Group C, Matchday One - Parken Stadium, Copenhagen Zenit won the UEFA Cup in 2008 and since then Gazprom, the owner and main sponsor of Zenit dream to repeat this success in the Europa League. However, the only achievement of the side from the Neva has been reaching the quarter-final in 2014/15. Coach Sergei Semak has a difficult task on his hands: to return the league title to St. Petersburg and reach the semi-final of Europa League. Just two days after the match in Copenhagen, Zenit will … [Read more...]
Dinamo Moscow: A history of incompetence
September 6, 2018 by 1 Comment
The old Dinamo Stadium. This is part two of an investigation to Dinamo Moscow's long-term ownership troubles and financial disrepair. Read Part One first here. To understand why the famous side, one who was the first Soviet club to visit the UK in a historic tour of 1945, has such troubles as outlined yesterday, it is necessary to understand it's history. READ MORE: Dinamo Moscow’s 1945 Goodwill Tour of Britain Before relegation to the FNL in 2015/2016, Dinamo was the only club in … [Read more...]
Dinamo Moscow: A monument of corruption and incompetence?
September 5, 2018 by
Dinamo fans with the banner in support of their manager | Photo: Championat Shirokov v Khokhlov On August 25, 2018, Dinamo Moscow played derby rivals Spartak. Blue-white fans hung out a banner reading “Player, Captain, Coach! Hands off from Dima Khokhlov!”. It was rather surprising, and at once rumours about a conflict between Dinamo’s Head Coach Khokhlov and Sporting Director Roman Shirokov (yes, that one) appeared. The next day, these rumours were confirmed by Nikolai Kovardaev, Head … [Read more...]
Grigory Fedotov: The Shalyapin of Russian Football
August 28, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Grigoriy Fedotov murial at CSKA's VBE Arena. Photo Toke Theilade CSKA Moscow has an old tradition. Every year, CSKA plays a memorial match against the winner of theGrigory Fedotov Cup winner, competed for by amateur teams from the town of Noginsk (50 km from Moscow). For many years, CSKA used their senior team in these matches, but since 2005 CSKA has tended to use the reserve or youth teams. The reason for this match is to remember Noginsk-native and famous forward Grigory Fedotov, a legend … [Read more...]
Season Preview: Arsenal Tula
July 29, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Four years ago, Arsenal Tula finally reached the RPL for the first time in their history, however were immediately relegated. They have since established themselves as mid-table regulars and even European contenders. Following the endof last season, head coach Miodrag Bozovic left, refusing to renew his contract. New boss, Oleg Kononov is their sixth head coach in the last four years. In the winter break, experienced goalkeeper Vladimir Gabulov moved to Brugge, but was replaced by Artur … [Read more...]
Season Preview: FC Orenburg
July 26, 2018 by Leave a Comment
In just one year Orenburg, have returned to the Premier League. The last years are the best in history of the side founded in 1976. In 2013 Orenburg was promoted to the 2nd tier of Russian football, in 2015/2016 they won the FNL, then played one season in the RFPL and after relegation, they again won the FNL title. Their only season in the Premier League was not too bad. Orenburg could have avoided the relegation play-off: Orenburg, Anzhi and Ural had the same amount of points but lost out … [Read more...]
World Cup 2018: Sergey Ignashevich - Captain without an armband
July 5, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Surprise Selection The main sensation and feeling regarding the Russian national team roster for World Cup happened well after the squad was named. Defensive midfielder Ruslan Kambolov was "injured" (or withdrew due to dodgy doping allegations) and 38-year-old central defender Sergey Nikolaevich Ignashevich agreed to return from retirement and lead Stanislav Cherchesov's defence. It was a hard decision for the Army man after an extremely difficult season for short-benched CSKA. Sergey was … [Read more...]
Krasnoyarsk: A New City on the RFPL Map
June 13, 2018 by 2 Comments
17 May 2018, became a historic day for FC Enisey supporters. Krasnoyarsk defeated Anzhi 3-0 in the tiny indoor sports hall Football-Arena Enisey and almost guaranteed promotion to the Premier League (RFLP). Two days later, in the second leg of the relegation play-off, Enisey officially entered the league despite losing 3-4 on the day. Next season will be the first Krasnoyarsk's history in top-tier of Soviet and Russian football. | Metallurgy and Rugby Krasnoyarsk, with a population of … [Read more...]
The Revolution at the Club of the Army, CSKA Moscow
May 26, 2018 by 3 Comments
The final whistle was blown. The CSKA Moscow squad, coaches and club administration came together in the centre of the pitch, where they received news that Dinamo had beaten Spartak and thus secured CSKA second in the league and direct qualification for the Champions League. There, they prepared to thank fans for their support. However, some players walked around the pitch to a standing ovation. The Berezutsky brothers, Sergey Ignashevich, Bibras Natkho and Georgi Milanov took the victory lap … [Read more...]
