#6278
#3
The Guardian (UK)
May 27, 2002
The team [Russian soccer]
Track record
The Soviet Union got to the quarter-finals at least in their first four tournaments (1958-1970), but their last memorable World Cup match was the 4-3 defeat by Belgium in 1986. Russia failed to impress in 1994, thrashing Cameroon when it was too late, just as the USSR had done in 1990, and didn't qualify last time out.
How they qualified
Won their group relatively smoothly, though only edging a 1-0 home win over the Faroes will have done little for their confidence.
United or Unibond?
Massive underachievers, with a tendency to find different ways to screw up each time. But maybe this time the international Manchester City will finally get it right.
Competing interests
Apart from a rash of mainstream achievements, Russia are dominant in synchronised swimming, bandy and eight-way formation skydiving. They also boast Elena Klokova who, together with her dwarf poodle Bidge, is the world mini-agility champion.
Penalty pedigree
No shoot-outs but Oleg Salenko scored twice from the spot on his way to a frustratingly meaningless share of the 1994 golden boot.
Technical area
Russia favour a neat passing game, probably with only one striker up front. Lack of pace is their Achilles heel.
Rabble rouser
The coach Oleg Romantsev was labelled "a drunk" by the president of the Krylia Sovietov Samara club. The grapevine says it may be true.
Celebrity supporter
Politicians are to the fore (especially when Russia win, naturally). President Putin pops in for games, as does Moscow's mayor Yuri Luzhkov. The deputy prime minister Valentin Matvienko is said to be a genuine fan.
Wonder of the world
With a free Porsche 911 on offer to the man of the match after each victory, competition should be fierce but, given Vladimir Beschastnykh's goals in qualifying, he could end up with a whole fleet. Just don't try to say his name while chewing gum.
Oscar nominee
No great play-acting reputation. Usually keener on grumbling behind the scenes.
Song for the summer
"There may be trouble ahead. But while there's music and moonlight and love and Romantsev. . ."
David Lacey's verdict
May not yet be ready for a serious tilt at the World Cup. They are apt to rely heavily on the goalkeeping of Ruslan Nigmatullin behind a vulnerable defence. Valery Karpin is the biggest influence in midfield and Beschastnykh the most likely source of goals. Need to win the group to avoid a likely meeting with Brazil.
The coach Oleg Romantsev
Words of wisdom
"Qualifying for the next stage is our minimum aim, and then we will try not to leave the tournament for as long as possible. We cannot plan to win the tournament; we have to go step by step."
Story so far
Russia's recent form is patchy (a creditable draw in Paris followed defeat in Estonia) and Romantsev has done his best to alienate the squad, omitting midfielder Rolan Gusev (who refused to move to Spartak from CSKA) and Lokomotiv goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov, who allegedly asked not to be picked.
Popularity rating
3/10 Disliked for also being coach of Spartak Moscow but record commands respect. A good coach but a miserable so-and-so, who holds grudges for a lifetime.
The squad
Goalkeepers
01 Ruslan Nigmatullin (Verona, Italy) Age 27, 20 caps
12 Stanislav Cherchesov (Tirol, Austria) Age 38, 49 caps
23 Alexander Filimonov (Elista) Age 28, 16 caps
Defenders
02 Yury Kovtun (Spartak Moscow) Age 32, 44 caps
03 Yury Nikiforov (PSV Eindhoven, Holland) Age 31, 56 caps
05 Andrei Solomatin (CSKA Moscow) Age 26, 5 caps
07 Viktor Onopko (Oviedo, Spain) Age 32, 97 caps
13 Vyacheslav Dayev (CSKA Moscow) Age 29, 7 caps 14
Igor Chugainov (Elista) Age 32, 30 caps
18 Dmitry Sennikov (Lokomotiv Moscow) Age 25, 4 caps
Midfielders
04 Alexei Smertin (Bordeaux, France) Age 27, 25 caps
06 Igor Semshov (Torpedo Moscow) Age 24, 2 caps
08 Valery Karpin (Celta Vigo, Spain) Age 33, 69 caps
09 Igor Titov (Spartak Moscow) Age 25, 30 caps
10 Alexander Mostovoi (Celta Vigo, Spain) Age 33, 59 caps
15 Dmitry Alenichev (FC Porto, Portugal) Age 29, 43 caps
17 Sergei Semak (CSKA Moscow) Age 26, 31 caps
20 Marat Izmailov (Lokomotiv Moscow) Age 19, 8 caps
21 Dmitry Khohlov (Real Sociedad, Spain) Age 26, 39 caps
Forwards
11 Vladimir Beschastnykh (Spartak Moscow) Age 28, 64 caps
16 Alexander Kerzhakov (Saint Petersburg) Age 19, 3 caps
19 Ruslan Pimenov (Lokomotiv Moscow) Age 20, 1 cap 22
Dmitry Sychov (Spartak Moscow) Age 18, 4 caps
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