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Russia just keep getting better
by Paul Bryan from Basel
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Andrei Arshavin (eft) has been sensational in
his two games (¿Getty Images)
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"There is a lot of potential in this team," Guus
Hiddink noted of his Russian side in the early stages of UEFA EURO 2008T.
Yet even he could not have expected the youngest squad at the tournament
to realise that promise so quickly. After an opening 4-1 loss against
Spain, Russia's chances of advancing to the knockout stages seemed slim.
With a lot of hard work on the training ground the players quickly began
to lift themselves and since beating Greece 1-0, they have improved in
dramatic fashion, overcoming Sweden 2-0 to pip their rivals to second
place in Group D and then deservedly defeating the Netherlands 3-1 in
quarter-final extra time.
Route to the last four
Spain strikers David Villa and Fernando Torres tormented a Russian backline
that was labelled childish and naive by Hiddink after he saw his team
beaten 4-1 in Innsbruck, where Roman Pavlyuchenko's goal provided little
consolation. A meeting with reigning champions Greece followed in Salzburg
and when Konstantin Zyryanov connected with Sergei Semak's hooked cross
in the 33rd minute, Russia were back up and running. Belief was growing
and Hiddink's tactics helped earn a deserved victory against Sweden, Pavlyuchenko
and Andrei Arshavin, back after a two-game suspension, scoring the goals.
Against his native Netherlands, Hiddink dubbed Russia underdogs. In fact
after Pavlyuchenko struck early in the second half victory looked likely
until Ruud van Nistelrooy headed in at the far post on 86 minutes to force
extra time. Russia looked fresher than their opponents in the additional
half-hour and when substitute Dmitri Torbinski struck his team's second
there was no way back for the men in Orange. Arshavin sealed the win four
minutes later.
Semi-final record
This is Russia's first appearance in a major semi-final, or even a knockout
phase, as an independent nation. As part of the former USSR, they were
champions in 1980, runners-up in 1964, 1972 and 1988 and fourth in 1968
having lost in the last four to Italy on a coin toss, their only semi-final
reverse in five matches. They were also 1966 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists,
losing to West Germany
Key moment
Arshavin's return from his two-match suspension provided a massive boost
to the Russian cause going into the must-win game with Sweden. His freshness
and midfield creativity added a new dimension to the improving side.
Key player
In Russia's last two games against Sweden and the Netherlands, Arshavin
has been sensational. His close control, passing, penetrative running
and an ability to spot and deliver the perfect pass have been key factors
in his team's journey to the semi-finals. He scored Russia's second goal
against Sweden in the 50th minute to effectively seal progress. Against
the Netherlands it was his pass that Torbinksi converted to put Russia
ahead in extra time and it was 3-1 shortly afterwards when Arshavin converted
from close range to earn his second Carlsberg Man of the Match award.
Injuries and suspensions
Torbinski and defender Denis Kolodin will both be banned on Thursday after
being booked for the second time in the finals against the Netherlands.
Tactics
Having qualified for the EURO using a defensive system of three centre-backs
and attacking full-backs, Hiddink changed to a flat back four for the
game with Spain. Despite that loss, the coach has stuck with his 4-5-1
with two defensive midfielders, Sergei Semak and Igor Semshov doing what
Hiddink referred to as the "dirty work" ahead of defenders Sergei
Ignashevich and Kolodin. Creativity has flowed through central midfielders
Konstantin Zyryanov, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Arshavin while attacking
full-backs Aleksandr Anyukov and Yuri Zhirkov have provided the width.
Pavlyuchenko is the lone striker with Arshavin getting forward to support.
Shoot-out record
Russia have never taken part in a penalty shoot-out at a major tournament,
and neither did the Soviet Union.
Quotes
"We'll just have to beat Sweden 4-0 then." Zyryanov after
being told that his wish for a goalless draw with Greece would not help
Russia as much as he thought.
"It's so cool." Bilyaletdinov responds to a question asking
him what it feels like to have reached the semi-finals.
"I want to be the traitor of the year in Holland." Hiddink
jokes with the press before his team's quarter-final game with the Netherlands.
"I regret using the word 'traitor' before the match with the Netherlands.
In my concept that's a very bad word." Hiddink backtracks after Russia's
3-1 extra-time win.
What the papers said
"Roman, Andrei and two posts." Daily Sport-Express tries to
sum up Russia's 2-0 win against Sweden in one headline.
"The Clockwork Orange broken and dismantled." Izvestiya, a political
daily newspaper describes Russia's triumph over the Netherlands.
"Learning to be wizards." Sport-Express captures the Russian
team's game by game improvement during the tournament.
Euro2008.com,
24 June 2008
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