Russia manager Guus Hiddink says if his team qualify for the UEFA EURO 2008 finals he will break the habit of a lifetime and down a shot of vodka, the Reuters news agency reports.

“As you know I’m not a drinker, I don’t like to drink, but I’m very aware of this very Russian tradition,” the Dutchman said on Thursday at the national team’s training centre ahead of next week’s EURO 2008 qualifier against Macedonia.

“So for that I’m ready to make an exception. I can promise you that if we qualify, I’ll have a drink.”
Russia, however, have made a slow start to their qualifying campaign.

They are in fifth place in Group E behind England, Israel, Croatia and Macedonia with five points from three matches after being held to draws by Croatia and Israel in their first two home games.

Despite this, the Dutchman said he felt at home in Russia.

“I feel very welcomed, very much at home here,” said Hiddink, who was inundated with gifts when he celebrated his 60th birthday on Wednesday. “I had so many people coming up to me and wishing me a very healthy future.”

The former Korea Republic manager said he would not try to match former Russian ice hockey coach Vladimir Krikunov, who acclaimed vodka as the perfect remedy for post-game stress.

“Three shots of vodka after every game. It’s a must,” Krikunov once said.

Hiddink said: “I would drink, not a bottle of vodka, of course, but a small glass.”

The Russians face Macedonia in Skopje on 15 November.

MosNews