WHAT'S COOKING IN VIENNA TONIGHT???

Thursday, 26th June ’08

It’s the morn of the second Euro semifinal, the versatile Russians take on the… well, perennial under achievers, Spain.
It’s not the typical, ‘clash of the Titans’ that one expects at this stage of the tournament. The Russians are the clear underdogs having a 1-5 win loss record against the Spaniards. Moreover, they have even lost the three previous meetings between the two sides.
Yet, why am I not surprised that a considerable number of people are ready to bet on Guus Hiddink’s side!

In a poll conducted after this semi final face-off was decided, Russia was the favourite amongst 40% of the people. This after the very same side (sans Andrei Arshavin) was thrashed 4-1 by the very same opponents in the opening match.
Perhaps it’s their Manager (read Magician), Dutchman Guus Hiddink who has previously worked his highly successful brand of magic with the Dutch, South Koreans and the Aussies. He has instilled in the Russians the confidence which has seen them feasting on other European powerhouses.
England was their appetizer in the Qualifying round!
Sweden was gobbled down without much effort and next van Basten’s ruthless Dutchmen were also downed.
But after that fine exhibition of attacking play that formed the main course, do Guus Hiddink’s men still have the stomach for a Spanish desert or have they now bitten off more than what they can chew???

Well, the answer to that question is within Andrei Arshavin. Suspended for the first two matches of the tournament, he came back with a bang to impress one and all. The Zenit St. Petersburg playmaker, who has already tasted club success, having tucked in both the Russian Championship and the UEFA Cup, is pivotal in his side’s success.
And then there is Roman Pavlyuchenko, the striker with a humungous appetite for goals. Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko along with the likes of Zhirkov and Akinfeev who has let only two shots defeat him, make up the crux of a formidable team.

So, as the Russians unleash their attacking football tonight in Vienna, they not only go in with a substantial backing but also as the team which has won the hearts of many fans. Russia has been the revelation of the tournament! But the question is whether in this battle of the Reds, can Russia make minced meat of the La Furia Roja???