Opportunity knocks for Russia trio

By Pavel Gognidze

Denis Boyarintsev, Andrei Arshavin and Dmitri Kiritchenko have been handed a chance to win a place at UEFA EURO 2004™ following selection for Russia’s friendly against Norway in Oslo next Wednesday.

Finals chance
The 26-year-old FC Rubin Kazan winger Boyarintsev had impressed coach Georgi Yartsev during a couple of recent unofficial friendly games in Japan and may yet win his first official cap against Norway. Meanwhile, FC Zenit St. Peterburg midfield player Arshavin, 22, and PFC CSKA Moskva striker Kiritchenko, 27, could add to their small collection of caps after both playing their last game for Russia against Romania in February 2003.

Sharonov in
Rubin defender Roman Sharonov earns his second consecutive call-up following an impressive display against Bulgaria in March. Meanwhile, CSKA's Evgeni Aldonin and FC Krylya Sovetov winger Andrei Karyaka are back in the squad despite being overlooked for the Bulgaria game.

Mostovoi rest
CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, who is serving a five-match domestic ban, retains his place in the squad as Sergei Ovchinnikov's deputy, but RC Celta de Vigo's Alexander Mostovoi and FC Porto's Dmitri Alenitchev have been rested.

Russia squad
Ovchinnikov, Akinfeev, Evseev, Sennikov, Ignashevitch, Onopko, Sharonov, Smertin, Gusev, Aldonin, Radimov, Izmailov, Loskov, Semshov, Boyarintsev, Karyaka, Bulykin, Sychev, Kirichenko, Kerzhakov, Arshavin.