It's difficult not to be tempted into imagining that this, the Russian slot, is in essence, the England slot, had the English actually played up to expectation, if they'd managed to beat the Russians in Moscow after holding a 1-0 lead.
But they didn't.
The Russians were minced by the Spanish in the opening game of the Group and by a deceptively large margin, 4-1. The truth in that match was that after the Spanish scored, the Russians had them on their heels in the 2nd half and looked quite capable not only of taking the lead but winning the game. Alas, a counter attack set them back and before they knew it the momentum was crushed as were the Russians' hopes.
Hiddink had the team refocused and working hard to achieve that little extra that would put them over the top.
But they've bounced back under the steady hand of Guus Hiddink, the manager with a history of taking pretty much any team he manages and making them a threat.
They beat the Greeks, eliminating them and last night made easy work of the Swedes, who they also eliminated 2-0, presenting themselves as the second seed of the group set to face the Dutch next.
Imagine the connotations of the a Dutch born manager of the Russians facing the Dutch national team, knowing all their secrets. The Dutch are hot but this has all the makings of a upset.
So, two years in to a five year plan to get the Russians up to the world class level, not suprisingly, Hiddink has them there already. The quarterfinals and almost as suprisingly as the Italians considering their shoddy beginnings.
Tonight, Germany face Portugal in what is likely the most anticipated of the tournament in the knock out phase. Given Germany's last two performances; a surprising loss to Croatia and an uninspired 1-0 victory over the Austrians, they will have to play their best football of the tournament to hold the Portugese quiet. Don't count on it. Prediction Portugal 2 Germany 1.
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