Which Russian player is really good at chess (Igor Denisov, surprisingly) and who used to run a Q&A section on his website? Find out here
This article is part of the Guardian's Euro 2012 Experts' Network, a co-operation between 16 of the best media organisations from the countries who have qualified for the finals in Poland and Ukraine. guardian.co.uk is running previews from two countries each day in the runup to the tournament kicking off on 8 June
Igor Denisov
He is, without a doubt, the Russian Mark van Bommel. The Zenit St Petersburg midfielder has been involved in a series of incidents on and off the pitch, including: a brawl with the Spartak coach, Valery Karpin; a refusal to join the national team before Euro 2008; a fight with a team-mate, as well as with a driving instructor and several security officers. He is a really good chess player, which may surprise some considering his tough-guy image. He has two South African pitbulls. Never gives an interview.
Andrey Arshavin
A little-known fact about the Russian captain: when his team-mate and close friend Vladimir Bystrov was sold by Zenit St Petersburg to Spartak Moscow, their fiercest rivals, Arshavin scored a hat-trick in the next Russian Premier League match but didn't celebrate any of his goals in protest against this decision. He is a very loyal man. He also used to run a brilliant Q&A section on his website. Here is one example:
"Hi. I am 25 years old and I'm still not married. My parents are very upset about this. They say I can end up a spinster. But I don't want to get married yet. What shall I do?"
Arshavin: "I think I can help you.
"Step 1: You need to find a scruffy heavy drinker.
"Step 2: Once you've found him, try to persuade him to 'marry' you. I think that for a small amount of money, he will agree to fulfil the role of your fiance :) Final: Bring this guy home. Tell your parents he'll live with you ;) I think next time they will think better before forcing their opinion on you."
Yuri Zhirkov
When he joined Chelsea and while his wife was waiting for her UK visa, Zhirkov spent hours and hours in the Dolce & Gabbana store in west London because one of the staff spoke Russian, and Yuri didn't know a word of English. This lasted for three months.
Vladimir Bystrov
In 2005, the Russian Under-21 team (a lot of these players are now in the first team) played one of the most disgraceful games in their history. They needed to beat Denmark but after going 2-1 behind the Russian players lost the plot: Igor Akinfeev tripped an opponent in his own box while he was running away from goal and conceded a penalty; Zhirkov took off his shirt and offered it to a linesman; five Russian players were sent off, including one from the bench. After the game, Vladimir Bystrov proved he did not pay much attention during the geography lessons at school. "How can they appoint a Scandinavian referee to the game against Scandinavian side!" he railed. The referee, Alan Kelly, was Irish.
Sergei Ignashevich
When CSKA Moscow were about to play Krylya Sovetov Samara away in March 2011, Ignashevich filmed the pitch of the Metallurg stadium on his mobile phone camera. It was all dirt and puddles without any sign of grass, and the football officials reacted quickly to the video and postponed the game.
Igor Akinfeev
The CSKA and Russia No1 is a close friend of the Russian pop star Sergei Zhukov, singer in the euro dance outfit Ruki Vverh! (Hands Up!), who were extremely popular in the late 90s and early noughties. Akinfeev even recorded a song with Ruki Vverkh!.
Ivan Kalashnikov is the deputy editor at sports.ru
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