SOCCER:PAVEL POGREBNYAK scored twice as Russia opened their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a low-key 2-0 win over Andorra in the Estadi Comumal d'Aixoball Stadium yesterday.

Pogrebnyak fired the visitors ahead in the 14th minute, calmly slotting past Andorra goalkeeper Josep Gomes from close range after a fine pass by Russia captain Andrei Arshavin. The VfB Stuttgart striker added a second with a 65th-minute penalty after a foul on Russia substitute Alan Dzagoyev.

Russia beat Andorra 1-0 at the same stadium in November 2007.