News Sports Soccer Attacking Russians fire blanks, exit Euro 2012

Attacking Russians fire blanks, exit Euro 2012

Poland, Jun17:  Andrei Arshavin said as the European Championship began that Russia could beat any team. He added they could also lose to anybody.The enigmatic Russians lived up to their captain's word.With a team built

attacking russians fire blanks exit euro 2012 attacking russians fire blanks exit euro 2012
Poland, Jun17:  Andrei Arshavin said as the European Championship began that Russia could beat any team. He added they could also lose to anybody.



The enigmatic Russians lived up to their captain's word.

With a team built around 11 players who ended third at Euro 2008 and another Dutch coach, Dick Advocaat, Russia was tipped early to be a dark horse at the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

When it thrashed the Czech Republic 4-1 in its opening Group A match, Russia was touted as tournament favorites.

But it turned out the big win in Wroclaw was the high water mark, not the start of something big.

Ultimately, Russia was undone by its insistence on attacking.