|
Arshavin adds a little magic to Russian cause
Agence France-Presse
| |
|
|
Russian forward Andrei Arshavin, right, celebrates
with Dmitry Sychev after scoring against the Netherlands during
Saturday's Euro 2008 quarter-final match. (Agence France-Presse;
Getty Images)
|
VIENNA, Austria - Russia's bewitching playmaker Andrei
Arshavin has added a special touch of magic to Euro 2008, according to
UEFA's technical director Andy Roxburgh on Monday.
The 27-year-old Zenit St Petersburg star has put in two standout performances
since he returned from suspension, scoring in two successive games and
being at the heart of Russia's flowing football which saw them outplay
match favourites Holland in the quarter-finals to win 3-1.
"There are a lot of good players," admitted Roxburgh, a former
Scotland manager.
Arshavin didn't play the first two games (he was suspended), and he brought
a spark of magic. And he made a good team, Russia, become even better.
"(German captain) Michael Ballack played with a free spirit against
Portugal," added 64-year-old Roxburgh.
Roxburgh, who guided Scotland to the 1990 World Cup final where they went
out in the first round, said the semifinals are too close to call, with
three-time champions Germany playing Turkey and Russia playing Spain.
"The Germans know what they are doing. The fact that Russia are only
into the first-half of their season could be an advantage, but the Spanish
have so many options," said Roxburgh.
DONADONI RULES OUT QUITTING
BADEN, Austria - Defiant Italian national soccer team boss Roberto Donadoni
ruled out quitting the team despite his country's insipid Euro 2008 exit
on penalties to Spain.
The world champions' roller-coaster tournament ended at the quarter-final
stage, but 44-year-old Donadoni has come under fire for the team's negative
tactics and far from inspirational play.
They were thrashed 3-0 by the Netherlands in their opening game before
being held to a 1-1 draw by Romania -- although only a late penalty save
by Gianluigi Buffon earned them that result.
Italy qualified for the last eight by beating France 2-0 but their opponents
had to play three quarters of the game with 10 men after Eric Abidal's
sending off.
Without playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who was suspended against Spain, and captain
Fabio Cannavaro Italy were bereft of creativity and fight, surrendering
meekly after a turgid 120 minutes of football and some poor penalties
in the shootout.
The press speculated on Monday morning that Donadoni will be shown the
door but when asked if he will jump first, he was adamant.
"Resign? The thought would never even enter the antechamber of my
brain," said Donadoni.
"It's not because of a missed penalty that I'm going to change my
opinion of our European championships, that would be stupid."
óanada.com,
June 24, 2008
|
|
