Russia Prevails 3-1 Over Holland
Michael Averko
June 22, 2008
Yesterday, an example of Russia's global resurgence was exhibited in a thrilling quarter-final match between a young Russian team and a higlhy thought of at the European 2008 men's soccer tournament ("Euro '08").
Playing inspired soccer from the start, Russia had several scoring opportunities. After a scoreless first half, Roman Pavlyuchenko connected for Russia's first goal (so far, Pavlyuchernko is Russia's leading scorer in the tournament). Later on in the second half, the Dutch answered with a well executed header from Ruud Van Nistelrooy. After a 1-1 tie in regulation time, the two sides played to a scoreless first half of extra time. In the second half of extra time, Dmitri Torbinsky and Andrei Arshavin scored to ice the game for Russia.
Russia will next play the winner of the quarter-final match between Spain and Italy, to be played later on today. The Russia versus Spain or Italy semi-final game will be this Thursday, June, 26 on ESPN2 at 2:30 PM, North American east coast time.
Russia's qualifying for Euro '08 was seen as a fluke. Going into the tournament, Russia was ranked 24th in the world. Russia was not favored to get past the qualifying round. With this in mind, the Russians should be relatively happy, regardless of whether they win the next game. "Should be relatively happy" to mean that the momentum has swung in the belief that Russia can win it all. Like ice hockey, soccer is a game of breaks, including fluke goals. An upstart Greek team won the last Euro soccer tournament. In sports, seemingly so-so teams have been known to suddenly gel into an effective unit. The last two Russian victories against quality opposition (in Sweden and Holland) were not flukes. In these games, the youthful Russian team showed considerable poise, talent and enthusiasm.
Mike Averko
June 29 Notes:
Today's Spain-Germany final should be a good one.
As I have expressed elsewhere, there has been some inflattering criticism Russia's Euro '08 performance on account of Russia having a Dutch manager.
Should American women's gymnastics success at the '84 and '96 Olympics be dismissed on account of a certain ethnic Hungarian coach from Romania? On a related note, Russian coaches have either coached, or are coaching top American athletes in sports like gymnastics and figure skating.
I am glad to see the Russian soccer team receive a nice welcome back in Russia. They achieved a good deal at Euro '08.
The Russian team at Euro '08 was the youngest and had the most players, who play in their country's domestic league.
Regarding Guus Hiddink's Dutch nationality, some collectively and incorrectly call Russians "xenophobic." When Russia utilizes foreign know-how, some will belittle Russian achievements in a rather two faced way, relative to what's happening elsewhere.
If I'm not mistaken, soccer mad England recently had a non-Brit as its national soccer coach.
Playing inspired soccer from the start, Russia had several scoring opportunities. After a scoreless first half, Roman Pavlyuchenko connected for Russia's first goal (so far, Pavlyuchernko is Russia's leading scorer in the tournament). Later on in the second half, the Dutch answered with a well executed header from Ruud Van Nistelrooy. After a 1-1 tie in regulation time, the two sides played to a scoreless first half of extra time. In the second half of extra time, Dmitri Torbinsky and Andrei Arshavin scored to ice the game for Russia.
Russia will next play the winner of the quarter-final match between Spain and Italy, to be played later on today. The Russia versus Spain or Italy semi-final game will be this Thursday, June, 26 on ESPN2 at 2:30 PM, North American east coast time.
Russia's qualifying for Euro '08 was seen as a fluke. Going into the tournament, Russia was ranked 24th in the world. Russia was not favored to get past the qualifying round. With this in mind, the Russians should be relatively happy, regardless of whether they win the next game. "Should be relatively happy" to mean that the momentum has swung in the belief that Russia can win it all. Like ice hockey, soccer is a game of breaks, including fluke goals. An upstart Greek team won the last Euro soccer tournament. In sports, seemingly so-so teams have been known to suddenly gel into an effective unit. The last two Russian victories against quality opposition (in Sweden and Holland) were not flukes. In these games, the youthful Russian team showed considerable poise, talent and enthusiasm.
Mike Averko
June 29 Notes:
Today's Spain-Germany final should be a good one.
As I have expressed elsewhere, there has been some inflattering criticism Russia's Euro '08 performance on account of Russia having a Dutch manager.
Should American women's gymnastics success at the '84 and '96 Olympics be dismissed on account of a certain ethnic Hungarian coach from Romania? On a related note, Russian coaches have either coached, or are coaching top American athletes in sports like gymnastics and figure skating.
I am glad to see the Russian soccer team receive a nice welcome back in Russia. They achieved a good deal at Euro '08.
The Russian team at Euro '08 was the youngest and had the most players, who play in their country's domestic league.
Regarding Guus Hiddink's Dutch nationality, some collectively and incorrectly call Russians "xenophobic." When Russia utilizes foreign know-how, some will belittle Russian achievements in a rather two faced way, relative to what's happening elsewhere.
If I'm not mistaken, soccer mad England recently had a non-Brit as its national soccer coach.