RUSSIAN DYNAMOS: Andrei Arshavin (right) is a crucial factor. But, if the Spaniards mark him tightly, the Russians could make Roman Pavlyuchenko the focus of their attacks. -- PHOTO: AP

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But the Spaniards, who took the high road through Euro 2008, and the Russians, who travelled the low road, DO meet again - in Vienna tonight.

We are witnessing, I think, the most intriguing re-match of the tournament.

Spain demolished Russia 4-1 when they met in Innsbruck 16 days ago.

Yet, instead of being demoralised, Russia went on to play some of the most incisive football seen in this or many a European Championship.

Their deflowering of the Netherlands, with a scoreline almost as emphatic as their own defeat on day one, represents surely the performance of this event.

Coach Guus Hiddink was shocked into calling his new Russians na�ve after the Spain thrashing.

But he was simply proud after the win over the Dutch - and probably surprised by the skills, the spirit and the street-smartness that his Russian players showed.

Many of the former players, hired to explain what goes on in the minds of players who lose one day and win the next, give us a two-word answer to the Russian turn-around.

Andrei Arshavin.

I agree, and disagree.

It is obvious to all that the striker's absence was a factor in Russia collapsing against Spain in their group match.

He lifted the confidence and spirit of the team when he came back from suspension against Sweden and then the Netherlands.

He is a player of exceptional decisiveness. His brain moves quickly and he moves with or without the ball, offering ideas and options to others around him.

But is he a Maradona, a Cruyff, a Best, a Pele?

We knew about those truly fantastic players in their teens.

Arshavin is 27, and has yet to make a move outside of St Petersburg.

I am not decrying him. I love what we are seeing him do, and seeing Hiddink liberate him to do it.

But there are tremendous team players in this Russian line-up.

Konstantin Zyryanov and Igor Semshov pass the ball swiftly and with just sufficient weight and angle to release the front-runner Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Or they bring the wing-backs, Alexander Anyukov and Yuri Zhirkov, into speedy, counter-attacking play.

Arshavin embroiders what they do. He does not dictate or invent it.

But, obviously, the opposition have to think about him - to try to track or fathom and, if they can, stop him.

Things are happening fast in post-communist Russia.

The millionaires of Moscow seem all around us in Vienna. Billionaire Roman Abramovich is here, too.

The man, who walks around with a train of bodyguards, not only pays Luiz Felipe Scolari to manage his Chelsea but also pays Hiddink to convert Russia to the changing world of football.

So, there are two names - Arshavin and Hiddink - to play with.

Der Faktor Hiddink, they call it here.

Well, now, what about Der Faktor Luis Aragones?

He is not smart with the media. In fact, he does not care much about what outsiders say.

The veteran Spanish coach has been called many things, including crazy, in his almost 70 years.

Crazy, but cunning.

Since he took over, the Spanish side have won 37 and lost four internationals.

It is the best record of a gifted but unpredictable nation since the 1960s.

Aragones says he does not think he can tactically surprise Hiddink, but he will try anyway.

More important is what the players think.

Cesc Fabregas, whose penalty broke Italy in the quarter-final, warns: 'If we think Russia will be the same as they were in the opening match, we will be very much mistaken.'

Somewhere between the high road of expectation and the low road the humble travel is where Spain's ability to reach the final lies.

Somewhere between naivety and the smartness with which they outclassed the Netherlands lie the mark of Russia.

This makes the second semi-final the most intriguing match of the tournament.

It will be unpredictable, just like the Viennese storm.

Somehow, I think, there will be a winner inside 90 minutes.

If forced down from the fence, I will pick Spain.

It is irrational because the momentum is with Russia. But this is a perverse tournament.

stsports@sph.com.sg