Russia Euro 2012 Roster: Latest on Team's Starting 11 and More

Andrey Arshavin
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The time is ripe to present another slideshow of the Russian starting 11 for Euro 2012. The decision was made for another slideshow in spite of no definite announcement of a permanent squad from Russia for Euro 2012.

One of the reasons behind this latest news is the announcement of the election of Andrey Arshavin as team captain by coach Dick Advocaat. The news of Arshavin's election was reported in the Russia Today (RT) website.

The news came as a personal surprise since my prediction was for Igor Akinfeev as captain. The invitation is set, so sit back, relax and enjoy the slideshow of the 11 starting members of the Russian National Football team.

Andrey Arshavin: Captain and Forward

Andrey Arshavin
Epsilon/Getty Images

According to RT, Andrey Arshavin was selected to be the captain of the Russian Squad for Euro 2012. Arshavin currently plays for Zenit St. Petersburg and once played for Arsenal.

Arshavin (as reported in ESPN Soccernet) is able to find his teammates and pass the ball with ease. Arshavin may be a quiet person, but he can surprise opponents with his dominance of the ball and match.

Igor Akinfeev: Goalkeeper

Igor Akinfeev
EuroFootball/Getty Images

According to the CSKA Moscow website, Igor Akinfeev was selected as the best player of the match between his team and Rubin Kazan. Akinfeev is also the ambassador of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, according to CSKA Moscow.

Akinfeev was placed in the top 100 of the best goalkeepers in the world by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics as reported by RT.

Russia may call on Akinfeev, but he may have competition.

Vyacheslav Malafeev: Goalkeeper

Vyacheslav Malafeev
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According to the RT, Vyacheslav Malafeev is an expert in deflecting potential goals from strikers of opposing teams. While he is as good as Akinfeev, Malafeev is in his 30s, while the former is in his 20s.

Malafeev was voted the most valued player (MVP) for Zenit St. Petersburg, according to the club website.

It remains to be seen who will be selected as the primary goalkeeper.

Roman Shirokov: Defender

Roman Shirokov
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Roman Shirokov is one of the few footballers who tells the truth to the point of offending people. For example, it was reported by RT that he called the supporters of his team Zenit St. Petersburg a derogatory name.

This was in response to Zenit St. Petersburg supporters throwing smoke bombs during a match between the team and APOEL in Cyprus. The smoke bomb incident and the insult by Shirokov towards Zenit was reported on November 24, 2011.

He managed to score four goals for Russia and has 19 caps.

Artem Dzyuba: Forward

Artem Dzyuba (Courtesy of Vasily Rodionov)

Artem Dzyuba once played for Tom Tomsk but is now a forward in Spartak Moscow, according to Imscouting.com. Dzyuba was once considered by Aston Villa at one time, according to The Daily Mail.

Dzyuba is just beginning and Euro 2012 may be what his career needs.

Magomed Ozdoev: Midfielder

Magomed Ozdoev (Courtesy of Mayda TV)

Magomed Ozdoev is a midfielder in his 20s for FC Lokomotiv Moscow. He was selected to be part of a temporary squad for Euro 2012, according to the UEFA website.

After looking at the above video, it is hoped that Ozdoev becomes a permanent part of the Russian squad.

Vladimir Granat: Defender

Vladimir Granat
Dmitry Korotayev/Getty Images

According to the UEFA website, Vladimir Granat was chosen as a provisional (or temporary) member of the Russian squad for Euro 2012. It remains to be seen what will happen to Granat and Russia in the events leading to and including Euro 2012.

Marat Izmailov: Midfielder

Marat Izmailov
EuroFootball/Getty Images

Marat Izmailov is a midfielder for the Portuguese team Sporting Lisbon. According to ESPN Soccernet, Izmailov managed to score five goals within nine matches during the 2011-2012 Liga Portuguesa season.

As reported in RT, his selection to the Russian squad was unexpected.

Alexander Anyukov: Defender

Alexander Anyukov
Epsilon/Getty Images

Alexander Anyukov is a defender for Zenit St. Petersburg who started 99 of the 100 matches he played. This feat was reported by the Zenit St. Petersburg website.

Anyukov is expected to defend Russia and pave the way for a younger generation of Russian players.

Roman Pavlyuchenko: Forward

Roman Pavlyuchenko (Courtesy of Football Russia)

Roman Pavlyuchenko is famous for being a player for the Tottenham Hotspur and Zenit St. Petersburg. Here are some of his most famous goals.

Alan Dzagoev: Forward

Alan Dzagoev (Courtesy of Dmitry Strukov TV)

According to CSKA Moscow, Alan Dzagoev scored 37 goals within 153 matches. Dzagoev is a new generation of Russian footballers that will be the wave of the future.

Igor Denisov: Midfielder

Igor Denisov
Epsilon/Getty Images

According to Zenit St. Petersburg, Igor Denisov started 106 of the 107 matches he participated in.

Denisov is a sharp, aggressive defender and attacker as reported by the club website. Denisov can also get close to the front line in order to increase his chances of an attack mode towards opposing players.

These qualities will help Russia go far in Euro 2012.

Alexei Berezutski: Defender

Alexei Berezutski
EuroFootball/Getty Images

Alexei Berezutski scored eight goals out of 352 as a defender. He may also serve as a transitional figure in Russian Football. Regardless, he has participated in almost every football event in the Russian Premier League, as reported by CSKA Moscow.

Conclusion

Russia
Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

The following slideshow was based on players that may or may not be selected for the permanent squad. It is based on personal opinion as well as information from RT, UEFA, CSKA Moscow, Zenit St Petersburg, ESPN Soccernet, Imscouting, and The Daily Mail.

It is not known who will make the cut for the permanent Russian team representing Euro 2012. For the time being, thank you for taking the time and patience to see the latest slideshow dedicated to Russia in Euro 2012.

Best wishes to all of the readers of B/R.