The early Euro 2012 qualifying effort has seen Russia, after an early stumble against Slovakia, climb atop Group B with a two-point advantage. While the Dick Advocaat led side showed promise with victories over the Republic of Ireland and Macedonia, the true shock of the tournament has been the play of Armenia.

Prior to the start of the competition Armenia was considered by many as little more than minnows but after a stunning series of performances, including a 3-1 victory over Slovakia, has leapt to a sixtieth ranking in the world and in a three-way tie for second place and only two points off Russia.

The success of the Armenian side is a unique blending of youthful boldness and rock solid veteran leadership that is profiting from a strong junior development in the country. Guided by thirty-six year-old manager Vardan Minasyan (Վարդան Մինասյան), the Armenians have defied all expectations with a mercurial attack that throws caution to the wind with bold vision going forward. In quick succession, young guns Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Հենրիխ Մխիթարյան), of Shakhtar Donetsk, Yura Movsisyan (Յուրա Մովսիսյան) of Randers and Gevorg Ghazaryan (Գեւորգ Ղազարյան), of Pyunik Yerevan, have established a brash up-tempo attack.

While their attack has led to a group leading nine goal production in the opening four contests, the leadership of skipper Sargis Hovsepyan (Սարգիս Հովսեփյան) and Roman Berezovsky (Ռոման Բերեզովսկի) is, without a doubt, the crux of their early heroics as the veterans have steadied a line-up with many who are able to suit up for the U-21.

Both players are no strangers to Russian football with the thirty-eight year-old Sargis Hovsepyan wearing the colours of Zenit Saint Petersburg for five year starting in the late 1990’s and Roman Berezovsky his team mate at Zenit, as well as boasting Torpedo and Dynamo on his resume before joining Khimki in 2006, where he is today.

While Khimki suffered a disappointing thirteenth point finish in First Division, Roman Berezovsky continued to be a highlight for the side and rumoured to have offers from Metalurh Donetsk and Pyunik Yerevan before recently agreeing to stay on in the “Red-Blacks” promotion efforts.

With Russia facing the Armenians in Yerevan on 26 March before the return engagement ten weeks later, Sports-Express met with the thirty-six year-old goalkeeper to discuss his impressions of the upcoming contest, as well as his plans under Khimki’s newly appointed manager Aleksandr Grigoryan.

Noting the goal of qualifying for the Ukraine / Poland Euro 2012, a crowning achievement in a superb career, he acknowledged that Slovakia had likely under-estimated their hosts after coming out the summers World Cup. While injured in the contest, he is confident of being able to suit up in a friendly against Georgia on 9 February, in what would be his sixty-fourth cap. In discussing the possibilities against Russia, he urged an “aggressive play in the attack”, emphasizing discipline in the midfield. Interestingly, as the Euro qualification hopes heat up in surprisingly tight group with the Russia versus Armenia clash of strategic importance, the veteran play of Sargis Hovsepyan and Roman Berezovsky will likely loom very large in both countries efforts.

Prepared by John Davies
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Yuri Semin’s Lokomotiv Moskva completed the campaign with a four match winning streak including a final match day 3-1 victory over relegation condemned Khimki to secure their spot in the Europa League. The Railwaymen jumped out in front at the fifth minute as Peter Odemwingie was sent through with a perfect defence-splitting pass and after a touch to the left drove the ball into the opposite corner of the net from twelve metres. Only eleven minutes later Lokomotiv went out in front 2-0 as Renat Yanbayev surged down the right channel before sending a cross into the box that Dmitri Sychev powerfully headed-in. Despite knowing relegation awaits them, Khimki fought on and six minutes past the hour Aleksandr Antipenko brought them within one as he snuck behind the defenders to head in a cross from the left. With nine minutes remaining any threat of a comeback ended as Peter Odemwingie played the ball to Dmitri Torbinski who played the ball back and forth with Dmitri Sychev before the later notched his second of the day to bring the match to 3-1 finale in favour of Lokomotiv.

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In a match purely about pride Amkar Perm defeated relegation condemned Khimki 2-0 in front of a their highly supportive fans.

Rashid Rakhimov’s “red-blacks” put the match away early with two markers before the half-hour. At the fifteenth minute Dmitri Belorukov (Дмитрий Белоруков) gave the hosts the 1-0 lead with his third strike of the year. Eight minutes later longtime Amkar veteran Sergei Volkov (Сергей Волков) notched his first marker of the campaign to bring the match to its final 2-0 score.

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Tom Tomsk rebounded from last weeks to Lokomotiv with a 3-1 victory over relegation condemed Khimki.

After Aleksandr Antipenko (Александр Антипенко) gave the hosts the 1-0 lead a minute shy of Tomsk roared back with three unanswered goals. Handicapped with the goal disadvantage the Siberian side roared back ten minutes later as Valeri Klimov (Валерий Климов) notched the leveler. Aleksandar Radosavljevič gave Tomsk the lead they would relinquish. With eleven minutes remaining Macedonian international Goran Maznov sealed the result to give Tomsk the 3-1 victory.

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In Friday’s final match of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast edged past relegation condemned Khimki 1-0.

Andrey Gordeev’s Ramenskoe-based side were without the services of veteran Dmitriy Loskov to injury and Zelão to suspension. From the opening whistle visiting Khimki were the aggressors but through the handiwork of Khimki ‘keeper Mikhail Komarov (Михаил Комаров) the match remained deadlock till the break. However four minutes after the re-start Saturn scored the matches lone goal as Denis Halilović soared high near the spot to head in a corner from the left. Saturn continued to press their woeful opponents with Vladimir Kuzmichyov (Владимир Кузьмичев) playing a slick one-two before careening the ball off the cross-bar. Despite their efforts Khimki could not launch as successful attack and the match came to a 1-0 conclusion in favour of Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast.

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Spartak Moskva eased to a predictable 3-0 victory over Khimki in the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia. With the result the Krasno-belye climb to the top of the table, two points above defending champions Rubin Kazan who face Rostov on Sunday evening.

Nine minutes into the match Welliton made it 1-0 for Spartak Moskva as he pounced on the rebound of Nikita Bazhenov’s (Никита Баженов) effort and drove the ball to the back of the net. Just before the break the highly promising Sergei Parshivlyuk (Сергей Паршивлюк) gave Valery Karpin’s men the 2-0 lead sent a brilliant dipping drive from the right channel to the opposite corner. Khimki, despite facing the gallows of relegation put up a brave front and challenged Spartak ‘keeper Soslan Dzhanayev (Сослан Джанаев) with a number of fine efforts. Just past the hour former Porto man Ibson was introduced after being out with a lengthy injury and finally after a number of failed chances, Welliton made it 3-0 at the eighty-seventh minute as he headed in Nikita Bazhenov’s seeing-eye cross from the right.

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As the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia heads into week twenty-six, the race for the top spot continues with Rubin, Spartak and the surging Zenit within four points of each other. While the Rubin Kazan look to repeat their championship, all eyes are poised towards the late charging challengers, Spartak and Zenit. The remarkable story-line of Valeriy Karpin grabbing control of the Krasno-belye after the failed Michael Laudrup regime is one of the ages as he resurrected the glory of Spartak under legendary leader Oleg Romantsev. Only a scant point behind Kurban Berdyev’s Rubin Kazan, Spartak has withstood the loss of Vladimir Bystrov with their final match-day battle against Zenit could decide it all. However any mention of the 2009 campaign is incomplete without a chapter dedicated purely to Zenit’s Anatoliy Davydov. The former Zenit Leningrad star has provided the “sky-blues” thirty years of dedicated service and has proven to have the Midas touch since being handed the managerial reigns on 10 August. With only two dropped points since taking over Zenit are looking quite capable of running the table before their late season showdowns against Rubin and Spartak.

The weekend’s action kicks off Terek Grozny’s visit of Krylya Sovetov with both sides falling short of their season goals. Grozny dismissed manager Vyacheslav Grozny after last weeks disappointing loss to Rostov but interim manager Shahin Diniyev inherits a fine squad that includes Bulgarian international Blagoy Georgiev, Ector Bracamonte and Florentin Petre. The Samaran’s disappointing campaign continued with a 2-1 loss Miodrag Božović’s FC Moskva and they are showing little signs of reversing their five match win-less streak. To make matters worse for manager Yuriy Gazzaev, he will be without captain Ruslan Adzhindzhal for the next three weeks.

Complacency will be the biggest concern on Valeriy Karpin’s mind as Spartak Moskva travel north to face relegation condemned Khimki. Fortunate scheduling allows Spartak to shift into top gear in the next three weeks before climatic season ending matches against CSKA and Zenit and this should be no problem. Spartak has continued to grow as a unit with Nikita Bazhenov surging of late and the unexpected play of Quincy Owusu-Abeyie a bright spot.

In Saturday’s final match Yuriy Semin’s Lokomotiv Moskva welcomes Saturn Moskovskaya Oblast as they look to rebound from last weeks difficult loss to Spartak. Level with FC Moskva in the final spot for the Europa League, Lokomotiv will look to uphold their undefeated record against Andrey Gordeev’s Ramenskoe based side. Saturn’s curious mix of veterans Dmitri Loskov, Andrei Karyaka and Marko Topić have a lot of life still in their boots and will pose a problem if left unchecked and this match has all the makings of a tight tactical battle.

On Sunday the action kicks off with Tom Tomsk visiting Amkar Perm with the hosts too close to the relegation zone for comfort. Since Rashid Rakhimov has returned to the “red-blacks” they have done well but after suffering two hard-fought defeats find themselves a scant four points Kuban in the drop zone. After their blow-out loss to Tomsk, Valeri Nepomniachi has rallied his Siberian side with two brilliant victories led by veterans Đorđe Jokić and Aleksandar Radosavljevi but need more pulse on the flanks to break down Amkar.

Luzhniki Stadium is centre-stage for another Moscow derby as the Citizens look to derail CSKA’s hopes for a Champions League berth. Coming off a hard-fought victory over Krylya Sovetov Miodrag Božović’s side will be without Kirill Nababkin under suspension but could benefit from the Army-Men’s fatigue following Wednesdays Champions League loss to Manchester United. Juande Ramos is without the services of Mark González and Guilherme and will need to deploy a more aggressive attack to infiltrate the Citizens staunch defending.

Surging Spartak Nalchik face Zenit Saint Petersburg in front of the always hearty support of the Petrovsky faithful. Anatoliy Davydov has lead Zenit masterfully and without showing the slightest chink in their armour the “sky-blues” are playing near tactically perfect football. Zenit continues to gel with Mateja Kežman enjoying a renaissance to his career and former Torino-man Alessandro Rosina working well with Vladimir Bystrov and company.

Dinamo Moskva travel south to face relegation threatened Kuban Krasnodar with hopes of European football long since departed. Andrey Kobelev’s side have only one win in their most recent five matches and will be without the services of Dmitriy Kombarov, under suspension and long-term absentee Vladimir Gabulov. The white-blues were bolstered with the return of Russian international Denis Kolodin to the fold and he could feature against the stubborn Kuban side. Since Poghos Galstyan took over Kuban, the former Ararat Yerevan man has instituted a more attacking brand of Football but they will need a late charge to avoid relegation. The showed good energy against Zenit last week but were void of the final touch.

Coming off their stunning win over Barcelona in Champions League action, Rubin Kazan visit Rostov. While Kurban Berdyev’s side showed brilliantly in Camp Nou, recent play domestically has been far from reaffirming and they will need to be careful against the curmudgeonly Rostov side as well as deal without the services of Sergei Semak. Rostov should be no problem for the defending champions but they will be made to work for the full three points and can expect the home side to be well supported.

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Defending champions Rubin Kazan warned up for Tuesday’s Champions League match against Barcelona with a steady 2-1 defeat of relegation stragglers Khimki.

Juggling his line-up following the international break and in lieu of their upcoming test against the La Liga giants, Gurban Berdiýew eased Sergei Semak (Сергей Семак) and Alejandro Domínguez out of the starting eleven amongst a number of notable absentees. After a modest opening the defending champions took the 1-0 lead two minutes past the half-hour when veteran Gökdeniz Karadeniz found the back of the net. Khimki continued to put up a good front, never relenting before Alan Kasaev doubled the lead for Rubin five minutes shy of the hour. Khimki’s continued to fight valiantly and with two minutes left in regulation Aleksandr Antipenko (Александр Антипенко) brought Khimki to within one but that was a close as it would get as match concluded 2-1 in favour of Rubin Kazan. The victory did not come without concern as Aleksandr Bukharov (Александр Бухаров) was forced out early and unlikely to be fit for Tuesday’s crucial Champions League match.

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Oleg Dolmatov’s FC Rostov earned an important point in their relegation fight as they played FC Moskva to a 2-2 draw. With the result Rostov climbs five points above Kuban, presently in the final drop position whilst the Muscovites pull even with Lokomotiv in the fifth spot.

Four minutes shy of the break Dmitri Akimov (Дмитрий Акимов) gave the hosts the lead with his sixth goal of the campaign as he surged into the six-yard box to volley in Alexandru Gaţcan’s cross from the left. Two minutes shy of the hour Rostov doubled the margin as Aleksandr Pavlenko’s (Александр Павленко) corner from the left was headed back to goals doorstep and eventually Alexandru Gaţcan sent to ball to Igor Lebedenko (Игорь Лебеденко) at the near post to hammer in. With nineteen minutes remaining in regulation the Citizens stormed back with Russian international Alexei Rebko (Алексей Ребко) notching a rare goal as his effort from just outside the area was the beneficiary of a deflection by Branimir Petrović before bounding into the net to make it 2-1. Miodrag Božović’s side disappointed the home fans as with two minutes left on the clock Aleksei Rebko chipped the ball to Martin Jakubko in close-range and despite calls for an offside, the Slovakia capped striker lifted the ball past ‘keeper Veniamin Mandrykin (Вениамин Мандрыкин) into the net to bring the match to a 2-2 conclusion, honours even.

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Timur Dzhabrailov (Тимур Джабраилов) scored late to give Terek Grozny a hard earned 2-1 victory over relegation doomed Khimki. The result sees the Chechen based side to eighth in the table, one point off Dinamo while Khimki play out the campaign at the rock bottom of the league.

Shamil Lakhiyalov (Шамиль Лахиялов) gave Grozny the lead from the spot after the tenth minute. With seven minutes remaining regulation Timur Dzhabrailov ended his goal scoring drought since the third week of the year as he scored the deciding goal to give Grozny the 2-0 lead. Three minutes later nineteen year-old Yuri Kirillov (Юрий Кириллов) notched his third goal of the year to bring the match to 2-1 but that was as close as it would get as Terek Grozny grabbed the three points.

©Europa League News, 2009. All rights reserved