Russia star player: Igor Semshov
You took part in the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004. How would you compare your feelings then to now?
I feel a great deal more confident now. This time I played in all the qualifiers, while, say, in 2002 I was a last-minute inclusion. I have not felt an integral part of the squad before.
How do you rate your group opponents?
We play Spain in our first game. Their league is the best in Europe, alongside the English. It is good to have such opponents from the very start – just to compare, to estimate your own strength and potential. We beat future champions Greece in 2004 and they would not have reached the second stage if we had scored one more goal. I took part in that game and I know we have enough skill and power to battle with them. Sweden are a medium-level European team with a couple of stars such as Ibrahimovic and Ljungberg. They always have a very solid squad.
What would be a successful tournament for you and what would be a failure?
Not getting to the quarter-finals will be a failure. If we reach the semi-finals I would rate it a big success.
Russia have a foreign coach for the first time. What are your impressions of Guus Hiddink and how do you communicate?
Well, I would say we use the universal language of football for communication. We had heard a lot about Mr Hiddink and saw him working with other teams at top-level tournaments. Over the year and a half under his command we have got to know his style. He confidently led us through the qualifiers. I am sure he has more interesting ideas for the finals and I am keen to learn about them and make them work. The team fully believe in him, not just his luck.
Who will be the star of the tournament?
The choice is big. Many high-profile players will come to Austria and Switzerland, but I would single out Cristiano Ronaldo. Even the great Manchester United owe a lot to him this season.
Which of your team-mates should we look out for?
I would not single out one person. Each one of them can be a surprise. But I would like us, first of all, to be strong as a team.
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