UEFA's top football analyst believes that surprise European Championship semifinalist Russia has an advantage over its three rivals because its players are only halfway through their domestic season.

Andy Roxburgh, a former Scotland coach, who is UEFA's technical director said on Monday that players with Spain, Germany and Turkey might be physically and mentally tired after playing four games in a short spell so soon after the football season back home.

The Russian season, however, is on a break after only 11 games.

However, Hiddink, who led both the Netherlands and South Korea to the World Cup semifinals, contends that the Russians have a disadvantage because the players don't play in a top standard league.