RUSSIA TO KICK OFF, END EURO 2012 QUALIFICATION AGAINST ANDORRA

RIA Novosti
March 25, 2010

MOSCOW, March 25 (RIA Novosti) – Russia will begin and end their
attempt to make the final stages of Euro 2012 with matches against
minnows Andorra.

Group B also includes Slovakia, Ireland, Macedonia and Armenia.

The winners of the nine qualifying groups and the best runner-up will
qualify directly for the finals. The other eight runners-up will take
part in home-and-away playoffs.

Russia beat Andorra 4-0 at home and 1-0 away in their successful
attempt to make the finals of Euro 2008, where they reached the
semifinals.

Russia will be led in the qualifying campaign by a new manager, with
current coach Guus Hiddink set to quit in July to take over as Turkey’s
trainer. Hiddink failed to guide Russia to this summer’s World Cup.

Former Zenit St. Petersburg coach Dick Advocaat has been linked with
the Russia post.

2010

September 3 – Andorra (away)

September 7 – Slovakia (home)

October 8 – Ireland (away)

October 12 – Macedonia (away)

March 26 – Armenia (home)

June 4 – Armenia (away)

2011

September 2 – Macedonia (home)

September 6 – Ireland (home)

October 7 – Slovakia (away)

October 11 – Andorra (home)