Euro 2012 Preview: Group A: Russia vs Czech Republic

Russia open their Euro 2012 campaign against the Czech Republic in Wroclaw, aiming to repeat their feat four years ago when an Andrei Arshavin inspired side went as far as the semi-finals to underline the nation’s credentials as a football force to be reckoned with. Most of the players from that group are in Poland and the Ukraine coached by another Dutchman, in the form of the experienced Dick Advocaat. The Czechs, on the other hand, are past their prime and would rely on old warriors, Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky to motivate a young bunch of players to have a fair chance in a tight, yet open looking Group A.

Pedigree

Russia

Arshavin – The little wonder key to Russian hopes

Since the break up of the Soviet Union, Russia, as a football nation, struggled repeatedly to shine in the big stage until 2008 when under Guus Hiddink, the country finally achieved something that has been long time coming, and that is to qualify for the business end of a major international tournament. Four years ago in Austria and Switzerland, Russia advanced up to the semi-final stage before losing to eventual champions Spain. Yet, as the Soviet Union, the pedigree goes up a fair notch. A majority of Russian players dominated the Soviet Union side that won the inaugural European Championships in 1960, the only silverware in football to show for. The USSR were runners-up in 1964, 1972 and 1988 as curtains slowly came down on the very existence of the Soviet Union. Subsequent years as Russia turned out to be failure after failure as the team managed only one win in nine finals games in 1992, 1996 and 2004, having failed to reach the finals in 2000.

Czech Republic

Can Rosicky deliver when his country needs him the most?

The break up of Czechoslovakia never hindered the young Czech Republic to carry on a rich tradition of footballing excellence in the European Championships. Since the break up of the Czechoslovakia (who were European champions in 1976) in 1993, the Czech Republic have been ever present in the European Championships losing a memorable Euro 96 final to Germany via golden goal. Eight years later in Portugal, the Czechs suffered more extra time headache as eventual champions Greece got the better of them.

Head to Head

Russia and the Czech Republic met only once as new nations when the two sides dished out a 3-3 draw in the group stage of Euro 96. Overall, the USSR and Czechoslovakia met twelve times, with the former winning six times against the latter’s two with four draws.

Current form

Russia

Last five matches

Russia- W D D W D
Jun 1, 2012	Italy 0- Russia 3	INF
May 29, 2012	Lithuania 0- Russia 0	INF
May 25, 2012	Russia 1- Uruguay 1	INF
Feb 29, 2012	Denmark 0- Russia 2	INF
Nov 11, 2011	Greece 1- Russia 1	INF

The Czech Republic

Last five matches

Czech Republic- L W D W W
Jun 1, 2012	Czech Rep. 1- Hungary 2	INF
May 26, 2012	Czech Rep. 2- Israel 1	INF
Feb 29, 2012	Rep. of Ireland 1- Czech Rep. 1	INF
Nov 15, 2011	Poland 0- Portugal 0	INF
Nov 15, 2011	Poland 2- Hungary 1	INF

Possible team Line ups

Russia would rely heavily on their midfield set up to feed the likes of Andrei Arshavin and Alexander Kerzhakov up front.

The possible team line up:

Goalkeeper: Igor Akinfeev is the first choice, but with a concern over his knee, Vyacheslav Malafeev is on stand by.

Defence: Yuri Zhirkov, Aleksei Berezutski, Sergei Ignashevich, Alexander Anyukov.

Midfield: Marat Izmailov/Alan Dzagoev, Igor Denisov, Roman Shirokov, Konstantin Zyryanov

Forward: Andrei Arshavin, Aleksandr Kerzhakov

Michal Bilek, in his 23-man squad, has mixed youth and experience to neutralise the gap in quality compared to Czech teams of the past. Yet with a fine Euro pedigree, no one should write off a country that boasts some of the best talents in the whole continent. Possible line up:

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech

Defence: Theodore Gabreselassie, Tomas Sivok, Michal Kadlec, David Limbersky

Midfield: Jaroslav Plasil, Tomas Rosicky/Vaclav Pilar, Daniel Kolar, Petr Jiracek

Forward: Milan Baros, Tomas Necid/Jan Rezek

Match Prediction

Russia are overwhelming favourites to win the match and the group. Dick Advocaat’s side has enough quality to see out a mediocre Czech Republic side which is in the development stage. A 2-0 scoreline is the likely outcome.