia, what a humdinger Spain vs Holland would have been!!!!
One feels sorry for the dutch who played the best football in the tournament including the game against the Russians. While Russia might spring a surprise against the spaniards because of their rich vein of form & rhythm, it seems highly unlikely that the Turks can upstage Germany - a traditionally solid team for knockout stages.
But as history suggests, the semis could very well be one-sided contests and Germany & Spain would make it to the finals. Lets hope Russia and Turkey turn up the heat in the semis and prove history wrong...Coz if one looks at it - they have nothing to loose and should go all out!!!!
RE:It will be spain vs germany
by deepak on Jun 23, 2008 08:30 PM Permalink
Turkey was a fluke - they got no chance against the methodical Germans. Russians are way up there for lightning speed and youth. Russia vs Germany is my prediction.
RE:It will be spain vs germany
by javed khan on Jun 26, 2008 01:20 PM Permalink
if it is spain vs germany - spain will win if it is russia vs germany - germany will win
All the four Semi-finalists have shown that git and determination could make you a winner. Pity Croatia as because you needsome luck also in such games. Here only we believe that everything is not in our hand.
Surprisingly all the FOUR favourites in the quarter finals have been knocked out. Shows overconfidence does not pay nor does taking things for granted help.
on every liklihood its going to be russia. they r physically strong, fast & more accurate in their game plan. they hav got a good coach whose strategy is the result of russia in semi. if russia defends well then no one can defeat them.
I think it wud b Germany vs. Spain... Germans are more strong physically, Technically and also their big match temperament will help them to rise to win against Turkey. About Spain, they have broken the 22nd June jinx so now they will b more confident about going ahead to the finals and are now very much eager to remove Trophy drought since 1964... n in the finals it will Spain who should show the world that they are not only having talents but at temperament to min trophies also.
