Euro 2008 - Hiddink lauds Russia's young guns

Eurosport - Wed, 18 Jun 23:18:00 2008

Guus Hiddink lauded his young Russian side after they overcame an experienced Sweden team to progress to the last eight of Euro 2008.

FOOTBALL - Euro 2008 - Guus Hiddink, Russia coach - 0

Russia will face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals after their 2-0 win - and Hiddink acknowledged the achievement of a squad almost exclusively based in the Russian domestic league.

"This is a huge win for a side still under construction with lots of young players and some experienced players," he said. "It gives me real pleasure to work with them.

"In the course of the past three weeks these youngsters have learnt a lot."

Striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and Andrei Arshavin - playing his first match after a suspension - got the goals as a successful period in Swedish football came to an end with elimination from the finals, as players such as Freddy Ljungberg and Henrik Larsson prepare to retire.

Swedish coach Lars Lagerback was gracious in defeat.

"I would like to congratulate the Russians, who really play joyful football," he said.

"I think they saw rapidly where they could hurt us and they exploited our weaknesses perfectly."

Russia, who were hammered by Spain in their first match but recovered with a win over reigning champions Greece before this decisive encounter, will have to dispose of one of the three teams with 100 percent records in the tournament if they are to reach the semi-finals.

The Netherlands have beaten Italy, France and Romania in Austria and Switzerland.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 16 of 16

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  1. What a great performance put up ny the Russians, i believe they can go far in this tournament.
    yinka

    From ogunsanyaadeyinka, on Thu 19 Jun 12:12PM

  2. I've always said it that Guus Hiddink is, undoubtedly, the best national team coach in the world. big up big boss...

    Kayode A. Lagos, Nigeria.

    From olukay, on Thu 19 Jun 11:25AM

  3. I've always said it that Guus Hiddink is, undoubtedly, the best national team coach in the world. big up big boss...

    From olukay, on Thu 19 Jun 11:24AM

  4. i was watching the match in support of sweden, but in the early munits when i saw the coach of Russia i told my neighboury the Russians were going to win. I am a footballer and i know the good trainers. I had always beleive Hiddink is the best coach in the world, he build's up a team with young inexperience players and they perform, my only worry is that i would have love to see them progress, but they are playing a football nation after my heart, just like Argentina and Cameroon, Holland is one of the nations when eliminate in compition it pains me right inside there, though on the other hand i am supporting Portugal but it's just of C Ronarldo, i am angery with Van Basten for rejecting Blacks in his team

    From kingnkwelle, on Thu 19 Jun 10:43AM

  5. Hiddink is like Milutinovic: whatever national team he coaches, they progress to knock-out phase. Holland, Korea (with refs' help, ok), Australia (without that help), Russia. His midfielders always run like crazy, altogether. If he had Pobrenyak available, they could even go all the way.

    From Giovanni T, on Thu 19 Jun 9:06AM

  6. Russia could have won this game with a bigger margin if their strikers are more alert... the space they created was unbelievable... and yet they managed only to score ... a ptiy since they were playing aagainst a old men's club... hahahaa

    From gabutsa, on Thu 19 Jun 6:40AM

  7. I agree with Eddy (edwards, apparently); the Russians found the composure they needed to after losing their first game badly, and are deserved quarter finalists.
    In truth, I picked them to advance (in the 2nd spot, of course) from their group, because they do have a lot of young, exciting players. And as Eddy also said, I think they've displayed that in their 3 games so far.

    So, congrats to the Russians, congrats to Hiddink, they're certainly the dark horse team I'm pulling for. That being said, the Orange of Netherlands will be a stern test for them.

    PS, Germany - Portugal tomorrow; I can't wait.....

    From United!!, on Thu 19 Jun 5:04AM

  8. RUUD G O O D D I C K says he's ready to play against Russia!!

    From ronwoon, on Thu 19 Jun 4:39AM

  9. What's the ORANJEBOOM'S name?? Is it GUUS B I G D I C K??

    From ronwoon, on Thu 19 Jun 4:37AM

  10. He rocks

    From jisungmaster, on Thu 19 Jun 4:15AM

  11. Hey brainless, where's cute picture of your dog??

    From ronwoon, on Thu 19 Jun 2:51AM

  12. Hiddink is the man indeed!

    From brainless, on Thu 19 Jun 2:03AM

  13. Hiddink is the man.

    From zin, on Thu 19 Jun 1:57AM

  14. Oleg Blokhin playing for RASPUTIN in next match against ORANJEBOOMS!!

    From ronwoon, on Thu 19 Jun 1:21AM

  15. They went for it all guns blazing and it was great to see. Here's to them taking the Dutch system apart. If they can play the spontaneous, lively football they did tonight I hope they are Champions

    From GAULCT R, on Thu 19 Jun 12:58AM

  16. Now that is really what is called great achievement. Four goals down in your first match. Through to the quarter final in your last group match. That is what makes a nation very proud of its team.

    I don't know about you, but I really liked the performance of the Russians. They were really on the ball; alert, quick-wited, very attentive to what is going on around them. that is why they won!

    edwards

    From eddy, on Thu 19 Jun 12:40AM
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