Thaindian News

Warsaw, June 11 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Andrei Arshavin Monday warned his opponents that the Russian team, which has become older but wiser since the run up to the Euro 2008 semi-finals, is starting to click.

Coach Dick Advocaat retained half of the squad that his compatriot Guus Hiddink took to Austria and Switzerland four years ago, allowing the side to mature, said the Russia captain.

It was evidenced by Russia’s 4-1 crushing of the Czech Republic in their Group A opener Friday, and the 31-year-old playmaker wants to carry that form into Tuesday’s game against co-hosts Poland.

“We are older and more experienced. We are thinking quicker on the pitch, although perhaps we are running a little slower,” Arshavin said in comments on the Russian Football Union website.

“But if you look at the side, our big plus is the fact that we are interacting really well, we know what to expect from each other,” said Arshavin, who was one of seven Zenit St. Petersburg players to start Friday’s game.

Arshavin, who has 17 goals in 73 games for the national side, is on loan at the Russian club from Arsenal until July.

Russia surprised everyone at Euro 2008, beating the Netherlands 3-1 in extra time to reach the semi-finals, where they lost 0-3 to eventual winners Spain.

–IANS/RIA Novosti
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