Don Givens criticised his under-21 players for a “below--par” performance after they slumped to a disappointing defeat in their opening European Championship qualifier here this afternoon.

Two goals in the space of two minutes put an early dent in the Republic of Ireland’s hopes of reaching the 2004 Under-21 European Championship finals in Portugal.

Republic of Ireland Under-21 boss Don Givens has included three players with senior international experience for the opening European Championship clash with Russia at the Torpedo Stadium in Moscow on September 7.