Holland 1-3 Russia: Upsets Continue

The following was guest blogged by Chris Rivers from Betting Fair.

After two nights of the under dogs coming out on top many predicted a return to regular services with the Netherlands overcoming Russia in the quarter finals. Once again though Euro 2008 has thrown up another shock and the side who blitzed their way through the ‘group of death’ now find themselves on the way home again.

As for Russia since being exposed by Spain in the first game they have come on leaps and bounds with many predicting that they could well go all the way and win the tournament.

The Dutch have once again failed at a major tournament but last night it wasn’t because of squabbling in amongst themselves for once, this time they were beaten by the better side.

After such a brilliant group stage many had tipped Holland to go all the way and who can blame them after destroying the last two World Cup finalists, Italy and France. Marco Van Basten seemed to have found a formula that worked after a meeting with his squad before the tournament to decide on how they should play.

Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart seemed capable of dominating any midfield whilst Edwin van der Sar was defying his age with some outstanding performances. It looked as though the Dutch had got it all together and 20 years on from their only major success many people believed their time had come again.

Unfortunately Russia and Guus Hiddink had other plans. No one can deny that the Russian’s were in scintillating form last night. If you look past their questionable marking from set pieces Russia were faultless in my eyes. They took the game to the Dutch and made sure they didn’t let the Dutch catch them on the counter attack where they had been at their most dangerous.

They exposed Holland at the back with their exceptional use of wing backs, Yuri Zhirkov and Aleksandr Anyukov have been excellent for Hiddink’s side, making the difference between success and failure. Especially Zhrikov, he looks like one to watch out for when the Champion Leagues starts up as Russia look to strengthen their club sides on the domestic front.

However the standout performance of the night has to go to Andrei Arshavin, the little forward has helped turn Russia into a free flowing force since he returned from suspension against Sweden. Before that you could see glimpses of Russia’s ability but he has been the link in the chain that has brought it all together.

He tormented the Dutch defense all evening and capped it off with a wonderful goal, worthy of winning any game. To read more about Arshavin then here is the place to do it.

Right from the off you sensed that Holland weren’t quite at the races and it is funny that all the sides who changed their line-up for the final group game have been knocked out. Holland couldn’t get in behind Russia, who were content to sit back when they didn’t have the ball. There wasn’t the free flowing stuff we had come to expect from Holland in Euro 2008 and instead it was Russia who controlled the game and should have had it won before it even went to extra time.

Roman Pavlyuchenko had a golden opportunity to put Russia ahead in the first half but could only head it over. Pavlyuchenko has been another one who has benefited from the return of Arshavin with those two working well together. It was then Arsahvin’s turn to curse his luck when he tricked his way past Andre Ooijer before curling a shot towards the bottom corner only for Van der Sar to push it away with possibly the save of the tournament.

Russia then unleashed their secret weapon in the form of Dennis Kolodin who long range shooting was so nearly perfect with two efforts from over 35 yards causing concern to the Dutch goalkeeper. Holland looked dangerous from set pieces but the half belonged to Russia.

It just got worse for the Dutch after the break when 11 minutes in Pavlyuchenko gave Russia the lead after converting Sergi Semak’s cross with a clever side footed finish. Russia then began to display some of the counter attacking we had come to expect from Holland as they poured forward and should have put the game out of sight, Anuykov, Zhrikov and Saenko all having chances.

The Dutch didn’t give up and took the game to extra time when Ruud van Nistelrooy headed Sneijder’s freekick home as Russia were made to pay for their poor marking. Russia then got a stroke of luck of their own when Kolodin was handed a reprieve after picking up a second yellow card. The referee produced the red card but then changed his mind after being told by his assistant that the ball had gone out in the build up to the foul.

In extra time though Holland began to tire and Arshavin started to run the show. The Zenit St Petersburg man firstly weaved his magic on the left, producing a brilliant cross for Dmitri Torbinski to put Russia ahead from close range. Arshavin then got himself on the score sheet four minutes from the end when a quick throw-in allowed the 27-year-old to break into the penalty area before slipping the ball through Van der Sar’s legs in his last international game for Holland.

So Russia move on to the semi-finals and a meeting with either Spain or Italy. Whoever you fancy to go through head to Betfair.