It's time to get out the vodka. The special stuff—that bottle you've been saving for a special occasion.
Thanks to the genius of the maestro, Guus Hiddink, and a talented supporting cast of Russia's finest players, Russia have made it through to the semi finals of the European Championship.
This means that Russia will be playing either Spain or Italy, depending on the outcome of tonight's match. The prospect of facing either of these teams is a sobering thought, so perhaps we'd better have another shot of vodka.
Italy, of course, are the current World Champions, but it could be argued they are very lucky to hold that title. Their quarter final berth in the World Cup was courtesy of a highly controversial last-minute penalty awarded against Australia.
Their subsequent matches against Ukraine and Germany were both good efforts, but the final against France was simply awful. The tied game was eventually decided by a penalty shoot-out.
Even the decider was a bit of a sticky situation, since France had to make do without their star player, Zinedine Zidane who was red-carded in the dying moments of the match.
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Their form in Euro 2008 has not been strong, but it has been enough to get them into the match with Spain.
Spain was the best performer during the group stage at the World Cup. They won all of their matches, emerging with nine points and a positive GD of seven.
Those efforts were undone with a shock upset to France, who beat them 3-1.
Like Holland, Spain has once again emerged through the Group Stage unscathed. This guarantees nothing, as Turkey showed Holland last night.
What this all spells out is that neither Italy nor Spain is invincible. Both have their weaknesses, and neither team has the genius of Guus Hiddink guiding them.
Should the Russians defy the odds and beat one of these two football giants, they will then face off against either Turkey (please, God!) or Germany.
Nothing needs to be said about what a delicious situation it would be for a Final between Turkey and Russia. It's the sort of thing we dream of—a true "once in a lifetime" experience.
A match against Germany will also be interesting, however. Most will dismiss Russia as being a vastly inferior team. This would be an unfair judgment, because not only have Germany been playing below their best, but there is some recent history that indicates the outcome is far from a certainty.
The last time Marcell Jansen, Bastien Schweinsteiger, Philip Lahm, Lukas Podolski, and Miroslav Klose faced off against Andrei Asrhavin, Roman Pavluchenko, Roman Shirokov, Konstantin Zurianov and Aleksandr Aniukov, they were defeated.
Not just your ordinary run-of-the-mill defeat either. It was a whopping 4-0 in normal time.
Of course, in that situation they were representing Bayern Munich (the best team in Germany, hands down) and Zenit St Petersburg, but that really doesn't matter too much.
The bare fact is that Bayern Munich have not managed to win against Zenit St Petersburg this year.
Russia have a fight on their hands, of course. But they are a far more serious threat than many people will imagine.
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2 months ago
Russia seem to have a good mix of talent and heart.
When you look at Turkey they have secured victory through out working their opponents for a full 90 minutes. While Turkey has talent, in many cases they will have to win the battle of wills, and it seems their hearts are large.
Russia seem to have this same passion. The Dutch yesterday were hanging their heads in frustration, while the Russians were inspired with every opportunity.
Russia though is also laden with more talent than a Turkey side, providing them with an ample combination of determination and talent.
Go Russia!
from 2 months ago
Yes. I believe that skill alone is not always enough to make a champion. There is also what you bring to the field on the day. Passion (and luck, it must be admitted) can sometimes help the less favored team to overcome the odds.
It would be so great to see Turkey and Russia play each other in the Final, but that is probably the least likely scenario of all possible combinations.
2 months ago
Don't give them the title too quickly, especially if the Spaniards win today. David Villa and Fernando Torres are extraordinary.
from 2 months ago
I'd never write off the chances of Italy or Spain. But they can be beaten. Look at what happened to Holland. Not many people were expecting that. Nor would they have expected France to beat Spain in the World Cup. But it still happened.
I think some team like Peru beat Brazil a few days ago. And even Argentina had a 0-0 draw with USA!
How about when Costa Rica scored 2 goals against Germany in the World Cup, or Ecuador beating Poland?
These things don't happen too often. But we watch because we know that it can happen. If the outcome was always known, there would not be too much reason to watch!
I have nothing against Spain or Italy. But how boring to see either of those teams play Germany in the Final when the alternative is so much more tempting.
2 months ago
This is absolutely true, but I'm pretty skeptical of people thinking Turkey will beat Germany.
from 2 months ago
Yes, but if we wind back the clock a bit, we could say "Turkey will never beat Holland".... or Czech Republic... or Switzerland! I doubt they can do it again, but who knows?
Personally, I hope Turkey do beat the Germans. Then my bet on Russia that I put on last year has a chance of paying off. The odds are pretty good now. Imagine what they were like a year ago!
2 months ago
Every team that wins a match now becomes a contender.
Euro = Italy-Germany baring any flukes like last time.
2 months ago
Probably, but it will be a snooze-fest. Like the World Cup final. Turkey v Spain, Russia v Germany, or even Turkey v Russia and we have some real drama (at least for a while).
2 months ago
I am a long time Deutschland Fussball fan and I of course hope they will make it to the final this time. However, having watched Russland play in this tournament, I admire their passion and I dare not to underestimate thier Fussball quality. They have outstanding players : Asrshavin, Pavlyuchenko, Zhirkov, Kolodin, etc. These key players of Russland have tremendeous energy which the players of Deutschland do not seem to match their energy level.
If it happens to be Deutschland-Russland in the final match, I will celebrate if Deutschland win and cry if they don't.
However, if Russland win, I believe that they deserve the title.
Finally, we will see whose "theory" is better, either Hiddink's or Loew's.
Deutscland ueber alles in der Welt!
PTM. BC, Canada
2 months ago
spain will win once and for all
2 months ago
Half-time in Spain v Russia and the Russians are holding up well. Hopefully this continues and when Guus brings in some fresh legs toward the later part of the match, Russia can sneak a goal or two.
If Spain manages to goal before then, Russia will be in trouble. It is still wide open right now. No walk-over for Spain!
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