Spain v France [Euro 2012 Quarter Finals]

[Big Mac]

Spain V France


Venue - Donbass Arena, Donetsk

Live Streams - http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?...74&part=sports

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Spain have never won against France in a major tournament (one World Cup and three European Championship encounters). It is six competitive matches in total.
• Vicente del Bosque's men have won three of their last four games against France, all of them friendlies (the other match being the 3-1 World Cup defeat in 2006).
• France are the only side to have beaten Spain twice at the Euros - excluding penalty shootouts (beating them in 1984 and in 2000).
• Spain have never won a European Championship quarter-final in regulation time.
• They will equal the European Championship record for of 10 matches unbeaten if they avoid defeat.
• Spain were the only team to keep more than one clean sheet in the group stages of Euro 2012.
• If selected, Xabi Alonso will win his 100th cap for his country.
• France have reached the quarter-finals for the fourth time in the last five editions of the Euros. Greece (lost 1-0 at Euro 2004) were the last country to knock them out at this stage.
• France are one of only two countries whose strikers haven't scored at Euro 2012 - the other being the Republic of Ireland.
• Karim Benzema has had 15 shots so far at Euro 2012 - but no goals to show for his efforts.

Spain

• Spanish boss Vicente del Bosque again looks set to start two-goal Fernando Torres in an unchanged side.
  
  That would leave Cesc Fabregas, who himself has scored two Euro 2012 goals, on the substitutes bench once more.

France

• France will be without suspended centre-back Philippe Mexes following his second tournament booking, Laurent Koscielny will deputise for him.
  
  Yohan Cabaye is set to start after overcoming the thigh injury that saw him miss out against Sweden.

[Admin]

Looking forward to this one as well tomorrow's match between England and Italy. Should be entertaining

[DEAD_MAN_WALKING]

Thanks Big Mac really hoping this one goes to penalties and Spain scrape through.

[Big Mac]

Thanks Big Mac really hoping this one goes to penalties and Spain scrape through.

No, don't think so....Spain are different class, and I am pretty sure it will all be over before 90 minutes.

[TheHurtLocker873]

I have no idea which way this game will go, or which way I want it to go.

I'm just looking forward to what should be a cracking game.

All I will say is, Spain will have to be better than they was against Croatia, or France will punish them.

[GWolf1]

Spain to win and 3-1 in normal time.

Quote from BBC :

Spain drop Fernando Torres as they again play with no recognised striker. Cesc Fabregas returns. Samir Nasri misses out for France.

[GWolf1]

Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, Silva, Fabregas, Iniesta. Subs: Valdes, Albiol, Javi Martinez, Juanfran, Pedro, Torres, Negredo, Mata, Llorente, Santi Cazorla, Jesus Navas, Reina.

France: Lloris, Reveillere, Rami, Koscielny, Clichy, M'Vila, Debuchy, Cabaye, Malouda, Ribery, Benzema. Subs: Mandanda, Evra, Valbuena, Giroud, Nasri, Matuidi, Menez, Diarra, Martin, Ben Arfa, Carrasso.

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)

[riise94]

1 1 extra time and France to go through.

[tottenham28]

Spain to control the game, France will be chasing shadows. 1-0 Spain.

[man utd]

nasri not playing...France will miss him today..expect france to surprise the champions though..

[riise94]

Spain to control the game, France will be chasing shadows. 1-0 Spain.

I reckon Spain will dominate the game too T28. I just have a feeling luck will desert them tonight (he hopes)

[man utd]

Bloodzeed is back..cheers.. Thanks

[GWolf1]

Looking forward to this as neutral.

[marknow]

I think France will prove too strong for this no striker policy, and might score first, but Spain can change it and still win.

2-2 FT, Penalties, I think it will be a long night.

[GWolf1]

Fabregas went to ground too easily there under a locking of arms with Clichy.

[tottenham28]

I reckon Spain will dominate the game too T28. I just have a feeling luck will desert them tonight (he hopes)

That I would take with open arms mate!
As boring as the Spanish sides and fans have called Chelsea's triumph, I see playing triangles for 90 minutes just the same.

[GWolf1]

That I would take with open arms mate!
As boring as the Spanish sides and fans have called Chelsea's triumph, I see playing triangles for 90 minutes just the same.

I can see why i prefer club football over International games at times, keep ball and going nowhere gets frustrating to watch at times.

[GWolf1]

Spoke too soon there Alonso heads in the opening goal for Spain, Alba puts in a quality cross. So poor from France there.

[tottenham28]

I can see why i prefer club football over International games at times, keep ball and going nowhere gets frustrating to watch at times.

Exactly sedge, the worse thing is tomorrow nights game will probably be exactly the same too. Maybe it's to do with knockout football but when did it become more important not to lose, than win?
That goal shows it all for me, for all Spain's top class players, Jordi Alba has been their one 'outstanding' performer in all the games I have watched. Why? because he is the only player who does not fear taking a man on and making it happen, far more exciting to watch.

[marknow]

Then again, we could be looking at "Total Football V2.0"