Nail-biters test Russian nerves

Since independence, Russian qualifying campaigns have rarely lacked dramatic endings as death-or-glory encounters with Israel and Andorra loom again in UEFA EURO 2008™ Group E.

Declining fortunes
In qualifying for the 1992 UEFA European Championship, the 1994 FIFA World Cup and EURO '96™, Russia were still buoyed by the legacy of the Soviet system and they reached the finals without too many problems. However, with the old structures coming apart, complications set in from the 1998 World Cup qualifiers onwards, with drama and heartbreak seldom far away.

Italy defeat
In the case of France '98, an unexpected 1-0 defeat by Bulgaria had cost Russia their place at the top of their group, leaving Boris Ignatiev's men to negotiate a two-legged play-off against Italy to make the finals. Sergei Yuran forced Fabio Cannavaro to put through his own goal in a 1-1 first-leg draw, before a 1-0 loss in the return marked the end of the road.

France scalp
UEFA EURO 2000™ proved even more fraught. Coach Anatoli Byshovets was sacked after three straight defeats, yet Oleg Romantsev then oversaw six successive victories, including a 3-2 triumph over France in Paris. This left the team needing to win their concluding game against Ukraine – old rivals from the Soviet Union – to progress to the Low Countries.

Ukraine calamity
Valeri Karpin put Russia ahead at the Luzhniki Stadium on 75 minutes but Ukraine won a free-kick with two minutes remaining. As Andriy Shevchenko looped the ball into the area, goalkeeper Aleksandr Filimonov seemingly only had to punch it to safety – inexplicably, he tried to catch the ball and in the process carried it over his line.

Swiss stroll
"Nobody blames Filimonov, it was just a disaster," said winger Andrei Tikhonov after the 1-1 draw confirmed Russia's exit. Filimonov's nerves arguably never recovered. However, the 2002 campaign would help many forget that fateful night in Moscow, as the side qualified with a 4-0 last-day success against Switzerland, Vladimir Beschastnykh scoring a first-half hat-trick.

Grim campaign
Georgi Yartsev replaced Valeri Gazzaev as coach midway through UEFA EURO 2004™ qualification, but a second-placed finish in the section earned Russia a play-off against Wales. Defender Vladimir Evseev struck the only goal of the two-legged tie in Cardiff. The 2006 World Cup attempt was to be less happy, though, featuring draws against Slovakia, Estonia and Latvia as well as a 7-1 mauling by Portugal. Nonetheless Russia went into their final game with a theoretical chance of progress, only to draw 0-0 with Slovakia. They will hope for better over the next five days.