Hiddink: Weight Loss Key for Pavlyuchenko

Among the various bits of spam in my inbox this morning, there were of course a number of messages touting the next big thing in weight loss.

“Lose X pounds in Y days” … fill in any unrealistic values you like.

If you’re looking for a real way to drop those unsightly inches, you might want to drop a line to Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, who has gotten quite slim in the run up to Euro 2008, with excellent results for his overall game.

According to Russia coach Guus Hiddink, it’s been the pounds shed by Pavlyuchenko that have led to his good form at Euro 2008. Hiddink apparently told the striker in no uncertain terms when figuring out his 23-man Euro squad that a few kilos of Roman would have to stay behind in Russia, or else the whole of him would.

Hiddink praised the striker for getting into shape, saying “We talked about this and he worked perfectly. He got into physical shape, and if you get into physical shape your mental shape will get there as well.”

You can’t argue with the results: 3 goals and a semifinal berth. Look for the Roman Pavlyuchenko Diet Plan on bookshelves whenever football stops being profitable for him … read that as “no time soon”.