Hiddink Magic Strikes Again
Sunday June 22, 2008
What special talent does Russian coach Guus Hiddink have when it comes to international coaching at the world's biggest tournaments that so many of his contemporaries seem to be lacking? Having taken South Korea to the World Cup semi-finals in 2002 and Australia to their first World Cup in 32 years in 2006, not to mention his native Holland to their won World Cup semi-finals in 1998, Hiddink has now raised the bar once again by taking Russia to the Euro 2008 semi-finals in Austria and Switzerland.
Defeating his native Holland doesn't seem to have been a problem for the profoundly professional Hiddink and rightly so, the Russians pay his (very comfortable) wages and he has helped mould their raw talent into an exciting side completely worthy of their growing success at this year's European Championships.
Having such enigmatic talents as Arshavin and Pavyluchenko hasn't hurt the Russian cause in any way of course but, for me, there isn't another coach in European football who could have taken Russia this far, other than Guus Hiddink, and with Italy or Spain to face in the semis next week, there may be even more glory yet to come.
Comments
Congratulations to Mr. Guus Hiddink and his young band of talented Russian footballers.
Hiddink’s man management skills, organizational techniques, reading of the game and planning of strategies are indeed impressive. When most other teams employed the four backs in a somewhat horizontal formation, Hiddink had his four backs in almost a vertical procession, breaking the file if and when required and others joining the procession from the rear. Last editions’s European champions Greece, former holders Holland and the talented Swedes had difficulties in breaking the Russian resistance. The Russian Revolution is on. On the counter the young Russian strikers have been very effective. With their new found confidence they look capable of meeting the demands of the Spanish Inquisition. Best of luck to all the semi-finalists.
Russia and Turkey have proven they could be in the finals, more so than any other team with the possible exception of Spain. Personally, I like the bet.