Spain Defeats Russia in Group D Euro 2008 Opener

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Spain v Russia goals

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Spain Defeats Russia in Group D Euro 2008 Opener

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uploaded by Roberto Alvarez-Galloso

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  uploaded by Roberto Alvarez-Galloso | add comment

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  uploaded by Roberto Alvarez-Galloso | add comment

I was listening to the game between <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Spain and Russia for the Group D Classification of Euro 2008 using the Windows Media Player in my computer. Spanish Radio and Television did the live coverage and it was the equivalent of being there. I wanted Spain to win in order to bury all of the comments underestimating Spain. Another reason was the injustices that Russia committed against Spain during the Spanish Civil War of the 1930’s in which $660,000,000 were taken by Russia from Spain almost at the end of that Civil War. Who cannot forget the injustices of burned churches and people killed for their beliefs? Besides the bitter pill of past history, there was a bitter pill of present history which had to do with an English Team. During the beginning of 2008, an English Team played an exhibition game in Moscow. It was before, during, and after this exhibition game that hooligans from Russia started verbally and physically assaulting the English Football [Soccer] supporters. It was a surprise that Russia was not expelled from the European League or FIFA. The game itself was great and exciting.

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The First Half started with a Spain which was forward looking and triumphant. Spain had possession of the ball and the game. David Villa surprised the spectators with his first two goals of the game. In the first goal, Villa took advantage of an opening in the Russian Goal Post to score his first goal. In the second attempt, David Villa kicked the ball between the legs of Igor Akinfeyev to score the second goal. It appears that David Villa was the dominant force in the First Half in the Spanish Victory over Russia. During the game, there were comments from the pundits of the Sports Forum of the BBC about signing Villa for Liverpool or Arsenal.

Spain started the second half with David Villa giving a headache to Roman Shirokov and scoring a third goal in the process. Unfortunately, Russia woke up from its lethargy in order for Roman Pavlyuchenko to score its first goal. Regardless, Spain was able to recover from this setback with David Villa assisting Cesc Fabregas in scoring a forth and final goal for Spain to the chagrin and surprise of Igor Akinfeyev. All of attempts at substitution by Russia resulted in negative results while Spain had little or no need of such substitutions. It was one of the greatest games and upsets.

Russia played a disorganized game and was unable to recover from the volley of goals by David Villa. Spain with Villa, Fabregas, and Torres were able to show the world that Spain is the team to deal with in Euro 2008. Spain was organized, disciplined, and to the point in its football [soccer]. Spain now has to prepare for its games against Greece and Sweden.

Spain 4-1 Russia

Spain: 9/10

Russia: 1/10

Principal Player: David Villa