The Russian team made a powerful start at home championship world football. So powerful that no other host country had ever managed this before. Yes, many people started with two wins in two matches, but no one has ever shown an 8:1 difference. The Italian national team in 1934 also scored 8 goals in 2 games, but missed twice, and even drew one match. The French national team in 1998 started with two victories with a total score of 7:0. Both the Italians and the French won those home tournaments.
The victory over Egypt and the early (well, almost) exit from the group of the Russian national team could not be ignored by the foreign media. However, no one put materials about the triumph of Cherchesov’s team on the main page: they made do with mentions in the news. Apparently, the initial surprise is already beginning to give way to apprehension.
Italian La Gazzetta dello Sport dedicated a completely trivial news item to the victory of the Russian national team, dispensing with even bright epithets in the headline, but only mentioning goals. The publication notes the confident play of the Russian national team, the collapse of all Egypt's hopes, Salah's meaningless goal and the fact that Russia will probably enter the match against Uruguay in Samara as a participant in the 1/8 finals of the World Cup.
Colleagues of Italians from a Spanish newspaper AS turned out to be more emotional, remembering the imperial roots of Russia in the headline. The journalist notes that the leader of the Egyptian national team, Mohamed Salah, found himself alone in the field, and his partners did not help him. The publication also singles out Artyom Dzyuba, hinting that the Egyptian defenders will have nightmares about him, because it was he who hammered the last nail into the tomb of the “Pharaohs,” and before that, the mere presence of Zenit’s battering forward led to an own goal.
British newspaper The Guardian noted the Egyptians' worship of Salah, whose long-awaited return did not lead their team to their first victory at this World Cup. The text contrasts the joy of Dziuba with the devastated Salah, standing in the central circle and thinking about the hours of rehabilitation spent in vain.
The Egyptian leader came out of his trance and tried to make partners. But he knew. Everyone around knew. It was a Russian party. Even with Salah in the team, Egypt will not be able to show up as an uninvited guest.
from The Guardian text
We continued to glorify Russia in the newspaper The Telegraph . The material noted the confident play of Yuri Zhirkov against Mohamed Salah, as well as Denis Cheryshev, who was recognized in the second match in a row best player. The well-functioning mechanism of Cherchesov’s team reminded the British of the USSR.
Russian players are equal and indistinguishable. The Soviet system would be proud of this mechanical team. As if their training was limited to passing and running
from The Telegraph text
The Americans did not stand aside either. The New Yorker in his material, he analyzes the eternal conflict of expectations and reality, noting that Russia at the World Cup exceeds even the most daring forecasts. They recall the words of their colleagues from the ESPN channel, who called this Russian team the worst in history. At the same time, the journalist talks about the opinion that existed in society: they say, Putin can agree with FIFA on an easy draw and a home world championship, but nothing will save the Russian national team from humiliation on the field. But everything turned out differently. While Argentina, Germany and Brazil were stalling, Russia flew forward at full speed.
Where did this team of joyful virtuosos come from, who run fast, shoot on the move and shoot at the goal? While the favorites were teetering on the brink of a foul, the team, which was considered the worst, crushed their opponents, scoring 8 goals and conceding only 1
from The New Yorker text
German magazine Der Spiegel and I had to apologize for the not too optimistic forecasts regarding the Russian team. Cherchesov’s team was predicted to play only 3 matches at the championship group stage. However, in reality, the Russian team has already qualified for the 1/8 finals, while the current world champions, the Germans, have not yet scored a single goal in the tournament. The material was published with the headline “Sorry, Russia, we are wrong.”
Russia changed our opinion with its game. However, in the playoffs the Russian team will face an insurmountable task in the form of Spain or Portugal. Russia is unlikely to be able to pass one of these teams. However, we also doubted her before
Review of the day by Alexey Shevchenko.
The coaching staff of the Russian youth team, led by Valery Bragin, has decided on the hockey players who will be included in the expanded roster for the annual November series of matches with Canadian junior league teams (Canada Russia Series, November 5 - 15).
B Ragin called 28 hockey players from Russia, 22 of them will go to Canada on November 2. Already overseas the team will be replenished Russian players from North American leagues, which, according to the regulations, can only take part in matches with teams from their region.
Compound youth national team Russia on games V Canada:
goalkeepers -
Kochetkov (Ryazan, VHL), Tarasov (Toros, VHL), Ustimenko (Dynamo St. Petersburg, MHL), Prosvetov (Saginaw, OHL); defenders -
Baranov (Dynamo St. Petersburg, VHL), Volkov (MHC Spartak, MHL), Galenyuk, Kalabushkin (both SKA-Neva, VHL), Zhuravlev (Bars, VHL), Lyakhov, Rubinchik (both Toros, VHL), Olshansky (Zaralye , VHL), Pavlikov (Tambov, VHL), Alexander Romanov (CSKA), A. Alekseev (Red Deer, WHL), Samorukov (Guelph, OHL); forwards -
Anokhovsky (Loko, MHL), Slepets (Lada, VHL), Galimov, M. Marushev (both Bars, VHL), Kanitsky (Metallurg NK, VHL), Marchenko, Morozov, Nikolaev, Tsitsyura (all SKA-Neva, VHL), Muranov (MHC Dynamo, MHL), Starkov (HC Sochi), Shafigullin ( Neftekhimik), Shashkov (Siberia), Shen (Salavat Yulaev), Yaremchuk (Avangard), Zavgorodniy (Rimouski, QMJHL), Koltygin (Drummondville, QMJHL), Lipanov (Kitchener, OHL), Maksimov (Niagara, OHL), Toropchenko (Gelph , OHL), Khovanov (Moncton, QMJHL), Chekhovich (Baie Come, QMJHL).
Also coaching staff decided on the composition of the youth team for the Four Nations Tournament. This competition will take place in the Czech Republic from November 9 to 11. The Russian team's opponents are teams from Finland, the Czech Republic and Sweden. Let us note that due to Bragin’s busyness on the overseas tour, this youth team will be led by Yuri Babenko. During the training camp, she will be joined by five players who were not included in the roster of the other youth team.
The team composition for the tournament in the Czech Republic looks like this: goalkeepers -
Miftakhov (Bars, MHL), Shiyanov (Lausanne, Switzerland); defenders - Arefiev (SKA-1946, MHL), Valitov (Auto, MHL), Malyshev (Loko, MHL), Morozov (Siberia), Pribylsky (Dynamo M), Sychushkin (Severstal), Usmanov (Lada, VHL), Khabarov (Almaz, MHL); forwards - Voronkov (Bars, VHL), Denisenko, Kovalenko (both Lokomotiv), Dorofeev (Metallurg Mg), Zaitsev (Admiral), Kizimov (Lada, VHL), Komissarov, Rtishchev (both Zvezda, VHL), Kravtsov (Traktor), Kruzhenkov, Shalagin (both Khimik, VHL), Podkolzin (SKA-Neva, VHL).
Youth team composition
We are waiting for one of the most interesting series between youth teams in recent times. At some point, we abandoned open confrontation and for the last couple of years we went to North America not to win or lose, but to test the players who are playing overseas to form a team for the World Cup. But after the terrible January of this year, when we failed in Buffalo, everything will change. Now coaches will not only watch how this or that hockey player succeeds at something. No, we need to regain confidence in our abilities, show that we are a top team. True, it doesn’t take it to North America. All the rest are in place. Someone will have an idea, why not try, who may be in the top of next year’s draft. Too young? We took Andrei Svechnikov last year (we can’t count on him this season, since he plays in the NHL). Why not give Vasily a chance? However, there is still time until December and much will depend not even on the player, but on whether the others convince Bragin that he has the first two links. In November, I invite everyone to follow the matches of the Russian youth teams and Canadian junior leagues.
Hockey of Russia (@russiahockey)
In which the national teams of Russia and Croatia fought for a ticket to the semi-finals, it became one of the important topics not only for Russia, but also for the entire European press. RIA Novosti presents a media review different countries, dedicated to the confrontation between Russians and Croats.
The meeting, held on Saturday at the Fisht stadium in Sochi, ended with the Croatian victory in a penalty shootout with a score of 4:3. One hundred and twenty minutes of playing time in the match ended in a draw - 2:2.
The British press, speaking about the match, agreed that, despite the defeat, Russia should be proud of the performance of its national team, which was "heroic". "Poor Russia. They played intense football, but the penalty shootout gods were not on their side. The losers were substitute Fedor Smolov and - ironically - Mario Fernandez. The country will at least have pleasant memories of their heroic performance," - wrote the Guardian.
"Russia's outstanding performance at the World Cup ended after elimination in a penalty shootout. Russia has every right to be proud of the result it achieved. Not only in this match, in which the players showed that they were well aware that there was a chance at stake, "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They almost made another sensation - and the spectators, who emotionally saw the team off from the championship, responded with incredible support," the BBC article says.
“Russia ignored all the forecasts for this tournament, but their race is still over,” writes the British newspaper Telegraph. “It was impossible to shine at this tournament if you were afraid of losing something. Russia amazed and surprised by the fact that at times it was difficult to match its pace, and this was the last episode of her fast and furious football."
The French publication France Football called Croatia captain Luka Modric the protagonist of the match, but noted that in the first half he played below his capabilities and “was not the number 10 that we have become accustomed to since the beginning of the tournament.” “After the break, his game changed dramatically. He again became a real maestro and metronome of the team. A real boss,” the material notes.
At the same time, France Football criticized the defender of the Russian national team, Mario Fernandez, who, according to the publication, turned from a hero into an anti-hero: “His merit in the fact that the outcome of the match was decided in a penalty shootout is enormous - he scored an excellent goal with his head at the end of extra time. But The CSKA defender actually ruined everything in the series of penalty kicks - he sent the ball wide of the goal. If Russia leaves the World Cup with its head held high, then Fernandez will probably remember this unsuccessful kick for several months."
Spanish Marca, speaking about the Russian national team, especially highlights Denis Cheryshev, who plays for the Spanish Villarreal, who “came to the World Cup without much fuss, but from the first days declared himself loudly” and “became one of the most notable players tournament", scoring four goals, and calls defender Sergei Ignashevich "the best player of the team, which became one of the sensations of the tournament with limited opportunities." Forward Artem Dzyuba was even awarded the title of "king" by Marca.
“The Russian summer fairy tale is over! Croatia knocks the hosts of the World Cup out of the tournament,” writes the German Bild about the match. “Thus, the guys from the Balkans are again in the semi-finals, for the first time since 1998. Then the team, built around the current president of the football federation Davor Suker, became third. And this time?
Bild also focused separately on the figure of Mario Fernandez, but not on his failure in the penalty shootout, but on his fate. “A Russian who does not speak Russian saves the Russian team and gives them at least a penalty shootout. The defender was born in Brazil and even made his debut for his country in October 2014 in friendly match. Then he had already played for CSKA for two years. Nevertheless, today he is for Russia,” the text says.
Journalist for the Croatian publication Jutarnji List Tomislav Juranovic wrote that the Croatian national team “danced on the edge of the abyss, but in the end defeated Russia.” “Everything we expected from the team, they did yesterday. The team reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, showing character. The team did not lose in the match with Denmark, did not lose in the match with Russia. This generation proved last night that it can be considered great. Yes, We didn’t show a great game, during the match certain problems were revealed in the attack, but who will ask about this if we are in the semi-finals? Come on, let’s celebrate Croatia in the top four. best teams peace," the article says.
MARCA (Spain): "RAKITIC IS IVAN THE TERRIBLE FOR RUSSIA"
"Croatia are where they should be. Through agony, extra time and penalties, they made it to the semi-finals - this is the pinnacle for this brilliant generation. Croatia is where Spain should have been - but didn't get there due to their own stupidity. Croatia also had to suffer ", in order to break into the Russian defense. In the penalty shootout, she was a little lucky in the moment when the ball nevertheless flew into the net after Modric's shot, and Rakitic signed the verdict for Russia."
L.A. GAZZETTA DELLO SPORT (Italy): "GOLA VIDA WAS NOT ENOUGH TO BREAK GREAT RUSSIA "
“Vida’s goal in the 100th minute of the match was not enough to break the great Russia, which was able to rally after such a blow and drag Croatia, like Spain, into a penalty shootout. But this time the super-Akinfeev saved only one shot, while his his team-mates missed twice, and Rakitic sent Croatia into ecstasy, just as he did a few days earlier against Denmark in Paradise - in other words, in the semi-final against England. And shifts for such an excellent tournament."
L"EQUIPE (France): "CROATIA WAS TORTURED, BUT STILL REACHED THE SEMI-FINALS"
"After defeating Denmark in a penalty shootout, Croatia did the same with the Russian national team. The team, which looked so brilliant in the group stage, suffered quite a bit over the past week, but still made it to the semi-finals. Thanks to a bold game plan - Cheryshev, and not Garnet's starting lineup and high pressure, especially on the brain center of the Croats - the Modric-Rakitic pairing, Russia started the match very well. Well, the post-match penalties were quite strange. The Russian dream has collapsed."
THE GUARDIAN (England): "POOR RUSSIA..."
"The Croats thought they had won this epic match before it actually happened. Domagoj Vida's goal was hardly the most beautiful of his career, but it was certainly the most important. Game over? Well, no. Russia had other thoughts on this score, this team, written off by everyone before the start of the tournament, does not agree to lose and the moment when Mario Fernandez equalized was simply amazing.
Croatia were nervous in the penalty shootout and it showed. When Ivan Rakitic repeated his trick from the match against Denmark, the Croatian joy knew no bounds. Finally, the golden generation repeated the success of the 1998 World Cup.
Poor Russia... He a gave a all forces and many attacked, but this time the gods took a penalty from n her turned away. The losers were Smolov and Fernandez. But at least the country will remember this truly heroic campaign for a long time."
THE SUN (England): "IT'S INCREDIBLE HOW STANDS CAN INSPIRE"
“The noise at the Fisht stadium was simply unimaginable. But this team was called the worst in the history of the Russian national team. It could not win any of the seven last matches re d tournament and was in 70th place in the FIFA rankings. Hardly anyone expected that Russian football players They will win at least one game, much less advance from the group. But they not only did this, but also beat Spain in a penalty shootout. They were underdogs against Croatia too, but it’s incredible how the stands can inspire. In 2002, Korea wanted to win at least one match so as not to embarrass itself, but in the end they reached the semi-finals. Russia was very close to the same achievement."
However, the spell was broken. At some point, even on the best holidays, someone needs to go home. Fernandes missed, Domagoj Vida scored for Croatia and Ivan Rakitic did the same. The players of the Croatian national team rushed to their fans. The Russian team players fell to the ground.”
“After the next match, the valiant hosts - the Russian team - left their own party. They were great... but Croatia was a little better. And no luck: I (author of the article Scott Murray. - RBC) witness Modric's ridiculous penalty goal. Modric collapses onto the turf, too exhausted to enjoy himself. Physical exhaustion or emotional? Apparently, both. Tears of men in red (Russian team. - RBC) and their amazing fans in the stands."
“Russia can be proud of what the team has achieved, and not just in this game, where the players clearly showed that they understood very well that a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was at stake.
They almost managed to achieve another incredible triumph, and this was evident from the overwhelming support of the stands, which last time The team was applauded so warmly.”
“The Russian national team - the lowest-rated team - should not have been at the Fisht stadium in Sochi, in the quarter-finals against Croatia. She shouldn't have made it out of the group, let alone eliminated Spain.
Pessimism surrounded the team at the World Cup; most thought that the team would face humiliation. But this team in the end simply blew my mind.”
“Since the collapse of the USSR, Russia has been in search of its identity. The search has been long and it is not over yet. They often take strange, schizophrenic forms.
But not in football. Everything is very simple here. You just need to root for your team and believe in miracles. And as the World Cup progressed, Russian fans became more and more convinced that a miracle would happen.
The team, which on the eve of the World Cup was considered one of the worst at the World Cup, reached the quarterfinals, defeating a team like Spain along the way.
The Russian football fairy tale is over.
Despite everything, the World Cup brought something new Russian team. Her struggle gave rise to a positive form of nationalism. This is exactly what Russia so desperately needs.”
"The match took place at Olympic Stadium in Sochi, caused a lot of emotions among the audience. Everyone was surprised by the spirit of the Russian team, which showed character and managed to equalize the score in extra time, as well as the physical and tactical training tournament home teams.
“Lose like Russia! Stas is great!” - wrote expert of the Polsat Sport channel Roman Kolton, emphasizing what important role Coach Stanislav Cherchesov played a role in the success of the tournament hosts.”
