Curious Georgy

RUSSIAN FA president Vyacheslav Koloskov was grim-faced when he spoke to reporters after watching the national team lose 2-1 at home to Israel a fortnight ago.

"Even if God was our coach for that game," he said, "he would not have saved us the way the players performed. I told the players that they have to be ashamed of themselves, but apparently they are not. It's always somebody else's fault mine, the coach but not the players. They are always free from criticism. This is a bad time for Russian football."

Russia face the Republic of Ireland on Saturday in what has become a crucial Euro 2004 qualifier for both sides. Koloskov knew that Irish scouts were present at the Israel match but this was no time for mind games. He meant what he was saying.