Injuries hamper Russia build-up

Russia coach Georgi Yartsev finds himself trying to deal with an horrendous injury crisis before his side’s opening Euro 2004 match against Spain tomorrow.

They are without captain Victor Onopko (knee) and his central defensive partner Sergei Ignashevich (ankle), while striker Alexander Panov was also ruled out late with a knee problem.

Even Russia’s likely defensive replacements – Roman Sharonov and Dmitri Sennikov – have only just shaken off long-term injuries.

Team (from): Ovchinnikov, Evseev, Sharonov, Sennikov, Aniukov, Gusev, Loskov, Smertin, Izmailov, Mostovoi, Bulykin, Sychev, Malafeev, Radimov, Alenichev, Aldonin, Kerzhakov, Bugayev.