Russia Euro 2020 preview: Key players, strengths, weaknesses and expectations
Russia manager Stanislav Cherchesov / Mike Kireev/MB Media/Getty Images
Since entering the 2018 World Cup as the lowest-ranked nation, things have changed for Stanislav Cherchesov s Russia.
Reaching the last eight of the tournament on home soil saw the country rise in the standings and even got Cherchesov a nomination for the 2018 FIFA Best Men s Coach award.
Russia staff sing national anthem before World Cup quarter final in 2018 / Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Now, despite several of that squad no longer playing for the side, Russians are feeling pretty optimistic ahead of this summer s Euro 2020 tournament. Competing in Group B with Belgium, Denmark and Finland, it ll be far from easy - but progressing is possible.
Nikola Vlašić (Photo: Анна Нэсси/Soccer.ru/CC license)
Croatian international Nikola Vlašić has been selected as the player of the year in Russia, Sportske Novosti reports.
The award is the biggest individual recognition for the 23-year-old CSKA Moscow midfielder and one of the biggest for a Croatian footballer.
The last time a Croatian player won a similar award in a European league was Darijo Srna back in 2010 when he was named player of the year in Ukraine.
Vlašić, who has had a great 2020 for both club and country deserved the award which is divided into four levels. The winner is decided by the votes of 16 most prominent Russian coaches, 16 most prominent sports directors and managers, 16 journalists of the most prestigious Russian sports portal Sport express, and readers of the same portal.