As previously reported in the Europa League News, the worst-case situation has occurred for Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast as the Ramenskoye based side formally withdrew from the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia.

Like FC Moscow last winter, Saturn is unable to meet its financial obligations and in a simply worded statement, the club announced, “letters informing the Russian Football Union and the Russian Premier League management about their decision to withdraw from playing in the country’s elite division because of financial difficulties”.

Saturn, founded in 1946, surged into the top flight of Russian football in 1999 after years in the lower ranks. The club has consistently proven to be a side capable of finishing in the top half of the table, including a meteoric fifth-place finish in 2007. Saturn, led by thirty-five year-old manager Andrei Gordeev, suffered a difficult start to the most recent campaign but its veteran based line-up that included Dmitry Parfenov, Andrei Karyaka and Dmitri Kirichenko rebounded in the second half of the campaign to reward their voracious supporters with a tenth place finish.

The repercussions of Saturn’s financial collapse place a particular burden on the RPL as given the already announced intentions of Amkar Perm to withdraw from the top flight, the league now has to consider retracing the relegation of Sibir Novosibirsk and Alaniya Vladikavkaz or dipping further into the Russian First Division for Nizhny Novgorod and
KAMAZ Naberezhnye Chelny, who finished at the third and forth spots respectively.

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Alaniya Vladikavkaz’s return to the top flight came to end as with a 1-1 draw to Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast in the final weekend the 2010 Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia campaign results in their relegation to the First Division.

Alaniya, who earned promotion after the financial collapse of FC Moscow, knew coming into the contest in Ramenskoye they had a strong chance at survival, particularly with a win. With Krylya Sovetov and Amkar Perm facing Zenit and CSKA, they could confidently predict avoiding the drop if they were able to overcome Saturn.

Twelve minutes after the opening whistle, Vladimir Shevchuk’s took the 1-0 lead as former CSKA Sofia man Ivan Ivanov volleyed in Ivan Stoyanov’s corner from the left. However, Saturn’s veteran line-up came roaring back and at the thirty-second minute Zelão, at the back post, nudged in a close range rebound of Dmitri Parfenov’s free kick that spilled out of the mitts of Alaniya ‘keeper Dmitri Homich.

After the equalizer, Alaniya showed plenty of ambition but the final touch was lacking and what advances did make it through, Saturn ‘keeper Artyom Rebrov could not be beaten. After their desperate attempts failed, the match concluded as a 1-1 draw honours even, resulting in Alaniya Vladikavkaz’s relegation.

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Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast guaranteed its spot in the top flight with a 2-1 victory over Anzhi Makhachkala in match day twenty-nine of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia.

After a scoreless opening half Emin Mahmudov gave Saturn the 1-0 lead six minutes after the break when he volleyed in Aleksei Ivanov’s corner from the right. At the sixty-second minute, Marko Topić doubled the margin as he accepted a cross from the left and from seven metres drove the ball into the net. Anzhi pulled to within one with twenty-minute remaining as David Tsoraev connected from the spot after referee Alexei Eskov adjudged Dmitry Parfenov a penalty for bringing down Ali Gadzhibekov in the area. However, that was as close as the match would get as Andrei Gordeev’s Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast defeated Anzhi Makhachkala 2-1.

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In the opening contest of match day twenty-eight of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia relegation threatened Amkar Perm, courtesy of Georgi Peev’s late marker, played Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast to a 2-2 draw, honours even.

Coming off their loss to Nalchik, Saturn manager, Andrei Gordeev made two changes to his Ramenskoe line-up with Ruslan Nakhushev and Dmitri Kirichenko coming in for Zelão and Marko Topić. Amkar Perm manager Rashid Rakhimov made one change to his most recent line-up with Sergei Volkov coming in for Martin Kushev.

After an fast paced opening half that saw both sides squander quality chances, Mr Gordeev summoned Marko Topić and Roman Vorobyev for Dmitri Kirichenko and Aleksandr Sapeta and only four minutes later the veteran striker gave Saturn the 1-0 lead. Initiated via a swift right flank attack, Marko Topić, from close range, headed Aleksei Ivanov cross into the net. Six minutes later the match was even as Stevica Ristić latched onto Aleksandr Kolomeytsev cross from the right and after turning, fired the ball into the net from ten metres. The scorefest continued as five minutes later Andrei Karyaka surged through the right channel before powering the ball into the net from nine metres. Down by one, veteran Georgi Peev rescued the single point for Amkar as with regulation time winding down he received the ball back from Stevica Ristić and from the left side of the box fired it into the net.

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In the opening contest of match day twenty-seven of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia, Spartak Nalchik kept their hopes for a spot on the European stage alive with a 2-0 victory over visiting. Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast.

Nalchik manager Yuri Krasnozhan made two changes to his Caucasus based side the played Terek Grozny to a draw last week with David Siradze and Arsen Goshokov coming in for Andrei Vasyanovich and Jovan Golić.

Saturn manager Andrei Gordeev, who was with without the services of Ruslan Nakhushev due to suspension, made two adjustments to his starting eleven that played CSKA to a draw in their most recent contest with Marko Topić and Benoît Angbwa coming in for Dmitri Kirichenko and Ruslan Nakhushev.

From the opening whistle, it was clear the visitors left their attacking vision in Ramenskoe as their focus purely on culling the advances of Nalchik. For the most part, the Nalchik advances were of the lower probability kind and those that did make their way through were not match for Saturn goalkeeper. Antonín Kinský. After seeing a number of their advances come up empty, Nalchik got the break they were waiting for as the opening half wound down as match-day referee Jurijs Popovicenko adjudged a penalty on Zelão after he brought David Siradze in the area. In the ensuing effort, Roman Kontsedalov drove the ball into the net to give Nalchik the one-goal advantage at the break.

The second half was much of the same, as Saturn seemed inclined to wait for opportunities on the counter but would learn none would be in the horizon. Three minutes past the hour, Gogita Gogua latched on a rebound of his corner from the left and after crossing the box into the mouth of the goal, Arsen Goshokov volleyed it in. For the remaining time, Saturn was unable to mount a noteworthy advance with Spartak Nalchik claiming the 2-0 victory.

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In the final contest of match day twenty-six of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia, Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast played CSKA Moscow to a 1-1 draw, honours even in front of their loyal supporters in Ramenskoe.

Coming off their victory over Terek Grozny, Saturn manager Andrey Gordeev made a single change to his starting eleven with Emin Mahmudov coming in for Kamil Kopúnek.

CSKA manger Leonid Slutsky, who has seen his side string together two disappointing scoreless draws in succession, made a surprising four changes to his recent line-up against Dynamo with Georgi Shchennikov, Mark González, Pavel Mamaev and Tomáš Necid coming in for Deividas Šemberas, Alexei Berezutsky, Zoran Tošić and Seydou Doumbia.

After a tough opening stretch, the Army-Men began to exert pressure and after a seeing a quality chance they took the 1-0 lead at the thirty-ninth minute. Initiated via Mark González’s cross into the box from the left, Tomáš Necid lashed his fifth goal of the campaign in from close range rebound to give CSKA the one goal advantage at the break. Most concerning for the Army-Men was during the scramble, Vágner Love looked to have turned his left ankle and while he returned for the second half, it could be a prove a issue for the upcoming Europa League clash against visiting Palermo.

At the re-start, Mr. Slutsky called upon Deividas Šemberas for Alan Dzagoev but barely thirty seconds in, Igor Akinfeev’s run without allowing a goal ended as Aleksei Ivanov volleyed Pyotr Nemov’s long cross from the right into the net. Six minutes shy of the hour, CSKA had a tremendous chance to go in front as match-day referee Maksim Layushkin adjudged a penalty on Ruslan Nakhushev, as well straight red-card and pointed to the spot. In the ensuing effort, Mark González squandered the opportunity as he mishit the ball and sent it left of the woodwork. With twenty-one minutes remaining the CSKA tactician added Keisuke Honda, with Zoran Tošić for Pavel Mamaev and Mark González but neither could influence the outcome, as the match concluded as a 1-1 draw, honours even.

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Sunday in match day twenty-six of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia features five contests starting with Tom Tomsk welcoming Amkar Perm to Siberia, with the visitors in a dire need of a win to pull from the relegation zone. Tom Tomsk’s, mid summer hopes of a spot in Europe are long gone and find themselves only five points above safety after a very disappointing autumn. The Siberian tactician is without Ilya Gultyayev but needs significantly better midfield service to striker Artyom Dzyuba if they are to be successful. Rashid Rakhimov’s Red-Blacks are two points from safety and in the midst of a three match losing streak. The Amkar tactician is without Ivan Cherenchikov to suspension and in need of Georgi Peev to push them out of the drop zone with their first win on the road this year.

Spartak Nalchik travel to Chechnya to face Terek Grozny as they continue their hunt for a spot in Europe. Nalchik are now level in points with Lokomotiv at the fifth spot and were highly fortunate in their victory over Tom Tomsk last week via David Siradze last gasp goal. Anatoly Baidachny’s Terek side are without Héctor Bracamonte and need to solve their attacking woes that has only produced two goals in the last five contests.

The Petrovsky faithful welcome Alaniya Vladikavkaz as Zenit Saint Petersburg’s look to find their winning ways after seeing their hopes for an undefeated campaign come to an end against Spartak Moscow on Wednesday. Luciano Spalletti’s side looked to be cruising to the championship but have stumbled with only two points in the last three encounters. Zenit will miss Igor Denisov due to suspension and also must consider a short week as they visit Hadjuk Split in the Europa League on Thursday. Alaniya was impressive in holding Dinamo to a nil draw last week and will need to summon the same courage against Zenit give they are separated by only two points with Amkar Perm and the relegation zone.

Yuriy Semin’s Lokomotiv Moscow continue their charge to Europe as they visit Anzhi Makhachkala. The Railwayman are one of the great stories of the present year as Dmitri Loskov is enjoying a renaissance in his legendary career and has helped push Lokomotiv level with Nalchik at the fifth spot. Mr. Semin is without Rodolfo, who was red-carded late last week but otherwise has a full side available to him. Anzhi manager Gadzhi Gadzhiev celebrated his sixty-fifth birthday on Thursday and hopeful his side will reward him with the same intensity that saw them score late twice against Zenit Saint Petersburg last week to earn a draw. The Dagestan is without Ali Gadzhibekov, who is under suspension.

In the final contest of the match day twenty-six Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast welcome CSKA Moscow to nearby Ramenskoe. Coming off their air-tight 1-0 victory over Terek Grozny, Andrey Gordeev are firmly entrenched mid table and can comfortably plan for next year after a brilliant second half of the campaign pulled them from the relegation zone. CSKA enter the contest following two disappointing scoreless draws that victories would have resurrected the race for the top spot. CSKA goakeeper Igor Akinfeev has not squandered a goal in over ten hours of domestic play but the Army-Men need Alan Dzagoev and company get untracked.

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In the final contest of match day twenty-five in the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia, Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast gave their loyal supporters in Ramenskoe something to cheer about as they defeated visiting Terek Grozny 1-0. With the result, Saturn’s concern of relegation are very likely put to rest and further solidifies the quality work performed by manager Andrey Gordeev. While many thought the thirty-five year-old leader was on his way out at the break, he dug in and orchestrated a brilliant turnaround that has his side at tenth in the table and is deserving of much credit.

Saturn manager Andrey Gordeev made one change to his veteran line-up that played Tom Tomsk to a draw last week with Kamil Kopunek coming in for Vadim Evseev. Anatoliy Baidachny, made two changes to his line-up that was devoured by CSKA Moscow last week with Soslan Dzanaev earning his first start since being loaned from Spartak, along with Júnior for Yaroslav Godzur and Héctor Bracamonte.

The early stages of the contest was a tight defensive net, as expected from the Saturn lot and what advances made their way through, goalkeeper Antonín Kinský quickly absorbed. Saturn made few attacking forays early as it dug its heels in and readied for the counter, as the contest went comfortably to the break without a score.

At the re-start, Mr. Gordeev summoned Roman Vorobyev in for Kamil Kopunek with the visitors adding Héctor Bracamonte for Shamil Asildarov. Chances proved sparse and in search of the needed scoring touch, Saturn called upon Marko Topić for Dmitri Kirichenko and the move proved instrumental played a key role in the winning strike. Coming at the seventy-ninth minute, a cross into the box from the right flank, found Marko Topić, who subsequently nodded it to Aleksandr Sapeta on the right. Fighting off a defender, the highly promising twenty-one year-old midfielder surged down the box before delivering the ball to the opposite corner to give Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast the 1-0 victory.

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Colder autumn temperatures mark the final stretch run of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia as it heads to match day twenty-five this weekend with a full slate of contests.

With Zenit Saint Petersburg a virtual lock to claim the top spot the race for Europe and the bottom-half, to hold off relegation, could not be tighter. Virtually the bottom half of the table has been pulled in the relegation battle with the success of Krylya Sovetov and the others still with a gleam in their eye towards Europe. The premier match of the weekend is unquestionably Rubin Kazan’s visit of the capital to face CSKA Moscow on Sunday, which will go a long way in deciding second place.

The weekend gets underway Saturday with Spartak Moscow travelling to the chill of Siberia to face relegation threatened Sibir Novosibirsk. Igor Kriushenko’s side did well in a hard-fought draw with Krylya Sovetov last week but with six points to make up in the final weeks, they need to pull off an upset if there is any hope. Valeriy Karpin’s Krasno-belye devoured Alaniya Vladikavkaz last weekend before the mid week stumble against Chelsea in the Champions League. Mr. Karpin, who has seen his side meteorically rise to the fourth spot of the table, is dealing with a number of injury factors, including Alex who is definitely out and will likely adjust his line-up to suit the high work demands of late. Spartak must expect a challenging environment as Sibir consistently impresses in front of their home supporters and with the siege mentality of relegation, will not be shy in the attack.

Miodrag Božović’s Dynamo Moscow visit Alaniya Vladikavkaz, after their most impressive performance of the year, that a 4-0 victory over Anzhi Makhachkala. The White-Blue’s trail Nalchik by five points and has the pedigree to overtake them for a spot in next years Europa League, though they are without Igor Semshov, to suspension against Alaniya. Vladimir Shevchuk’s side are without a win in four contests, including last week’s loss to Spartak and a scant point above Amkar Perm. With Zenit Saint Petersburg on the schedule next week, Alaniya desperately needs points are they will likely find themselves in the drop zone by month end. The hosts are without Ibrahim Gnanou for the contest, due to suspension.

Coming off last week’s loss to Lokomotiv, Spartak Nalchik welcomes Tom Tomsk to Caucasus region in need of a win, lest they find their European hopes dwindle. With only one win in the last seven encounters, Yuri Krasnozhan’s have seen their hold on a Europe berth disappear and can feel the fast approaching Dynamo on their heels. Tom Tomsk manager Valeriy Nepomnyaschy is pleased to welcome back Kim Nam-Il, Dmitriy Smirnov and Fyodor Kudryashov from suspension for otherwise will put forth a bold attacking look against the visitors. Artyom Dzyuba, with eight goals this campaign, has quickly emerged as one of the most deadly young Russian strikers in the league and a constant threat.

In the final contest of day, Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast welcomes Terek Grozny to Ramenskoe, with the hosts a little too close to the relegation zone to be comfortable. The stunning late charge by Krylya Sovetov has pulled the mid table into threat and Andrey Gordeev’s veteran line-up needs to emphasize well-disciplined play in the final stages of the year, particularly as fatigue becomes an issue. Terek suffered their first home defeat of the year last week as CSKA overwhelmed them with ease. Anatoliy Baidachny’s side hopes for Europe are fading quickly and in need of a victory, will approach the contest with a more aggressive attack.

On Sunday, in match day twenty-five of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia the action gets underway with another chapter of the Lokomotiv Moscow’s remarkable turnaround as the Railwayman travel to the Ural Mountains to face Amkar Perm. Yuriy Semin’s men have rose from the ashes of the summer heat and after defeating Nalchik last week are in prime position for a European berth. The Railwayman have yet to lose since Dmitriy Loskov was handed the armband against CSKA and last week gutted out a brilliant victory, thanks to Dmitri Sychev late goal. Amkar was positively courageous last week against Zenit before match day referee Evgeniy Turbin sent off Dmitriy Belorukov and Vitaliy Fedoriv. Red-Black’s manager Rashid Rakhimov side has fallen into the drop zone with Krylya Sovetov’s success but consistently play better at home with three wins in their four most recent contests. Amkar is without the suspended duo from last week but sees key man Georgiy Peev and Ivan Cherenchikov return.

In the premier match of the weekend, defending champion Rubin Kazan face CSKA Moscow at Arena Khimki with second-place on the line. The Army-Men look to be in unstoppable form as following their defeat of Terek Grozny, they overwhelmed Palermo in the Europa League on Thursday. Trailing Rubin by two points but with an extra two contests to play, Leonid Slutsky’s side have hit top gear with a flowing attack and rock solid defending that has seen Igor Akinfeev’s goal not breached in over six hours. Rubin played Panathinaikos to a nil draw in Champions League play on Wednesday but manager Kurban Berdyev has skilfully juggled his line-up to avoid fatigue. The visitors will miss Yevgeni Balyaikin to suspension in a engaging encounter the pits the attack rich CSKA against the defensive minded Rubin.

Anzhi Makhachkala has the misfortune of welcoming Zenit Saint Petersburg, as Gadzhi Gadzhiev’s look to fight off relegation. Only a point above Amkar Perm in the drop zone, the Dagestan were run over by Dynamo last week and have not scored in their last five contests. Against the top defending unit in the league, the second worst attack will need to find inspiration to set attacker Jan Holenda but they are without midfielder Ibra Kébé who is suspended. Still undefeated, Luciano Spalletti’s side are well on their way to the championship and showing few kinks in the armour. Aleksandr Kerzhakov is in remarkable goal scoring form with six markers in the last three contests, with similar results on the European front. Zenit will approach the contest with care, knowing their hosts are in a relegation fight and will try to slow the affair down. Zenit’s only absentee is Aleksandr Anyukov who is under suspension.

In the final contest of match day twenty-five of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia, Alexandr Tarkhanov’s Krylya Sovetov continues their remarkable “great escape” as they visit Rostov. The Samaran side have climbed out of the relegation zone after seeming being rooted to their fate for much of the campaign but a series of late summer additions, including the highly promising teen Pavel Yakovlev, have turned their fortune around. Rostov’s European hopes, while not statistically ended, appear remote. Oleh Protasov’s side, once flourishing flanking attack has produced only a scant single goal in the last six matches. The Rostov tactician will miss Aleksandr Cherkes due to suspension and be looking for his side to show greater attacking volition against the Samaran’s.

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Saturday, in week twenty-four of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia, opened with Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast helping their fight to avoid relegation with a 2-2 draw against Tom Tomsk in Siberia.

Tom Tomsk manager Valeri Nepomniachi, who was without Kim Nam-Il, Dmitri Smirnov and Fyodor Kudryashov to suspension, made five adjustments to this line-up that lost to Terek Grozny before the break with Ilya Gultyaev, Georgi Dzhioev, Valeri Klimov, Sergei Skoblyakov and Goran Maznov coming in for Nikola Petković, Daisuke Matsui and the trio in the sin-bin. Andrei Gordeev made three changes to his Ramenskoe based side that succumbed to Lokomotiv Moskva before the break, Saturn manager Zelão, Ruslan Nakhushev and Aleksandr Sapeta coming in for Benoît Angbwa, Dmitri Grachev and Roman Vorobyev.

Tom Tomsk went in front at the fourteenth minute as Artyom Dzyuba, near the spot, rose high to head in his seventh goal of the campaign via a long cross from Ilya Gultyaev on the right flank. Ten minutes later, veteran Andrei Karyaka levelled the affair with his first goal of the year as he accepted the ball on the left side of the area and after creating some space by moving to his right fired it to the top, opposite corner of the net. Three minutes past the half hour Tomsk had a chance to go in front from the spot after Aleksei Nikolaev adjudged a penalty on Alexei Igonin brought down Artyom Dzyuba, however in the ensuing effort Saturn ‘keeper Antonín Kinský dove to his right to stop the strikers effort.

At the restart, Mr. Valeri Nepomniachi summoned Yevgeni Starikov into the Tom Tomsk line-up for Goran Maznov and two minutes shy of the hours restored their lead, once again thanks to the work of Artyom Dzyuba. At the sixty-seventh minute, Andrei Gordeev called upon Marko Topić for Dmitri Kirichenko and only a minute later the veteran striker levelled the affair as he moved off his mark to head in a cross from the right by-line. With twelve minutes remaining, the Tomsk tactician added Japan international Daisuke Matsui for Aleksander Kharitonov as they went in the search of the winning strike but they were unable to find it and without further incident the match concluded as a 2-2 draw, honours even.

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