The Saviour

The Euro 2004 Group A coaches (From L to R) Spanish Inaki Saez, Portuguese Luis Felipe Scolari of Brazil, Russian Georgi Yartzev and Greek Otto Rehhagel of Germany, pose with the European trophy after the draw ceremony of the Euro 2004 football Championship final, 30 November 2003 in Lisbon.The continental competition will be hosted by Portugal from 12 June to 05 July 2004. AFP PHOTO LLUIS GENE

Georgy Yartsev took a tiger by the tail when he ttok on Russia's failing Euro 2004 qualifying campaign as they were five points adrift of Switzerland and three behind second placed Ireland.

His predecessor Valery Gazzayev quit after a friendly defeat to Israel in August 2003. Two days later former Spartak Moscow coach Yartsev was installed with just 12 days to go before a crucial match in Ireland.

He reacted by recalling veterans axed by Gazzayev: Alexander Mostovoi, Egor Titov, Dmitry Alenichev and Viktor Onopko, who regained his capatin's armband.

Russia avoided the worst in Dublin, escaping with a 1-1 draw and with their qualifying hopes intact.

Counter-attack

In the next two ties Yartsev sent out sides seeking wins at all cost playing with a direct attacking style and launching the international career of battering ram striker Dmitri Bulykin, who debuted against Ireland and exploded against Switzerland.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) receives a "Golden Boot" souvenir from the head coach of the Russian National soccer team Georgy Yartsev during their meeting at the presidential residence in Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow, 21 November 2003 AFP PHOTO / ITAR-TASS

Russia hammered group leaders Switzerland 4-1, three goals coming from the 24-year-old Bulykin, who added another in the ensuing 3-1 win over Georgia to end the group in second place, just making the cut for the play-offs.

Yartsev will have smiled when Russia drew Wales in the play-offs, but less so when the British drew 0-0 in Moscow. His side then proved their mettle in Cardiff with a 1-0 win securing their place in the Portuguese sun.

Spartak

As a striker he ended top scorer in the Soviet Championship with 19 goals in the 1978 season. A year later he lifted the league title with Spartak and was called in total five times to the Soviet Union national team.

He was to return to Spartak as assistant coach to Oleg Romantsev in 1994. The latter took over as Russia coach in 1996 leaving the way clear for Yartsev to take full control and lead them to the league title that year.

Despite picking up the coach of the year award that season Spartak welcomed back Romantsev when he was fired by Russia for blowing the Euro 96 campaign, telling Yartsev he'd have to settle once more for playing second fiddle.

He moved across town to Dynamo for the 1998-99 season and to pastures new with Rotor Volgograd the following year, but to no great effect.

In reward for saving Russia's skin during his six week qualifying stint, Yartsev has been handed the task of leading the national effort in Portugal at Euro 2004 where they have been drawn with the hosts, Spain and Greece.