Russia's Dmitry Syschev, right, fights for the ball against Andorra's Marc Bernaus during their Euro Cup 2008 Group E qualifying soccer match at Comunal Stadium in Andorra la Vella November 21, 2007.
Photo: Reuters
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Russia Qualified for UEFA Euro 2008
Russia’s squad has unexpectedly advanced to Euro 2008. The team beat Andorra 1-0 in the last match, while the Brits yielded to Croatia.
The match with Andorra had been expected to be nervous. The coach of Russians, Guus Hiddink held the sole training before the match, voicing numerous complaints about the size and the cover of the field. Moreover, Roman Pavlyuchenko was unable to stand for the country because of the injury.
Regardless, but for Kolodin’s failure with the penalty-kick and Arshavin’s removal, the general sentiment of the match wasn’t violent that day.
The Russians were dominating even at the first minutes, but Andorra was always saved by goalkeeper Koldo Alvarez.
It is Dmitry Sychev that is to be praised for the breakthrough. Exactly Sychev set up the first and the only goal of the match after Hiddink replaced Berezutsky by Torbinsky at the 38th minute. Torbinsky promptly delivered a precise cross for Sychev, who headed over the goalkeeper and secured decisive points for the Russian team.
But not everything depended on that victory once the Russians lost in Israel. The only hope was England's defeat by Croatia, as any other outcome would be against our team.
And the miracle happened. The Brits yielded to Croats, booking an unexpected place at UEFA EURO 2008 for the Russians.
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