Russia will be looking to their defence to put on an improved display when they take on the Czech Republic in their opening Group A match in Wroclow, tonight.
The Russians, coached by veteran Dick Advocaat, are in buoyant mood after a morale-boosting friendly victory last Friday.
Advocaat’s side produced a vibrant attacking display to thump Italy 3-0 in Zurich leading expectations to flower in some quarters.
Russia were one of the revelations of Euro 2008 with their delightful attacking flair-filled play under the guidance of another Dutchman, Guus Hiddink, destroying Holland in the quarter-finals before losing in the semi-finals.
And Russian captain Andrey Arshavin believes the Italy win proved Russia are ready to take on and beat the best.
“The result of the friendly with Italy boosted our fans’ hopes and all of our players also,” he said.
“For a long time we have believed our team is capable of playing at this level.”
However, Advocaat is keen to quell the rising tide of optimism.
Although his side produced some fine attacking play in Zurich, with strike pairing Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Roman Shirokov particularly impressive, ably supported by Arshavin, Advocaat is more concerned about his defence.
In truth, they allowed Italy several clear chances but some poor finishing was the main reason the Azzurri failed to score.
“One friendly victory doesn’t make us the Euro favourites,” said 64-year-old Advocaat, who is stepping down after the finals to take over PSV Eindhoven.
“We should remain realists, it was just a warm-up game.”
While the Russians are trying to improve their defence, the Czechs have had quite a different problem to overcome in their preparations.
Before arriving at their base in Wroclaw, traces of the potentially-deadly Legionella bacteria were found in their hotel, which needed to call in a disinfection company before Polish health inspectors gave it the all clear.
Their other major concern is over the fitness of forward Milan Baros who limped out of training this week with a thigh problem.
Captain Tomas Rosicky, alongside fellow veterans Peter Cech and Baros, should form the backbone of the Czech challenge.
However, their form coming into the tournament has been patchy, having beaten Israel 2-1 they went down by the same score at home to a youthful Hungary side.