Hiddink146;s luck will be under test

8220;We should not expect any easy matches at the championships, but we will do our utmost,8221; Hiddink said. 8220;We are definitely not the favourites in our group. The Spaniards and the Swedes are, while the Greeks will do their best to retain their title. I have almost determined the team8217;s line-up. Just two or three positions are still up for grabs.8221;

Impressive credentials

Hiddink was a moderate player but has since accrued an impressive set of trophies as manager with a variety of clubs. He guided PSV Eindhoven to six Dutch titles and four national cups along with the Dutch Supercup in 2003. He won the European Cup with PSV Eindhoven in 1988 and the Intercontinental Cup in 1998. He led the Netherlands to the 1998 World Cup semi-finals before even more astonishingly repeating the feat with co-hosts South Korea in 2002. The Dutchman also guided Australia into the last 16 at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Hiddink became the eighth national coach of Russia and the first-ever foreign manager of the country8217;s national side. 8220;I8217;m an ambitious coach and I want to be successful here in Russia,8221; Hiddink declared soon after taking over. Hiddink confirmed his words and gave further proof of his reputation as a lucky coach, taking Russia into the Euro-2008 finals, finishing second in Group E 8212; one point ahead of England.

8220;I took over the Russian team to win,8221; Hiddink said. 8220;Of course I can be flexible but I will do it my way. I came here to be in charge and not to follow anybody8217;s instructions.8221;