vs

When you take a look at the total efficiency in the group competition, you see that Netherlands are one of the three teams that have made maximum efficiency. If we consider that they were in group C, “the death group" as it was called aright after the draw, they have clearly showed most quality and they are rightfully considered the No1 favourites for the crown.

Van Basten’s’ style helped him mark fantastic results; they scored nine goals in the last three matches and seven of them were scored against Italy and France. 4-3-2 formation was an enigma for the rivals and the way Oranje midfield play hardly anyone will be able to resist them.

Russia managed to win Sweden in the knock-out match and qualify for the quarterfinals. Guus Hiddink, as usually, did a great job and we can’t remember when have the Russians seemed so good as in the duel against the Vikings. The only objection can be the weak materialization since they scored only two goals from about twenty chances.

Anyway, the nation is euphoric, major investments have paid off and they have nothing to lose in this duel. Of course, some lessons can be learned from the opening duel against Spain when they paid for their offensive approach with four goals inside of their net. The big question is if Russia can play differently, considering the profile of the players at Hiddink’s disposal.

Head-to-heads

Holland have won four of the previous eight confrontations. Russia have won twice and two matches ended in a tie.

All three competitive encounters have been in European Championship finals. In 1988, the Soviet Union beat Holland 1-0 in their opening group match before losing the final 2-0. In 1992, when Russia took part as the CIS, this match ended in a 0-0 draw in the group stage. Current Dutch coach Marco van Basten played in all three of those matches. His only goal was a memorable strike in the final of 1988 to put Holland 2-0 up.

The most recent meeting was a friendly in February 2007 that resulted in a 4-1 victory for Holland.

Team facts - Netherlands

Now reached the knock-out stages in six consecutive European Championship finals, which is a competition record.

Been knocked out at the quarter-final stage only once; in 1996 with Guus Hiddink at the helm, they suffered a 5-4 defeat on penalties to France.

After beating Italy and France in Group C, Holland can now claim the scalp of a third former winner of this tournament by beating Russia.

Seven different Dutch players have scored at Euro 2008 which equals the record for most different goalscorers from a team in the tournament history.

They have now scored nine times, which is five short of the competition record set by France in 1984. Their +8 goal differential is the highest by any team in the group stage in the history of this tournament.

Van Basten has now won 35 of his 51 matches in charge of Holland. He needs two more wins to equal Bob Glendenning's record of 37 wins as Holland manager.

Been shown just two yellow cards this tournament, fewer than any other team.

Team facts - Russia

Survived the group phase for the first time since 1988, when they took part as the Soviet Union and finished runners-up to the Netherlands.

Trying to become only the second nation to win this tournament despite losing their opening match, following in the footsteps of the Netherlands in 1988.

Coach Guus Hiddink has maintained his 100% progression record at major tournaments (two European Championships, three World Cups). In his only previous European Championship finals, he was eliminated in the quarter-finals by France (1996).

Hiddink has faced his native country twice before as a coach, both times in a friendly. In June 2006, Holland drew 1-1 with Hiddink's Australia. In February 2007, he suffered a 4-1 defeat with Russia against the Netherlands.

Player facts - Netherlands

Edwin van der Sar looks set to play in his 16th match in European Championship finals, equalling the all-time record set by France's Lilian Thuram earlier this tournament.

Nigel de Jong and Andre Ooijer are one yellow card shy of a suspension.

Player facts - Russia

Roman Pavlyuchenko has taken 18 shots on goal (nine on, nine off target) in the group stage, more than any other player.

Igor Akinfeev is the goalkeeper with most saves (21) to his name after the first round of matches.

If selected, Roman Adamov will be playing on his 26th birthday.

Sergei Semak will win his 50th cap for Russia, if he takes the field. He made his debut in a 1-0 defeat to Italy on 15 November 1997.

Denis Kolodin, Dmitriy Torbinskiy, Ivan Saenko, Andrei Arshavin and Sergei Semak are one yellow card shy of a suspension.

Posibble Line Up :

Holland : Edwin van der Sar, Khalid Boulahrouz, Andre Ooijer, Joris Mathijsen, Giovanni v. Bronckhorst, Nigel de Jong, Arjen Robben, Dirk Kuyt, Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder, Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Manager : Marco Van Basten

Russia : Igor Akinfeev, Alexander Aniukov, Sergei Ignashevich, Denis Kolodin, Yuri Zhirkov, Sergei Semak, Konstantin Zyrianov, Igor Semshov, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Andrey Arshavin

Manager : Guus Hiddink

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