Some tournaments just have it all – great football and drama – and the European Championship of 2008 was one of those
Tag: russia
Across almost 20 years, the unmistakable, but equally mistakable, Berezutski twins formed the heart of CSKA Moscow and Russia’s defence
He may be overshadowed by other innovators but Viktor Maslov is as important as anyone: the creator of both the 4-4-2 and the press
This feature is a part of RETEUROSPECTIVE While Marco van Basten lit up the final of Euro 88 with his stupendous volley to seal the Netherlands’ win over the Soviet Union, few…
This feature is a part of RETEUROSPECTIVE In sport, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when a good thing starts. Did Micheal Jordan’s Chicago Bulls start with his debut in 1984 or the…
Rising up from the ashes of other failed experiments, FC Moscow once came close to establishing a new order in Russian football
Blessed with the likes of Arshavin, Pogrebnyak and Akinfeev at their best, and led by Guus Hiddink, how far should Russia’s 2008 side have gone?
Despite a career that many believe failed to fulfil its potential, Aleksandr Mostovoi is heralded as a legend in Vigo for his starring years at Celta
In shady circumstances, Dinamo St Petersburg, the city’s second team, moved 2,300km south to Sochi to help Putin’s Olympic legacy
Taking to the field against Ukraine in 1999, Aleksandr Filimonov was considered the nation’s best goalkeeper. In an instant, it would all change
Under the mandarin and pink clouds of a fading Moscow summer evening, on a bench amidst the old white oak trees that line the Moskva River’s southern bank, Kiril Kotov prepared himself…
Russia’s epic World Cup victory against Spain in the round of 16 unleashed celebrations throughout Moscow that stretched across this massive country of nearly 145 million people and 11 time zones. The…
Awaking across Europe on the morning of 1 July, fans were left to reflect on what would supposedly be a relatively calm day of World Cup action. Following the eliminations of Cristiano Ronaldo…
Many European countries have enjoyed success in World Cup football. The tournament has been won by England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, while the Czechoslovakia, Holland and Hungary have played in a…
“You have entrusted us with the FIFA World Cup for 2018 and I can promise you will never regret it,” was the fateful proclamation of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov at…
FOURTEEN MINUTES INTO EXTRA-TIME, after he opened the scoring for Argentina and Dick Nanninga equalised for the Netherlands, Mario Kempes burst into the box. He charged past two Dutch defenders and bundled…
RECEIVING THE BALL in acres of space on the plush Hampden Park pitch, Andrei Kanchelskis looked up to assess his options. With Rangers already 3-0 up against a wasteful Ayr United and…
Illustration by Federico Manasse How do you measure greatness? Statistics, trophies and personal accolades are often touted as the benchmarks, but for Lev Yashin, the best indication is through the reputation he…