Euro 2012 Preview - Russia

Russia

Not since the days of the great Lev Yashin, have Russia won the Euros. Can Arshavin and co really pose a threat to the giants?

Three times runners-up, Europe’s perennial under achievers (as the former Soviet Union, and after the Netherlands of course) will be hoping to build on their Euro 2008 showing that saw them defeated in the semi-final, and take home third place. The Russians, like fellow Group A opponents Poland, will be aiming to fuse Slavic organisation and individual flair in order to gather any success, in doing so recovering from the hangover caused by the failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

European Championship winners in 1960, their supporters will be hoping to re-kindle the excitement of 2008, and in an ambitious footballing nation, another semi-final appearance will be the aim.

Manager – Dick Advocaat

Advocaat should be a familiar face for many European supporters, having landed top jobs in several big leagues across the continent. The former PSV Eindhoven, Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg coach has rejuvenated a side left reeling from a slow start to their qualifying campaign, and after losing his first fixture against Slovakia, went on unbeaten to win a tricky group. Advocaat’s sluggish brand of football will see Russia employ fast, counter-attacking play, in doing so best utilising former Arsenal man Andrey Arshavin and sought-after CSKA play maker Alan Dzagoev.

Key Man – Alan Dzagoev

Many of Europe’s elite clubs will be casting a watching eye over Russia’s Euro 2012 fixtures, in no small part down to CSKA Moscow’s Alan Dzagoev. The 21-year old has just played his third full season of first team football, including three Champions League campaigns, in which he impressed enough for Chelsea to table a bid in January. A broken toe put that transfer to bed, but if Dzagoev can inspire Russia in a similar vein to Arshavin in 2008, then expect the starlet to be gracing one of the top leagues in the coming seasons. Sergei Ignashevich will perform key organisational duties in defence, whilst Roman Pavlyuchenko will hope to bolster his impressive international scoring record. Igor Akinfeev will also need to be at his best so keep out the opposition.

Fixtures – Czech Republic, 8th June (Wroclaw), Poland, 12th June (Warsaw), Greece, 16th June (Warsaw)

FIFA World Ranking – 13th (9th at Euro 2012)

Odds - 20-1

Verdict – On paper, Russia should breeze through Group A unscathed as winners. Advocaat is now a veteran of international competition, and with an exciting front line, along with a near water tight back-five, they have the squad to match. In truth, only Poland’s home advantage should truly threaten Russia, although their tag as Europe’s most inconsistent side may rear it’s head once again. Expect them to win the group before a showdown with the runners-up of the group of death. Quarter-finals.