COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP): Goals by Roman Shirokov and Andrei Arshavin gave Russia a 2-0 win over Denmark in a friendly Wednesday as the teams prepare for the European Championship.

Shirokov took the Danes by surprise in the third minute when his flat shot went into the right-hand corner of the net past a diving Thomas Sorensen.  

Arshavin, who returned to Zenit St. Petersburg last week on loan from Arsenal, added the second just seconds before the break with a shot from outside the area.  

The Danes seemed stunned by Russia’s early goal, and looked static throughout the game. Niklas Bendtner, Simon Kjaer, Simon Poulsen and substitute Tobias Mikkelsen all had attempts but couldn’t score.  

Coach Morten Olsen said Russia makes for a tough opponent as many of its players have Champions League experience.  

“But there nothing that worries me,” he said about the Danish team’s performance.  

Both countries have secured a spot at Euro 2012. Denmark is in Group B, while Russia plays in Group A.  

It was the first time ever the two countries met – although Denmark played the Soviet Union 10 times, including a 4-2 win in a World Cup qualifier in 1985 that helped the Danes reach their first ever World Cup.

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