Russia set for tough friendly tests

19 January 2012 11:16

Russian Football Union (RFU) president Sergei Fursenko confirmed Thursday a line up of friendlies this year which include four-time world champions Italy and 1998 World Cup winners France.

"We promised the country's fans to test our squad against strong opponents," Fursenko said. "Now we're set to fulfill our promise."

Fursenko also named 1992 European champions Denmark and minnows Liechtenstein as other friendly rivals this year.

The first friendly will be against Denmark in Copenhagen on February 29.

Earlier this week national manager Dick Advocaat announced that two-time world champions and last year's World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay would also be his team's rivals in a warm-up clash ahead of the European champs.

"During our preparations for the Euro 2012 we will play three friendly matches," Advocaat said. "We will start against Uruguay on May 25 in Moscow."

On May 28, Russia will set up a training base in the suburbs of Geneva to carry out final preparations for the European championship, co-hosted by Ukraine and Poland.

"After coming to Switzerland, we will play two more friendlies. I think it will be enough to achieve the right rhythm ahead of the tournament," Advocaat added.

Russian football boss Fursenko meanwhile unveiled that in Switzerland Russia will play Liechtenstein on May 29 and Italy on June 1.

Russia are scheduled to arrive in Warsaw on June 4.

They start their Euro campaign against the Czech Republic on June 8 in Wroclaw, Poland and four days later play hosts Poland in Warsaw. The last Group A match Russia play with Greece on June 16 also in Warsaw.

With stars including Arsenal striker Andrei Arshavin, Russia will be hoping to improve on their semi-final appearance at Euro 2008. The failed to reach the finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

World Cup winners and two-time European champions France will take on Russia in a friendly encounter on August 15 in Paris.

Source: AFP