Whats at stake in this game? The winner almost certainly finishes top of the group, since OOOFA uses as their first tie-breaker head-to-head results. And finishing first in Group D means not having to face Holland in the quarters. Not a bad incentive, though I don't think anyone relishes playing Italy or France no matter how poor they have looked so far in the tournament.
These two teams should know each other well - they came out of the same qualifying group. Each team won at home, Sweden 2-0 and Spain 3-0, and now the neutral site will serve as the rubber match. Both teams played well in their first game. Spain got all the headlines with their dazzling display against Russia, but Sweden had to work extremely hard to break down a Greek defense that attempted to park a bus in front of goal. I think Sweden's win was just as impressive given the context.
What should be look for today? First, Sweden has lost a couple players to injury, most notably Wilhelmsson for the rest of the tournament. That is going to hurt because Wilhelmsson provided width and pace to a team lacking in both. Without Wilhelmsson on the right, Freddie is going to have to find his legs of youth to provide for Zlatan up front.
Second, Spain still has a lot to prove. In recent tournaments, they wowed in the first game only to fall apart as the tournament progressed. There is something the air tonight, Fernando, and its time for the Liverpool player to put to rest speculation about dissent within the Spanish camp by keeping his head down, score a goal, and act like a professional. Look for Villa to continue his goalscoring prowess - the man has a huge summer transfer riding on it.
When the dust settles, an entertaining game will end 2-1 to Spain. That will put pressure on Sweden to get a result against Russia in the final game of the group, but a loss today shouldn't dent their hopes of advancing too much.
These two teams should know each other well - they came out of the same qualifying group. Each team won at home, Sweden 2-0 and Spain 3-0, and now the neutral site will serve as the rubber match. Both teams played well in their first game. Spain got all the headlines with their dazzling display against Russia, but Sweden had to work extremely hard to break down a Greek defense that attempted to park a bus in front of goal. I think Sweden's win was just as impressive given the context.
What should be look for today? First, Sweden has lost a couple players to injury, most notably Wilhelmsson for the rest of the tournament. That is going to hurt because Wilhelmsson provided width and pace to a team lacking in both. Without Wilhelmsson on the right, Freddie is going to have to find his legs of youth to provide for Zlatan up front.
Second, Spain still has a lot to prove. In recent tournaments, they wowed in the first game only to fall apart as the tournament progressed. There is something the air tonight, Fernando, and its time for the Liverpool player to put to rest speculation about dissent within the Spanish camp by keeping his head down, score a goal, and act like a professional. Look for Villa to continue his goalscoring prowess - the man has a huge summer transfer riding on it.
When the dust settles, an entertaining game will end 2-1 to Spain. That will put pressure on Sweden to get a result against Russia in the final game of the group, but a loss today shouldn't dent their hopes of advancing too much.
2 comments:
Did you post this after the match and somehow swap the times? Damn, even got both goalscorers correct.
No, I am just that good. Me and Punxsy Phil, Kings of the Prognostication!
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