Rossisky Roundup : Russian Football Week in Review

This is the first edition of what will be a new weekly feature on the site, looking back at the previous weeks “goings on” in Russian football.  We will review all the latest news and interesting stories, as well as provide some brief analysis of the subject matter.  The column will close out with a look at the next week’s action.  

This week’s edition includes and update on the Russian National teams fate in the “mini-football” world, as they competed in UEFA Futsal Championship.  We will also take a look at the performances of Russians abroad, as well as brushing over the latest news and transfer talk.  Let’s get started.

Mini-football Mayhem

Russia competed at the 2010 UEFA Futsal Championship in Hungary.  Pre-tournament, the side was touted as a favorite to win the trophy.  There was good reason to go with this line of thinking based on the team’s form during qualification. 

Also there was the fact that Russia has a history of performing well in this competition.  They won the title in 1999, as well as finishing runner-up in 1996 and 2005.  2007 brought the Russian National Team a third place finish. 

The Russian side is comprised of solid domestically born players and even a couple naturalized Brazilians.  The country is perenially a contender in futsal based in large part on the strength of the domestic league, which has featured two UEFA Futsal Cup (Club level) champions, Dynamo Moskva and Viz-Sinara Yekaterinburg (naturally I’m a fan and have seen them play). 

Spain is also usually in the top tier of futsal national teams.  The Russians and Spanish do both tend to play a very free flowing style.  Thus it should come as no suprise that these teams have a tendency to meet in big matches at the UEFA championship.  

Included in this history of clashes is Spain defeating Russia 5 – 3, in the final of the first tournament.  During the second tournament in 1999, Russia won it all, defeating 4 -2 Spain on penalties,after a thrilling final saw the teams knotted up at 3 apiece during regular time.  They played to another close finish in the 2005 final, which saw Spain go on to win 2 – 1. 

This year was no different in featuring a Russia / Spain clash at the European Futsal Championpship.  Though, this time the two titans squared off in the quarterfinals.  Despite a smaller stage, the product wasn’t without it’s share of thrills, especially the finish.  After a scoreless regulation, Spain edged out Russia 7 – 6 on penalties.  

It was a let down given the expectations heaped on the squad before kickoff in Hungary.  However, if you must be beaten, at least let it be by the eventual champions.  Which is the case, as Spain went on to win the title for a record 5 titles out of 7 editons. 

Kryliya Sovetov looking to stay Flying

It’s certainly trying times for supporters of Kryliya Sovetov Samara.  Despite never winning the RPL title, the side features some of the staunchest support for any football club in Russia.  Also the side has been a staple of the league since it began in 1992. 

The club is going through tremendous financial difficulty and has had eight players file complaints due to unpaid wages.  The ability of the club to maintain their professional licesnse has come under serious scrutiny.  This week a hearing will commence to decide how to deal with Sovetov’s situation. 

As the club continues to look for sponsorship help, they continue to bring in youth and reserve squad players to fill out a roster that has been gutted this offseason.  The club has lost nearly all of their starters and key role players from last season and will likely be a spring board for youth and fringe players to land positions somewhere else in the country for the next several seasons. 

Kriliya Sovetov got off to a good start this past season, nestling near the top of the table for the early weeks.  They were solid if unspectacular throughout the year.  On a previous podcast, Richard and I mused as to why Jan Koller would leave this club for a third tier French side.  Looks like we may have part of the answer here.  Not seeing Kryliya Sovetov in the Premier League next season would be a tragedy. 

Spartak’s Midfield Malaise

Spartak Moskva’s most glaring hole to fill this offseason was in their defensive midfield.  After realeasing Kowalchuk and sending Rafael Carioca to Brazil on loan, the club addressed this vacancy by signing Montegrin, Nikola Drincic from Amkar Perm. 

Drincic has been one of Perm’s best players the past two seasons.  Besides being efficient defensively, he is also an excellent distributor of the ball and is a set piece specialist. 

Drincic broke his tibia during training in Turkey this week and will be out for several months, missing the first quarter of the season. 

Though Spartak addressed the need for a starting defender, they didn’t do so with regards to depth at this area.  Spartak’s midfield is awash with talent everywhere else but in the back.  One reason they were able to send Quincy Owusu-Abeyie on loan to Portsmouth (ENG) this week. 

While Drinic is on the mend, the People’s Team is left with Renat Sabitov and Marek Suchy as the primary cover.  This hurts in multiple ways, with Drinicic out Suchy will probably be forced to play more primarily as a defensive midfielder.  It seems as though he was initially intended to be a substitute and spot starter in a utility role, moving between the back line and the deep – lying midfield.  Now the club can’t use his versatility as much. 

Spartak have however continued to build up their attacking prowess, adding Brazilian striker Ari from Dutch side, AZ Alkmaar.  It should be interesting to see how he fits into the squad and how he might partner with Welliton. 

Rubin Still Mum on Midfield

Much of Rubin Kazan’s offseason has been focused on whether or not the club will find a replacement for the loss of Alejandro Dominguez’s creativity.  Though Dominguez was more of a withdrawn striker for the club, you couldn’t help but notice that he was also filling the playmaker’s role well. 

Many have assumed that Rubin will just look to plug an attacking midfielder in order to make up for their loss in the striking line.  A few names have been mentioned, but Rubin has been stealth in any pursuits the may have. 

One name mentioned is Shamil Yahiyalov of Terek Grozny.  Some have thought (including Kurban Berdiew) that maybe this is Yevgeniy Balyaikin’s year to step up and shine.  This week however we hear of Rubin’s interest in young maestro, Bebars Natcho of Hapoel Tel Aviv, intensifying.  Hapoel just happens to be Rubin’s opponent in the Europa League first knockout round. 

While Natcho is certainly an exciting young talent and would go a long way towards answering some questions about Rubin’s attack, it seems highly unlikely at this point.  Considering that in a few weeks both teams will be squaring off, look for this move to perhaps be put on the backburner for the time being. 

Rumors out of St. Petersburg, But Nothing Concrete

Since Luciano Spalleti’s official signing by Zenit St. Petersburg, we have heard countless rumors as to what players would soon be spending time in Russian’s window to Europe.  However, since the return of Alexander Kerzhakov to the club, nothing else concrete has materialized. 

Every day it seems a new name is added to the list of speculative and potential additions.  However, with the squad already filled out pretty nicely, have we seen the end of Zenit’s transfer activity?  Or does Spalleti have another ace up his sleeve.  These answers might not come for some time, considering that the Russian transfer season is open until spring time.

Lokomotiv Finally Get Their Man, Continue to Trade Blows with Dynamo for Best Offseason 

News out of the Railroader’s camp is that playmaking attacking midfielder, Oleksandr Aliyev is actually coming to Moskva.  After a prolonged transfer saga that was on a level with the Arshavin to Arsenal move of the winter, in terms of rapidly changing developments, Aliyev is set to fill Loko’s final piece to the puzzle. 

It has been a very good couple of months for the club as they have really filled out their squad with some dangerous attacking talent.  While Aliyev may be the cherry on top, it will be his job to make the cake for the club and let someone else (like Sychev) put the cherry on. 

Perhaps this means the end of Loko’s reported interest in disgruntled Tottenham striker, Roman Pavlyuchenko.  We shall see, as Pav’s options in the RPL seem to be diminishing, at least for this transfer window.

It seems like fellow Muscovite side, Dynamo have been going toe to toe with Loko to win the offseason award.   They have spent their offseason nearly completely retooling the attacking half of their squad as well.  They already added to FK Moskva midfielders in Alexandru Epureanu and Edgaras Cesnauskis, in addition to Ukrainian striker, Andrey Voronin. 

Now they have added their own midfiedld maestro, reacquiring playmaker, Igor Semshov, from Zenit.  Though Semshov isn’t getting any younger, he still seems to have several very productive years left in the tank. 

His addition has almost been lost in the back and forth barrage between both Dynamo Moskva and Liverpool officials, over whether or not Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun will be transferred.  It seems as though Benayoun will have to wait for a move until the summer.  But, as the Aliyev to Loko story has proved, things can change rather quickly. 

Either way, Semshov is a good safety net to have and he should really help the team.  He is certainly capable of guiding the attack and is versatile enough to play in tandem with Benayoun, if the Liverpool player does make an eventual move to Moskva. 

Semshov will need to get off to a good start, in order to ease some of the fans misgivings about resigning a player who they felt betrayed the club by leaving for Zenit.  Winning and good performances usually tend to help the healing process.

Russians Abroad Update

Yuri Zhirkov : Played 19 minutes in Chelsea’s 3 – 0 league win over Birmingham city.  Zhirkov was basically playing cleanup work.  He did however, set up Nicolas Anelka with a shot on goal and earned a couple of free kicks while roaming the left flank. 

Zhirkov also played the full 90 minutes in his club’s 1 – 2 win over Burnley.  He played reasonably well, looking like a talented player who is still adjusting to and learning about a new league, with new teammates. 

Zhirkov was initially deployed as the left winger, then shifted back to playing as the left back when Ashley Cole left with an injury, 76 minutes in. 

Andrey Arshavin : Played 90 minutes in Arsenal’s scoreless draw with Aston Villa.  Arshavin continues to play out of his most comfortable positions (left wing, cam or withdrawn striker) and instead as the lead striker, due to nagging injuries for Arsenal’s strikers. 

However, the Russian orchestrator has continued to develop a good chemistry with fellow string puller, Cesc Fabregas.  In fact, some of Arsenal’s best chances to score here were a product of them connecting on the pitch. 

Arshavin had two solid shots on goal save, after being set up with crisp passes from Fabregas.  On another occasion, Fabregas nearly had Arshavin one v one with the keeper, from a brilliant through ball.  Yet the Russian was just offside.   He also set up his teammates with a couple of good looks at goal, also feeding Fabregas.

Arshavin would put in a second performance, going the distance this week.  He played the whole match, in Arsenal’s 1 – 3 defeat to Manchester United. 

It was a mixed bag of an effort.  While Arshavin, had two really good chances to score, he also disappeared at times and didn’t assert himself enough.  Twice, he tried to curl shots into the far post, only to see them stay straight and just miss the frame. 

Arshavin’s service seemed a bit off this match and he wasn’t linking up as well with Fabregas as he usually does. 

Pavel Pogrebnyak : Played 90 minutes in Stuttgart’s 4 – 1 win over Borussia Dortmund.  Pogrebnyak has shown improved form over the last couple of weeks, but wasn’t spectacular in this match. 

Though he did have his moments, connecting on a nice through ball to Alexander Hleb, only to find the Belorussian international was just offside.  He also helped the club earn their second goal.  Pogrebnyak was fouled by Marcel Schmelzer in the attacking in the attacking half.  This won a free kick for Stuttgart and a yellow card for Schmelzer.  Zdravko Kuzmanovic scored on the ensuing free kick to give the club a 2 – 1 lead, which they would not relinquish. 

Pogrebnyak did also receive a yellow card for diving in the 50th minute. 

Marat Izmailov : Played 54 minutes in Sporting Club de Portugal’s 1 – 0 loss to Sporting Braga.  The Russian winger has been getting back to full fitness while providing a creative spark for his club over the last several weeks. 

What to Look Forward to Next Week

• RFU elects a new President / Hiddink’s fate with the Russian National Team decided?
• Euro Draw next Monday
• Hearing on Kryliya Sovetov Samara’s situation
• Russians Abroad
• More Transfer Talk

Writer’s Note : This is just meant to be a review, for in depth coverage of other issues pertaining to the game, we are always here for you with regualar coverage at the site.  Andrew Skomra does an especially good job bringing us deep coverage of all goings on in the Russian Football world. 

On a personal note, I was glad to hear of FK Ural’s interest in Dmitri Ryzhov.  My favortie club could use all the attacking help they can get, after losing leading goal scorer Vladimir Shishelov this offseason.