It's all very strange here in Vienna and I think it's something to do with the weather. We just had a powerful storm roll through with plenty of lightning, thunder and rain - you can still kind of feel the electricity in the air.
At the fan zone down by the Rathaus, the crowd is a lot thinner than I expected. It seems as though there are more Austrians present than Spaniards or Russians - hence the atmosphere is non-existent.
The metro ride to the stadium was a different matter. Two sets of opposing fans had a tremendous 'sing off' and in the cramped, steamy carriage it was brilliant however as we got off the metro and stepped outside the station the atmosphere was weird again.
If you're a scalper at this match...good luck, you're going to lose your shirt. I've no idea where all these tickets are coming from but so many people were selling it was a ticket bazaar. The prices...FACE VALUE! A European semi-final and face value which means they'll drop from this point.
Inside the stadium the Russian support is ace as they all have flags and their end of the stadium just shimmers - the Spanish will do well to out sing them tonight...btw the acoustics in the Earnst-Happel are tremendous. ..Wow the rain is thundering down - can you imagine these two teams playing in the puddles like Turkey/Switzerland!
Sorry for the delay in pictures. The Internet connection in the stadium was down because of the storm. So it'll be Spain/Germany on Sunday. Make sure to catch my preview tomorrow where I'll break it all down.
Yesterday was strange as Basel turned orange. The Dutch were everywhere and boisterous – the Russians in small pockets and subdued – perhaps they knew something we didn’t!
What more can you say about Guus Hiddink’s team…they were superb in every department and the 4-5 thousand Russian fans in the St. Jakob-Park Stadium made themselves heard all 90 minutes and then long into the Swiss night.
The exodus the train station had to be seen to be believed as up to 40,000 orange men and women from the stadium and fan zones couldn’t wait to leave the scene of the crime – it was ugly as the police had to close the main entrance down at one point because there was a huge crush on the staircase. I made it out on the last train to Zurich coming under a considerable amount of pushing and shoving.
The Dutch fans I spoke to on the train were brilliant though despite their crushing disappointment. All of them congratulated the Russians and all had the same explanation for the performance – ‘That’s Football’
..finally some Russians are showing up. Uncle Roman needs to splash his cash and buy his countrymen some tickets because they are seriously outnumbered.
The Euros may have finished physically for Zurich as Italy and France finished off last night at the Lutzigrund but 80 degree weather has meant that for the first time this championship, the whole town has descended on the Fan Mile...brilliant atmosphere and shock results all around.
It's raining cats and dogs, the thunder is rolling and lightning flashes are cooking up this atmosphere. Two huge banks are filled at both ends of the ground with Russian and Spanish fans...ooooh it feels real good and crackling.
4th Min: The rain has slicked up the pitch nicely allowing both players to ping it around. Cassillas flaps at a cross.
6th Min: The thunder and lightning continue to roll in. Spain and Torres look lively.
12th Min: Russia look like they can break but don't have any idea once they get to the top of the 18 yard box - Spain meanwhile produce pretty patterns but need to be a little more direct.
18th Min: Little scrappy chances at both ends as the sky and mountains darken and then it goes black for the Russians. Torres carves them open and lays it on a plate for David Villa...game well and truly on.
24th Min: This is great stuff from both teams. The Russians hit the post and back come Spain, end-to-end drama.
34th Min: Typical Spain, they look like they could take Russia to the cleaners and they take their foot of the gas. It's all slowing down right now and getting cagey...bah!
44th Min: Spain step on the accelarator and score the goal of the tournament. Brilliant ball by Iniesta and Villa times his run like a Swiss Rolex - 2-0 Spain, now come on Espana, turn it on and show me you are the team I think your capable of. being.
45th Min: Half-time. Russia don't believe in themselves in front of goal and give the ball away too cheaply. Spain have taken their chances and could rout their opponents if they don't decide to toy with them instead. Overall first 25 minutes excellent, next 15 pants and then a tidy little finish to the half.
50th Min: Typical Spain, they're big timing it and letting the Russians back in it.
60th Min: Spain are now content to soak up what little Russia have to offer which is really annoying. C'mon give it some stick and give the ball to Villa who is on a hat trick. BTW it's still lashing down.
66th Min: Nice double save by Akinfeev. When Spain up the tempo, Russia can't live with them. I would love to know what Arragones said at half-time because at times his side is going through the motions.
75th Min: Villa completes the hat trick after a lovely ball from Frabregas and away go Spain - and finally the Spanish fans come to life once again. The recipe is simple - give it to Villa and let him do the rest. Russia are a well beaten team and their body language right now is x-rated as is the scowl on Hiddinks face - he must be planning his Chelsea exodus as we speak.
86th Min: That was sweet of Spain to give Pavlyuchenko a little going away present. Terrible marking and Spain we'll have to sort that out against the Greeks and Swedes who live on set-pieces.
90th Min: It's still raining cats and dogs and now it's pouring goals as Fabregas heads home after brilliant play from Villa who found Xavi with a sublime ball. What a rout and it's all about aye, aye, ya, aye, Espana are glorious.
Spain lay the marker down and Russia prove that they're about as good as England. Can you imagine if that had happened to the Three Lions, Innsbruck would be destroyed, thankfully that won't happen with the good natured Russians.
Luis Aragones will feel vindicated in his team selection but here's an interesting tidbit before I make my way through the pouring rain back into town. It's very rare that the top goal scorer in the tourmnament comes from the eventual winning team - Villa better stop on three.
If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend the train trip from Zurich to Innsbruck - yes its long and slow but OMG is it beautiful. You travel through the soaring still snow covered in places, Alps and let me tell you they are impressive.
My train was packed with Swedes and Greeks on their way to Salzburg along with Spaniards and Russian supporters stopping here. Needless to say it was as rowdy a train journey as I've been on since WC '06. The Greeks in particular were in fine voice and why not - they are the defending champions.
After picking up my match ticket at the picturesque stadium, a local cab driver took me to this nice spot, Riese Haymon, for a quick bite before kick-off and you can see who I bumped in to.
Roman was entertaining 20 friends at the table next to me which is probably why the service was incredibly bad but he was a good sport when I asked him who would be the next Chelsea gaffer. Inscrutable as always he wouldn't give anything away but he did raise his eyebrow and grin when I mentioned Luiz Scolari's name - you heard it here first.
Who will break into the 'B4' and who will avoid the drop. So many questions will be answered over the next nine months because it's back - the greatest show on earth - The Barclays Premier League.
