Arshavin stirs memories

VIENNA, Austria (AP) | It’s hugely optimistic to label Andrei Arshavin as potentially another Pele.

But consider this: The Russian star’s goals and imaginative play have helped underdog Russia reach the semifinals of the European Championship even though he missed the first two games. Fifty years ago this month, a 17-year-old Brazilian went to the 1958 World Cup and didn’t play in the first two matches either. Then Pele launched his international career in the next game against the Soviet Union and went on to score six goals, including two in the final, on the way to Brazil’s first of five World Cup triumphs.

He was carried off the field, tears rolling down his face, and thus began one of the greatest careers in all of sports.

Arshavin is another of those players who gets overcome with emotion, even in victory. The Russian burst into tears after his team beat the Dutch and again broke down at a postgame interview.

Like Pele, he wears the No. 10 and plays up alongside or just behind the main striker. And like Pele’s immediate impact for Brazil in 1958 - hitting the post in the second minute of his World Cup debut against the Soviet Union - the Russian has made such a mark that in only two games he’s already being touted as Euro 2008’s man of the championship.

Arshavin scored during Russia’s 2-0 victory over Sweden, which guaranteed a place in the knockout round after the team began its campaign without him by tumbling 4-1 to Spain. He netted the third goal in a 3-1 extra time victory over the hugely favored Netherlands in the quarterfinals.

He has Pele’s ability to do the unexpected. Like the Brazilian great, he is both a scorer and a provider.

Although he is 10 years older than Pele was for his famous World Cup debut, Arshavin is also playing in his first major championship. Only time will tell whether he goes on to become one of the game’s greats, but his performances so far will almost certainly guarantee an interest from the wealthy clubs in England, Italy, Spain and Germany.

Zinedine Zidane, another famous No. 10 whose two goals in the final helped France win the 1998 World Cup, is impressed by Arshavin, whose performances helped Zenit St. Petersburg win the UEFA Cup a month ago.

“When you see their No. 10, it’s great,” Zidane said before attending the Spain-Italy quarterfinal. “I call him No. 10 because I can’t say his name properly. What he does at this stage is more difficult than at the World Cup because it’s the first big tournament he has played in. I was very happy to see that type of football being played. He has great feet.”

Guus Hiddink, the master coach who has transformed Russia into a title contender, said Arshavin is a natural player on the ball.

“He has tremendous skills. He knows how to dribble in defense,” Hiddink said. “[Defenders] can run with him, but they cannot really attack him. It is what nature gave him.”

Arshavin was banned from Russia’s opening two group games after reacting violently to a foul by an Andorra player during a qualifying game. Having sat them out, he eased into his first game against the Swedes, pulling defenders out of position with his runs and creating scoring chances for teammates.

He started the move that ended with Roman Pavlyuchenko scoring the first goal, then ended a well-worked move for the second. Arshavin was a constant danger to the Swedish defense and came close to scoring two more times.

“It paid off that Arshavin was in the game tonight,” Hiddink said after that game. “Arshavin is a player who can decide very, very fast where he can be a danger. He can turn left, right. He’s a very smart player.”

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