Spain held by Russia in last warm-up fixture
Sunday, June 5, 2011
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Spain 1-1 Russia
Luis Milla's side took the lead through Ander Herrera but were forced to settle for a draw in their final warm-up game before the finals.
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Spain 1-1 Russia
Spain were forced to settle for a share of the spoils in their final warm-up game before beginning the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Denmark next Sunday.
Luis Milla's side, who open their finals campaign against England before facing the Czech Republic and Ukraine in Group B, went in front through Real Zaragoza's Ander Herrera on 23 minutes but were held to a draw due to Pavel Yakovlev's second-half strike.
Following Herrera's opener, Spain could have gone two in front but Diego Capel's shot went wide. Both teams made a series of changes at the interval but it was Spain who continued to dominate, RC Deportivo La Coruña's Adrián López heading Capel's cross just over the bar.
Capel again went close just before the hour but Milla's charges were ultimately made to pay for their failure to capitalise. Though Denis Cheryshev's powerful shot was well kept out by Rubén Miño on 73 minutes, Russia did draw level with 13 minutes remaining when Yakovlev beat the Spain keeper with an effort from just outside the penalty area.