EURO 2008 INFO

Spain has begun its EURO the best way to the crushing Russia 4-1 in Innsbruck with three goals by David Villa. In the first match of group D, the Russians have touched wood twice before saving the honour by Pavlyuchenko.

The Spaniards took the ascendancy on the game early in the game, particularly through the Barcelona duo Xavi - Iniesta. Russia, orphan of its best assets Offensive Arshavin and Pogrebnyak, has nevertheless offered a great resistance in the first period.

Torres, associate pointed at Villa, has weighed all its weight on defence. At the opening score, the attacker Liverpool recovering leather in the feet and served Kolodin Villa which marked in the empty goal (20th). The attacker of Valencia will double the setting shortly before the break on a specific service, in the axis, Iniesta (44th). The Russians had successes between the two Spanish fired on the post by Zyryanov (23rd) and the cross Pavlyuchenko (42nd).

In return locker rooms, the team led by Guus Hiddink was unable to wrap the match and encaissait even the third goal, yet the work of Villa (75th). The team Guus Hiddink scorait the 86th on a corner shot violate Zyryanov who found the head of Pavlyuchenko. Fabregas, entered into earlier Thursday for Torres, put the finishing touches (91st) to the widest victory of the Austro-Swiss competition.

Tivoli-Neu, Innsbruck. 30,000 spectators (crowd). Referee: Plautz (Aut). Goals: 20th Villa 1-0. 44th Villa 2-0. 75th Villa 3-0. 86th Pavlyuchenko 3-1. 91st Fabregas 4-1.

Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Marchena, Puyol, Capdevilla; Iniesta (Cazorla 63rd), Senna, Xavi, Silva (77th Xabi Alonso), Villa, Torres (54th Fabregas).

Russia: Akinfeev; Anyukov, Shirokov, Kolodin, Zhirkov; Semak; Sychev (46th Bystrov, Adamov 70th), Zyryanov, Semshov (57th Torbinski), Bilyaletdinov; Pavlyuchenko.

Notes: Russia without Archavin (suspended). 23rd, firing Zyryanov on the post.