Russia signed off their BSWW Mundialito campaign with a 5-2 win against France as the debutants finished third on their maiden outing in Cascais.
In a match that was to be the final game of France captain Yannick Fischer’s career, Russia spoiled the party as goals from the Kryshanov brothers helped ensure Mikhail Likhachev’s men salvaged something from their trip to Portugal.
France – who will now search for a new skipper – finish bottom of the pile despite putting on some relatively impressive displays over the weekend.
First blood went to Russia as Nikolai Kryshanov connected with Maksim Rogovskii’s throw to put his side in front in acrobatic fashion.
However, Fischer ensured himself a farewell goal when he managed to connect from close range and angle home an equaliser to send the sides in level at the interval.
Viktor Kryshanov then went close when he hit the post before the break but Artur Paporotnyi restored Russia’s lead early in the second frame.
The Russian forward was at it again when he produced a powerful finish to beat Lorenzo Dupin and set Russia on their way to victory.
While things remained tight early in the final frame, Anton Shkarin made life more comfortable when he struck three minutes from time and, although Anthony Barbotti pulled a second back for France, Viktor Kryshanov completed the scoring inside the final minute.
Scores- Russia 5-2 France: 1-0: N. Kryshanov, min. 8 (1); 1-1: Fischer, min. 5 (1); 2-1: Paporotnyi, min. 11 (2); 3-1: Paporotnyi, min. 6 (2); 4-1: Shkarin, min. 3 (3); 4-2: Barbotti, min. 2 (3); 5-2: V. Kryshanov, min. 0 (3)
Sunday fixtures
14:30 – Russia 5-2 France
16:00 – Portugal 4-6 Brazil