Dear Holland,
We waited for you in Gorky Park, but you did not show up. So we went to Euro 2008. Sorry we spanked you. And it must be difficult accepting defeat since our coach is Dutch. Nevertheless, we invite you back to Gorky Park to celebrate with our beautiful Russian tennis players and vodka. No hard feelings?
Love,
Russia
Yesterday Turkey quarantined Croatia and blazed into the quarter finals.
Today, it was Russia who totaled the Netherlands aspirations of winning the Euro football title by crushing the Oranje 3-1.
While the game wasn’t the scintillating affair some hoped for, on this night Russia clearly wanted it more. They proved that they're capable of not only playing with Dutch-like flair (for example, penetrating off the wings effectively and finding ways to distribute the ball in tight spaces) but that they can infuse offensive abilities with solid, stingy defense.
Not that anyone should be overly surprised. Russia (including the former Soviet Union) has a rich soccer pedigree at the European Championships.
Though the Soviet Union was known for its Olympic accomplishments (including two gold medals and three bronzes in soccer), the former USSR also managed to conquer the inaugural European tournament in 1960 on a bedrock of solid defense and goal tending.
Following their triumph in 1960, the Soviets remained a respected and competitive side and were finalists in 1964, 1972 and 1988 – losing to Spain, West Germany and the Netherlands respectively.
All told the Soviet Union reached the finals on four occasions - second only to Germany’s five appearances in the finals.
In addition to the European Championships a string of successes came at both the Olympics and World Cup.
However, accomplishments at the EC never translated into a World Cup title. Nonetheless, the Soviet Union had consistently qualified for the finals and recorded a string of notable achievements with three quarter-finals appearances in 1958, 1962 and 1970 and a semi-finals placing in 1966.
Article comments
1 - czar
RUSSIA WILL GROW LARGER!
2 - Douglas Mays
Yes, surprise!!! but in a way, this result was possible. Both sides have a similar playing style and big, strong players. the match was more even than one would think.
Russia prevailed, probably on desire to win. the Dutch may have thought they were just going to win.
Anyway,
DM
3 - Ally Brown
Andrei Arshavin is a star