The Czar of Vigo

Russian Alexander Mostovoi (R) vies with Robbie Savage from Wales during their playoff first leg match for Euro 2004 at Lokomotiv stadium in Moscow, 15 November 2003. AFP PHOTO / MLADEN ANTONOV

When Georgy Yartsev was called in to save Russia's faltering Euro 20004 qualifying campaign he in turn re-called several veterans to the side. Amongst them was Alexander Mostovoi.

Though the Celta Vigo midfielder had already turned 35 he had lost little of his gifted touch and none of his vision for the game.

Five matches later Russia had booked their ticket to Portugal with Mostovoi in central command even getting on the score sheet against Group winners Switzerland some 13 years after making his international debut for the Soviet Union in a 0-0 draw with Italy back in 1990.

He was born in Ostankinsky, a village close to Moscow, where he made his professional debut with Spartak, picking up two USSR championships in 1987 and 1989.

Mostovoi is a technically gifted player with brilliant passing skills from the midddle of the park, from where he can regularily be seen dribbling into forward positions to add to his side's firepower.

His one handicap is the red mist that occasionnally blurs his vision and leads to frequent yellow cards and the odd sending off.

A place in the sun

His silky skills attracted Benfica, who signed him in 1992. Though he failed to settle in the Portuguese game, he did win the Cup with the Lisbon outfit before moving on to France for spells with Caen and Strasbourg.

Celta Vigo's Russian player Alexander Mostovoi (R) fights for the ball with Barcelona's Dutch player Ronald de Boer during their UEFA Cup quarter final second leg soccer match at Balaidos stadium, 15 March 2001 in Vigo. AFP PHOTO/EPA/EFE/MIGUEL RIOPA/sj-hh

He eventually found a home at Celta Vigo on the Spanish Atlantic where he moved in 1996 and looks set to see out his career.

He was joined in Galicia by his international teammate Valery Karpin in 1997 and the two formed a creative midfield fulcrum that blossomed in the spectacular Spanish league with such elan that the supporters nicknamed Mostovoi 'the Czar'.

Russian ace Alexander Mostovoi stretches during an official training session at Shizuoka Stadium in Fukuroi 13 June 2002, one day before their last group match of the 2002 FIFA World Cup against Belgium. AFP PHOTO - Toru YAMANAKA

The international field has yeilded little joy although he has travelled to two World Cups. He played in just one match in 1994 and none at 2002, having injured a hip on the eve of the tournament. He did play in three matches at Euro 96 but Russia went out at the first round.

Euro 2004 then represents the last great adventure where it must be hoped his skills can ignite the Russian side to a run into the knock-out stages at least.