Dutch coach Guus Hiddink will be hoping his Russian side have a memorable win over his old team Holland in Saturday's quarter-final.
Hiddink could upset former team
Dutch coach Guus Hiddink will be hoping his Russian side have a memorable win over his old team Holland in Saturday's Euro 2008 quarter-final.
The 61-year-old took over the Netherlands from 1994-1998 and reached the semi-finals of World Cup '98 - but suffered from the spot as they were dramatically dumped out of the tournament by Brazil on penalties.
After resigning from the national squad, he returned to club football with Real Madrid before taking on the managerial role at South Korea and then Russia in 2006.
And the Basel quarter-final crunch match is one that is leaving Hiddink desperate to beat his old team and also take on either Italy or Spain in the last four.
Impressive
As Holland are enjoying one of their best ever starts to a tournament, with three wins on the bounce against France, Italy and Romania, the Dutch outfit will be looking to forwards Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie to re-create some of their earlier impressive performances during the group stages.
Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy looks set to lead the line alone from the front, as Marco van Basten is spoilt for choice with the Netherlands' superb counter-attacking quality from the likes of Rafael van der Vaart, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and wing-back Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Russia may struggle to cope with the onslaught but have a lethal weapon of their own when Holland's back four may finally be tested with Andrei Arshavin certainly one to watch.
The Russians have endured mixed emotions during the group stages with wins over Greece and Sweden, but then having a 4-1 hammering at the hands of Spain and hat-trick hero David Villa.
History
Sergei Ignashevich should continue at centre back in front of his CSKA Moscow club mate and goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev with Sergei Semak captaining the side at St Jakob-Park.
The game will serve up all kinds of history with Holland looking to emulate current boss van Basten's infamous volley against the Soviet Union 20 years ago helping them to become European champions.
Despite Hiddink admitting he was "scared as hell" on
Sky Sports News at the thought of Holland's attacks, he said his men will not hold back as they look to pull off one of the upsets of the tournament and bring on a dream semi-final.
A win for Russia could also mean a premature end to Edwin Van der Sar's career who has said he will retire at the end of Euro 2008 from international duty.
