Burghausen, May 29:

Substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko scored in the 48th minute to lead Russia over Serbia 2-1 on Wednesday in a friendly match ahead of the European Championship.

The Spartak Moscow striker converted a cross from Lokomotiv Moscow’s Dmitry Sychev. Russia opened the scoring in the 11th with a 30-yard free kick from Zenit St Petersburg’s Pavel Pogrebnyak into the top left corner.

Pogrebnyak left the field soon after, clutching his knee. The extent of his injury was not immediately clear. Serbia equalised just before half time when Hertha Berlin striker Marko Pantelic took advantage of hesitation in the Russian defense to go past a defender and flick the ball over Igor Akinfeyev.

Hertha Berlin striker Marko Pantelic headed over the Russian crossbar from six yards out just seconds after Pogrebnyak’s goal, while Russia had a penalty appeal turned down when Serbia defender Slobodan Raikovic appeared to keep the ball out of the goal with his hand.

Russia remain in Berghausen to play Lithuania next Wednesday in their final match before heading for Euro 2008, where they faces Spain, Greece and Sweden in the group stage.

Serbia, which did not make the cut for the championships, will face Germany on Saturday.