Post by Matt on Jun 22, 2008 0:38:25 GMT 7
Two of the sides to have produced some of the most sparkling football we’ve witnessed, at least in the final phase, face off in what could be the most enticing match of the tournament, with Guus Hiddink against his countrymen providing the icing on the cake.
The focus on Hiddink
The 61-year-old tactician has certainly been around in his time; Turkey, Spain, South Korea, Australia, you name it. And this won’t be the first time he will face the Dutch national side. Under him the Socceroos grabbed a 1-1 warm-up draw in Rotterdam on June 4, 2006, while the Russians themselves suffered a 4-1 friendly defeat in Amsterdam on February 2, 2007 (Dirk Kuyt and Aleksandr Anyukov pictured from that match). But this will be the very first time he’ll line up his players against the Oranje in a competitive game - and indeed in a clash of this magnitude.
Hiddink in fact kick-started his international coaching career with the Oranje, having been appointed in 1994 to lead them to the European Championship quarter-finals two years later, as well as all the way to the World Cup semis before stepping down in ’98, following two dramatic penalty shoot-out eliminations.
His exploits with modest South Korea and Australia enhanced his reputation as one of the best in the world in his line of work, but now he finds himself in front of one of the biggest challenges of his career. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, on December 26, 1991, the Russians had never reached these heights before and they may turn on their luck for having to play the Netherlands, who have emerged as the hottest team in Europe this summer.
Van Basten on the road to glory
Marco van Basten never made a secret of how highly he thinks of Hiddink’s work, but he’s certainly not done bad at all himself. And if he guides the Dutch past his mentor’s side too, he could still become the sole person to have lifted the Henri Delaunay trophy both as a player and as a coach.
Although criticized several times by media and fans, the Dutch legend is under no such pressure to deliver now, as he will take over at Ajax at the end of the tournament, being succeeded by Bert van Marwijk. And signs of his work are there for all to see, as the Oranje have seemingly saved the best for last.
Much better now than in the qualifying phase, they have swept aside everything that came their way with some impressive displays of fast, free-flowing, versatile and attacking football, setting their sights to going all the way this time around. And that despite the tragedy of Khalid Boulahrouz, who asked Van Basten to count on his services although he lost his prematurely born daughter only two days ago.
Veterans versus first-timers
Following their only success from 20 years ago, the Dutch have always come as far as the last eight, making the semi-finals three times, in 1992, 2000 and 2004. But for their opponents the latter stages of this tournament are somewhat of uncharted territory.
The Soviet Union were the first-ever winners of the former European Nations’ Cup some 48 years ago and also made the final another three times, the latter being their 2-0 loss against… the Netherlands in Munich, when Van Basten mustered one of the most memorable goals in the history of the “Beautiful game”. But Russia as an independent nation had never reached the last eight before this year – they even failed to qualify for the final phase eight years ago.
The former Soviets could be credited with their own version of “Total football”, perhaps even before the late Rinus Michels, the mastermind behind that Dutch triumph of ’88, became widely known as its father. The Russians in particular might have had their ups and downs since the early ‘90s, but now the youngest side in the tournament, guided by the magic hand of Hiddink, are determined to give the favourites as hard a time as they can. And by no means do they feel like lambs led to the slaughter.
Not afraid
“If you prove you can play some great football then you must absolutely not be afraid, you must embrace that,” Hiddink said following that decisive 2-0 victory over Sweden. However, that game took place as late as two days ago, whereas most of the Dutch regulars had five more days to rest – and that could turn out to be the key factor.
“It’s going to be an interesting match, because we know the Netherlands well and what kind of players they have,” the 61-year-old boss went on. “Hopefully it’s going to be a clash between two nations who like to play football. The Dutch have a bit of an advantage – four or five days of recovery, while we have had just two. That’s an advantage for them, but we’ll try to manage it just the same.”
Whichever side survives this contest will take on either Italy or Spain in Vienna next Thursday – and at least one Dutchman will be there.
FORM GUIDE
Netherlands
24/5/2008 (Fr.) Ukraine 3-0 (H)
29/5/’08 (Fr.) Denmark 1-1 (H)
1/6/’08 (Fr.) Wales 2-0 (H)
9/6/’08 (EC) Italy 3-0 (N)
13/6/’08 (EC) France 4-1 (N)
17/6/’08 (EC) Romania 2-0 (N)
Russia
23/5/2008 (Fr.) Kazakhstan 6-0 (H)
28/5/’08 (Fr.) Serbia 2-1 (N)
4/6/’08 (Fr.) Lithuania 4-1 (N)
10/6/’08 (EC) Spain 1-4 (N)
14/6/’08 (EC) Greece 1-0 (N)
18/6/’08 (EC) Sweden 2-0 (N)
TEAM NEWS
Netherlands
As even Boulahrouz has declared himself available, Van Basten has no selection problems whatsoever. And although he made nine changes to his starting XI against Romania compared to the match before, it’s probable that Saturday’s lineup will be far more similar to the Italy and France games. Don’t count out the likes of Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, of course, as they’ve all made their point.
Possible starting XI (4-3-3): Ed van der Sar – Mario Melchiot (Boulahrouz / André Ooijer), Ooijer (Boulahrouz), Joris Mathijsen, Gio van Bronckhorst – Nigel de Jong, Ollie Engelaar, Rafael van der Vaart – Van Persie (Dirk Kuyt), Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wes Sneijder (Robben).
Russia
Just like Van Basten, Hiddink has no significant problems and will be able to field his strongest possible eleven, obviously including Andrei Arshavin, who deservedly won the Man of the Match Award against the Swedes.
Possible starting XI (4-5-1): Igor Akinfeev – Aleksandr Anyukov, Sergei Ignashevich, Denis Kolodin, Yuri Zhirkov – Sergei Semak, Igor Semshov, Konstantin Zyryanov, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Arshavin – Roman Pavlyuchenko.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Netherlands – Robin van Persie
Injury-free right when it matters the most, the Arsenal star is back with a vengeance to show his true colours. Came on as a sub in the first two matches of the final phase, he scored against France and again versus Romania, this time as a starter. Still only 24, he has the world at his feet – if only they weren’t so fragile.
Russia – Andrei Arshavin
Equally versatile with the guy mentioned above, added spice to Russia in the Sweden game after missing the two before due to suspension. And indeed the fact that Hiddink included him in the 23-man party despite that ban only shows the Dutchman’s faith in his abilities to lead the team, provide assists and score himself – he did all of those on Wednesday. A Zenit man through and through, the Russian Player of the Year of both 2005 and 2006 could be leaving Saint Petersburg this summer.
The focus on Hiddink
The 61-year-old tactician has certainly been around in his time; Turkey, Spain, South Korea, Australia, you name it. And this won’t be the first time he will face the Dutch national side. Under him the Socceroos grabbed a 1-1 warm-up draw in Rotterdam on June 4, 2006, while the Russians themselves suffered a 4-1 friendly defeat in Amsterdam on February 2, 2007 (Dirk Kuyt and Aleksandr Anyukov pictured from that match). But this will be the very first time he’ll line up his players against the Oranje in a competitive game - and indeed in a clash of this magnitude.
Hiddink in fact kick-started his international coaching career with the Oranje, having been appointed in 1994 to lead them to the European Championship quarter-finals two years later, as well as all the way to the World Cup semis before stepping down in ’98, following two dramatic penalty shoot-out eliminations.
His exploits with modest South Korea and Australia enhanced his reputation as one of the best in the world in his line of work, but now he finds himself in front of one of the biggest challenges of his career. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, on December 26, 1991, the Russians had never reached these heights before and they may turn on their luck for having to play the Netherlands, who have emerged as the hottest team in Europe this summer.
Van Basten on the road to glory
Marco van Basten never made a secret of how highly he thinks of Hiddink’s work, but he’s certainly not done bad at all himself. And if he guides the Dutch past his mentor’s side too, he could still become the sole person to have lifted the Henri Delaunay trophy both as a player and as a coach.
Although criticized several times by media and fans, the Dutch legend is under no such pressure to deliver now, as he will take over at Ajax at the end of the tournament, being succeeded by Bert van Marwijk. And signs of his work are there for all to see, as the Oranje have seemingly saved the best for last.
Much better now than in the qualifying phase, they have swept aside everything that came their way with some impressive displays of fast, free-flowing, versatile and attacking football, setting their sights to going all the way this time around. And that despite the tragedy of Khalid Boulahrouz, who asked Van Basten to count on his services although he lost his prematurely born daughter only two days ago.
Veterans versus first-timers
Following their only success from 20 years ago, the Dutch have always come as far as the last eight, making the semi-finals three times, in 1992, 2000 and 2004. But for their opponents the latter stages of this tournament are somewhat of uncharted territory.
The Soviet Union were the first-ever winners of the former European Nations’ Cup some 48 years ago and also made the final another three times, the latter being their 2-0 loss against… the Netherlands in Munich, when Van Basten mustered one of the most memorable goals in the history of the “Beautiful game”. But Russia as an independent nation had never reached the last eight before this year – they even failed to qualify for the final phase eight years ago.
The former Soviets could be credited with their own version of “Total football”, perhaps even before the late Rinus Michels, the mastermind behind that Dutch triumph of ’88, became widely known as its father. The Russians in particular might have had their ups and downs since the early ‘90s, but now the youngest side in the tournament, guided by the magic hand of Hiddink, are determined to give the favourites as hard a time as they can. And by no means do they feel like lambs led to the slaughter.
Not afraid
“If you prove you can play some great football then you must absolutely not be afraid, you must embrace that,” Hiddink said following that decisive 2-0 victory over Sweden. However, that game took place as late as two days ago, whereas most of the Dutch regulars had five more days to rest – and that could turn out to be the key factor.
“It’s going to be an interesting match, because we know the Netherlands well and what kind of players they have,” the 61-year-old boss went on. “Hopefully it’s going to be a clash between two nations who like to play football. The Dutch have a bit of an advantage – four or five days of recovery, while we have had just two. That’s an advantage for them, but we’ll try to manage it just the same.”
Whichever side survives this contest will take on either Italy or Spain in Vienna next Thursday – and at least one Dutchman will be there.
FORM GUIDE
Netherlands
24/5/2008 (Fr.) Ukraine 3-0 (H)
29/5/’08 (Fr.) Denmark 1-1 (H)
1/6/’08 (Fr.) Wales 2-0 (H)
9/6/’08 (EC) Italy 3-0 (N)
13/6/’08 (EC) France 4-1 (N)
17/6/’08 (EC) Romania 2-0 (N)
Russia
23/5/2008 (Fr.) Kazakhstan 6-0 (H)
28/5/’08 (Fr.) Serbia 2-1 (N)
4/6/’08 (Fr.) Lithuania 4-1 (N)
10/6/’08 (EC) Spain 1-4 (N)
14/6/’08 (EC) Greece 1-0 (N)
18/6/’08 (EC) Sweden 2-0 (N)
TEAM NEWS
Netherlands
As even Boulahrouz has declared himself available, Van Basten has no selection problems whatsoever. And although he made nine changes to his starting XI against Romania compared to the match before, it’s probable that Saturday’s lineup will be far more similar to the Italy and France games. Don’t count out the likes of Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, of course, as they’ve all made their point.
Possible starting XI (4-3-3): Ed van der Sar – Mario Melchiot (Boulahrouz / André Ooijer), Ooijer (Boulahrouz), Joris Mathijsen, Gio van Bronckhorst – Nigel de Jong, Ollie Engelaar, Rafael van der Vaart – Van Persie (Dirk Kuyt), Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wes Sneijder (Robben).
Russia
Just like Van Basten, Hiddink has no significant problems and will be able to field his strongest possible eleven, obviously including Andrei Arshavin, who deservedly won the Man of the Match Award against the Swedes.
Possible starting XI (4-5-1): Igor Akinfeev – Aleksandr Anyukov, Sergei Ignashevich, Denis Kolodin, Yuri Zhirkov – Sergei Semak, Igor Semshov, Konstantin Zyryanov, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Arshavin – Roman Pavlyuchenko.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Netherlands – Robin van Persie
Injury-free right when it matters the most, the Arsenal star is back with a vengeance to show his true colours. Came on as a sub in the first two matches of the final phase, he scored against France and again versus Romania, this time as a starter. Still only 24, he has the world at his feet – if only they weren’t so fragile.
Russia – Andrei Arshavin
Equally versatile with the guy mentioned above, added spice to Russia in the Sweden game after missing the two before due to suspension. And indeed the fact that Hiddink included him in the 23-man party despite that ban only shows the Dutchman’s faith in his abilities to lead the team, provide assists and score himself – he did all of those on Wednesday. A Zenit man through and through, the Russian Player of the Year of both 2005 and 2006 could be leaving Saint Petersburg this summer.
3-1! 
