When you talk about the 2008 EURO tournament, most people will talk about the amazing Russian team, which reached the semifinals, where they lost to the later champions from Spain. This was the beginning of the Spanish world domination, but even though the Russians did not win the gold medals, they won the hearts of the football world. Names like Zhirkov, Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko suddenly became world famous, and several of the Russian players were on the short lists of Europe’s biggest clubs. … [Read more...]
Round Table: Season Predictions
August 2, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Andrew (@AndrewRCFC97) - Scottish Russian football fan and CSKA supporter Pavel (@russianpotter) - Vancouver-based young journalist and Spartak supporter Matty (@Murray__Murray) - English Russian football fan, blogger and Lokomotiv supporter Toke (@TokeTheilade) - Denmark resident, Russian football fan and Spartak supporter Aleks (@aleksvee) - New York resident, founder of GoalChatter blog and Dynamo fan Connor (@Con_027) - England resident, Russian football fan and CSKA … [Read more...]
Brazil 2014: Who’s In and Out for Russia
February 26, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Checked In, Seat on the Plane! Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, CSKA Moscow The undisputed starter for the national team. It’s hard to see anyone instead of the Army's captain between the sticks. Kept on the bench in favor of the more experienced Malafeev in Russia's previous big tournament, Akinfeev will be keen to lead the nation again. Central Defender Sergei Ignashevich, CSKA Moscow A mainstay in the nation's lineup, he is one of a few who has experience at the World Cup level. … [Read more...]
16 Stars Who Took Russia to the World Cup
October 17, 2013 by 1 Comment
The list itself comes from an October 16 photo feature on Sports.ru, while I did the write-ups. 1) Igor Akinfeev, Goalkeeper Overlooked by Dick Advocaat at Euro 2012' in favor of Vyacheslav Malafeev, the CSKA captain started every single qualifying game under Fabio Capello. He only conceded five goals during the campaign and broke the record for the longest clean sheet kept by a Russian goalkeeper in competitive matches. 2) Aleksandr Kerzhakov, Forward Zenit's Kerzhakov is always … [Read more...]
Russia Begin Training for September Qualifiers
September 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Russian national team is spending the first half of this week training in Moscow in preparation for World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Israel on Friday and Tuesday, respectively. Monday evening, the squad gathered for a light practice at Torpedo’s Eduard Streltsov Stadium, a stone’s throw from the Moscow River. Given the Russian league’s full slate of action this weekend, the majority of Fabio Capello’s 25-man squad had played a full 90 minutes just the day before. Only the CSKA … [Read more...]
Zenit: One Step Back and Two Forward
July 18, 2013 by 7 Comments
Zenit may be taking a step forward this summer after all. While it seems to be the trend to lambaste Zenit’s transfer policy - particularly bringing in the expensive big names last summer and the older big names on a second tour of duty this summer – the moves could result in a better team. With the issues that plagued Zenit's cohesion, perhaps jettisoning a problem and bringing in proven winners with a slow summer can improve the team. Let us not forget that Zenit is a talented team. In … [Read more...]
Zenit St Petersburg Season Preview
July 1, 2013 by 1 Comment
INTRO: Last season, Zenit suffered. Plagued by disharmony in the squad after the big money signings of Hulk and Axel Witsel, petulant in the way they dealt with the Anton Shunin flare incident, misfiring in front of goal - it came as little surprise when CSKA finally wrapped up the title and put the side from St Petersburg out of their misery. With Luciano Spalletti now under more pressure than ever to wrest the championship back to Russia's second city and one or two old stars returning to help … [Read more...]
