Russia seeks new Euro breakthrough
Russia enters the Euro 2012 championships seeking to repeat the
success of reaching the semi-finals in 2008 and erase the nightmare of
failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals.
Boasting an array of established talent drawn from Russian clubs and
abroad, Russia could be a threat for any national side but are currently
battling a list of injury worries and lack of solid match practice.
Without any trophy since the Soviet Union won the European
Championships in 1960, Russia unexpectedly lit up the 2008 championships
with a glittering performance from a then young side including star
forward Andrei Arshavin.
Russia have been drawn with co-hosts Poland, the Euro-1996 finalists
Czech Republic and the 2004 European champions Greece in Group A, with
anyone's guess as to who will qualify for the knock-out stages.
Russia's Dutch national manager Dick Advocaat -- who is leaving after
the championships -- said that any two of the teams are capable of
reaching the last eight.
Russia finished top of their qualifying group, two points ahead of
runners-up Republic of Ireland, and won 2-0 their only friendly match
since against their fellow Euro-2012 finalists Denmark in February.
However, the team's real strength will likely be tested in a friendly
with four-time world champions Italy, which is scheduled to take place
in Switzerland on June 1, just days before the Russian team's arrival in
the Polish capital, Warsaw.
"We are not the favourites for the upcoming event," said Advocaat,
whose late announcement that he will not be renewing his contract caused
some disquiet in the Russian camp.
Moscow, Thursday
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