The first step in this strong Russia that has broken the most optimistic forecasts in the European Championship, has a key day and a clear name as the protagonist. The England-McClaren visited the cold and imposing Luznhiki with the obligation to win for not complicate its classification to the Euro (which finally stopped on the way).

There was talk of synthetic turf and evil arbitration Medina Cantalejo, but the reality is that day that the giant former Soviet reborn. After a goal back initial Rooney, two consecutive goals by an almost non-existent penalty and a game very quickly, catapulted to fame at a semi-unknown Roman Pavlyuchenko. That afternoon feelings of extreme heat was the best excuse to launch a stardom that has finished now confirm. A double that encouraged the mother Russia (2-1).

The front of Spartak, valued at the national level for their good records in the Moscow team (68 goals in 132 games), had achieved what many others wish, minutes of their glory, claims of attention in the soccer scene. The good level of Russian championship, which has grown in recent years both sporting and economically, contributed to his name entered on the scene as the future of a team of more solera.

Despite everything seemed on track for a happy outcome, appeared on stage Zenit, for what is right and wrong, has been the reference in recent months. First, the Leningrad joined his first championship Russian breaking the streak of successes for teams and the capital, shortly after his victory in the Uefa Cup final left to rest in the background. Pavlyuchenko happened in a few weeks of being a focus of attention to occupy a secondary level, thus focusing all its interests in a Euro targeted but complicated execution.

And that is the tip of Spartak was going to cost you even have consistency in plans for Hiddink. The Dutch coach was evident in several parties that his tip was going to be elected Pogrebnyak, who had won the confidence with a straight final campaign rather than attractive and with goals in the Uefa (of which he was top scorer). With the only alternative to work as sought minutes, Pavlyuchenko met with the unfortunate injury to his competitor a few days before the start of the Euro. A dramatic news for the interests of the team but hopeful for Roman, who has managed to get maximum yield to evil 'drink' of his companion.

The former Rotor Volgograd (although reared in the quarry of very modest Dinamo Stavropol) sum three goals in the Championship but is proving far more qualities. Roman was never a gunner of the old fashioned, but a nine with mobility, air great game, a lot of fighting and a team player, capable of sacrifice with pressure or dropping a banda. All these possibilities in his game will have taken a maximum prominence in Russia and, leaving aside to Arshavin, have placed him as a reference point in the overall good performance of Hiddink.

Its subject is the pending auction, which seems to have turned its back. Had we been more effective, it would be by far the scorer of the tournament because they are the countless occasions it has generated. The bad luck, exemplified in two poles before Spain and Holland, nor has it helped in this aspect but it is true that a great leap of Europe is closer than ever. The Premier seems their destiny but pounds for the wager that he had increased in a matter of weeks.