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Arshavin outshines Ronaldo on the Euro stage
By Nick Webster
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(championat.ru)
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Before this summer's tournament began, Euro 2008 was being
billed as the potential coronation of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Unfortunately at the St. Jakob-Park Stadium, the prince turned into a
frog and in his place a pauper emerged as the heir apparent - take a bow
Andrei Arshavin.
In my preview before the Netherlands took on Russia, I confidently predicted
a Dutch win with one caveat - they couldn't let Arshavin loose more than
three times. This is where they failed and that's why the team is on its
way back to Amsterdam.
Viewers of Fox Soccer Channel will know all about this special player,
having watched him throughout Zenit St. Petersburg's remarkable run to
the UEFA Cup Final. On their way to the City of Manchester Stadium, Arshavin
was the architect of some stunning wins against the likes of Bayern Munich,
Bayer Leverkusen, Marseille and Villarreal. However, he saved his best
until last.
In the final against Rangers, Arshavin displayed the kind of form that
we've seen from him in his last two matches against Sweden and the Netherlands.
It was the sort of performance that great No. 10s produce when the pressure
is at its most intense. As a result, Zenit took home their first European
trophy.
Perhaps it is too early to compare him to previous owners of this hallowed
number, such as former European Championship gods, Michel Platini and
Zinedine Zidane, who owned their respective tournaments in 1984 and 2000.
But if Arshavin takes Russia to the title, then the crown will fit and
the king must wear it. We have a potential two more matches to see if
that rings true for the diminutive striker.
Coming into this championship, Russia coach Guus Hiddink had an interesting
dilemma. He knew that Arshavin would be suspended for the first two matches
after picking up a ridiculous red card for violent conduct against Andorra
in their last qualifying round. This effectively meant that his squad
was one player short for both those games - a bold move or a stroke of
genius ... I guess we now know the answer.
So just what is it that makes Arshavin so special and why has he really
began to blossom? I can't help but think that a Dutch influence has had
a positive effect, with Hiddink at the national side and Dick Advocaat
on the domestic scene. These are two vastly experienced coaches who have
a proven track record of getting the best out of their players.
The Russian has always had the tools - pace, balance, power, vision, trickery
and the eye for goal. But perhaps he was lacking a little in the belief
department. To make the massive leap from mere mortal to football god,
some players need an arm around their shoulder. Hiddink and Advocaat provided
that and are now reaping the rewards.
It is obvious to even the most untrained eye that Arshavin also has the
one tool that all coaches prize. He makes those around him better players.
I watched Russia against Spain and yes, defensively they were poor, but
even up front they had no cutting edge. Striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, who
destroyed England in Moscow during the qualifiers, looked lost without
Arshavin - he now looks like one of the best players in the competition.
Ronaldo desperately wanted that accolade but his own personal performance
along with his team's wasn't good enough when it mattered and now Real
Madrid beckons. Arshavin has stated that he is looking for a move to a
bigger club. The Euros are potentially a shop window for a host of players
and the Russian has moved himself to the front of the display cabinet.
If I was his agent, I'd keep my cell phone handy.
Is he a Manchester United-type player? I think so ... or would Arsenal
be a better fit? Does Barcelona seem the ideal destination? I wonder what
the 'Special One' in Milan thinks?
Greatness is only bestowed upon very few and sometimes it take a number
of years for a star to fully mature. At 27, Arshavin is at the peak of
his footballing powers. The king is dead - long live the king.
Until then, I'll see you at the far post ...
MSN.foxsports.com,
June 22, 2008
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