Gagloev's birthday gift to Vlasov

Last night's UEFA European Under-17 Championship semi-final between Russia and Germany should have been the biggest game of Anton Vlasov's career - on the day he turned 17. Instead the defender was forced to watch from the sidelines having torn a hamstring in Russia's 3-0 defeat by Spain a week ago. But his team-mates fought hard, gained a 1-0 win, and captain Vadim Gagloev dedicated the result to Vlasov.

Birthday gift
"In some way the goal was to wish him a happy birthday," Gagloev said. "And after the game Anton came on to the pitch and everybody shook hands with him. Everyone should know that all the team wished him all the best for his birthday!"

'Very difficult'
Germany were on top for the first hour, but despite Vlasov's absence Russia dug in, held on, and then brought on Aleksandr Prudnikov to strike a late winner. So when did Gagloev really think the victory was on during the game? "It's hard to say," the midfielder admitted. "Maybe when Prudnikov came on, I felt we were going to score and win. But the game was very difficult throughout."

Suspension danger
Four of Russia's starting lineup sat on a yellow card before the match, and Gagloev - who was not among them - was himself booked early in the second half, just before Semen Fomin also was cautioned, leaving him suspended for Sunday's final against the Czech Republic. But that danger was not in the players' minds against Germany.

'One goal'
"All the team had one goal - to win," Gagloev said. "We didn't think about yellow cards or who could or would be suspended." Fomin and Vlasov may both be unavailable when Russia play the Czechs, but they can be sure their colleagues will give everything to earn them winners' medals on Sunday.