Spain vs Ukraine

Anam

First match of today.

I'm backing the Ukraine to get a result here,they are a hard working side and they have the quality up front that the likes of Ghana and Croatia were lacking.

I think a score draw or else Ukraine to edge it.


Although it is not certain whether Sheva will start,he did score in their last game but he may not be risked since the other two teams in this group arent really a threat.

RE*AC*TOR

This could be a great match... will spain finally give the performance we all know they can? Ukraine will be formidable opposition.

Pepe LeFrits

Apparently Raul drops to the bench along with Reyes. Midfield trio of Senna, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, with Luis Garcia in the hole behind Torres and Villa.

RE*AC*TOR

you know depending on what Luis Garcia show's up he could end up with something crazy like player of the tournament. He's THAT unpredictable. That new fangled ball might help too.

empirix

Not sure cenko will be risked - that would be just dumb

Pepe LeFrits

After the shockers last night I hope Spain meet my expectations today. Not sure about their manager but he doesn't seem afraid to make bold choices so he may do well. 4-3-1-2 with the quality that Spain have is OK in my book too.

If things aren't going well for them, having the likes of Raul, Reyes, Joaquin, Fabregas and Iniesta on the bench to change things gives them a real shot at winning it this time round.

super_furry

Big chance for Spain to put down a marker today. All the other big name teams, Italy and Argentina aside, have failed to impress and a big performance from Spain would make a lot of people sit up and take notice. They've been my World Cup tip for months now and hopefully they'll produce today.

BolBill

Dont know why you think the Argies and the Eye Ties falied to impress, thought both were very good.

Spain aren't a team, hope they prove me wrong, I've backed them (as always)

super_furry

Think you misread me, Argentina and Italy were the only big names to impress so far. Italy especially looked even better than I thought they would.

Shaque attack

Really looking forward to this match. I have a good feeling about spain and I think thay could go all the way this year, they have such strenght in depth and a manager not afraid to make the tough choices. The game today will give a good indication of what level they are at.

super_furry

Spain's line-up;

Casillas

Ramos, Puyol, Pablo, Pernía

Senna, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Luis García

Torres, Villa

That's a quality team and it's good to see Garcia start, especially as I've €10 for the first goal.

Kingp35

Its a strong Spanish side alright but the Ukranians also have a very good team that cant be underestimated. Im still not sure about Garcia starting because for me he doesnt do enough except score the occasional fantastic goal. He has alot to prove to people today.

I think this could end in a 1-1 draw.

cruiserweight

Shevchenko is starting despite being injured recently

Ukraine: Shovkovskiy, Nesmachniy, Yezerskiy, Rusol, Vashchuk, Tymoschuk, Gusev, Gusin, Rotan, Shevchenko, Voronin.

kinaldo

Come on Espana!

Ramos to score the opening goal.

zAbbo

Get your money on Pernia the left back to score, he's a dead ball specialist, and loves getting forward, scored 10 goals in La Liga this season.

I'm expecting a 2-0 win for the Spaniards

kinaldo

super_furry wrote:

Spain's line-up;

Casillas

Ramos, Puyol, Pablo, Pernía

Senna, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Luis García

Torres, Villa

That's a quality team and it's good to see Garcia start, especially as I've €10 for the first goal.

How the fcuk does Luis Garcia get in that team!? Sergio Ramos would be much better off in the centre with Salgado on the right. Spain's biggest obstacles in winning the tournament is Brazil and the coach Aragones.

zAbbo

kinaldo wrote:

How the fcuk does Luis Garcia get in that team!? Sergio Ramos would be much better off in the centre with Salgado on the right. Spain's biggest obstacles in winning the tournament is Brazil and the coach Aragones.

Garcia has played really well for Spain in recent games, did you miss his hatrick against Slovakia.

Who would you play in his place ? Joaquin has never produced at this level, Reyes is too one sided, Raul isn't dynamic enough.

Garcia may be the link man to make the outstanding midfield and attack, tick.

Also Sergio Ramos is a right back, Puyol and Pablo are a great partnership at centre half

RE*AC*TOR

The best word for Garcia is enigma. He's a frustrating bastard most of the time though. Wouldn't be surprised if he picked up a goal today.

PHB

Garcia has produced for Spain, but to be honest, he is the ultimate hot and cold player.

He could be magical, he could be terrible.

If he gets replaced, I don't think he'll regain his spot. So he has to preform non-stop, which is unlikely, but he has it in him.

Spain have huge huge huge options on the bench, with a great defense to boot.

Joaquin and Reyes can come on giving them incredible pace up front along with Torres.
Then of course there is Raul, he may have had a bad season, but anyone who remembers him from 4 years ago, knows that you just cannot write him off.

I'm really looking forward to Spain playing.

Cormic

I am really looking forward to this game. I hope it will be a good one.

I am also surprised by Garcia's inclusion. He does run hot or cold for LFC. However in this position he has quality midfielders behind him so if he does loose the ball it might not be as bad when he does playing on the right for LFC.

kinaldo

zabbo wrote:

Garcia has played really well for Spain in recent games, did you miss his hatrick against Slovakia.

Who would you play in his place ? Joaquin has never produced at this level, Reyes is too one sided, Raul isn't dynamic enough.

Garcia may be the link man to make the outstanding midfield and attack, tick.

Also Sergio Ramos is a right back, Puyol and Pablo are a great partnership at centre half

So what if he had a good game against Slovakia I still wouldn't even put him in the Newcastle team (of course we have Wor Luque). Reyes and Joaquin for me, good old fashioned wingers. Either them or bring back Vicente! Also, Ramos is more comfortable in central defence and he almost formed a great partnership with Woodgate last season. Salgado is one of the best right backs in the world.

zAbbo

PHB wrote:

Spain have huge huge huge options on the bench, with a great defense to boot.

But those options would require changing formation, and this 4-1-2-1-2 seems to be what the manager wants. Although teams to evolve as they play more games.

zAbbo

kinaldo wrote:

So what if he had a good game against Slovakia I still wouldn't even put him in the Newcastle team (of course we have Wor Luque). Reyes and Joaquin for me, good old fashioned wingers. Either them or bring back Vicente! Also, Ramos is more comfortable in central defence and he almost formed a great partnership with Woodgate last season. Salgado is one of the best right backs in the world.

No decent footballer should be made play for Newcastle.

As I said Joaquin hasn't done the business at all for Spain, Playing Reyes requires a change in formation.

They don't have another playmaker like Luis Garcia.

I'd say the choice between Salgada and Ramos was close, but Ramos would be selected because his aerial threat. And we've seen already thats were the goals can come in this world cup.

I guess we'll soon find out if Garcia(and Spain) are upto it

gracehopper

super_furry wrote:

Italy especially looked even better than I thought they would.

Agreed, they looked like a team for once

kinaldo

zabbo wrote:

No decent footballer should be made play for Newcastle.

As I said Joaquin hasn't done the business at all for Spain, Playing Reyes requires a change in formation.

They don't have another playmaker like Luis Garcia.

I'd say the choice between Salgada and Ramos was close, but Ramos would be selected because his aerial threat. And we've seen already thats were the goals can come in this world cup.

I guess we'll soon find out if Garcia(and Spain) are upto it

Joaquin was terrific in the last World Cup from what I remember.

I expect a completely different Spanish line up in their next game regardless of today's result. Their coach doesn't seem to have a clue what his best eleven is.

I'm one of Raul's biggest fans but I can't really complain about him being dropped for this one, although his fitness may be the real reason.

p.pete

Good ol' Luis

PHB

That was Alonso wasn't it?

RE*AC*TOR

p.pete wrote:

Good ol' Luis

was it garcia? it was a bit messy.

happy spain in front though.

PHB

Quickly Quickly, put a bet on spain to win the world cup

Pepe LeFrits

That was Xabi Alonso with the goal. Villa! Come on Spain!

And ffs, Reyes is no more of a winger than Rooney is. He's a deep-lying forward.

RE*AC*TOR

gwan spain!

kinaldo

Two poxy goals but impressive stuff from Spain nevertheless.

eirebhoy

How did they mix it up with Garcia? From the replay it looked like a clear Alonso goal, it has been confirmed now. What a start by Spain.

Pepe LeFrits

Put a fiver on Villa as top scorer before kick-off, good start!

Spain's passing is very impressive, incisive and accurate.

kinaldo

The new Spanish kit is gorgeous!

Necronomicon

Wow, Spain actually look like a team for once!

Anam

Damn set pieces,Ukraine need to keep the ball on the ground more,i think they should try and raise the tempo of the game,it would suit them more.Sheva needs to see more of the ball.

Spain look good though,worth the lead although i think Ukraine have had two unlucky offside decisions.

eirebhoy

Anam wrote:

Spain look good though,worth the lead although i think Ukraine have had two unlucky offside decisions.

Terrible offside decisions. The 2nd wouldn't have been a goal as they played on and it was saved but Sheva was clean through for the first one and would have no doubt scored.

Necronomicon

Penalty and sending off, what a ridiculous decision!

3-0. So harsh on Ukraine, they had come out a little brighter and all.

RE*AC*TOR

peno - seems dubious

Pepe LeFrits

Game over. Ukraine have been completely done over by refereeing decisions today, but I don't mind too much as my man Villa has 2 goals now

el rabitos

ha, i love it. team shevy getting served

RuggieBear

commentator is hapless...

Anam

Shocking decision,im not impressed with the decisions in this match at all,Ukraine have been very unlucky,though Spain have been undeniably better.

PHB

Ridiculous decision, Torres didn't even appeal, he was as shocked as anybody at the decision. I don't think he even felt the pull of the shorts. I'm also fairly sure it was started outside the box.

That said, let's see how many people try that little tug of the shorts/shirt anymore, so I guess its good for the game.

The commentator totally lost the run of play, he obviously wasn't watching. Was talking ****e while Torres was through for like 4 seconds. Then realised it, and went, OMG em Torres is through.
Then didn't realise a peno had been given.
Hilarity.

Necronomicon

Villa nearly bagged his hat-trick. Scoring not done here I'd say.

eirebhoy

Spain deserve to be in front on the play so far but if it was a better set of officials on the pitch today it could easily be 1-0 to Ukraine atm. Instead they're 3-0 down with 10 men.

Pepe LeFrits

Ah fup sake there goes Villa.

horseflesh

Pepe LeFrits wrote:

Ah fup sake there goes Villa.

Goes? Goes where?
Don't tell me he's Christing injured??
I have him backed for top scorer too.

Necronomicon

horseflesh wrote:

Goes? Goes where?
Don't tell me he's Christing injured??
I have him backed for top scorer too.

Substituted for Raul.

Pighead

Pepe LeFrits wrote:

Put a fiver on Villa as top scorer before kick-off, good start!

Spain's passing is very impressive, incisive and accurate.

After Timing makes Pighead weep.:(