This should be a humdinger if they both play to their strength of attacking football.

Will RVP start ? Robben ?

Will Russia unlock the Dutch defence with their fast countering ?

MVB versus Hiddink, should be a classic (you watch, it'll be a drab 0-0 now :blink: )

Should be a good opportunity to see a few players we are linked with perform on the big stage. Namely, Arshavin, VDV and possibly Huntelaar

Scott

* 56' Arshavin with a cute pass into Semak on the left, he whips in a great cross AND PAVLUCHENKO ARRIVES ON THE PENALTY SPOT WITH A LOW SCUFFED LEFT FOOT FINISH PAST VAN DER SAR FOR 1-0! Advantage Russia! And Hiddink is doing it again!

It really was a beautiful move, and totally deserved. Great finished from little Roman

Russia are in front

I know they have been lacking for possession in this game, but is anyone else surprised that van Basten has left Robben on the bench, and shot all three of his subs already?

It really was a beautiful move, and totally deserved. Great finished from little Roman

Russia are in front :blink:

I know they have been lacking for possession in this game, but is anyone else surprised that van Basten has left Robben on the bench, and shot all three of his subs already?

maybe he is injured?

They announced at the start of the game that Robben hadn't even made the bench because he picked up a knock in training. Now there's a surprise!

* 86'Free-kick to the Netherlands on the left, Sneijder to swing it in... a great delivery totally takes the Russians out of play AND VAN NISTELROOY FLIES IN AT THE FAR POST WITH A DIVING HEADER INTO THE BOTTOM RIGHT FOR 1-1! Russia's weak point is exploited, the set play is impossible for them to defend.

Hats off to Russia - superb performance and a thoroughly deserved win. Hiddink had them prepared superbly

I still can't believe it. Never in my wildest dream could i imagine my Russian boys beating that Dutch team.

What a performance and only on two days' rest.

P.S. Kind of a sweet payback to Van Basten for the loss at 88' Euro final.

good game, russia were quality.

I think we saw two counter attacking sides, and given the dutch's bigger reputation the onus was on them to be the side that tries to be proactive with the ball, and in changing their style they lost the game.

The Dutch missed Robben for sure!

Let's hope we don't miss Arshavin.

Russia deserved the victory, should have won 3:1 in normal time. Hiddink is the true special one at international football. When you need Robben the best, he mange to get himself injured in training, just like those years with us, good thing he's no longer with us.

Get the cheque book out for Van Der Vaart, Roman.

My thoughts exactly. Holland look good so far but I wouldn't get too carried away just yet. I remember everyone waxing lyrical about Argentina at the last World Cup and they went out in the Quarter-Finals. It will be interesting to see how they do when they come up against a side that doesn't let them play as much as Italy and France have done and pressurise them on the ball. We also haven't seen how they've reacted to going a goal down yet.