Our season round up Round Table discussion centers around a review of the RPL transfer action. Andy – @AndyShenk - a Moscow based writer and Russian language translator, Andy supports Anzhi Pavel - @russianpotter - a Nizhny Novgorod-based young journalist and Spartak supporter, Volga attendee Manuel - @homosovieticus - PhD Student with focus on Soviet history and football, as well as blogger at Futbolgrad.com (@futbolgradlive) Connor - @Con_027 - Russian Football follower, CSKA … [Read more...]
1st Annual RFN “RPL First 11″
May 31, 2013 by 1 Comment
Our experts voted (with help from our twitter followers) for our Team of the Year. We had no position requirements- experts could choose any formation they wanted. All but one went with a 4-4-2, so that is what our team is. CSKA Moscow, league Champions dominated our First 11. However the extent is incredibly- 7 out of the 11 are from the Champions, even though no voter chose over five CSKA representatives. This is perhaps a testament to CSKA's balance The back-line vote was by a … [Read more...]
Round Table: Week 30
May 29, 2013 by 2 Comments
RFN would like to welcome Manuel and Connor as two new additions to this Week 30 Round Table. Stay tuned for more and expanded Round Tables in the future as we discuss the latest issues in Russian Football. Andy – @AndyShenk - a Moscow based writer and Russian language translator, Andy supports Anzhi Pavel - @russianpotter - a Nizhny Novgorod-based young journalist and Spartak supporter, Volga attendee Manuel - @homosovieticus - PhD Student with focus on Soviet history and … [Read more...]
Round Table: Week 29
May 23, 2013 by 2 Comments
WE have a new feature at RFN that will offer a discussion amongst our diverse collection of experts. We will touch on hot subjects and issues in Russian football and share different opinions on the latest in Russian football. Rob - @RobDillonMTA - a journalist who specializes in Russian football, he is also the Editor of morethanarshavin.wordpress.com Pavel - @russianpotter - a Nizhny Novgorod-based young journalist and Spartak supporter, Volga attendee Andy - @AndyShenk – a … [Read more...]
Torpedo Secure FNL Berth in Scoreless Draw
May 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Torpedo Moscow guaranteed a place in the Football National League, Russian football's second tier, on Monday evening, playing to a scoreless draw with neighboring Khimki at Eduard Streltsov Stadium in Moscow. Light rain fell on the fans and the players in the early going. About 3000 spectators attended the match, including 60-70 Khimki supporters. Torpedo needed at least a draw to ensure a place in the FNL next season, while Khimki looked for the same to keep its survival hopes alive. The … [Read more...]
Scandal Sunday - Russia’s Golden Boys Make Headlines
May 20, 2013 by 4 Comments
It really is unfortunate - a quick glance at the ESPN FC RPL headlines reveals nothing more than transfer rumors and scandals. You won't find any mention of CSKA's title, the battle for Europa League places or Alania and Mordovia's relegation. For most of the English-language media, the only Russian football that matters is played at the international level. The country's run to the Euro 2008 semis, Pavlyuchenko, Arshavin and Zhirkov's subsequent moves to high-profile English clubs, as well … [Read more...]
Serges Deble Brace Gives Khimki Hope
May 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
You can't ask for much more from Russia's Football National League (FNL), the first tier of competition beneath the Premier League. On Tuesday, two former RPL clubs, Khimki and Spartak Nalchik, clashed on a sunny evening outside of Moscow in a match with both promotion and relegation implications. Khimki, most recently in the top flight in 2009, welcomed Spartak Nalchik, relegated last spring, to Rodina Stadium in downtown Khimki. This sleepy bedroom community, population 200,000, located on … [Read more...]
Round Table: Week 28
May 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment
WE have a new feature at RFN that will offer a discussion amongst our diverse collection of experts. We will touch on hot subjects and issues among Russian football and share different opinions on the latest in Russian football. The Round Table will feature our experts' answers for each question. Let's meet our experts for this Round Table: Rob - @RobDillonMTA - a journalist who specializes in Russian football, he is also the Editor of morethanarshavin.wordpress.com Pavel - … [Read more...]
Saying Goodbye to Luzhniki
May 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Ever since I arrived in Moscow on Tuesday, the weather has been gorgeous. Balmy temperatures, sunshine and a cool breeze for five days now - not the type of good fortune generally associated with the Russian capital. When I left last December after a three-month stay, I think I'd seen a total of five days of sunshine during the fall. Otherwise, rain, sleet, snow, chilling winds and grey skies overhead dragged on and on and on. It was pretty foolish, then, of me to bring my jacket along to the … [Read more...]
