World Cup Appearances:
2 - 1994, 2002
Accomplishments:
-- Quarter-final 1958 FIFA World Cup™ Sweden
-- Quarter-final 1962 FIFA World Cup™ Chile
-- 4th 1966 FIFA World Cup™ England
-- Quarter-final 1970 FIFA World Cup™ Mexico
-- Champion UEFA European Championship France 1960
-- 2nd UEFA European Championship Spain 1964
-- 4th UEFA European Championship Italy 1968
-- 2nd UEFA European Championship Belgium 1972
-- 2nd UEFA European Championship West Germany 1988
-- Champion Olympic Games 1956
-- Champion Olympic Games 1988
Star Players:
Viktor Onopko, Alexandre Mostovoi, Valeri Karpin, Oleg Salenko, Vladimir Beschastnykh
Approximate Odds of Winning:
40-1
AskMen's Rating of Team:
(out of 100)
70
Significant Strength:
A tight defense and strong goalkeeping will save this aging team. If goalkeeper Ruslan Nigmatullin plays at the top of his game, he can give his team the hope of passing into the second round.
Significant Weakness:
An aging defense and the absense of speedy and powerful strikers might leave this nation's squad open to upset losses.
AskMen's Prediction:
Not too many critics were expecting Russia to go far in this year's World Cup competition, but with a favorable group draw, don't be surprised to see them finish in first position in their Group.
RUSSIA
