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I've only seen Arshavin play three times (UEFA final and the Euros) and I think he's an outstanding player. Can't see him staying at Zenit for much longer.
Last night has to be shock of the tournament so far. Germany look to be the strongest team left but with all the drama there's been so far, I don't see them as certs. Though, Turkey will be without Volkan, Turan Arda and Sanli.
Does anybody know why Arshavin has only come to everybodys knowledge this season, hes 27 now and for a player of his talent he seems to have come from nowhere!!!
Simple. He plays in Russia for a team that haven't registered on the radar til this year. Unless you're cfdh edmundo, we simply haven't heard of him.
Yeah but you would have that with that sort of quality scouts from all around europe would have spotted him years agoQuote:
Originally Posted by superfrank
There's a lot of money in Russian football now. Quite possible he's happy there.
He has said that he wants to leave now aparently, but I still cant work out how nobody has heard of him until now. Clubs these days have scouts looking for talented kids from all over the world and I just find it amazing that this guy has gone until the age of 27 before he has been noticed
I actually saw him when I was on holiday in Seville in 2006, Sevilla were playing Zenit in a UEFA Cup match. Sevilla won 4-2 but Zenit had 2 men sent off and Arshavin looked very good. I was a bit suprised when Sevilla brought Alexander Kerzakhov (also played for Zenit in the games) when Arshavin was much the better player.
I'm also suprised that no scouts have picked him up. A few of Zenit's games have been on Eurosport (vs Bayern - although he was out of one of the legs) and in all of the highlights vs Villareal, Leverkusen and MArseille he was immense. If I was a top European club I'd try and pick up him and Pavel Pogrebnyak together as they have an almost telepathic link up.
Their captain Nihat looks like he's out of the rest of the tournament too.Quote:
Originally Posted by superfrank
What a game to look forward to: Russia vs Spain. I thought the fates would decree that the Italians would beat Spain (winners of groups going out in the quarter finals) but I am pleased Spain won, if only for the prospect of the above semi-final. Spain were made to look ordinary enough by the Italians but that's what they do and their version of Tony Cascarino couldn't get a goal for them. I assume Fabregas will start in the semi.
Germany vs Spain final.
Glad Spain went through. The game it's self wasn't great, but they deserve it on the way they played so far in this tournament. Good atmosphere at the game mostly made from the Spanish end. I was sitting in the other corner opposite. Great view of the game. Bit disappointed there wasn't more fans of the competing there. Seemed to be more Germans, Austrians and sponsors fans there. As I said in another tread the Italian end had loads of empty spaces in it.
Maybe they new what was coming :D
P:S: Seen a Shamrock Rovers flag in the Spanish end at the top behind the goal
Thought I saw a few lads in Ireland jerseys in the crowd, and was there a tricolour behind the left hand side goal?
He's on £50,000 (sterling) a week, plus a generous package of bonuses. That'd be hard for most clubs in the so-called "big leagues" to match. He certainly doesn't need to move for the money.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Thank God Spain went through. If I never see another Italy game in my life It'll be too soon.
With the campaign ahead, i think you could be seeing them quite soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveyCakes
Germany will dispatch of the turks easy enough I would think but with the turk population in germany id imagine there will be plenty of bite to the game so you never know.
Spain, Russia has the makings of a classic, very hard to call. I think Russia will be more organised than they were in the group game.
I reckon they've peaked and Spain will do them in the semi.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruben Sosa
I think Spain will be a harder game for Russia than the Dutch. Spain are at 100% (no injuries or suspensiond), Russia have Torbinsky (probably wouldn't have started) and Kolodin (certain starter) out. Kolodin will probably be replaced by one of the Berezutski twins, none of these players are great at defending, Kolodin offers a bit more going forward but the Berezutskis are better at defending set plays and Aleksei has a powerful shot (less accurate than Kolodin). The twins and Ignashevitch (who was absent from the first game vs Spain) all play for CSKA Moscow, so there might be a better link up / defensive line in terms of same club knowledge / experience.
I think the game will be won and lost in midfield, Arshavin vs Marcos Senna will be the key. One on one Arshavin should be too much him most times, it's a question of if Arshavin can draw in a second marker (someone like Fabregas if he starts or Iniesta or even Xavi) then the game will open up for the Russian wing backs especially Yuri Zhirkov and also central players like Zyrianov and even Semak. I think Pavlyuchekno should occasionally try and go wider to play off Sergio Ramos rather than Puyol. Ramos is error prone and struggles againt big physical players (eg Sweden) or if he is put under pressue.
My big fear for Russia is Spanish diving, David Villa took a lot of tumbles vs Italy and only a strong ref (who booked him) stamped this out. I think a lot of the Spanish team go down a bit too easliy and the ref could come down harshly on the Russians. The Dutch were also fond of the grass and nearly got Kolodin sent off in extra time.
Personally I hope Russia win, in every game they've played in they been very attacking, almost too attacking vs Spain and created numerous chances, which is all great to watch, even if at times they try and walk the ball into the net. Whereas Spain have (in my opinion) been cagey and timid, especially in their second game vs Sweden, but also vs Italy. They could have taken the game to the Italians more espcially in the second half when it opened up once Camanoresi came on, they didn't take risks in the final third, and rarely tried to play a key killer ball - instead they would try and keep possesion and eventually most moves would break down.
Don't agree. I think Spain are great to watch, and I really hope they win the tournament. I also don't think you're giving Italy enough credit for what was a very good defensive performance. They succeeded in really stifling the Spanish. I think the Russians will be more open than the Italians alright, but they may be a little more cagey this time around after being stuffed in the first game. It should be a cracker though, pity it's not the final really.Quote:
Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo
I'm not anti-English Premiership but......... sometimes they justify themselves by the success of there individual players. For me that just leaves Éspana and Ballack ( Lehman is on his way out, I understand).
The tournament has been good to me so far.
With Turkey missing 10 players from their squad for the semi final tonight, can anyone else see anything but a German victory?
The crisis will obviously unite the Turks even more but I doubt that will be enough to overcome the Germans. I'm looking forward to the possibility of the Turks third keeper coming on in the last 10 mins!
I don't believe Germany are exceptional by any means and I think they'll be beaten in the final whoever they meet, but it's just too much to ask of the depleted Turks.
You never know with Turkey, and if they were at 100% I could see them beating the current German team. But I agree on balance, with all the suspensions and injuries they have pretty much no back line, and I think both Nihat (injury) and Tuncay (suspension) are out so upfront that only really leaves Semih as an out and out striker, Mevult is on the bench but he's very untested (plays at Soucheux in France). One player to look out for is Goekdeniz Karadeniz, he's a good player, not featured yet but could link up well with Mehmet Aurelio (the Brazilian born player). Probably Germany to win in extra time, but I think Turkey (at 100%) are a nicer team to watch and would make a better final.