#15-Russia

#15-Russia
Nickname-N/A (Of course they don't have a nickname--why would they allow anything fun?)
UEFA
FIFA Ranking-#18
Group H (Belgium, Russia, Algeria, South Korea)
Projected Results...Loss to Belgium
Tie to Algeria
Win to South Korea
Manager-Fabio Capello
Qualified through first place in UEFA Qualifying Group F
3rd World Cup Appearance (1994, 2002)

Belgium is easily the class of the group, but Russia is not too shabby. I think they're in a vulnerable position, because Algeria is a dark horse for me to advance out of the group stage. Russia had an impressive qualification campaign until the very end when they stumbled to a first place finish in their group. Fabio Capello is a good manager, with a lot of experience. Russia is going to grind it out and use their physical presence to try to win games, but Belgium and Algeria are more finesse teams. It's going to be interesting to see how the clash of styles work out in this group. Here are some important players for Russia.

Alan Dzagoev-Plays for CSKA Moscow, and to me is the most impressive Russian player. I really like how deadly and incisive he can be in the midfield. 30 appearances, 8 goals. Only 23 years old.

Aleksandr Kerzhakov-Plays for Zenit in Russia, aged 31, and the best goal scorer on this Russian team. A quality forward, who has 78 appearances and 24 goals

Roman Shirokov-The captain, aged 32. Probably his last World Cup. He's a quality midfielder, needs to link well with Kerzhakov to give the Russians a chance of going far. 41 appearances, 12 goals.

They're a decent side, but not good enough to win it all. Wouldn't shock me to see them in the final 8, but they cannot take Algeria or South Korea lightly. Second in the group, out in the round of 16.