Russia take home pride, Spain the title

Spain are celebrating winning Euro 2008. They beat Germany 1-0 in the final in Vienna. But that hasn't stopped Russia enjoying their best championship ever. They got to the semi-finals where they were beaten by the eventual winners. The team's performance has restored pride to Russian football.

The high-point of the championship for Russia was beating the Netherlands 3-1 in the quarter-finals. Half a million people surged onto Moscow’s streets for a post-game party. Seldom in Russian history has a sporting event provoked such a reaction.

But it all started rather badly, with defeat at the hands of Spain in the group stages. However, Russia bounced back spectacularly, qualifying from their group and soaring into the sem-finals. The fans had an unforgettable footballing experience…

Russia 1-4 Spain

The opening group game in a damp and drizzly Innsbruck was a disaster for the Russian team, who were outplayed. It looked as though Guus Hiddink’s team might be booking early flights home.

But on the training ground coach Hiddink worked on plan B.

Russia 1-0 Greece

On Tuesday June 10 he put it into action as his side knocked out the defending European champions Greece.

Russia 2-0 Sweden

Russian momentum was growing and just around the corner a national icon was about to be made. Playmaker Andrey Arshavin was back after suspension.

His classy performance helped beat the Swedes 2-0.

Russia's joy spilled onto the streets for the first time in the tournament as the team qualified for the knock-out stages.

Russia 3-1 Netherlands

By now expectations were growing. The Russian team had something to offer, and were the favourite team of many neutrals. Fans favoured their style of play, their ‘total football’. At home the Russian media began making heroes of the players.

Arshavin's wife was fielding calls from the press and players were becoming heartthrobs overnight.

Russia outplayed the Euro 2008 favourites, beating them 3-1 in extra time.

The country's cities and towns erupted with joy. The centre of Moscow was brought to a standstill. There was gridlock around the Kremlin. No-one could quite believe what the team had achieved.

Russia 0-3 Spain

After the euphoria, a reality check. Russia were just one step away from the final, with Spain were in the way.

The encounter was disappointing. Spain were just too good on the night. It was almost a repeat performance of their clash in the group stage.

But the team’s transformation, in just eleven days from rank outsiders to potential champions had captured the imagination of the entire nation.

Thousands turned out to welcome the team home at Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium.

Coach Guus Hiddink was offered Russian citizenship for his services. He expressed his thanks to the Russian people for their support.

“It looks like we are champions, but we are not. We’ve just won the bronze medal, which is a very good achievement. But you can imagine if once, I don’t know when, but I hope as soon as possible, we’ll get to second or first place it’s going to be huge, huge, huge! I am surprised that so many people have come today and I want to thank them all," Guus Hiddink said.

Hiddink’s next task is qualification for the World Cup in 2010.

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