Sunday, June 22, 2008

Quarterfinals: Day 3 Result

Russian phenom Andrei Arshavin slips goal #3 through Edwin Van Der Sar's legs.

Netherlands 1-3 Russia
links to goals:
Ruud van Nistelrooy (86) Holy crap! The young Russian gunslingers ran roughshod over the heavily favored Dutch, in what may be the biggest upset of the tournament. Russia built on what they started against Sweden, beating Holland at their own game of lighting quick counter-attacking football. Russia's wily # 10 Andrei Arshavin delivered perhaps the signature performance of the tournament with dangerous runs all day, a stunning cross from an impossible angle to the far-post to set up the go-ahead goal in the second overtime, and finally scoring the third goal which decisively sent his side through to the semifinals. Look for Arshavin to make a splash in the summer transfer period as he's already declared his intention to leave his club Zenit St. Petersburg. The Russians deserved the win, as the Dutch looked nothing like the team which sparkled in winning the Group of Death, but instead were lethargic all day, struggling to get back on defense, and getting their only chances on net from free-kicks. Hiddink and his boys have already exceeded the wildest expectations of their supporters, so they'll enter the match on Thursday against Spain or Italy with nothing to lose. After their last two performances, who'd bet against them?




Even Guus Hiddink can't believe his good fortune.

2 comments:

The Continentalist said...

The Russians looked harasho! Talk about crackers from outside the box, damn...

jv said...

Arshavin's cross to set up the second goal was sick. sick i tell you. SICK.

ps - that cross was sick.