Instant expert
European Championship record
Qualified 1960, 64, 68, 72, 76,
Best achievement Winners, 1960
RUSSIA have a proud European pedigree. When part of the USSR, they won the first-ever European Nations Cup - in its old format without a finals tournament - beating Yugoslavia 2-1 in 1960. They reached the final four years later but lost to Spain.
More recently, the Soviets were runners-up to Holland in 1988.
But a repeat of those achievements would represent a major shock this time after they qualified via a narrow playoff victory over Wales.
Coach Georgi Yartsev, who replaced Valeri Gazzaev last summer, is not blessed with a vintage crop of playing talent.
Gazzaev placed a major emphasis on youth during his tenure, but Yartsev has attempted to bring some of Russia's more experienced players back into the fold.
The experienced Sergei Ovchinnikov offers a safe pair of hands in goal, while Chelsea's Alexei Smertin is a solid presence in midfield or at sweeper.
Their creative spark comes from Alexander Mostovoi and Dmitri Loskov, who are charged with supplying service to powerful forward Dmitri Bulykin.
KEY PLAYER
Alexei Smertin
Portsmouth Key player
So far Smertin is the only native Russian to join Roman Abramovich at Chelsea but after signing he was immediately loaned out to Portsmouth, where he spent last season. Despite being sent off on his international debut, the midfielder has won 38 caps. Equally competent at sweeper.
Weakest link... Sergei Ovchinnikov, goalkeeper with a fiery temper who is prone to suspension.
Whatever happened to...
Sergei Baltacha
A member of the Soviet Union team that lost 2-0 to Holland at Euro 88.
Baltacha left Dynamo Kiev to join Ipswich the following year, becoming the first Soviet to play in the Football League. He later played for St Johnstone and managed Inverness. He now lives in Mitcham and teaches PE at a college.
Daughter Elena is a top British female tennis player and son Sergei has played for Scotland Under-21s.
(c)2004. Associated Newspapers Ltd.. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.
