Voice of Russia
March 26 2011
Russia, Armenia draw in EuroCup qualifier
Mar 26, 2011 21:23 Moscow Time
Russia has drawn with Armenia 0-0 in a Yerevan qualifier of the 2012
European Football Cup.
There will be one more qualifier between the same teams, played in
Moscow on the 4th of June.
Russia is first in its B group with ten points. Armenia has 8.
On the coming Tuesday, Russia is to play a friendly with Qatar.
From: A. Papazian
news.am, Armenia
March 26 2011
Armenian National Committee of Spain demands Genocide recognition
March 26, 2011 | 15:53
On March 9th, the Spanish parliament overruled a petition regarding
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide committed by Turkey between
1915 and 1923, reported the Armenian National Committee of Spain.
President Rodriguez Zapatero presented the Alliance of Civilizations
to United Nations in 2004. We believe asking Turkey to assume their
responsibility of the Armenian Genocide falls within the context of
this proposal, and by overruling the petition of Recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, the Spanish parliament has invalidated this
Alliance. Also, Turkey who had accepted this Alliance, contradicts it
by refusing to recognize the Genocide.
`In relation to the statement which declares that there are other
priorities on the political agenda with Armenia, we would like to
point out that most of the problems which Armenia encounters at the
moment are directly related to Turkey not assuming their historical
responsibilities toward the Armenian people. The solution to the
Nagorno-Karabakh’s conflict is connected to this matter, a condition
that Turkey imposed on Armenia for the signing of the 2009 protocols.
Turkey and Azerbaijan continue with their anti-Armenian policy with
the closing of their borders imposed by Turkey, which prevents the
development of Armenia and the systematic destruction of cultural and
religious monuments of Nakhichevan (Azerbaijan).
With this overruling, Spain separates itself from the position adopted
in 1987 by the European Parliament who recognized the genocide
committed by Turkey.
Condemning crimes against humanity is not related to historical
revisionism, denouncing any act of racism and xenophobia, which the
European Union advises, is a priority for any political organization,
with independence of its ideological views.
The passing of time does not lessen the seriousness of the facts and
it is everyone’s responsibility to stop the statements which are used
to justify impunity. We do not want retaliation, we demand historical
justice,’ reads the statement issued by the Armenian National Comm
From: A. Papazian
news.am, Armenia
March 26 2011
Bookmakers increase odds of Armenia winning
March 26, 2011 | 16:51
International and Armenian bookmakers have increased odds of Armenia’s
victory several hours prior to Armenia vs. Russia qualifying match.
William Hill offers odds of 5/1. The local bookmakers have increased
odds on Armenia’s victory to 5.5 as compared to previous 7, whereas
Russia’s was raised from 1.51 to 1.68.
Armenia vs. Russia EURO-2012 qualifying match will take place on
Saturday in Yerevan.
From: A. Papazian
news.am, Armenia
March 26 2011
OSCE field assessment mission report did not fulfil Azerbaijan’s
expectations, Karabakh MP says
March 26, 2011 | 18:22
The Azerbaijani side placed great hopes for OSCE field assessment
mission’s report on territories surrounding Karabakh, Vahram
Atanesyan, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, NKR Parliament,
told Armenian News-NEWS.am.
`It is clear to everybody that the mission was conducted on the
initiative of the Azerbaijani side. I think, the Azerbaijani side, to
put it mildly, was not encouraged by the report,’ Atanesyan noted.
As for the Karabakh side’s response, the parliamentarian noted the
OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs’ report was unbiased, but they have their
own mission and the Karabakhi side was not satisfied with all wordings
in the report. `Particularly, it refers to the point that Karabakh’s
status quo in unacceptable. It hints at the fact that reality does not
correspond to political stability in the region. We do not think so,’
Atanesyan stressed.
Among the unbiased points, the parliamentarian indicated that the
report reflected that the territories of the security zone are mainly
inhabited by immigrants from Azerbaijan. It proves the fact that
residents of these areas are mainly people, who were forced to leave
their homes as a result of ethnic cleansings by the Azerbaijani
authorities. The fact that settlers lack identity documents was also
objective,’ Atanesyan emphasized.
According to him, the mediators expressed their standpoints on the
situation in these areas, which may become a subject of dialogue
between Karabakh authorities and Minsk Group Co-Chairs. He stressed
that an international monitoring in the territories controlled by the
Azerbaijani army is urgent. These are Shahumyan region, part of
Martakert and Martuni regions.
On March 24, OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs presented the Executive
Summary of the report of Field Assessment Mission. The mediators
conducted a Field Assessment Mission to the seven territories
surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) from October 7-12, 2010.
From: A. Papazian
news.am, Armenia
March 26 2011
Health Minister visited Raffi Hovannisian
March 26, 2011 | 18:40
Armenian Health Minister Harutyun Kushkyan visited leader of the
Heritage Party who is on a hunger strike in Liberty Square of Yerevan.
Talking to the Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent, the Minister said
he had asked Hovannissian about his health condition. He was
accompanied by doctors who carried out daily medical examination of
Raffi Hovannisian. The Minister urged leader of Heritage Party to stop
the hunger strike, as it is dangerous to his health.
From: A. Papazian
news.am, Armenia
March 26 2011
Armenian President presented ball with autographs of Russian football players
March 26, 2011 | 18:24
Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan received on Saturday members of the
Russia-Armenia parliamentary friendship group and representatives of
United Russia Party’s youth union who arrived in Yerevan to watch
Armenia vs. Russia football match.
President Sargsyan stressed the role of inter-parliamentary
cooperation in expanding bilateral relations, presidential press
service informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. Serzh Sargsyan noted that
strategic partnership between the states is expanding and deepening
due to frequent meetings of countries’ presidents and other officials.
President Sargsyan noted it is pleasant that Russian MPs’ visit to
Yerevan coincides with the the match of national teams.
The members of the Russian delegation presented the President a ball
with autographs of Russian players.
From: A. Papazian
news.am, Armenia
March 26 2011
OSCE assessment mission’s report biased, Karabakh MP says
March 26, 2011 | 20:02
The report of the OSCE field assessment mission is biased, Karabakh MP
Armen Sargsyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am.
According to him, mission’s task to conduct research only inside of
Nagorno-Karabakh and in the territories forming a security zone was
initially wrong. `There was no task to conduct mission in the
territories controlled by Azerbaijan (Shahumyan region, part of
Martakert and Martuni regions – ed.),’ he noted. Sargsyan considers
the mission, the aim of which is to find way to establish peace and
resolve Karabakh conflict, should not have one-sided approach.
The MP claimed they felt that the approach is biased from the
beginning and therefore opposed mission’s conduction.
On March 24, OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs presented the Executive
Summary of the report of Field Assessment Mission. The mediators
conducted a Field Assessment Mission to the seven territories
surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh (NK) from October 7-12, 2010.
From: A. Papazian
Yahoo! Sports
March 26 2011
Armenia hold toothless Russia to 0-0 draw
Sat, 26 Mar 18:09:00 2011
* Russia fail to score for third consecutive game
* Russia still lead Group B, Armenia move to second (adds Advocaat quotes)
Misfiring Russia were held to a 0-0 draw by hard-working Armenia in
their Euro 2012 qualifier on Saturday, missing a chance to extend
their lead in Group B.
The top-seeded Russians now have 10 points from five matches while
Armenia surprisingly moved into second place with eight points, ahead
of both Ireland and Slovakia who play their qualifiers later on
Saturday.
Russia have now failed to score for a third consecutive match after
losing two friendlies to Belgium (2-0) and Iran (1-0) in the last five
months.
After a slow opening, the Russians took control, creating several
scoring chances but failed to find the target.
Yura Movsisyan wasted Armenia’s best chance early in the second half
when he fired wide from close range.
Alexander Kerzhakov, who scored for Russia in each of their two
previous qualifiers against Ireland and Macedonia, missed the top
corner when he was sent clear a few minutes later.
Russia captain Andrei Arshavin had a quiet game, missing the target
with his only shot at goal late in the game.
Coach Dick Advocaat said he was happy enough with a draw.
“Both teams were looking for a goal but we had a lot more chances than
them,” the Dutchman told a news conference.
“Unfortunately, we were missing the final pass and couldn’t get a good
shot on goal. Still, this draw is a good result, especially as we were
playing away from home.”
The two teams meet again in their next qualifier on June 4.
From: A. Papazian
Goal.com
March 26 2011
Armenia 0-0 Russia: Wasteful Visitors Come Up Short in Yerevan
Yet again, a Russian coach will be scratching his head and wondering
just how his side failed to take one of the many chances, which came
their way.
By Gary Niblock
It was most definitely a case of two points dropped for Group B
leaders Russia, as they somehow failed to pull open an Armenian side
whom they dominated in a scoreless draw in Yerevan. The result means
that Armenia net their first ever point against Russia.
Armenia began the brighter of the two sides but the opening stages
were devoid of any goalmouth action. Igor Akinfeev was forced into his
first real save of the afternoon when he tipped away a long-range
effort from Brazilian born attacker Marcos Pizzelli. Thereafter, it
was one-way traffic, with the home side coming under wave after wave
of pressure.
In-form Zenit striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov found enough space on the
right-hand side of the penalty area on 22 minutes but his strike was
disappointingly directed straight at Armenia goalkeeper Roman
Berezovsky. The 36-year old veteran stopper stood firm as the Russians
began to turn the screw, parrying away a fiercely struck Yuri Zhirkov
bullet from 25 yards.
Russia went close when, after a neat one-two with Roman Shirokov, Igor
Denisov drilled a low shot wide before Sergey Ignashevich then headed
narrowly wide from a corner from Russian captain Andrey Arshavin.
Shirokov was then thwarted twice in quick succession, first after a
brave block from Hrayr Mkoyan and then by another smart Berezkovsky
save.
After the break, the home side wasted a glorious chance six minutes
into the second half. The industrious Yura Mosisyan was only able to
direct his left-footed shot into the side netting from close range
after he had eluded the presence of Akinfeev. Moments later, Kerzhakov
blasted wide from a tight angle after receiving Alan Dzagoev’s
lay-off.
At times, it looked as if Russia would leave themselves vulnerable to
an Armenian counter-attack but they continued to look the more likely
side to score. Kerzhakov looked to be in on goal with twenty minutes
remaining but he was eased off the ball by Armenia’s captain Sargis
Hovsepyan. Arshavin went close on 79 minutes but he curled his shot
the wrong side of the post.
Given the fact that Armenia were still very much in the game as it
drew to a close, the home fans began to sense the possibility of an
upset. However, Armenia’s clear-cut chance never came and Shirokov
spurned yet another opportunity to secure the three points when he
fired over from long range with four minutes left.
Russia, who now have ten points, remain top of the group for the
meantime, two points clear of second-placed Armenia with both sides
now awaiting the results of the other two games in the group. Armenia
have no game until the return fixture in Moscow in June, while Russia
play Qatar in a friendly on Tuesday.
From: A. Papazian
Metro Canada
March 26 2011
Armenia, Russia draw 0-0 in Euro 2012 qualifier
AVET DEMURYAN, AP
Published: March 26, 2011 1:12 p.m.
YEREVAN, Armenia – Armenia held visiting Group B leader Russia to 0-0
in their 2012 European Championship qualifier on Saturday.
Russia remained on top while Armenia, enjoying its best-ever
qualifying campaign by playing its last four games unbeaten, climbed
to second, two points behind.
Other Group B contenders Ireland and Slovakia played late Saturday,
against Macedonia and last-place Andorra respectively.
Russia enjoyed most of the possession and missed a host of chances,
while the host was visibly jittery when attacking, opting for
long-range shots that rarely troubled Russia goalkeeper Igor
Akinfeyev.
Armenia had the first chance but Henrik Mkhitaryan fired low and
straight at Akinfeyev from 20 metres in the seventh minute.
Russia’s Alexander Kerzhakov connected too lightly when he glanced
wide from a Roman Shishkin cross in the 15th. Minutes later Akinfeyev
parried away a long-range drive from Ghazaryan after a neat buildup.
Russia’s first meaningful effort came on 23 minutes with a low drive
straight at the goalkeeper from Alexander Kerzhakov after Alan Dzagoev
played him through.
Armenia nearly handed the lead to Russia when an interception from
defender Hrayr Mkoyan forced goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky into a reflex
save after a Yury Zhirkov cross from the left.
The close call inspired Russia into a sustained period of pressure.
Zhirkov beat two defenders and curled a shot toward Berezovsky’s top
corner, but he tipped the shot away. On the half-hour Igor Denisov
played a one-two with Roman Shirokov to burst through, but dragged a
shot wide from the edge of the area.
The visitors missed a double chance just before halftime when
Shirokov’s goalbound drive was blocked by Mkoyan, and his followup
shot was palmed away by Berezovsky.
Armenia came out with greater intent after the break with Ghazaryan
shooting straight at Akinfeyev. Soon after, home midfielder Marcos
Pizzelli squared a ball to striker Yura Movsisyan, but the striker
fired wide from six meters with Akinfeyev beaten.
After Kerzhakov struck over from a tight angle, home substitute Edgar
Manucharyan responded in kind from 20 metres despite being in acres of
space on the edge of the Russian penalty area.
Dzagoyev came close on 66 minutes but an Armenian defender lunged to
block, deflecting the ball just over the crossbar.
Berezovsky again rescued Armenia on 72 minutes, diving to smother a
Kerzhakov shot after a surging midfield run and pass from Shirokov.
The goalkeeper watched a power drive from Kerzhakov 25 metres from
goal sail just wide, then Shirokov’s placed shot also narrowly missed.
Andrei Arshavin, ineffective for most of the match, curled a
right-footed shot wide with 10 minutes left. Armenia defended
resolutely throughout the final minutes despite Russia coach Dick
Advocaat sending on attackers Pavel Pogrebnyak and Diniyar
Bilyaletdinov.
Lineups:
Armenia: Roman Berezovsky, Sargis Hovsepyan, Robert Arzumanyan (Artak
Edigaryan, 67), Hrayr Mkoyan, Levon Airapetyan, Karlen Lazarian,
Edgar Malakyan (Edgar Manucharyan, 48), Marcos Pizzelli (Artur
Edigaryan, 57), Gevorg Ghazaryan, Yura Movsisyan, Henrik Mkhitaryan.
Russia: Igor Akinfeev, Vasily Berezutsky, Sergei Ignashevich, Roman
Shishkin, Igor Denisov, Konstantin Zyryanov, Roman Shirokov, Alan
Dzagoev, Yuri Zhirkov, Andrei Arshavin (Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, 90),
Alexander Kerzhakov (Pavel Pogrebnyak, 78).
From: A. Papazian