"Momentum with Russia against faltering Spain"

Vienna, June 25 (Reuters) - Spain hammered Russia 4-1 in the group stage of Euro 2008, but must be a very different game when they meet again on Thursday, the semi-final after their fortunes were transformed by return of Andrei Arshavin.

Spain won the first clash on June 10 thanks to enterprising attack, loose Russian and defending a hat-trick from David Villa, but is that the losers now have the momentum to their side.

With each game, accumulation of Spain has become its slower and less dangerous attacks. They hardly threatened their goals in the quarter-finals with Italy which won in penalties.

However, Russia has ido in the opposite direction of tightening up on the back and surfing a wave of attacks that culminated improvement as a whole deserved and very entertaining 3-1 victory over Holland in their quarter-finals.

Suddenly, it seems Innsbruck long ago.

"If we think that Russia will be the same as the opening match that will be very wrong ', warned Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

The progress Russia has much to do with the efforts of playmaker Arshavin, who was suspended for the first two games, and striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, who has rediscovered the form that played such a key element in his country by the end.

Arshavin was outstanding in the 2-0 group win in Sweden and again against the Dutch, where his direct running, great ball control and vision passing tore two holes in the defenses.

Three goals from Pavlyuchenko has regained its appetite for the fight lightweight and the central Spanish will be at the top of their game to maintain control over it.

Free High-Performance and passing midfielders Konstantin Zyryanov and Igor Semshov, along with the virtual wing-backs Alexander Anyukov and Yuri Zhirkov, adding more menace.

"The way we play, with expertise and talent, is always happy to see that, 'said the source of inspiration Russia Dutch coach Guus Hiddink.

Hiddink's major concern is the absence of suspended central Denis Kolodin, who helped reorganize the defense in a unit that has only granted a new target after the defeat Spain.

Vasily Berezutsky is likely to replace him and, along with Sergei Ignashevich must maintain constant shackles at Villa and Fernando Torres to keep Spain at arm's length.

After showing their entrepreneurs in the opener of Spain have slowed his midfield to play the point where Italy happily sat with eight men behind the ball patiently watching short step that was ordered desperately, but lacked penetration.

Only when reaching Fabregas, usually after an hour, there appears to be no joy and his coach Luis Aragones knows that it must find new ways to imperil if they are to progress.

"It will be difficult to surprise Hiddink, but we will try, 'she said.