Euro 2008: From Russia with Love

Russia celebrating their win over the Netherlands

To quote the 1963 classic Bond film starring Sean Connery, the Russian national team from 2008 had a lot to love about it. From a twin centre-back partnership, who look more at place in the aforementioned Bond classic as Colonel Rosa Klebb’s henchmen, Hiddink as a coach who has a habit of upsetting the odds and a playmaker at the peak of his powers – Russia’s 2008 Euro campaign is one which is close to the hearts of many Russians and overlooked by many others.

Going into the 2008 Euros, Russia had slight reason to be optimistic. They had successfully qualified for the competition edging out, dare I say it, England in the process by finishing one point ahead, securing qualification in second place. Guus Hiddink was the man in charge and he brought international pedigree with him, guiding the Netherlands and, famously, South Korea to World Cup semi-finals eventually finishing in fourth place on both occasions. Russia went into the tournament with a proven international football manager and their faith for an upset was stored in him. The betting shops placed Russia with odds of 28-1 of winning the competition, but that favoured Russia being the underdogs. Russia’s group included Spain (tournament favourites), Sweden and reigning champions Greece. To make matters worse for the Russians, leading striker Pavel Pogrebnyak suffered an injury in a warm-up friendly meaning he would miss the entire tournament. The injury meant the goal-scoring duties fell to much-loved Spartak striker Roman Pavlyuchenko, who would be supported by Russia’s dangerous winger Yuri Zhirkov and an Andrei Arshavin at the peak of his powers coming off the back of a league and UEFA cup triumph with Zenit.

Their Euro campaign kicked off with an extremely difficult game against Spain where David Villa scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 win. The Spanish were too powerful on the day and ultimately too powerful throughout the tournament as they were crowned winners later that summer. The Russians picked themselves up in the next game and a goal from Konstantin Zryranov who capitalised on a horror mistake by Greek goalkeeper, Nikopolidis, ending the defending champions’ hope of retaining. Russia returned to Innsbruck, Austria hoping for a different outcome than last time they came, the 4-1 Spanish defeat, as they faced off against Sweden needing a win to secure passage to the knockout stage.

Pavlyuchenko (left) running towards his Russian teammates following his opener against Sweden

Roman Pavlyuchenko put the Russians ahead as he finished off a fine move from close range moving his tally up to two goals and proving his worth as a replacement for Pogrebnyak. Arshavin finally turned up to the party, after missing the first two games through suspension, as he slid home Russia’s second of the evening giving them one foot in the next round. The ever-impressive Akinfeev between the sticks prevented Ibrahimovic from bringing Sweden back into the game and Russia managed to hold on. Russia qualified from the group stages of a major international tournament for the first time since 1988, as the Soviet Union, and for the first time as an independent nation. Hiddink had done it again on the international stage. However, it wasn’t sunshine and rainbows for the ‘Sbornaya’ as they had the daunting task of facing off against the Netherlands who had cruised through Group C with a 100% record with spectacular wins over World Champions Italy and France.

Russia weren’t simply going to roll over for the Oranje. Hiddink’s gameplan against his native country was to nullify the threat of world-class talents in Sneijder, van der Vaart and van Nistelrooy. Starting brighter in the second-half, their dominance paid off as Pavlyuchenko volleyed home from a Sergi Semak cross to give the Russians even more belief of joining Germany and Turkey in the semi-finals. A late goal from van Nistelrooy broke Russian hearts as the Dutch forced extra-time and regain parity in the tie. However, Hiddink’s men pushed on and regained the lead in the second half of extra time when Arshavin sent a looping cross over Van der Sar to an arriving Torbinski at the back post who volleyed it in. Arshavin completed the rout a couple of minutes later drilling one underneath Van der Sar, the Oranje’s brilliance had been peeled off and Russia were in the semi-finals for the first time.

A date with destiny was on the cards but once again Spain got the best of them. Chances fell to Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko but neither could get convert past Iker Casillas. 3 second-half goals from La Furia Roja saw them progress to their first final since 1984 and sent Russia home, but with much to be proud of. Hiddink and his Russia side restored hope around the national team and brought passion back to a previous lifeless team. Zhirkov, Zryranov, Pavlyuchenko and Arshavin were all named in UEFA Team of the Tournament which gave great opportunities to three of Russia’s most talented players.

Arshavin’s signature ‘Shh’ celebration after he silenced the Dutch

Every Arsenal and Premier League fan will remember the name Andrei Arshavin and some say he still haunts Liverpool fans from the time he smashed four in at Anfield. Following an incredibly successful year with Zenit and a brilliant Euro 2008 performance, Barcelona and Spurs both came knocking for his services. Zenit refused to sell Arshavin but gave up in January 2009 when Arsenal signed the Russian for £15M. An indifferent spell at Arsenal lasted 5 seasons in North London and he returned to his beloved Zenit in 2013. 75 Russian caps scoring 17 times left him with a legacy that peaked at Euros in 2008, but he will always be fondly remembered by Russians with his two-footed fast dribbling approach to the game.

Another standout from 2008 was Roman Pavlyuchenko; the man who stepped to fill the void of Pogrebnyak. Russia’s leading scorer from the tournament, three goals, earned him a move to Spurs after they missed out on his fellow countryman, Arshavin. 21 goals in 78 appearances for the white side of North London was a decent turnout considering many of those appearances were from the bench. Despite being a fan-favourite, he left to go back to Russia after being disgruntled at his lack of playing time. 104 goals in 309 appearances in the Russian Premier League leaves Pavlyuchenko as one of the more capped players in Russian football. Despite his age, Pavlyuchenko is still playing but not at the most glorified level – he is currently playing for fourth-tier Znamya Noginsk only featuring in their home matches.

A final name to remember is none other than Yuri Zhirkov. Russia’s 2008 footballer of the year and nominated in the Ballon d’Or shortlist for 2008 was such a dangerous outlet on the left-hand side.

Zhirkov pictured before the 2018 World Cup

He followed his countryman and made the switch to the Premier League and London but played in the blue of Chelsea. He became Russia’s most expensive footballer at the time, a record only being beaten recently by Golovin following his success at Russia 2018, costing £19M. In just his two seasons with Chelsea, he won the Premier League and FA Cup under Carlo Ancelotti but like his two compatriots, he returned to Russia not long after. Now playing for Zenit, he is the final player out of the three to still grace a football pitch and turns out for the national team when called upon, despite retiring after the 2018 World Cup.

Russia’s 2008 Euro campaign is ofter overlooked because of the true brilliance of that Spanish side, Turkey’s incredible comebacks and England’s lack of presence at the tournament but Russia in 2008 showed a brief spark of what they’re capable as a footballing nation, something they would show again 12 years later in 2018 as the hosts of the World Cup.

#euros #football #russia