Euro 2008 Quarterfinal Preview: Netherlands v Russia

This is the dream matchup of the quarterfinals. Both teams have been playing some beautiful attacking football and Russia’s mastermind, Guus Hiddink, is both from the Netherlands and a longtime coach in the country. He is Russia’s trump card, and though Holland looks unstoppable going forward, if there’s anyone taking them out, it’s him.

Of course, Russia hasn’t always look this threatening. Their attacking vigor was thrown full throttle after Andrei Arshavin returned following his two game suspension against Sweden earlier this week. As a player, he’s capable of turning a game on its head with the snap of a finger and he transforms a team which went down 4-1 to Spain (a bit unfairly, but still) into a side worth fearing, particularly on the counter.

And of course, that’s where the Dutch have made their money thus far. They’ve eaten up both France and Italy on the counter - aging fullbacks need not apply anymore - and saw their junior varsity dispatch the Tricolorri 2-0 to take the full 9 points from Group C. In short, they’ve been dominant. And with a now fully healthy attacking line featuring Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, it looks like things can only get better. Now will be the time to match the hot start with the hot finish, and everything will be peachy.

There are still questions surrounding both teams, however. Russia has looked vulnerable in the back at times, and while they create a plethora of chances, their finishing couldn’t really be filed under “clinical”. Maybe “free clinic-esque”. The inclusion of Sergei Ignashevich seems to have steadied the central defense which was shaking as though facing a firing squad against Spain (technically it was), but they’re far from infallible. The Dutch are young, electric and skilled, so they certainly have their work cut out for them - especially Aleksandr Anyukov at right back, as Holland’s leftside is simply lethal.

The Dutch, on the other hand, have faced two slower, older teams in Italy and France (discounting Romania because they were already through), and Russia is hardly slow or old. The Russians present problems from all over the pitch in Arshavin, who can be dangerous from everywhere, Yuri Zhirkov, a LW/LB hybrid whose penetrating runs from deep make even Arjen Robben blush and the newfound skill and technique of Roman Pavlyuchenko, who Guus calls an entirely new player since his “rebirth” - and he looks to be just that. This is a far cry from the plodding central midfields and disjointed attacks of the first two games. One could make the argument Group C was tailor made for the Dutch, this will present a new bevy of vibrant attacking threats and pose a question they have yet to be asked.

And then there’s The Magic of Guus Hiddink. His success in the knockout rounds doesn’t match his feats of unexpectedly passing through the group stages, but it’s impossible to deny the man is a brilliant coach and a formidable opponent facing any squad, much less one he has great familiarity with (having coached PSV from 2002-2005). That’s a nice advantage that I’m sure Marco van Basten isn’t thrilled about. The Dutch go into this as favorites, but it’s far from a foregone conclusion.

Both teams come in with essentially full arsenals at the ready, but the Oranje have one shining addition to the squad: Khalid Boulahrouz. His wife Sabia went into labor on Wednesday and gave birth to a premature baby girl who died shortly thereafter. Khalid has decided to play, and it’s impossible to do anything but commend him. A harsh reminder that it’s just a game, but his decision to play is also a reminder of what a simple game can do for the human spirit.

Schedules

Netherlands
09/06/2008 - Italy 3 - 0
13/06/2008 - France 4 - 1
17/06/2008 - Romania 2 - 0

Russia
10/06/2008 - Spain 1 - 4
14/06/2008 - Greece 1 - 0
18/06/2008 - Sweden 2 - 0

Referee
Ľuboš Michĕl (SVK)

Squads

Netherlands squad

Russia squad

Gear

Buy Netherlands team gear here.

Buy Russia team gear here.

Team Blogs

Jan at the Netherlands Blog.

Nick at the Russian Blog.

Liveblog

Follow the Netherlands vs Russia LiveBlog here.

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