Euro 2016 team guide: Group B – Russia

As the Soviet Union, they were winners in the inaugural European Championships in France in 1960 and runners-up on three other occasions - 1864, 1972 and 1988.

But the fall of the Iron Curtain hasn’t been kind to the Russian side. Since 1991, the best the have managed is a heavy semi-final defeat to eventual winners Spain in 2008.

But after the calamity of Fabio Capello’s tenure, they now have a coach in Leonid Slutsky who has galvanised an undoubtedly talented side and made them greater than their sum of their parts.

Will they win it? No. Will they escape their group? Quite possibly.

Star Man – Sergei Ignashevich

It’s 14 years since Ignashevich made his international debut for Russia and his vast experience – he’s played in all three of Russia’s last major final appearances – will be invaluable in France.

A towering presence at the heart of Russia’s defence, he maybe 36-years-old now but he shows no sign of faltering, as five clean sheets in nine qualifying appearances testifies.

Now the record appearance holder for his country, Ignashevich become only the second Russian player, after Viktor Onopko, to win 100 caps when he played against Algeria in the 2014 World Cup Finals in Brazil.

One to Watch – Alan Dzagoev

The youngest outfield player to play for Russia, Dzagoev is the creative lynchpin in the all-conquering CSKA Moscow side of recent years, also coached by Leonid Slutsky.

Often tipped as being the next Russian superstar, this attacking midfielder possesses exceptional touch and vision and his reputation as the king of the killer ball will certainly precede him.

This could be his moment.

Coach – Leonid Slutsky

Drafted in as a mid-campaign replacement for the failing Fabio Capello, Slutsky was seen as the ideal interim appointment having won back-to-back Premier League titles with CSKA Moscow who he continues to manage.

He made an immediate impact too, by steering Russia to victories in their final four games and pipping Sweden to automatic qualification. He’s now been given a contract until after the finals.

Slutsky’s playing career was cut short by injury at the age of 19 – when he fell out of a tree trying to rescue a neighbour’s cat.

Factfile

Most capped player: Sergei Ignashevich (114)

Highest goalscorer: Oleg Blokhin (42)

Best performance in Euros: Winners (1960), Runners-up (1964, 1972 and 1988)

FIFA world ranking: TBC

Odds: 50/1

Group B Fixtures

Saturday, June 11: Wales v Slovakia (17:00, Stade de Bordeaux)

Saturday, June 11: England v Russia (20:00, Stade Velodrome, Marseille)

Wednesday, June 15: Russia v Slovakia (14:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)

Thursday, June 16: England v Wales (14:00, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, Lens)

Monday, June 20: Russia v Wales (20:00, Stadium de Toulouse)

Monday, June 20: Slovakia v England (20:00, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, St Etienne)