Euro 2008 Russia 3 Holland 1
Saturday, 21 June 08, 10:50 PM · Comments (31)
Yet another upset in Euro 2008 tonight. The Dutch had finished top of the so called group of death and were fancied by many people to go on and win it. However, tonight they were totally outplayed and outrun by a superb Russian team. Andrei Arshavin was absolutely brilliant and gave the performace of the tournament so far: Txiki should make an offer for him tomorrow.
Pavlyuchenko, who has been linked with Barça, was also very good and he put the Russians in front in the 56th minute when he turned in Semak's cross from the left. One weakness that the Russians seem to have is defending set-pieces and they were punished for it five minutes from the end of normal time when Van Nistlerooy headed home Sneijder's free kick.
In extra time Pavlyuchenko hit the bar with a cracking shot. Then in the 112th minute a splendid run and cross from Arshavin was turned in at the far post by Torbinski. Arshavin got a deserved goal four minutes later when the Dutch defence failed to mark him at a throw-in and he shot through Van Der Sar's legs.
Holland had rested players in their last group match while Russia had not had that luxury, but the fitness level of the Russians was excellent and they never stopped running right throughout the 120 minutes. Coach Guus Hiddink should be congratulated as he has once again taken an unfancied team much further than expected.
Tomorrow we will see Spain take on Italy, so far in the quarter-finals the team finishing top of the group has always lost to the team finishing second. Can Spain end the trend? If the do they will give me a miserable record of zero out of four predictions right.
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Guus is just a great coach I give him his props but often we underate good teams, Russia isn't all that but many of their players are getting attention. One thing I have been saying is that with all the money Roman Abramovich has he should at least bring some of his country men to play for Chelsea and put some money in their hands but it's okay if he wants us(BARCA) to snatch them up instead
Arshavin is class (not only today, through UEFA cup he was brilliant), so is Pavljuchenko (way better option that Adebayor, he is young and would prolly cost 10-15m).... but Russias FB are just amazing, they should sell Abidal and bring in Zhirkov!,
To all the ones who said Holland was great and called me crazy 4 saying all they were = deadly when countering = HAHAHAHA!!
Russia deserve to win.. but for me Holland failed to defend well
against Arshavin! it is a promising idea to bring Arshavin to Barcelona.. Messi in the right flank and Arshavin in the left
Arshavin is amazing!!!!
definitely agree with you nic - arshavin (unfortunate name!) was amazing - the intelligence of his overall play stood out most for me and to be honest a player with (i'm asuming) his modest background would fit in well with the culture and history of FCB and he would probably give 200% more than adebayor who would probably be more interested in his bank account balance...
31 Comments · Add yours
If Barca really wants some player from the Eastern block then Arshavin is the man to buy not Hleb.!
What the hell happend to van bronckhorst he was s*i#