An Andrei Arshavin inspired Russia put on their best performance of the tournament as they beat Sweden 2-0 in Innsbruck and booked a meeting in the last eight of Euro 2008 with the Netherlands.

Russia needed a win to have any hopes of progessing, while a point would have done for the Swedes. But the presence of Arshavin, who missed the first two games after getting sent off in Russia’s final qualifying game against Andorra, seemed to bring out a Russia that we have only seen glimpses of, and Sweden had no answer to Guus Hiddink’s pacy young team.

Russia put Sweden under tremendous pressure in the first few minutes of the game, and Arshavin squandered three opportunities to put Russia ahead. Yuri Zhirkov also volleyed wide as the Russians made repeated forays into the Swedish half. The Swedes finally broke in the 24^th minute, when Roman Pavyluchenko fired past Andreas Isaksson to score his 2^nd goal of the tournament. The goal was set up by some intelligent play from Arshavin, Konstantin Zyryanov and Alexander Anyukov. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who had been relatively quiet, burst into life in the 26^th minute but his effort hit the bar and went out.

It was again Arshavin  who was at the heart of Russia’s second goal. the Zenit St. Petersburg playmaker passed the ball to Zhirkov, and then slid the return pass past a helpless Isaksson. Russia attacked and attacked, and the winning margin could have been a lot more had their forwards converted their chances. Arshavin, for example, should have scored two minutes from time, but shot straight at Isaksson.

It is the first time Russia have gone past the first round of a major tournament in 20 years, and Guus Hiddink maintains his record of guiding all the teams he has coached past the knockout stage.

Hiddink’s native Holland will have to shore up their defence if Russia play the same brand of football that they did against the Swedes. We have a very interesting match on our hands in Basel!