Euro 2008 Group D Preview: Russia vs. Sweden

Russia

vs

Sweden

Wednesday, June 18, Kickoff 2045 CET
Innsbruck (Austria) – Travel to Innsbruck (Austria)

THE BIG PICTURE

This game puts the fate in each team’s hand, but it’s only a must win for Russia. Sweden has a +1 goal differential to the -2 of Russia; if it ends a draw, the Swedes go through to face the Netherlands. Though Sweden appears to be the better bet to go through, Zlatan is having knee trouble and Russia returns its captain, Andrei Arshavin, after sitting the first two games due to injury. In short: it’s all left to play for.

RUSSIA

Three Key Players:
Andrei Arshavin – Though he’s been their leader and best player, it’s still unclear whether or not AA will start after his suspension. Whether off the bench or from the start, he can change this game for Russia’s attack.
Yuri Zhirkov – One of the better players in the first two rounds of the group stages, he’s been darting through midfields and defense like a midnight train. His attacking from the deep left back position is nothing if not extraordinary.
Roman Pavlyuchenko – Roman looks like the new player Guus was talking about going into the tournament, and the only thing he couldn’t do against Greece was put the ball in the back of the net. Goal scoring heroics against England fresh in his mind?

Team News: Diniyar Bilyaletdinov looks like he’s recovered from the minor bump he earned against Greece. Now the only question is whether or not Arshavin will start.

Russia squad
Russia Team Profile

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SWEDEN

Three Key Players:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Two games, two goals. Had to leave the Spain game at the half due to swelling in his knee, leaving a result with Zlatan for 90 a mystery. They may be able to get by without him, but he puts any team on another plane.
Johan Elmander – Only brought into the starting XI after the injury to Christian Wilhelmsson, he’s not a superstar, but brings some real quality and perhaps a better chance to score some goals to the side than Chippen. If Zlatan is out of ineffective, he could be The Guy.
Petter Hansson – It was a great move by Villa, but he shoulders a great deal of responsibility for the late game winning goal. It’s not so much about his play but more his mentality and ability to bounce back.

Team News: Zlatan skipped practiced today in hopes of lessening the strain on his knee for tomorrow and hopefully allowing him to play at a high level.

Sweden
Sweden Team Profile

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BIG BATTLES

Zlatan vs The Knee You wouldn’t get too much argument if you said there is no player more invaluable to his team than Zlatan at this tournament. An exquisite player, he shoulders most of Sweden’s hopes. Worst news they can have going into a game is that he’s injured, and he is (a common theme, unfortunately). Lars Lagerback says he’ll play, but for how long and how effective will he be?

Russia’s left vs Sweden’s right Niclas Alexandersson was out of the game versus Spain putting Fredrik Stoor into his spot, but no idea who’s starting. Whoever starts in the back will have a nightmare trying to watch both the winger and Yuri Zhirkov at LB. If Arshavin is slotted out left or spends a good deal of time drifting in that direction, it might just get ugly.

Russia vs An early Swedish goal Personally, there’s nothing I enjoy more than games which turn into a tactical chess match (particularly when Guus Hiddink is involved) due to the scoreline. If Russia goes down a goal or two early, you can be sure to see some staunch Swedish defense. They won’t be Greece, but with a tie enough to see them through, they will want to minimize risk and play solid football. How will Russia bounce back without opening itself up for more hurt?

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LIVEBLOG

Follow the Russia vs Sweden LiveBlog here.