Russia's number one goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov rates his team as clear favourite to win the Euro 2004 finals starting in Portugal next week.
"We have a clear outsider, which is Latvia, while Russia is a clear favourite to win the title," Ovchinnikov told reporters on Thursday at the team's training camp near Moscow before attacking the Russian media for underestimating their team.
"You may laugh at what I say, but I'm a member of the Russian squad and I'm serious about our chances," he said.
"I don't understand why nobody believes in our team. Everyone is backing up a German team which gets hammered 5-1 by Romania, but no one gives us any chance, no matter who we play."
On Thursday, British bookmaker William Hill installed France as a clear favourite at 11/4 to win the title in Portugal while giving the Russians only an outside 66/1 chance.
Russia begin their Euro 2004 campaign against Spain on June 12 before taking on hosts Portugal and Greece in Group A.
"Every team we beat they say it was a bad team, bad Irish team, bad Swiss team," said Ovchinnikov, who spent five seasons in Portugal, playing for the country's top two clubs, Benfica and Porto, before returning to Moscow to join Lokomotiv in 2002.
"I just don't understand why we never get any respect from our own fans and media," he added.
Russia finished second behind Switzerland and ahead of third-placed Ireland in their Euro 2004 qualifying Group 10 before beating Wales 1-0 in a two-legged playoff to clinch their place in the finals.
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