Euro 2012 Semifinal No. 1: Portugal v Spain - Lineups and Game Thread

After several days off, during which I, oddly, didn't really miss it, Euro 2012 is back! This time, in what can only be described as a Star Wars-ian turn of events, Cristiano Skywalker, Luke and Leia's less-likeable, as-yet-unknown brother, leads Raulbacca and Portugal against the evil empire that is Spain. After the last time out against France, in which he was at less than his best, so Chelsea striker Fernando Torres will remain on the bench, not in favour of continued experimentation with Cesc Fabregas as a false-nine, but, surprisingly, fellow striker Álvaro Negredo.

I see no reason for Spain to abandon their boring-yet-effective brand of turgid football, and I expect them to win. I would hope we're all rooting for Portugal in this one, since a victory for Spain would see them through to the final for a chance to win an unprecedented third-consecutive major tournament win, and stamp their wicked authority firmly on the world of football.

Portugal Lineup (4-3-3): Rui Patrício; Fábio Coentrão, Bruno Alves, Pepe, João Pereira; Miguel Veloso, João Moutinho, Raul Meireles; Cristiano Ronaldo, Hugo Almeida, Nani

Spain Lineup (4-3-3): Iker Casillas; Jordi Alba, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Piqué, Alvaro Arbeloa; Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez; Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Álvaro Negredo

Chelsea Interests: Fernando Torres, if Vincente del Bosque wants to use him, and Juan Mata if he can escape la canasta española. Raul Meireles starts for Portugal.