Spain v Russia - PREVIEW
Spain desperate to win major
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| Spain's Fernando Morientes celebrates his goal against Denmark, 31 March 2004, during a football friendly match in preparation for the Euro 2004 at the Molinon stadium in Gijon, northern Spain. AFP PHOTO / RAFA RIVAS |
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| This combo shows recent pictures of Russian midfielder Alexander Mostovoi (L) and Spanish forward Raul. Russia will play Spain 12 June 2004 in their first Euro 2004 group A match in Faro . AFP PHOTO FILES |
In 1964 Spain and Russia in the guise of the Soviet Union were vying to be crowned kings of Europe but on Saturday they meet in Faro on the opening day of Euro 2004 hoping to shake off the tag of under-achievers.
Spain defeated the Soviets 2-1 forty years ago to win the title and are largely expected to score full points again as Russia are plagued by injuries and still reeling from an embarassing 2002 World Cup when they crashed out in the group stage.
Finalists in 1984, Spain are tipped to do well in Portugal with Real Madrid striker Raul and Monaco marksman Fernando Morientes leading their line.
"I long to win something with Spain," explained Raul. "We seem to get knocked out in the quarter-finals. I hope that does not happen again."
Raul has netted an impressive 38 goals in 71 matches for his country and he will be under pressure to continue that record if his team are to go further than the last eight.
Celta Vigo midfielder Alexander Mostovoi is Russia's key man and has spiced up the fixture by claiming that Spain, along with hosts Portugal, will benefit from favourable refereeing decisions.
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| Russian Georgy Yartsev (C) gives explanations to players prior to their training session at the Browns club and resort hotel in Vilamoura, some 20kms outside Faro, 09 June 2004 a few days before the start of the 2004 European Nations Championship. Russia will play its first Euro 2004 against Spain at the Algarve stadium 12 June. Russia's coach Georgy Yartsev says his squad is at a disadvantage to Euro 2004 group rivals Portugal and Spain who are already accustomed to playing in hot weather. AFP PHOTO / YURI KADOBNOV |
That has not been received well by the Spanish players who are still angry at some indifferent refereeing decisions in the 2002 World Cup in Asia that led to their exit.
With Raul, Morientes, and Valencia's Ruben Baraja forming a formidable spine it is hard to see how Russia, deprived of star defender Viktor Onopko, can turn the Spaniards over.
However, Morientes is fully aware that the pressure is on Spain and only a victory will suffice.
"A draw would not be bad on paper," said Morientes, who is reported to be returning to Real after his remarkably successful loan spell at Monaco. "But I think we need to win as we face Portugal in the final match."
Teams:
Spain
Iker Casillas, - Carlos Marchena, David Albeda, Carles Puyol, Ivan Helguera, Raul (capt), Ruben Baraja, Fernando Morientes, Vicente Rodriguez, Raul Bravo, Joseba Etxeberria
Coach: Inaki Saez (SPA)
Russia
Sergei Ovchinnikov, Alexei Smertin (capt), Marat Izmaylov, Rolan Gusev, Dmitri Bulykin, Alexander Mostovoi, Roman Sharonov, Dmitri Alenichev, Vadim Evseev, Dmitri Sennikov, Evgeni Aldonin
Coach: Georgy Yartsev (RUS)
Referee: U. Meier (SWI)