This is the fourth time Hiddink will be taking charge of a team at an international tournament. Can he repeat earlier success?
Judging from the teams that compose it, Group D is probably the most spectacular group of the four. With modern technique that is characteristic of Spain, the solid and pacey style of Greece and Sweden and Guus Hiddink’s Russia that is promising to surprise, all is yet to play for in this wide open group at Euro 2008.
Russia
After the enormous expanse that was referred to as the Soviet Union dismembered, taking down with it the mighty Soviet team, present day Russia formed its own squad from members of the newly established country. The pool of players eligible for selection was naturally depleted so the resulting team, which first took part in the 1994 World Cup in the United States, was quite poor.
Since then Russia only qualified for the 2002 World Cup and two Euro tournaments, only to crash out in the first round. Their young team has never tasted real success. Not even got a glimpse of it from afar. Yet Euro 2008 looks likely to be a turning stone for Russia.
The Manager – Guus Hiddink
Attracted by the millions waved in his face by the Football Union of Russia, Guus Hiddink, known as ‘the wizard’, accepted another challenge of taking a low-key national side to success at a major tournament. His exploits with South Korea and Australia in the last two editions of the World Cup were memorable.
Just as he had done with his homeland’s national side, he guided the Asians to a historic semifinal. Nobody had expected such a result for South Korea even though they were co-hosts of the 2002 event. In the last World Cup his Australian dreams were ended abruptly and undeservedly in the second round at the hands of an unjust penalty for the Italians that was given in the dying minutes of the match.
A few football observers have in the past hinted at a behind-the-scenes involvement of Chelsea owner and Russian billionaire Abramovich behind Hiddink’s appointment as national coach of Russia. It is said that he ‘parked’ him there as a replacement who can be called on to take the reigns at the London club once the Euro 2008 adventure is over. Whatever the intriguing truth behind his appointment, Hiddink will undoubtedly seek to achieve success once more at Euro 2008.
The Squad
A new generation of Russian footballers have made it easier for Hiddink to construct a more competitive team that can provide a tough challenge to any opponent. Their qualifying campaign to Euro 2008 was not a joy ride with the more established Croatia and England the main contenders for qualification. Nonetheless they made it through, although they were made to sweat for it till the very last matchday.
Goalkeepeing duties have been rotated between Akinfeev, Gabulov and Malafeev. As little as seven goals conceded is a very agreeable achievement that the whole defence should take merit for. In this iron curtain both Aleksei and Vasili Berezutski, Anyukov and Ignashevich have been the strong points.
Analysis of the attacking dimension of Hiddink’s Russia is much less positive. Their total of 18 goals scored places them in second place in the list of weakest offensive forces amongst all qualified teams for Euro 2008. 11 of these goals have been scored by the attacking trio composed of Sychev, Kerzhakov and Arshavin. The latter is their top striker yet Hiddink will need to organize matters without him for the first two Euro 2008 matches as he will be suspended.
Zhirkov and Bilyaletdinov are the main inspiration channels for Russia, whilst Semshov, Bistrov and Ilianov play a prominent role as well as Hiddink seeks to kill off the opponents’ possession early on in midfield.
Prediction
Russia are considered by many as the least likely to advance from their Euro 2008 group. I beg to differ since Hiddink’s qualities as a manager are not to be underestimated in any circumstance. It is true that upfront they lack creativity but if they make the most out of their defensive solidity and wait patiently for their chances, dividends will finally pay out for them. It will not be surprising news if Hiddink were to take another nation to the semifinals once again. That would be his third time in four attempts.
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