Hiddink's Russia take Romanian test in Euro 2008 warm-up
The Russian national soccer team face Romania in Bucharest in a friendly match on Wednesday as their Dutch trainer, Guus Hiddink, tries to decide on his starting line-up for Euro 2008.
Hiddink signed a new contract with Russia on Monday, and will now lead the team until after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Before this, however, Hiddink and his players will be looking to do something that no Russian side has managed since the split up of the U.S.S.R. - get out of their group at a major tour
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nament.
Russia qualified for Euro 2008, to be held in Austria and Switzerland this June, in dramatic fashion after a 2-1 victory at home to England in October 2007 was followed by defeat to Israel a month later. However, England then went down at home to Croatia 3-2 while Russia labored to a 1-0 win over Andorra to go through at England's expense.
The match in Andorra also saw the side's captain, and arguably the most talented Russian footballer of his generation, Andrey Arshavin, receive a red card for violent conduct, and he will now miss Russia's opening two games at Euro 2008 against Spain and Greece. He will be eligible for the last group game against Sweden, but Hiddink has left the Zenit St. Petersburg star out of his squad in an attempt to formulate a team without Arshavin.
Romania have also qualified for Euro 2008, and have been drawn in the so-called "Group of Death,' that also includes France, Italy and Holland.
"Romania are a very strong team, one of the best 16 on the continent," said Vitali Mutko, president of the Russian Football Union.
The match kicks off at 9.30 p.m. Moscow time (18:30 GMT) and will be shown live on Russia's Channel One station.
The Russian national soccer team face Romania in Bucharest in a friendly match on Wednesday as their Dutch trainer, Guus Hiddink, tries to decide on his starting line-up for Euro 2008.
