PLAYERS' WIVES GIVE TEAM LUCKY STRIP

MOSCOW (Reuters) - If Russia win Euro 2004 the players will thank their lucky strip -- a nude photo-shoot by their wives.

Nine wives and girlfriends undressed for the cameras to encourage their men to win matches at the tournament being hosted by Portugal. Only a strategically placed placard featuring a photo of their partners offered some cover.

Daily newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda is printing one of the photos on a full page every day hoping they will inspire the players at the tournament starting on Saturday.

"The wives have done their part, now it's the men's turn," said freelance photographer Svetlana Yeriklintseva, who came up with the idea for the pictures when the women told her they wanted to lift the team's spirits after a bad result.

They hatched the plan after Russia hit a low in April, losing to Norway -- who did not even make the finals -- for the first time in their history. Yeriklintseva said it was time to show some beautiful Russians to the public.

Enjoy the photos below :