Russia
How'd they get here: Won qualifying Group B
Last Appearance: Euro 2008 (semi-finals)
Best Appearance: Euro 1960 (Champions as U.S.S.R.)
Schedule:
June
8 vs Czech Republic
June
12 vs Poland
June
16 vs Greece
The Story:
The Russians came out of Euro 2008 as undoubtedly the talk of the tournament. A semi-final berth at the expense of the Netherlands had everyone rightfully talking about Guus Hiddink's side. The 3-0 loss to eventual winner Spain did nothing to quell people's opinion that this Russian side was a team on the rise. 4 years later and one failed World Cup qualifying campaign (for the 2010 World Cup) has caused several changes for a Russian team that no one knows what to expect from.
The first change being behind the bench, gone is "Lucky" Guus replaced by fellow Dutchman Dick Advocaat. Andrei Arshavin (now the team's captain) is no longer the darling of Europe but rather a frustratingly inconsistent Arsenal FC Player that has struggled in the last couple of EPL seasons. A player that will have to step up if Russia has any aspirations in matching (or topping) Euro 2008's showing. The team is also entering the tournament with unusual circumstances as it is known that Advocaat is stepping down from the bench after the competition. Whether or not this will have an effect or not on the psyche of the Russian players remains to be seen.
The first change being behind the bench, gone is "Lucky" Guus replaced by fellow Dutchman Dick Advocaat. Andrei Arshavin (now the team's captain) is no longer the darling of Europe but rather a frustratingly inconsistent Arsenal FC Player that has struggled in the last couple of EPL seasons. A player that will have to step up if Russia has any aspirations in matching (or topping) Euro 2008's showing. The team is also entering the tournament with unusual circumstances as it is known that Advocaat is stepping down from the bench after the competition. Whether or not this will have an effect or not on the psyche of the Russian players remains to be seen.
