How they qualified: Finished 1st in European Qualifying Group B

Team Base: Warsaw

The surprise package in 2008, Russia thrilled neutrals with some fine attacking football on the way to the tournament’s semifinals before losing to the eventual winners Spain.

Four years on and the Russians are still an unknown and unpredictable quantity to many with Dick Advocaat’s side looking to field an experienced first eleven with youthful backups harvested from Zenit St Petersburg’s Championship winning side.

The bright spark in their predicted starting 11 is Alan Dzagoev, CSKA Moscow’s 21-year-old left midfielder.

If Andrei Arshavin fails to produce the goods this summer, as many still feel the Arsenal flop is still carrying a little extra weight and lacking in enthusiasm, Dzagoev will be a player who many will look to fill the void left on the pitch.

Russia still have strength and experience and should still be favorites to top the group.

WFD Predicted Starting XI: 4-2-1-2-1

Akinfeev

Anyukov - Nababkin - Ignashevich - Zhirkov

Denisov- Zyryanov

Shirokov

Dzagoev - Arshavin

Kerzhakov

WFD predicted group finish: 1st

Russia Group Schedule: (All times local)

Match 1: June 8 v Czech Republic - Municipal Stadium, Wroclaw (20:45)

Match 2: June 12 v Poland - National Stadium, Warsaw (20:45)

Match 3: June 16 v Greece - National Stadium, Warsaw (20:45)