Hiddink hails Pavlyuchenko

Pavlyuchenko is likely to have to take on the main striking duties for a side lacking firepower because Andrei Arshavin is suspended for the first two matches and Pavel Pogrebnyak has pulled out of the tournament with a knee injury.

Hiddink had harsh words for Pavlyuchenko before the championship, warning him he would not even make the squad unless he started working harder.

An intense two-week training camp seems to have paid dividends, with the player improving his fitness and losing weight.

"His progress has been tremendous... there was some criticism coming into the tournament," Hiddink said.

"We made him a little bit more aware... that sometimes you have to do a little bit more... and make some effort to be competitive."

He said the training had been about "waking him up" to get fitter and had also worked on the mental side of his game.

"He reacted very well," Hiddink said. "He got in a good shape physically."

Dubbed the "sleeping giant" by Hiddink in the past, the 26-year-old has been struggling for form in contrast to last year when he struck twice in the 2-1 win over England in a qualifier.

He faces a tall order standing in for Pogrebnyak, who was joint-top scorer in the UEFA Cup last season with winners Zenit St Petersburg.

Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev said that while it was a blow to lose Pogrebnyak whoever stepped in would do a good job.

"The worst has happened -- Pogrebnyak will not be able to help us at this tournament. Yet we have players who are able to replace Pavel and who will do all it takes. They get a unique chance," he said.

Sweden and holders Greece are the other teams in the group.