Euro 2008: Spain 4-1 Russia, Greece 0-2 Sweden.
Jun 11
David Villa strikes a hat-trick netting a 4-1 victory for Spain over Russia.
David Villa struck a hat-trick as classy Spain got their Euro 2008 challenge off to a flying start with a 4-1 win against Russia at a rain-swept Stadion Tivoli Neu in Innsbruck.
Villa scored twice in the first half before netting his third 15 minutes from time, earning himself the match ball, the man of the match award and making him an early front-runner for the tournament’s leading scorer.
Roman Pavluchenko pulled a late goal back for Russia, but there was still time for Spain to net a fourth through Cesc Fabregas to wrap up a deserved win that will add weight to the belief that this could well be the Iberian nation’s year.
Spain, who extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches with the win, will be wary about reading too much into this result, though. At Euro 2004 they also beat Russia in their opening match only for both sides to fail to make it through to the quarter-finals.
Goal drought ends for Ibrahimovic as Sweden gets a 2-0 defeat over former champions Greece.
Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic ended his international goal drought in style as Greece’s defence of their European Championship title started with a 2-0 defeat in Salzburg.
Ibrahimovic had not scored for his country since October 2005 but smashed into the top corner in the 67th minute at Stadion Wals-Siezenheim. Receiving a throw from the right flank he fed Henrik Larsson, who returned the ball to the edge of the area to allow Ibrahimovic to unleash his effort without breaking stride.
When Petter Hansson bundled in a second five minutes later, the resistance of the Greeks was crushed. No team has successfully defended this competition and Greece have been given little chance to make history.
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