Russia Vs Sweden

It's the turn of Group D to shine this evening with their tense decider, of who will go through along with Spain into the quarter finals where the rampant Dutch await. Big news for the Russians tonight that captain Andrei Arshavin returns from his international suspension and is available to re-take the armband and indeed the mantle of Russian hope. If he returns in the mood tonight then the Swedes could be in some real trouble.

I'm going to opt for the Russians despite their weak defence to perhaps pip the Swedes 2-1. IF Arshavin can reciprocate some of his recent form.

Your thoughts?

I fancy the Russians to go through tonight with the return of star man Arshavin in the team

Does anybody know if Zlatan will be playing for Sweden after the knock he had in the last game?

I say Russia 1 v 0 Sweden.

Ill put my money on Russia... Their coach G. Hiddink has managed to put South-Korea in the Semi's of a World Cup...

1-0

Says he is a serious doubt.

If Zlatan doesn't play, then I fancy Russia to win it especially with Arshavin coming back from suspension...

I'll say 2-1 to Russia...

Zlatan is going to play in this game as he is fit (last time I read) although it won't be for 90 minutes. I think Larsson will get a goal this game as he's never failed to score in Euro tournament before


Sweden to win

i think russia will win with 2-1

Two brilliant 8-10-minute intervals and reliable performance in the rest. Come what may but the Gus's team is a one you aren't to be ashamed of.

Russia 1 up at the break, through what was a delicious team goal finished by striker Roman Pavlyuchenko. In this first half we have at last began to see the Russian side many grew accustomed to watching during the qualifiers, and they have caused some real problems for the Swedes with their quick passing and pacey movement. Arshavin looking very good on the ball as usual, linking up well with the goalscorer and Anyukov and Zhirkov brilliantly getting forward at every attempt. The latter hitting a sumptious volley that was unlucky not to nestle itself into the bottom corner. Another great Russian move saw Pavlyuchenko also hit the bar whilst the Swedes have looked unable to cope at the back under the pressure, looking all over the pace at times as their elder players are being torn apart by a far more youthly Russian attack. Larsson hit the bar shortly after the Russian goal.

I'm watching both the games and switching channels every minute. And everytime I watch this match, Arshavin was good. He's a tremendous player and I think Russia will win this game comfortably. But Zlatan can get a goal out of nothing, so they have to be wary of him...

Zlatan is looking sloppy and slow in this match. I'm very disappointed with the Swedes so far. Ljungberg has been good though. You can tell he really wants to win, which is more than you can say about some of the other players...

Arshavin is a brilliant player.

That's all, guys, that's all.
No need to compare the Dutch and the Russia of today, but there's one point in common - the two teams are the best of their countries after 1988. Few chances we have, but the event will be exciting anyway.

I have to say i can't wait for Russia vs. the Netherlands, both sides are superb going forward but a little dodgy at the other end, which usually makes for a great game.

Shame to see Sweden go out but their side is simply too old. It's worrying where the next generation is going to come from.

Fairly comfortable, efficient and in places quite classy performance from the Russians, a performance many have been expecting given their good qualifying form. Arshavin looked very good indeed on the ball for the most part, Pavyluchenko looked hungry again and played with far more ambition and with greater moblity whilst Zhirkov and Anyukov in particular were superb as the full backs once again. Good have been four or five in the end as Sweden desperately committed men forward in order to search for something to save them, but Arshavin could not quite finish them off. The oldest squad at the tournament tag told at times with the pace of the Russian attack, and Ibrahimovic largely uneffective along with pretty much the entire Sweden attack, very disappointing indeed.

Netherlands Vs Russia is a match i very much look forward to.

yes, yes, yeeeeees!!!
finaly we have overcome the group stage! and what a game Russia was performing during the first half! I really tell you it was the best 30 minutes I've seen in this national team history.

The only think I'd like to see is the substitute of Pavlyuchenko by Sychev after 70th minute, he was really dead tired. But played well.
Ooh, Russia celebrates

Russia - Netherlands is going to be a fantastic match and they both are playing well moving forward...

Arshavin is a brilliant player and I hope he plays well against the Dutch...

That is exactly why i've been going on about how much i want Liverpool to sign Arshavin for months. He is awesome!

I wouldn't mind Zhirkov either!!


Shame about Zlatan. He was never fully fit, and it showed. But the entire Sweden tem were the same, but they can't all use that excuse. It's a shame for them that their best player wasn't fit for this tournament though.

awful season for Zlatan. 9 goals in Serie A? What a result for "superforward".

Yeah, Arshavin has shown his game. But not the best I hope

Great play by Russia