Y'gotta make way...

Been on an absolutely massive Bowie kick of late --Spiders from Mars era, and Hunky Dory and The Rise and Fall... in particular. Much more on that in the coming days, but this worthy tribute is deserving of notice:


The rest:
#2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11

Spain got thru to Sunday's Euro final by stuffing Russia three-nil in their semifinal encounter on Thursday. A fair enough result, as Spain made the most of the running throughout and dominated in the statistical categories of shots taken, shots on goal and time in possession.

Their first goal was an accident, as Andrés Iniesta attempted to find the far post from long range on the left and miscued his shot, but it so happened that his teammate Xavi was streaking up the middle and was on hand to blast home; it all happened in a flash on 50'.

Cesc Fábregas the Arsenal boy had subbed on for injured striker David Villa in the first half and breached the Russian defense with a deft lob from the edge of the area that played in fellow substitute Daniel Güiza for Spain's second on 73', and Cesc would cross superbly for David Silva to add their third eight minutes from time.

So that's the other darlings of the tournament --now Russia, to go along with Turkey-- dumped out at the penultimate hurdle, and it'll be Spain and Germany in the final on Sunday from 1:45 PM sharp Chicago time on ABC, and one may follow along online at soccernet.

With the exception of their 120 minutes of frustration against a bunkered Italy side in a goalless quarterfinal encounter that they won in a penalty shootout, Spain have looked sensational throughout the competition and already had pasted the Russians 4-1 in the group stage.

The Germans dwarf them and will look to use that advantage in height and bulk to make the most of whatever set pieces come their way, so Spain will have to take care not to commit fouls in their own half and try to avoid conceding corner kicks on purpose.

Spain, notorious underachievers on the big stage, haven't won a major international tournament since Euro '64, and the Germans --who got away with theft against Turkey in the semifinals and will need to be much better if they hope to stop a Spanish side playing anywhere close to recent form-- have a knack for having a knack in these competitions. Should be a cracker, and let's hope that it is.