New Russia coach Valery Gazzayev just failed to gain a morale- boosting win in the run-up to the Euro 2004 qualification game against the Republic of Ireland next month when Sweden held his team 1-1 last night.
Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored an injury-time equaliser in the friendly in Moscow.
Zenit St Petersburg striker Alexander Kerzhakov - the Russian league's leading scorer this season - had put the hosts ahead in the 56th minute when he beat Magnus Hedman with a point-blank header after the Swedish goalkeeper fumbled Andrei Karyaka's shot from the edge of the box.
Gazzayev, in charge for the first time after he replaced Oleg Romantsev last month following Russia's dismal World Cup showing, will have been generally pleased with his side's showing.
Sweden, who were missing Barcelona defender Patrik Andersson, Arsenal midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg and Aston Villa striker Marcus Allback with injuries, created little trouble for the Russian defence until Ajax striker Ibrahimovic struck in the final minute of stoppage time.
Switzerland recorded only their second win of the year as they overcame Austria 3-2 at the Basel St Jakob stadium.
Koebi Kuhn's side came from a goal down following Roman Wallner's 11th minute opener to beat their near-neighbours for the second time in 12 months.
Hakan Yakin powered home an equaliser for the Swiss after 19 minutes and Alexander Frei put the home side ahead four minutes before the break.
Murat Yakin stroked home a 76th minute penalty to extend the lead before Wallner netted his second nine minutes from time.
Georgia were brushed aside 0-3 at what was Turkey's homecoming party after their successful World Cup campaign.
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson would have been an interested spectator, with Turkey their main rivals in Group 7 of qualifying for Euro 2004.
Turkey continued the impressive form which took them to the World Cup semi-finals as Arif Erdem, Cihan Haspolatli and Nihat Kahveci all netted.
Albania, the other team in Ireland's group along with Russia, Switzerland and Georgia, did not have a fixture last night.
