Euro2008: Russia Look The Real Deal

Russia must now be regarded as major contenders at Euro 2008 after a breathtaking quarter-final victory over a Dutch side that had swept all before them in the so-called "Group of Death".

Andrei Arshavin capped off another sublime display with the decisive third goal to further boost his burgeoning reputation, while the result is another triumph for coach Guus Hiddink, who has honed a side that beat his countrymen at their own game. It was Russia who looked the most fluent in possession, closed down with the greatest fervour, struck decisively on the counter attack and created the bulk of the clear-cut openings. Hiddink had pledged to attack and was true to his word as his team took the match to a Dutch outfit that struggled to find the fluency that characterised their previous three games.

The Dutch passing was often poor and their touch disappointing, which inevitably caused them difficulties when attempting to move from defence to attack. Holland, like Portugal and Croatia before them, rested the majority of their first-team players for their final group game after securing qualification, but it is a tactic that appears to have backfired. All three are out, while Spain, who also chose to give the star men a break when they played Greece, face Italy on Sunday.

Russia must be credited for the manner in which they stifled their opponents on Saturday. The willingness of their players to harass and hurry is testament to their outstanding fitness - witness how strongly they played during extra-time - and ultimately paid rich dividends in shutting down the Dutch.