Russians behind Euro hike

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI’S worst instincts were all but confirmed in Zilina last night — the Russians are to blame for his mountain hike in Andorra.

Trapattoni used the word malicious last month when he pointed the finger in Moscow’s direction after UEFA ordered Andorra to play Ireland on home soil.

Irish fans have still travelled in their thousands to the preferred match venue in Barcelona but Trapattoni’s players must instead play on a pitch described as a “cabbage patch” by one Slovakian player yesterday.