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RUSSIA READIES FOR EURO 2012 CHARGE
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Dick Advocaat (R) and Alexandr Borodyuk Photo
SPORT EXPRESS
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Few in Russian football can forget the June of 2008 when
the world watched the likes of Andrey Arshavin, Yuriy Zhirkov, Diniyar
Bilyaletdinov and Roman Pavlyuchenko emerge in the Euro championships.
The Austria-Switzerland Euro 2008 championships were an unveiling of sorts,
when Russia emerged from recent problems and climbed to the semi-finals
with a number of players rising to the top and the country no longer considered
an underdog.
After a difficult start, losing to eventual champions Spain, Guus Hiddink's
men dug in with hard-fought victories over Greece and Sweden, displaying
a flourishing attack and letter perfect defending in a 4-1-3-2 formation
to advance into the quarterfinals against the Netherlands. A late leveller
by Ruud van Nistelrooy sent the contest into extra-time but goals by Dmitriy
Torbinsky and Andrey Arshavin provide Russia a solid 3-1 victory and a
date with Spain in the semis. Though they succumbed to La Furia Roja,
the point was clear that Russia, like the great teams of the Soviet Union
in the past had returned to the forefront of the sport.
If the Euro 2008 effort left Russia on the high-note, qualification for
World Cup two years later was numbing. Drawn into Group 4 with Germany,
Wales, Finland, Liechtenstein and Azerbaijan, Russia showed promised but
some of the spark that was so evident in the Euros was lacking and they
were forced into a playoff against Slovenia. Theories abounded from the
over-confidence, a questionable lack of professionalism as well as dealing
with the problems of premier players no longer playing in the domestic
league. While such ideas are merely idle comment after the fact, with
the eventual loss to Slovenia, the fallout was enormous with Dick Advocaat
eventually handed the managerial reigns by newly installed Russian Football
Union president Sergey Fursenko.
For Mr. Advocaat the charge is both demanding and on dicey ground. Russia's
failure to participate in South Africa left a deep emptiness and signalled
the need for a long-term vision of junior development as well as an immediate
response. In his first match in-charge, a friend against Bulgary, the
former Zenit leader in returning to Petrovsky utilized a veteran laden
line-up and while it is safe to say it was only a friendly, criticism
was rampant for the less-than convincing performance.
Leading into Euro 2012 qualification, the new manager faces a tough qualifying
task in Group B with Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, Armenia, Macedonia
and Andorra. In Friday's opening contest against minnows Andorra, few
expect Russia to face any problems but an important confidence building
statement is crucial for both players' and stem any possible unrest. Russia
is bound to face difficult challenges against the likes of Vladimir Weiss'
Slovakian unit and with mastermind Giovanni Trapattoni in charge of Ireland,
the Irish can never be looked past. However, the visit to Andorra La Vella
is unlikely to be much of test and serve to improve familiarity with the
Dutch manager's system and improve familiarity of the side. The later
is unlikely to be a significant issue as excluding Alan Kasaev, Dick Advocaat's
selection is well-versed on the international stage.
Pavel Pogrebnyak, in speaking with Sports-Express noted, '(Dick) Advocaat
has changed a bit. He has now more confidence and conviction that it is
necessary to fulfil all required tasks.'
On Friday, Russia's tough bid for Euro 2012 begins like the new manager,
the players much begin to show the confidence and conviction that was
the source of their success four years earlier.
Prepared by John Davies for Sport Express
Sport-express.ru,
02 September 2010
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