MOSCOW, July 12, 2018 (BSS/TASS) – Team Russia’s performance at the 2018
FIFA World Cup drew pride, joy and respect from Russian citizens, according
to a poll carried out by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center and
published on Thursday.
“The performance of the Russian team at the World Cup drew pride (47%),
joy (36%) and respect (35%) from our citizens, while 28% more felt hope and
21% admiration,” the report on the poll says. Just 8% of those polled were
disappointed with the national team’s performance and 7% were saddened by it.
A paltry 1% of Russians felt ashamed by Team Russia.
More than half of Russians (55%) are going to watch the football match
broadcasts, while 38% are not going to follow the championship. Among those
polled, 63% are going to watch the World Cup final: 61% will watch it at
home, at work or as guests, 1% of Russians will visit a bar or a cafo to
watch the game, and 1% more will visit the fan zone for this purpose. Just
0.2% of those surveyed are going to watch the final at Luzhniki Stadium. One
in five Russians (23%) forecast France’s victory, while 16% are certain that
Croatia will win.
“Team Russia’s victories on the football field have united the nation and
stirred pride for our guys and the country, while the defeat was met with
respect for the players’ devotion and for their opponents. Russians showed
themselves to be amiable hosts, and the outstanding performance by the
national team intensified the festive atmosphere all the more, reviving
confidence and hope for Russian football among (our) compatriots,” Director
General of the Russian Public Opinion Research Center Konstantin Abramov
commented on the survey data.
The Russian national poll was conducted on July 10, 2018, among 1,600
respondents with a margin of error of not more than 2.5% with a 95%
probability.
England will battle Belgium for the third place in St. Petersburg, with
that match scheduled to kick off at 17:00 Moscow time (GMT + 3) on July 14.
The next day at 18:00 Moscow time Croatia will take on France in the final
game at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.