Yartsev happy with Nordic test

By Eduard Nisenboim

Russia coach Georgi Yartsev has admitted that Norway are not ideal opponents for their latest UEFA EURO 2004™ warm-up but he still expects Wednesday night's contest to be valuable.

Key factor
Yartsev's men will face three teams from southern Europe in the group stage at this summer's finals - Spain, Portugal and Greece - but the coach said he was more concerned with the strength of the opposition rather than their style of play. He said: "In this situation the key factor was that Norwegians had agreed to play. They are strong team with some really good players."

Forward strength
Among Norway's best players is the returning Ole Gunnar Solskjær. The Manchester United FC forward is back to fitness after a serious knee injury and should ask questions of Russia's defence, along with AS Roma's John Carew. Tore André Flo, another proven forward, has been rested. Yartsev said: "We will not play for a win at any price but preparations are much better when you are winning."

New faces
Last month, Russia were held to a 2-2 draw by fellow finalists Bulgaria in Sofia and Yartsev will hope for even better from his men this time around, especially with a few more rounds of the new Russian campaign under their belts. Promising early-season form has led to recalls for Evgeni Aldonin, Andrei Karyaka, Dmitri Kiritchenko, Andrei Arshavin and Denis Boyarintsev although those absent on Wednesday night need not necessarily fear for their places in Portugal.

Duo rested
The likes of Porto FC midfield player Dmitri Alenichev and RC Celta de Vigo captain Aleksandr Mostovoi are missing but both will be back. "I know their potential and I am relying on them," said Yartsev, who has admitted to knowing 80 per cent of his finals squad and the likely lineup for Russia's first match against Spain on 12 June.

Goalkeeping dilemma
Of the possible experiments on Wednesday night, uncapped PFC CSKA Moskva goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev is tipped to make his first international appearance, especially given the recent domestic form of Sergei Ovchinnikov, of FC Lokomotiv Moskva. Both Akinfeev and Ovchinnikov, along with Viatcheslav Malafeev who is recovering from a fractured wrist, should be on the plane to Portugal this summer.