Russia could miss abroad players on Euro

Hi everyone.

Ivan here, will write for Russia Worldcupblog about the most unexpected team at Euro 2008.

It’s not that far for 23-men squad announcement and we have something special here. Russia might be represented with players of domestic league only - just like Italy on WC-06 and, ahem, Saudi Arabia (guess second comparison is much closer).

But there are still one or two slots left so take a look at Russian footballers abroad.

Alexei Smertin, Fulham. Didn’t play a full game since Christmas. No chance to be in squad.

Ivan Saenko, Nurnberg. Bottom of Bundesliga and one goal so far – in cancelled game. No chance too.

Viktor Boudianski, Lecce. Played first half against Croatia but still didn’t impress for Udinese. Out of Serie A – out of national team.

Dmitry Bulykin, Bayer. He scored one of two Russian goals at Euro 2004, then turned into completely out-of-squad-person. Bulykin is kinda laughing stock in Russia for his glamorous lifestyle and fake purchased PhD. But Guus Hiddink recently took a trip to Germany to watch Bulykin. I give him 5% to be in squad.

Marat Izmailov, Sporting. He is the best or Russians abroad – played well for Sporting in Portuguese League and Champions League. He can be also used on Andrei Arshavin’s position for games with Spain of Sweden. Unfortunately Izmailov missed two recent call-ups and Hiddink didn’t take a look on him. 30% though.