How are Russia preparing for the tournament?
Russia's first friendly will be on May 25 against World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay in Moscow, then they will travel to a training camp in Geneva on the 28th, where they will finalise plans and play two friendlies; against Lithuania on May 29 and Italy on June 1. They will then travel to Warsaw three days later and will remain based there, with their training ground to be set up at the Municipal Stadium Sulejowek.

What is Russia's realistic target?
Russian opinions sway between pessimism after a stuttering qualification campaign and a vague hope that the team will match their 2008 campaign under Guus Hiddink and reach the semi-finals. Various senior players, including captain Andrei Arshavin, have recently been touting their belief that they will be able to replicate this result and, indeed, go one or two steps further. In reality, though, Russia should be aiming to get out of the group stages unscathed and see what their draw and form look like from there.

What is Russia's toughest group game?
No games stand out as especially easy or difficult in a group without a star team but post-Soviet tensions will likely flare against both the Czech Republic and Poland, who will provide a tough challenge at home. Russia played away against Greece in a friendly in November and were for large parts the better side in a 1-1 draw, which will give them confidence for the match-up against the 2004 champions on neutral ground.

Are there any injury or fitness concerns?
The possible absence of CSKA defenders Sergei Ignashevich and Vasily Berezutsky has put a large hole in central defence and Russia will also be sweating over their highly-rated Alan Dzagoev and his toe-fracture injury. The midfielder is expected to return to fitness in mid-May but may struggle for opportunities to find match form before the finals.

Are there any surprise picks who could be going?
Advocaat is widely expected to bring the same group of players to Ukraine and Poland that he used to qualify for the tournament. He has received criticism in the Russian press for not even having been in the country to watch players' form at the close of the season and pundits have taken this as further reason to believe that there will be no surprise picks. If he is to spring a shock, someone like 22-year-old Taras Burlak, who has played one friendly for Russia and has had a strong season at Lokomotiv Moscow, may be used to bolster the back line. Artur Yusupov, also 22, would be an exciting choice in midfield if Advocaat does the unthinkable and turns against the old guard that he stuck by at Zenit and continues to even now.

What is the biggest issue for the coach to resolve?
Advocaat needs to galvanise and instill confidence in the players and, above all, convince them that his heart is in the job. This may be difficult having turned down a contract extension to take him beyond Euro 2012 in a long-running saga. He also spent the end of the season in his native Netherlands, where he is rumoured to be joining PSV when his Russia contract finishes. The injuries to defenders will also be important to combat, with most of the top Russian clubs looking vulnerable or inconsistent in that area.