Russia, previously known as the Soviet Union, has always fielded a deadly side which has proven to be very tough to defeat. In the year 1956, the Soviets became the first Olympic champions and four years later they were the first winners of the European championships. On both occasions their legendary goal keeper, Lev Yashin was in goal. They have also reached the European championships finals on three other occasions, unfortunatly for them they reached finished runners up on them occasions. Their most recent final was against the Dutch during Euro 88.
Russia have participated in many world cups, most notably in 1962 they reached the quarter finals, as they were defeated by the hosts Chile. In 1988, the Soviet Union won the gold medals again in the Olympics as they defeated Brazil 2-1 in the final.
The Russian football union was founded in the year 1912 and they boast many strong domestic clubs, including, Spartack Moscow and Lokomotiv Moscow.
Lev Yashin is considered by many as the greatest goal keeper of all time. Yashin has played on 78 occasions for his nation in a career which spanned between 1954 – 1970. Yashin was most famously notable for stopping shots that no other goal keeper could reach.
Another famous Russian player is Rinat Dasayev, who played for eleven years for the Russians, making 94 appearances.