Russia vs Spain (match to begin in less than an hour)

Russia has a lot to be thankful for, especially to Croatia, after they they were really qualified due to Croatia's epic win against England. I'm not saying this to be pompous but it is true. No wonder CEO's and presidents of russian companies tried to give Croatian players (especially Pletikosa--"Croatia's wall"--their goalkeeper that saved them from a tie or even a defeat at the hands of austria) a BMW--a prize that they did not accept because UEFA probably frowns on those kinds of rewards. Pletikosa plays for a Russian club so the Russians know him very well and are grateful. Russians in Astoria, Queens were even wearing the Coratian coat of arms on the days following the Croatia-England game. However, this time Russia does not have Croatia in their group to help them again, but they shouldn't need it--Dutch coach Guus Hiddink who I mentioned in a previous post is amazing and I feel confident that our fellow Slavic brothers will reach their goal. Yes, Croatian fans, I said Slavic. I know some of you don't like that word and I know that Croatian history shows that we really aren't Slavs. Political enemies with Russians, yes we are. Did they support Serbia during the war? Yes they did. But in sport, I root for out fellow Balkan and Eastern European rivals (even Serbia)--Here's to a Russia-Croatia final.....afterall, we have some unfinished business to take care of against the Russians: 0-0 ties in both of our Euro qualifiers against them--we cannot let that stand (but defeating them in a friendly will be fine. I'll take whatever I can get. anyway, i digress. here is a video I found on youtube on Russia Today. I thought I'd share it:



here's to all Eastern European fans! (Coratia;s more like Central Europe but whatever). Good luck to all of them, Czech Republic too. Not Poland though that would mean Croatia is out because it looks like Germany is going through.

National anthems and coverage starts at 11:50 ET on ESPN 2 or ESPN Classic. Good luck Russia! (I like Spain too but Russia deserves this as an underdog!). Stay tuned for the Greece-Sweden game at 2:45 pm. Go SWEDEN!!!!!