Source: Xinhua

06-05-2008 13:20

Special Report:   2008 European Championships

VIENNA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Russia gained more confidence for the upcoming Euro 2008 football championship after they swept Lithuania 4-1 in a warm-up on Wednesday in Burghausen of Germany.

Zenit St Petersburg midfielders Konstantin Zyryanov and Andrei Arshavin along with Spartak Moscow Roman Pavlyuchenko and Vladimir Bystrov scored for the Russians after Lithuania had taken a shock lead through Mantas Savenas.

Lithuania, who had been eliminated from the Euro 2008 final stage, overshadowed Russia in the early period of the friendly.

In the 24th minute Savenas avoided Russia's offside trap and put Lithuania 1-0 up knocking in a rebound after his initial 12-meter shot went past keeper Vyacheslav Malafeyev but struck the right post.

However, in the 33rd minute Zyryanov levelled, firing into the top left-hand corner from just inside the box.

Six minutes after the interval Arshavin put Russia into the lead knocking in another rebound after Karcemarskis deflected halftime substitute Pavlyuchemko's powerful shot from outside the box.

In the 62nd minute Diniyar Bilyaletdinov failed to add to the lead when he missed a penalty, sending the ball wide after Sergei Ignashevich was fouled.

But two minutes later Pavlyuchenko made it 3-1 for Russia firing in from 17 meters, while Bystrov rounded off the scoring with a sharp-angled shot with 10 minutes remaining.

Russia will face Spain, Sweden and reigning champions Greece in Group D in Euro 2008.

 

Editor:Zhang Ning