ZCZC
BSP-03
FBL-WC-2018-RUS-CRO-RUSSIA
Russia’s fairytale World Cup run ends in tears
MOSCOW, July 8, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The impassioned shouts of “Ros-si-ya” died
away on the streets and tears filled the stadium as Russia bowed out of their
home World Cup in the cruellest fashion: on penalties.
The men in red exceeded the wildest expectations by coming within a penalty
kick and a save against Croatia of making it into the semi-finals for the
first time since 1966.
They lost the quarter-final shootout 4-3 after extra-time ended with the
sides deadlocked at 2-2 in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
It was that close — and it all ended just as the nation was starting to
believe.
“We leave the tournament with tears in our eyes but our heads held high,”
the team tweeted as the stadium emptied of the 45,000 or so who had lost
their voices cheering them on.
They had reason to be proud.
Russia were the lowest-ranked team entering the tournament and many in the
sceptical media thought they would be lucky to win a game.
They trudged off the pitch after making it to the quarter-final for the
first time in 48 years.
A semi-final was within grasp and the loss stung.
But the Russian team showed heart and won what seemed like the entire
nation’s gratitude.
“The champions of our hearts,” the popular Sport Express daily said in a
headline.
Then it paid them the highest compliment possible by declaring: “Russia
knows how to play football.”
– Empty feeling –
Fans who had been dancing in the streets after a heart-pounding shootout
win over 2010 champions Spain in the last 16 last Sunday were gloomy but
grateful.
The nation was mourning on Saturday — but also paying its respects.
Chants of “Mo-lod-tsy” — an almost untranslatable word of praise and
thanks that roughly means “Good job, guys” — echoed across the dark streets
of Moscow and other cities.
“What can I say? It’s a pity we are out of this tournament but I am very
proud of my team,” said Muscovite Alexander Khramoichenkov.
“I’m very proud of Russia,” the 34-year-old said.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called the team’s performance “magnificent”
after the watching the game from a VIP box with Croatian President Kolinda
Grabar-Kitarovic.
He came down into the players’ locker room and suggested that Russian
football would never be its disappointing old self again.
“We will simply have a different type of football after this,” he said. “I
am absolutely certain of this.”
But coach Stanislav Cherchesov — his moustache becoming the unofficial
symbol of Russia’s Cinderella waltz through the tournament — seemed visibly
distraught.
“I am still not myself yet,” he admitted after listening to a press
conference question and then being unable to say a word.
Midfielder Roman Zobnin sounded very similar moments after he walked off
the pitch.
“I have no emotions left. I left them all out there,” he said with
difficulty.
“I feel empty inside.”
BSS/AF/MSY/0839 hrs