As confirmed by Giovanni Trapattoni yesterday, the Republic of Ireland line up for tonight’s key Euro 2012 qualifier against Russia with the same team that beat Andorra last month.

Wales 1 Russia 3

Russia 2 Azerbaijan 0

IT began with what the orange t-shirts called ‘Basle – The Invasion’ and ended with something more closely resembling the retreat from Moscow.

ANDREI ARSHAVIN returned from suspension to earn Russia a place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 with victory over Sweden in Innsbruck.

SPAIN coach Luis Aragones felt his side were given a much tougher ride in their Euro 2008 opener against Russia than the final 4-1 scoreline suggested.

ENGLAND’S Euro 2008 hopes — and possibly Steve McClaren’s job — rest in the hands of Israel after Russia completed an astonishing comeback win at the Luzhniki Stadium last night.

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari wielded the axe as his side went into their life-or-death Group A clash with Russia at the Estadio da Luz.

Hosts Portugal’s surprise defeat to Greece in the opening match of the tournament gave both Spain and Russia a huge incentive to go for victory in the second Group A game at the Estadio Algarve.

Russia will be without captain Yegor Titov, midfielder Marat Izmailov and striker Dmitri Sytchev for next month's European Cup qualifier against Ireland.

Japan v Russia teams

Japan v Russia teams

RUSSIA coach Oleg Romantsev turned on his players even though they opened their World Cup campaign with victory over Tunisia to climb to the top of Group H.