Euro'08: The Russians are Coming!!!

If you were one of those who thought the performance of Russia against Sweden was a flash in the pan, their game against Holland is one highlight film you must watch. The Russians who were comprehensively outclassed, outplayed and routed by Spain in their opening game seem to bear no scars of that defeat.

In the game against the Dutch, the Russians were a team which bore no resemblance to the one that played Spain and Greece. They outran, out hustled and outplayed the Dutch in every department. They never let Dutch play their brand of flowing football and gave them a taste of their own medicine by changing defense to attack with incisive passes and swift movement. The score line of 3-1 in the favour of Russia was deserved. In my opinion it should have been so by the end of normal time.

The cause of the Russian transformation has been the return of their general Andrei Arshavin. This versatile play maker who missed the first few games through suspension has transformed the Russian side to potent attacking force with vision, speed and control. But to call the Russian side a one man show in my opinion would be unfair to the team.

If Arshavin is the general then his most able soldiers are Kolodin, Yuri Zhirkov and Roman Pavlyuchenko. Kolodin and Zhirkov are the the back bone of the defense and they also push forward with intent. Zhirkov deserves please mention for his quality delivery from set pieces
and Kolodin for his long range shooting skills which posses both accuracy and power.

But the player who complements and combines amazingly well with Arshavin is the Russian forward Roman Pavlyuchenko. A center forward of the old mould, big, strong and with a good first touch. His movement and his aerial presence is also of the highest quality. The chemistry between the two was very evident in the game against Dutch.

This Russian team is very young with average age of 26 and plays mostly within Russia. Based on their performance against the Dutch, you would not bet against them going all the way. One more thing that is certain is that most of these players are going to be for big European clubs come next season. Also one must give credit to the 'Miracle Man' Guus Hiddink, who seems to have the ability to bring success to any team on the International Stage.

It is no more a case of the Russians are coming, They are already here.

Euro'84 - Platini
Euro'88 - Gullit
Euro'08 - Arshavin???

May be a little to early put him that column but what the hell ! !
I am fan of his game