Russia gain Pyrrhic victory
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Article summary
Finland 2-4 Russia Despite a lively win for Russia, neither side can now progress past the Elite round.
Article body
Opening defeats
While Russia were defeated by Belarus on Sunday, Finland fell to group hosts Bulgaria, meaning both sides had to win today in Blagoevgrad and hope the later game between Belarus and Bulgaria in Dupnitza also went their way.
Russia win
Artem Dzyuba opened the scoring for Russia on 24 minutes but nine minutes later Pablo Gomez-Marttila was brought down in the Russian box and Valeri Minkenen converted the penalty. However, Russia began the second half brightly and goals from Maxim Andreev and Alexander Podymov put them in control, and although Aleksei Kangaskolkka pulled one back in the 67th minute, Ruslan Tarala secured the victory three minutes later.
Belarus qualify
However, Belarus then won 3-1 against Bulgaria which means that even if Russia beat the group hosts on Thursday in Dupnitza and Finland, who will finish the mini-tournament in fourth, end their campaign with a win against the leaders in Blagoevgrad, Belarus will pip Russia on head-to-head record.