Nessie School of Languages

Russia’s bewitching playmaker Andrei Arshavin has added a special touch of magic to Euro 2008, according to UEFA’s technical director Andy Roxburgh on Monday.The 27-year-old Zenit St Petersburg star has put in two standout performances since he returned from suspension, scoring in two successive games and being at the heart of Russia’s flowing football which saw them outplay match favourites Holland in the quarter-finals to win 3-1. “There are a lot of good players,” admitted Roxburgh, a former Scotland manager. Arshavin didn’t play the first two games (he was suspended), and he brought a spark of magic. And he made a good team, Russia, become even better. “(German captain) Michael Ballack played with a free spirit against Portugal,” added 64-year-old Roxburgh. Roxburgh, who guided Scotland to the 1990 World Cup final where they went out in the first round, said the semifinals are too close to call, with three-time champions Germany playing Turkey and Russia playing Spain.

“The Germans know what they are doing. The fact that Russia are only into the first-half of their season could be an advantage, but the Spanish have so many options,” said Roxburgh.

DONADONI RULES OUT QUITTING

BADEN, Austria – Defiant Italian national soccer team boss Roberto Donadoni ruled out quitting the team despite his country’s insipid Euro 2008 exit on penalties to Spain.

The world champions’ roller-coaster tournament ended at the quarter-final stage, but 44-year-old Donadoni has come under fire for the team’s negative tactics and far from inspirational play.

They were thrashed 3-0 by the Netherlands in their opening game before being held to a 1-1 draw by Romania — although only a late penalty save by Gianluigi Buffon earned them that result. Italy qualified for the last eight by beating France 2-0 but their opponents had to play three quarters of the game with 10 men after Eric Abidal’s sending off.

Without playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who was suspended against Spain, and captain Fabio Cannavaro Italy were bereft of creativity and fight, surrendering meekly after a turgid 120 minutes of football and some poor penalties in the shootout. The press speculated on Monday morning that Donadoni will be shown the door but when asked if he will jump first, he was adamant. “Resign? The thought would never even enter the antechamber of my brain,” said Donadoni. “It’s not because of a missed penalty that I’m going to change my opinion of our European championships, that would be stupid.”

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