Playerwatch 2006: Eastern Europe

Ukraine secured their first FIFA World Cup qualification in 2005, and Andriy Shevchenko remains the clear active footballing star from the nations of the former Soviet Union. But several others of promise are emerging.

Rotan impresses
Among them is Shevchenko's 24-year-old compatriot Ruslan Rotan. The playmaker, who helped FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk to the UEFA Cup last 32 in 2003/04 and 2004/05, switched to FC Dynamo Kyiv in the summer and has signed a formidable central partnership with Serhiy Rebrov. Rotan also struck three goals - including two winners - in Ukraine's World Cup qualifying campaign.

Bilyaletdinov promise
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov has been the revelation of the year in Russia. A graduate of the FC Lokomotiv Moskva academy, he impressed for their reserve side in 2003 and made a number of fine appearances for the first team during the next season. However, it was in 2005 that he made a giant step forward in his development. The 20-year-old winger helped them come close to the league title and won promotion from the Russian Under-21 side to the full squad. FC Zenit St Peterburg's 24-year-old striker Andrei Arshavin also shone with his fine dribbling, playmaking and finishing skills, including several crucial goals in league and UEFA Cup.

Savenas goals
In Lithuania, Mantas Savenas, 23, proved the vital link between midfield and attack in both the FK Ekranas team who ended FBK Kaunas's six-year championship monopoly and the national side. Ever-present for his club, he scored 27 goals in 36 appearances including a large number of free-kicks.

Neemelo record
Estonia can be proud of 23-year-old FC TVMK Tallinn striker Tarmo Neemelo, who scored a league record 41 goals for the champions and leads the ESM Golden Shoe race. His compatriot Andres Oper has found a new lease of life up front for new club Roda JC in the Netherlands. In Latvia, midfielder Genadijs Solonicins led FKH Liepajas Metalurgs to their first title after 14 years of Skonto FC domination, scoring 13 league goals and winning his first cap.

Young Armenians
Armenia is experiencing the emergence of a rich vein of young talent. FC Pyunik central defender Robert Arzumanyan, 20, helped his side retain the title and was ever present for the national team. Two years younger, the skilful Edgar Manucharyan switched from Pyunik to AFC Ajax in April and helped Armenia qualify for the UEFA European Under-19 Championship, though he has had a frustrating year due to injuries.

Kovba satisfaction
It was an eventful year for Belarus midfielder Denis Kovba. Though FC Krylya Sovetov Samara ended 14th in the Russian league, the 26-year-old helped them avoid relegation and is doing well for the national team. He was only beaten to the Belarussian player of the year title by Aleksandr Hleb, who Arsenal FC agreed to pay VfB Stuttgart up to €15m for this summer. However, Kovba suffered a blow when he broke a collar bone against Norway in October.

Versatile Covalciuc
Serghei Covalciuc of Moldova has proved his versatility as FC Spartak Moskva, where he became a fans' favourite in helping them achieve 2006/07 UEFA Champions League qualification. He played as both an attacking and defensive midfielder, and on both wings.

Ashirbekov improvement
FK Aktobe's 23-year-old midfielder Kairat Ashirbekov was the revelation in Kazakhstan this year. Aktobe won the league for the first time with Ashirbekov scoring 15 times. Ashirbekov is a master of free-kicks and several Kazakhstani and Russian clubs are keen on his signature. Veteran Georgian Shota Arveladze has also been in the goals since moving to AZ Alkmaar from Rangers FC.