Russians hope for French mistakes

Russian coach Oleg Romantsev has confirmed a squad of 18 players to play two Euro 2000 ties next month.

AS Roma midfielder Dmitry Alenichev is included for the game against Armenia on September 4th and the visit to Spain to play Andorra four days later.

Russia are well placed to take advantage of any slips by World Cup winners France who face a daunting trip to Kiev to play group leaders Ukraine. The Russians have won their last two matches including a 3-2 win against France in paris last June.

The squad in full -

Goalkeepers - Filimonov (Spartak Moscow) and Cherchesov (Tirol Innsbruck)

Defenders - Khlestov (Spartak Moscow), Onopko (Oviedo), Chugainov, Drozdov (both Lokomotiv Moscow) and Yanovsky (Paris St Germain).

Midfielders - Alenichev (AS Roma), Bulatov,Titov, Tikhonov (all Spartak Moscow), Smertin (Lokomotiv Moscow), Karpin (Celta Vigo), Khokhlov (PSV Eindhoven), Semak (CSKA Moscow) and But (Borussia Dortmund).

Strikers - Beschastnykh (Racing Santander) and Panov (Saint Petersburg).