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Russian Soccer's No. 1 Fan? The Kremlin

Russian nationalism plays out on the pitch, and politicians pay out off it

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 26, 2008 8:51 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Russia's soccer team takes the field against Spain today in the Euro 2008 quarterfinals with an unlikely and ardent cheering section—the Kremlin. The team, resurging after years in decline, can thank the hefty monetary backing of an oil magnate afraid to run afoul of Moscow. And, as Josh Patashnik writes in the New Republic, "This is Vladimir Putin's team through and through."

Only one team member plays for a non-Russian team during the regular season, a departure from the typical European soccer diaspora. Star striker Andrei Arshavin "wants to play for Barcelona, but I don't think they can pay him more than he earns now," says Russia's sports minister. And who pays Arshavin's $100,000 per week salary? State-owned Gazprom.

From left, Russia's Vasili Berezutski, Sergei Semak, Konstantin Zyryanov and Dmitri Torbinski exercise during a training session of the Russian national team in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday, June 25.
From left, Russia's Vasili Berezutski, Sergei Semak, Konstantin Zyryanov and Dmitri Torbinski exercise during a training session of the Russian national team in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday, June 25.   (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)
Russia's Andrei Arshavin runs during a training session of the national soccer team. Russia reached the semifinal stage of the Euro 2008 European Soccer Championships.
Russia's Andrei Arshavin runs during a training session of the national soccer team. Russia reached the semifinal stage of the Euro 2008 European Soccer Championships.   (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Russia's Roman Pavlyuchenko celebrates at the end of the quarterfinal match between the Netherlands and Russia in Basel, Switzerland, Saturday, June 21, 2008, at the Euro 2008.
Russia's Roman Pavlyuchenko celebrates at the end of the quarterfinal match between the Netherlands and Russia in Basel, Switzerland, Saturday, June 21, 2008, at the Euro 2008.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Russian players celebrate their 3-1 win in the quarterfinal match against the Netherlands at the Euro 2008 European Soccer Championships in Austria and Switzerland.
Russian players celebrate their 3-1 win in the quarterfinal match against the Netherlands at the Euro 2008 European Soccer Championships in Austria and Switzerland.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
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Down to Germany, Turkey, Spain, and Russia
New York Times

Russians are finally up to speed
Reuters

Spain's only hope is stopping Arshavin
Los Angeles Times

 
Russia • Vladimir Putin • soccer • Kremlin • Gazprom • Euro 2008 • professional athletes

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