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Depleted Russia are up against it for their final Euro 2004 qualifier at home to Georgia, coach Georgy Yartsev told the press.
Russia come up against Georgia in the Lokomotiv stadium in Moscow on Saturday knowing that victory, and a draw between Switzerland and the Republic of Ireland in Basel, would see the Russians gain the automatic qualifying spot as group winners.
The group runners-up still have a chance to go through via a play-off.
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"We are set to prove Russians are able to play top class football. We have
gathered here to earn a place in the European championship finals and thus to
give support to the nation's pride," Yartsev said at his team's training
base at Bor, near Moscow. Ticketmaster
Yartsev was disappointed at the definite absences through injury of FC Porto midfielder Dmitry Alenichev and Saint Petersburg playmaker Vladislav Radimov, and said late checks would be needed on Alexei Smertin and Alexander Mostovoi who have health problems.