Two months on from their 3-1 victory over Holland at Euro 2008, Russia are to take on the Dutch again Wednesday - this time in Moscow in a friendly ahead of the start of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
June 21 saw one of the best ever performances by the national side, as Andrei Arshavin and his teammates passed the Dutch, who had earlier defeated Italy 3-0 and France 4-1, into the ground in a classic and memorable quarterfinal clash. The victory saw the biggest spontaneous celebrations in Moscow since the end of WWII, as some 700,000 people poured onto to streets to celebrate until dawn.
The side's unexpected success at Euro 2008 came after years of disappointmen
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t at international level, and even the subsequent 3-0 defeat by eventual champions Spain in the last four did not prevent the team being greeted as heroes upon their return to Russia.
Holland's manager, the legendary Marco van Basten, quit the national side after the game, as did goalkeeper Edwin van der Saar. Holland's new trainer is former Dutch international Bert van Marwijk.
"This is a new era for Holland," said Russia's Dutch manager, Guus Hiddink, who spoke before the Euro 2008 victory over his compatriots of wanting to become this year's "biggest traitor." He later said he regretted his words.
"This will not be just another friendly for our team because the Dutch will be eager to settle the score," Hiddink added.
Hiddink has called up Spartak Moscow striker, Nikita Bazhenov, 23, to the squad for the first time. Bazhenov's performances have been one of the few bright moments in recent months for the perennial 1990s Russian champions. Spartak were humiliated 4-1 at home to Dynamo Kiev last week in a Champions League match, the defeat coming a month after they were beaten 5-1 by deadly cross-town rivals CSKA.
"It's a great honour to be called up," said Bazhenov, adding that he was pleased Russia were facing strong opponents at it would be a chance for him to "test myself and prove what I am capable of."
Holland beat Russia 4-1 in a friendly in Amsterdam last year.
The match takes place at Cherkizovo stadium in northeast Moscow. Kick off is at 9:15 p.m. (17:15 GMT).
Russia kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a match against Wales in Moscow on September 10. The other teams in Group Four are Germany, Finland, Azerbaijan and Lichtenstein.
Two months on from their 3-1 victory over Holland at Euro 2008, Russia are to take on the Dutch again Wednesday - this time in Moscow in a friendly ahead of the start of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
