Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

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

(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... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Cops Shoot Naked Guy Eating Man's Face on Highway

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

New Republic (Source Grid »)

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

Sports • World

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

More Newser Stories

Heir Not Just Putin's Puppet

Medvedev favors Western style and outlook

(NEWSER) - The man hand picked by Vladimir Putin to be his successor and a virtually certain victor in this Sunday's election has been portrayed in the West as the Russian president's personal puppet. But Dmitri Medvedev, who plans to appoint Putin as his prime minister, may be more independent, reform-minded and Western-oriented than some observers have suggested, reports the New York Times. More»

Putin Will Run for President: Medvedev Stepping Aside

He will likely lead Russia through 2024

(NEWSER) - He wasn't honing his image as an oh-so-buff Renaissance man for nothing: Vladimir Putin will again run for president in Russia next year, and the odds are that he will lead the nation through 2024, reports the Guardian . Current President Dmitry Medvedev ended months of Kremlin speculation today with the announcement. Medvedev will step aside from the presidency and perhaps take over Putin's role as prime minister after the March elections. More»

Putin Hints He'll Run for President Again

The Russian prime minister will 'think about it' before 2012 vote

(NEWSER) - Vladimir Putin is moving closer to retaking the Russian presidency. In a question-and-answer session with the Russian public, a student asked the prime minister whether he'd like to be president again. "I will think about it," Putin said, adding that "there's still plenty of time" before the 2012 election. Observers have long suspected that Dmitry Medvedev's term as president is a mere placeholder to appease Russian term-limit laws, and Putin did nothing to rebut that. More»

Putin Praises US for Ditching Missile Shield

But Moscow may not support nuclear sanctions against Iran

(NEWSER) - In a development sure to further tick off President Obama's critics on the right, Vladimir Putin says he's quite pleased with the decision to scrap an American missile-defense system in Eastern Europe, the New York Times reports. “I very much hope that this correct and brave decision will be followed by others,” said the Russian PM. Still unclear is whether Moscow will reward the US with more than just words—say, by supporting nuclear sanctions against Iran. More»

Novel About Corruption May Be Kremlin Official's Work

Close to Zero portrays bribes, fraud as commonplace in contemporary Russia

(NEWSER) - A novel about a publisher navigating Russia’s complex web of political favors and payoffs may have been written by a top Kremlin official, the Moscow Times reports. Sources at Russky Pioner magazine, which published excerpts of Close to Zero before its release last month, say Vladislav Surkov, a powerful aide to Vladimir Putin, wrote the novel under a pen name. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Russian Soccer's No. 1 Fan? The Kremlin

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

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

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Heir Not Just Putin's Puppet

Medvedev favors Western style and outlook

Putin Will Run for President: Medvedev Stepping Aside

He will likely lead Russia through 2024

Putin Hints He'll Run for President Again

The Russian prime minister will 'think about it' before 2012 vote

Putin Praises US for Ditching Missile Shield

But Moscow may not support nuclear sanctions against Iran

Novel About Corruption May Be Kremlin Official's Work

Close to Zero portrays bribes, fraud as commonplace in contemporary Russia

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?