Russia and Denmark are both likely to field full-strength teams in their friendly match Wednesday, Russia’s first major test ahead of Euro 2012 in June.
The first match between the countries pits together two teams on good form, with Denmark on a five-game winning streak, while Russia are unbeaten in ten matches.
Russia coach Dick Advocaat has picked a squad of established names for the trip to Copenhagen, with all but three of the 21-man squad holding at least five caps, and only one debutant, Spartak Moscow midfielder Dmitry Kombarov.
An injury crisis among Russia’s goalkeepers means that either Rubin Kazan’s Sergei Ryzhikov or Anzhi Makhachkala’s Vladimir Gabulov will play ahead of Igor Akinfeev and Vyacheslav Malafeev.
Denmark coach Morten Olsen has picked much the same squad that featured in Euro 2012 qualification, although he has recalled Ivory Coast-born center-back Jores Okore in place of Roma’s Simon Kjaer.
Denmark also suffered a late injury blow Tuesday when Liverpool defender Daniel Agger pulled out of the squad after breaking a rib during his club’s Carling Cup final win over Cardiff City on Sunday.
Russia's Advocaat said Monday that Denmark’s style did not resemble any of Russia’s opponents at Euro 2012, but their overall strength made them useful sparring partners.
“It’s a chance to play against a strong opponent, that’s important for us. Denmark is a very strong team,” he said.
The Russia squad features Andrei Arshavin, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Roman Pavlyuchenko, who all joined Russian clubs from English Premier League sides in January and February.
Advocaat said that the players would benefit by playing more first-team football at their new clubs, as would striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, who joined Fulham from Stuttgart in January.
“They didn’t play regularly in the first half of the season. That was the picture from last summer until December. Now they should get practice at their clubs every week.”
Olsen said that Denmark would approach the friendly as a test of the side’s readiness.
"We are going to use the match to see where we stand, and we have to play it as if it was a competitive match," he told the UEFA website.
"None of our opponents at the finals are going to underestimate us, so we have to be ready."
