One of the heroes of the UEFA EURO 2008 qualifying win over England in Moscow when he came on as a half-time substitute and helped to turn the game, Dmitri Torbinski recovered from serious injury early in his career to become an established Russian international. The midfielder, who can play centrally or in a wide left berth, moved from FC Spartak Moskva to FC Lokomotiv Moskva last winter.

Began with Spartak, and played in the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League home game Liverpool FC (1-3).

Missed whole of 2004 campaign with cruciate knee ligament damage; recuperated following season on loan at second division club FC Spartak Chelyabinsk.

Found best form of career in 2007, helping Spartak finish runners-up to FC Zenit St. Petersburg in league and appearing for Russia in six UEFA EURO 2008 qualifiers.

Was on losing side in 2007/08 UEFA Champions League qualifying tie v Celtic FC – substituted in extra-time before penalty shoot-out.

Scored first goal for new club Lokomotiv in 2-0 league win v FC Terek Grozny on 13 April 2008; first strike for Russia followed a few weeks later in 6-0 win over Kazakhstan.

Did you know?
Torbinski started out as a futsal player in the city of Norilsk, located in Russia's far north.