Russia Draw Slovakia, Ireland for Euro, Under the Radar Tough Group, Hiddink Still in Doubt

The Russian National team has surely been looking for something to get it’s mind off the squad’s disastrous exit from World Cup Qualifying.  Simply put, the best way to wash the bad taste out of one’s mouth, is to try something else, move on to the next thing.  Russia can now do that.

Guus Hiddink’s (for the time being anyways) squad can now look forward instead of looking back.  They know who they will be grouped in with for the 2012 Euro qualifcation.  Russia was drawn into Group B with the Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, FYR Macedonia, Aremenia and Andorra.

UEFA set a stipulation pre – draw, that neither Russia and Georgia, nor Armenia and Azerbaijan could play each other.  This was due to Russia and Georgia’s brief war, as well as a lack of a diplomatic relationship between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Hiddink was at the draw, representing Russia.  However, it seems unclear at this time whether or not he will actually be the coach of the team come the start of qualification.  After he met with Sergei Fursenko, both he and the new RFU president said very little.  Fursenko only commented on Hiddink being under contract until the summer time.

Regardless of who will be guiding the team, Russia can begin to prepare in earnest for the long qualifying cycle, which could eventually lead to a berth in the 2012 European Championships in Ukraine and Poland.

Let’s take a look at Group B :

Pot 1 Selection : Russia

We know about this team.  A talented, free flowing attacking team, who is very good on the counter – attack.  Their side features one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Igor Akinfeev and one of the most explosive offensive talents, Andrei Arshavin.  They have a ridiculous amount of depth in midfield, though this is marked by many aging veterans.  Russia is however blemished with an often suspect backline that simply does not match the talent up front.

Russia came to life at Euro 2008, making it all the way to the semifinals.  They also managed to dismantle pre – tournament favorite, the Netherlands in the process.  However they hit a wall against Spain and the same with Germany in WCQ.

Pot 2 Selection : Slovakia

While Slovakia may not be considered the most dangerous team in the second pot, they are a team not to be taken lightly.  Slovakia unlike Russia, did qualify for the World Cup in South Africa.  Though their group in WCQ didn’t feature a traditional powerhouse like Germany, they were in perhaps the overall deepest group.

Slovakia finished atop a group which featured Slovenia, Poland, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland and San Marino.  They played well in this group, finishing with a plus 12 goal difference.  Slovakia’s only blemishes were a 2 – 2 draw with Czech Republic and the fact that they lost both matches to Slovenia, including a match at home that would have guaranteed top billing.

Slovakia’s proverbial strings are pulled by playmaker extraordinaire, Mirek Hamsik.

Pot 3 Selection : Republic of Ireland

Ireland, alongside Bosnia and Northern Ireland, were probably the toughest draw in the third pot.   Ireland will surely be highly motivated after missing out on the last Euro and in controversial fashion, losing to France in the World Cup Qualifying playoff.

Though it seems unlikely that Guus Hiddink will still be in charge by the time of this showdown, surely many would salivate over the opportunity to see a Hiddink / Trapattoni chess match.

Ireland were a solid, well – organized side throughout WCQ.  While Trapattoni may not have had them playing the most exciting football, he got the best out of his talent.  Ireland has severe creative deficiencies in the center of midfield and the Italian coach had to work his way around this.  As qualification went along though, the Irish began to gradually play a more attractive (while still effective) style of football.

All of Ireland’s roster plays in the UK. Their leader on and off the pitch is Robbie Keane.

Pot 4 Selection : FYR Macedonia

Russia was surely glad not to draw Slovenia, who were also in this pot.  Macedonia were not very impressive in WCQ, finishing second to last in short Group 9.   They were outscored 5 – 11 in a moderately weak group.

International competition has not been too kind for Macedonians so far.  They have yet to qualify for a major tournament, neither World Cup or Euro.  The only time that Macedonian supporters felt that joy was when the country was part of Yugoslavia.

Inter striker, Goran Pandev, is perhaps the most recognizable player on the team.

Pot 5 Selection : Armenia

Russia shouldn’t have much to worry about from this former Soviet Republic.  Armenia has also yet to qualify for a major tournament, since they were part of the Soviet Union.

Armenia finished last in UEFA WCQ Group 5, with 4 points.  They were outscored by 16 goals.  The highlight for them was defeating Belgium 2 – 1 at home.  They also were level with Spain at 1 – 1 for a short period of time, before the Spanish went on to win 1 – 2 in Yerevan.

Pot 6 Selection : Andorra

Finally we have one of the world minnows, in Andorra.  It’s hard to see anybody from this pot giving Russia any trouble.  Andorra has only 3 wins in their National Team’s history.  These came against other whipping boys, Albania, FYR Macedonia and Belarus (this is probably their defining moment).

Andorra was in Russia’s qualifying group for Euro 2008.  Russia beat them 4 – 0 at home.  This match featured a hat trick for Alexander Kerzhakov. Russia only managed to defeat them 0 – 1 in their last qualifying match.  This, coupled with Croatia’s win over England, enabled Russia to advance.

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It’s hard to say which qualification draw, between the last two, has been kinder to Russia.  In the end, I would have to argue that perhaps the last draw was just a bit more difficult.

For the 2008 edition, Russia had to play England, Croatia and Israel in qualifying.    Comparing this top two versus Slovakia and Ireland as the equivalent, it seems that while the current draw is far from easy, it doesn’t quite measure up with the previous competition.  As for the comparison between Israel and FYR Macedonia, there doesn’t seem to be much of one to be made.  Israel is no powerhouse, but they are certainly a sturdier test.

Regardless of how you equate the difficulty level between tournament draws, one thing is clear.  Russia have a lot of work to do.  Slovakia will be in the World Cup and Ireland was on the brink of being there.  Both sides have been playing fantastic football of late.

It’s time for Russia to start consistently beating solid competition.  This is really the only way to ascend themselves up the world football hierarchy.