The collapse of Soviet Union also affected the Russian football league.
The golden era of Russian football lies with the erstwhile Soviet Union.
They were the first ever champions of European football in 1960 and went
on to figure in the finals thrice in subsequent years. But it is no surprise
now that the present team is a mere shadow of the past. Players now migrate
to the west looking for greener pastures. The present Russian football does
not have the caliber of the older teams. The new big name in Russian football
is Dynamo's Dmitri Boulykin and will be the key player of the team, which is
made up of players who have signed up for clubs in Spain and England.
Here is an young team. 30 year old Konstantin Zyrianov - is
the oldest member of Hiddink's squad. The Russia side competing in Austria and Switzerland
bears little likeness to the one that traveled to the finals of UEFA EURO 2004 in Portugal.
The Coach Guus Hiddink went back to the drawing board at the start
of the qualifying campaign, giving young talent priority over seasoned options in many positions,
not least in goal. PFC CSKA Moskva's Igor Akinfeev is now the established No1, but during a
six-month lay-off with a cruciate injury both Vyacheslav Malafeev and Vladimir Gabulov proved
able deputies. Like his predecessor Yuri Semin, Hiddink relied on CSKA's Sergei Ignashevich,
Vasili Berezutski and Aleksei Berezutski to anchor his defence. The versatile Aleksandr
Anyukov was called on when Hiddink switched his formation from his usual 3-5-2 to a four-man defence.
Centre-back Denis Kolodin, meanwhile, excelled when covering for injured and suspended team-mates.
A packed midfield was part of the strategy. And it proved vital in
helping the last defence keep the goals down. Russia conceded just seven in qualifying - four
of them against England. Igor Semshov and Konstantin Zyrianov, Russia's Player of the Year in
2007 play the anchor role while Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Yuri Zhirkov, Vladimir Bystrov,
Ivan Saenko and Dmitri Torbinskiy all offer an attacking threat.
With many concerned over a dearth of top quality players, Hiddink
may experiment with even younger players at the finals, and there could yet be roles for
foreign-based stars such as Marat Izmailov, Aleksei Smertin and Viktor Budyanskiy.
While Russia boast a five-man midfield on paper, in practice there is often a sixth man
in the middle, with star striker Andrei Arshavin, who will be suspended for the first
two games of UEFA EURO 2008, attacking from deep. Aleksandr Kerzhakov, Dmitri Sychev
and Roman Pavlyuchenko are other forward options, but all shone inconsistently during qualifying.
Russia Euro Squad
This is the official Euro 2008 Squad of Russia:
(the deadline for nominating the Euro squad was May 28)
Goalkeepers
Igor Akinfeew
Wladimir Gabulow
Wijatscheslaw Malafeew
Defenders
Aleksandr Anjukow
Alekseij Beresuzkiy
Vasilij Beresuzkiy
Sergeij Ignaschewitsch
Denis Kolodin
Roman Shirokow
Renat Janbajew
Oleg Ivanov
Midfielders
Dinijar Biljaletdinow
Dmitri Torbinsky
Wladimir Bistrow
Yuri Zhirkow
Konstantin Zyrianow
Igor Semshow
Sergej Semak
Strikers
Roman Adamow
Roman Pqwljutschenko
Dmitrij Sytschew
Andrej Arschawin
Ivan Saenko
User opinions and Euro 2008 betting prediction on Russia:
I put a small bet on Russia to win Euro 2008, at 34.00 on Betfred.
This is mainly because I see Russia as a strong outsider at a very good odds, with Zenit winning the UEFA cup, the very promising
goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev and the seeming underestimation from media. I'm sure better odds can be found on
other betting firms too!
--
I am going to go with Russia to win. I think that the coach will play a huge role and they dont come
much better that Guus Hidink. That coupled with Zenits success in the Uefa cup then as an outside bet
will worth a small stake.
--
|
