Bizarre: Artur Yusupov called up by Russia after staying in same hotel as squad

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The Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Artur Yusupov has been called up to Russia’s Euro 2016 squad after staying in the same Monaco hotel while on holiday.

“This is just the way it happened. After being on holiday for 14 days, of course I am going to be a bit out of shape,” the 26-year-old said. “I don’t really know what sort of physical condition I will be in.”

Yusupov, who won the first of his two caps in November 2015, took part in Russia’s first training session in Paris in borrowed boots after the squad flew to the French capital late on Sunday.

“I was supposed to fly back to Moscow today,” Yusupov said. “I didn’t even have my football boots with me and none of the clothes that I needed.”

Yusupov will replace Igor Denisov who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury. The 32-year-old Dynamo Moscow midfielder, who has 54 caps, damaged a hamstring during Russia’s 1-1 draw with Serbia in a friendly on Sunday in Monaco.

Russia open their European Championship against England in Marseille on Saturday.

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