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| Wednesday 25 June, 2008 |
| Blog: Soviet stars |
| As Russia prepare for their semi-final against Spain, Steve Wilson looks at the last great side from the region - the Soviet Union's Euro '88 team |
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Since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1992, football in Russia has been on a downward spiral. First round exits at the 1994 and 2002 World Cups combined with departures at the same stage in Euro '96 and Euro 2004 did a disservice to the proud record the Red Army had carved in their iconic CCCP emblazoned shirts - culminating in their appearance in the Euro '88 Final.
But what happened to those last great Soviet heroes? And take a moment to imagine what kind of side the region could field today if Russia were still able to combine their talents with the best of the Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia and the other former Communist states.
GK: Rinat Dasayev
Known as the 'Iron Curtain' in his day, Dasayev was considered the best 'keeper in the world in the late '80s. Finished his career at Sevilla in 1991. Formerly assistant Coach of Russia, he now fills the same role at Torpedo Moscow and was a UEFA Ambassador at the recent Champions League Final in Russia's capital.
GK: Viktor Chanov
Made one substitute appearance at Euro '88. In 1990 he joined Maccabi Haifa in Israel, where he broke the club record for consecutive clean sheets. The Ukrainian became boss of his last club, Borysfen Boryspil, in 1995 but has been goalkeeper Coach at Dynamo Kiev since December 2006.
DF: Vladimir Bessonov
The veteran right-back retired in 1991. Managed several clubs in his Ukrainian homeland as well as the Turkmenistan national team and most recently resigned as Coach of FC Kharkiv in May 2008. His daughter Anna was a bronze medallist in rhythmic gymnastics at the 2004 Olympics.
DF: Oleg Kuznetsov
The curly-haired Ukrainian centre-back ended his career in 1998 and has slowly worked up from assistant boss at CSKA Kiev, to first-team Coach at Dynamo Kiev and finally the No 2 role with the Ukrainian national team in 2004 - where he was involved at the 2006 World Cup.
DF: Vagiz Khidiatullin
The Russian-born centre-back's performances at the event earned him a move to French side Toulouse. After his career ended in 1994 at Dynamo Moscow he went on to become the founder and President of the Russian Professional Players and Coaches Trade Union.
DF: Anatoly Demianenko
Another Ukrainian member of the squad, the left-sided player retired in 1993. Did not enter management until 2005 - when he steered Dynamo Kiev to the Ukrainian title in 2006 and the Ukrainian Cup in 2006 and 2007. Appointed Coach of Azerbaijan outfit Neftchi in January 2008.
DF: Sergei Baltacha
The Ukrainian ended his career in Scotland at St Johnstone. Briefly coached Inverness CT, and has spawned a sporting family. Daughter Elena is a leading British tennis player and son Sergei Jnr played for St Mirren. Currently a PE teacher in London, he also coaches at Charlton Athletic.
DF: Tengiz Sulakvelidze
One of the older squad members, he made just a few brief appearances at Euro '88. After retiring in 1991 the Georgian took up various coaching positions around his homeland and currently trains children at his football school in Tbilisi.
DF: Ivan Vishnevsky
The veteran Ukrainian never got on the field at Euro '88 and many mused that his tight-marking may have contained Marco Van Basten in the Final. Joined Fenerbahçe in 1989 and played out his career in Turkey. Tragically he died on skin cancer in May 1996 aged just 39.
DF: Vyacheslav Sukristov
Another player who did not get a game at the tournament, however he went on to have a lengthy career for Lithuania after the Soviet Union broke up. Played out the remainder of his career in Israel and is currently on the coaching staff of the Lithuanian Under-21 side.
MF: Vasiliy Rats
The Ukrainian-Hungarian left midfielder departed from Dynamo Kiev in 1989 for a year in Spain with Espanyol before finishing his career in 1991 with Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros. Still resides in Budapest, where his son Laszlo was on the books of MTK, but is no longer involved in football.
MF: Gennadiy Litovchenko
Scored against Italy in the Euro '88 semi-final. The Ukrainian became Coach of CSKA Kiev in 1996 and has managed various clubs around his home nation. Currently in charge of Dynamo Kiev's reserve side in the Ukrainian Second Division.
MF: Victor Pasulko
Finished the remaining years of his career in Germany after leaving Spartak Moscow. Coaching in amateur football, the half-Ukrainian half-Moldovan midfielder was plucked from obscurity in 2002 to take charge of the Moldovan national team, a role he held for four years until February 2006.
MF: Sergei Aleinikov
The moustachioed midfielder joined Juventus in 1989 and also played for Lecce. A Belarusian, he played in Japan and Sweden before his involvement with the Bianconeri's youth academy. In June 2007 he took charge of NK Kras - who play in the Promozione Division, Italy's seventh tier.
MF: Alexei Mikhailichenko
The ginger-haired attacking midfielder won the Scudetto with Sampdoria before ending his career at Rangers. A former Coach of Dynamo Kiev, his first club, he then became boss of the Ukrainian Under-21 side before graduating to take charge of the full national side in January of this year.
MF: Alexander Zavarov
Signed by Juventus after Euro '88, he helped them to their UEFA Cup success in 1990. Finished his playing time, and began his coaching career, at French side Saint Dizier. Had a short spell as Coach at FC Wil, working under Igor Belanov. Currently in charge of Ukrainian side Arsenal Kiev.
ST: Igor Belanov
The Ukrainian missed a penalty in the Final. Briefly coached Metalurg Mariupol in 1996 before departing to run his own business in Germany. Became majority shareholder of Swiss side FC Wil in 2003 but departed after internal turmoil at the club. Now runs a football school in Odessa.
ST: Sergei Gotsmanov
The Belarusian forward joined Brighton in 1990 before moving on to Southampton. Later in the decade he moved to the United States and played for Minnesota Thunder. Still resident in Minnesota, his son Sasha plays for Colorado Rapids in the MLS.
ST: Oleg Protasov
After leaving Dynamo Kiev in 1990 he played in Greece and Japan. As a Coach he won the Greek championship with Olympiakos in 2003. Also bossed Steaua Bucharest and the Ukrainian is now at the helm of Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.
ST: Sergey Dmitriev
The Russian striker is one of just three squad members who did not play at the Finals. Retired in 2000 after spells at Dinamo Moscow, Zenit St Petersburg and Dinamo St Petersburg. In May 2008 he was appointed Coach of the Brunei national team.
Coach: Valery Lobanovsky
The legendary Ukrainian Coach was in co-charge of Dynamo Kiev and the Soviet Union at Euro '88. Bossed the United Arab Emirates between 1990 and 1993 before retaking charge of Dynamo Kiev. He died during brain surgery following a stroke in May 2002. A major influence on the career of Andriy Shevchenko. When Sheva won the Champions League in 2003 with Milan he travelled to Lobanovsky's grave and placed his winner's medal on the tombstone.
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The USSR would have been a great team now, imagine if Sheva and Kaladze were playing at their peak for the USSR in Euro 2004 and 2002 World Cup. Plus Alexandr Hleb. But the Soviet Union was struggling economically and I think it's better now that all these countries are independent. At least we could unite the football federations and call it USSR FA but keep the countries independent, if thats possible. Just the thought of a Sheva-Arshavin-Hleb-Kaladze team makes me excited.
Chaikin
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