By Li Li and Wu Liming

    INNSBRUCK, June 10 (Xinhua) -- A brilliant David Villa scored the first hat-trick of the tournament as Spain opened their Euro 2008 campaign in a dazzling style, slaughtering Russia 4-1 on Tuesday.

    In the other Group D match played later, Sweden beat defending champions Greece 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Petter Hansson.

Spain's David Villa (red) breaks through during the Euro 2008 Group D football match between Spain and Russia at Tivoli Neu Stadium in Innsbruck, Austria, June 10, 2008. Spain won 4-1. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Spain's opening performance will definitely add to their confidence as the much-fancied side are looking to the first major trophy in 34 years.

    Valencia striker Villa was in terrifying form, contributing two first-half goals, a superb solo and also helping with Cesc Fabaregas' injury time fourth as tens of thousands of Spanish fans enjoyed their carnival at a rain-soaked Stadion Tivoli Neu.

    Roman Pavlyuchenko, Russia's lone forward up front, headed in a corner four minutes from time for Russia's consolation.

    But Russia, without suspended playmaker Andrei Arshavin and injured key scorer Pavel Pogrebnyak, were not coming out afraid of attack as their manager Guus Hiddink had promised an aggressive approach.

    They might have leveled for 1-1 right after Villa's first goal, but Roman Pavlyuchenko eventually slammed a shot against the foot of the post with Iker Casillas nowhere.

    At Salzburg, Inter Milan striker Ibrahimovic's powerful shot and midfielder Hansson's lucky pickup availed Sweden a deserved win.

    Sweden coach Lars Lagerback paired veteran Henrik Larsson with Ibrahimovic up front, and the duo's fine cooperation generated the opener for Sweden in the 67th minute.

    Ibrahimovic dribbled forward fast to cracked the renowned Greek defense line and hammered into the far corner of the net after a one-two trick with Larsson.

Sweden's Henrik Larsson (L) vies with a Greek player during the Euro 2008 Group D football match between Greece and Sweden on June 10, 2008 at Wals-Siezenheim Stadium in Salzburg, Austria. Sweden won 2-0. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) Photo Gallery>>>

    Hansson came up with another blow to Greece five minutes later.

    Fredrik Ljungberg had a shot blocked by Greece keeper Nikopolidis but in the following chaos, Hansson got in the right place to net Sweden's second of the night.

    Hiddink was angry over mistakes committed by his young men, and he repeated "naive" eight times at a after-match press conference.

    "This is a young team, today they were naive in many situations," said the Dutch man, "they (Spain) taught us a good lesson."

    He noted that "naive" mistakes from Russian defence led to Spain 's second goal, stressing that such mistake would not committed even by a "school team".

    He even revealed that he blamed the team during the interval.

    A summer thunderstorm were pouring over the 30,000 capacity spectacular stadium located in Innsbruck's mountains but Spain's enthusiasm for glory were not dampened.

    Villa hit in the 21st and 45th minute respectively to gain Spain a comfortable two goals edge before the restart.

    For the first, his attacking partner Fernando Torres penetrated Russia's defence in the left before moving the ball sideways for him to roll in an empty net.

    The second came after the 27-year-old beat an offside trap to convert a Andres Iniesta pass.

    Luis Aragones' men went into complete domination after the restart as Fabaregas, substitute for starting Fernando Torres, and Villa tested Russia's keeper Igor Akinfeev in roll.

    Villa completed his treble on 75 minutes as he twisted and turned his way into the penalty area before slotting into the corner of the net.

    Fabregas shared the shine as he offered the wonderful pass with Russia's defence out of position.

    Russia showed few glimpses of talents in the latter half including a 81st minute Pavlyuchenko shot from 25 yards that whistled just past Casillas' left-hand post.

    He made up five minutes later, nodding in Konstantin Zyryanov's corner which flicked on at the near post.

    But there was still time for Villa to lob into the path of Xavi, whose volley from 15 yards was parried up into the air before Cesc Fabregas headed the rebound home.

Preview: Germany upbeat, Croatia confident of Euro 2008 clash

    KLAGENFURT, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Germany and Croatia, both won their first group games at Euro 2008, are all upbeat over their Group B encounter on Thursday at Woerthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt of Austria.

    Thanks to Poland-born striker Lukas Podolski's two goals, Germany beat Poland 2-0 on Monday, while Croatian midfielder Luka Modric's early penalty kick smashed co-hosts Austria's plan of winning their opening match. Full story

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]