A hero against England in Moscow last October when he came off the bench to score both goals in a famous 2-1 win, Roman Pavlyuchenko is as responsible as anyone for Russia's participation this summer. Whether the tall centre-forward will make it into Guus Hiddink's starting XI at UEFA EURO 2008, however, remains to be seen.

Started out with local club FC Dinamo Stavropol in the second division before moving to top-flight FC Rotor Volgograd in 2000.

Became a Russian Under-21 international during three-year spell at Rotor, but goals only started to flow once at FC Spartak Moskva in 2003.

Scored ten goals in debut season and reached double figures in each of next four, topping Russian Premier-Liga scoring charts with 18 goals in 2006 and sharing the prize with FC Moskva's Roman Adamov in 2007.

Runner-up in league three years in succession, yet to win a major club honour.
Won first senior cap in August 2003 but not recalled for another two years; the two goals v England were his only ones of UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying campaign.

Did you know?
Pavlyuchenko paved the way for Spartak's first win in 23 UEFA Champions League matches when his spectacular overhead kick opened the scoring in a 3-1 victory at Sporting Clube de Portugal during the 2006/07 group phase.