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Viva la Espana! Champions of Europe!

Re-live the Euro 2008 Championship by selecting a match below or visiting the dedicated site Euro2008TV.com for articles, photos, and video highlights of your favorite team.

 

Russia Euro 2008 Online Streams and TV Schedules

#Date	Time (US/Eastern)	Match	Result	Stage	Venue
Jun-10	11:50am	Spain - Russia	4:1	Group D	Innsbruck
Jun-14	02:30pm	Greece - Russia	0:1	Group D	Salzburg
Jun-18	02:30pm	Russia - Sweden	2:0	Group D	Innsbruck
Jun-21	02:30pm	Netherlands - Russia	1:3	Quarter-Finals	Basel
Jun-26	02:30pm	Russia - Spain	0:3	Semi-Finals	Vienna

Russia at Euro 2008

	Group D Greece Russia Spain Sweden View all group D details

The Hiddink factor

Russia reached Euro2008 on the final day of qualification, an achievement that sent the country into frenzy. Coach Guus Hiddink, in his typical dynamism, has transformed Russia from an ordinary outfit to a very efficient side. They defeated England 2-1 during the qualifiers, and their only lapse in concentration was a potentially calamitous 2-1 defeat to Israel in their penultimate game of the group.  In the end, it did not matter, as England’s loss to Croatia was Russia’s gain.   Hiddink, who took South Korea to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup, has once again relied on a clear tactical philosophy and his ability to make modest players believe they are world beaters to get Russia to Euro2008.  His psychological effect has been immense, as Russia played with such self-belief during qualification. Russia will fancy their chances of finding a way through Group D.  Spain, Sweden and reigning European Champions Greece are certainly an imposing trio, but under Hiddink Russia can surpass all expectations.

How Russia  qualified

They claimed the scalp of England and won seven of their twelve qualifying games.  Though Russia needed a favour from Croatia to qualify, over the course of the campaign they did enough to merit a position at the tournament this summer.

How Russia  play

Hiddink plays a 4-4-2, with  Alexei Berezutsky, Sergei Ignashevich, Vasili Berezutsky, and Aleksandr Anyukov making up the defence. Yuri Zhirkov and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov are the two of the more regular midfielders while Dmitri Sychev is the star in attack. About the coach Dutchman Hiddink is one of the best coaches in the world.  He has a knack for making his teams play beyond their means, as his stints with South Korea and Australia prove.  He took over Russia after the 2006 World Cup, and the enthusiasm that greeted his appointment was well deserved.  Hiddink’s teams are athletic and in superb physical condition.  Couple that with the mental strength he imparts to his players, and his stellar record at international level becomes more understandable.  Hiddink is the man who gives Russia the edge over their Group D opponents.

Key players

Yuri Zhirkov- A left-winger who has exceptional dribbling skills. A UEFA Cup winner with CSKA Moscow, Zhirkov performs both his attacking and defending duties exceptionally well. Dmitri Sychev- The Lokomotiv Moscow forward has blistering speed and can play as either an attacking midfielder or striker.  Though he only scored three goals during qualification, Hiddink will rely heavily on Sychev for the tournament proper.

Star player

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov – An attacking midfielder with tremendous vision.  Considered one of Russia’s most promising rising stars, Bilyaletdinov is quick and has an appetite for goals. He is also a very versatile player who can play on the left wing or in a more central position.

Verdict

Russia have Hiddink behind them, but they don’t have the quality to find a way past the likes of Spain, Sweden, and Greece.  Russia definitely want to leave an imprint on Euro2008. They may provide moments of magic, though ultimately they will fall at the first hurdle.

Article by Hasan Saiyid

Russia Euro 2008 News

• ARSHAVIN FRUSTRATED AT SPURS HITCH (Sporting Life)Zenit St Petersburg forward Andrei Arshavin has revealed his frustration at the delay over his proposed move to Tottenham. The UEFA Cup holders have rejected formal bids from Barcelona and Tottenham for Arshavin, whose inspirational performances led Russia to the Euro 2008 semi-finals.
• 'Fernando Torres effect' makes bookies losers when it comes to the crunch (Times Online)The failure of British teams to qualify for the Euro 2008 football championship, a misfortune for sports fans, proved even worse luck for bookmakers.
• Lehmann bows out at top for Germany (UEFA News)Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has announced his international retirement at the age of 38 after winning his 61st and last cap in the final of UEFA EURO 2008â„¢.
• Veteran Lehmann ends international career (CNN.com)FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- Veteran goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is retiring from Germany's national team.
• German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann ends international career (Canadian Press via Yahoo! News) FRANKFURT, Germany - Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is retiring from Germany's national team.
• West Ham release Ljungberg (TODAYonline)Swedish midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg runs with the ball during the Euro 2008 Championships Group D match between Russia and Sweden at the Tivoli Neu stadium in Innsbruck, Austria, June 2008. Ljungberg whas been released from his contract with West Ham, a statement on the club's website confirmed.
• Premier Preview (Soccer365)New Holland coach Bert van Marwijk has handed Mark van Bommel an international recall in his provisional squad for the friendly against Russia on August 20.