Russia-Serbia

At Loko very shortly for the "brotherhood match" and much is being spoken about the need for a big win before facing Ireland. The local media are slagging off Arshavin for not being a leader, Zhirkov for copping out and are basically down on all their players. There is a really nasty atmosphere around with lots of skinheaded goons from both sides strutting their stuff. Nice parallel of two Orthodox countries facing off with 2 "catholic" countries over in Dublin going at it.

Looking forward to seeing some good football though, no love lost between the players and a few of the Serbians basedor were based here.

Nice one Spud. Looking forward to hearing some first hand reports of how the Russians are faring up, especially before my first trip to the Motherland in a month.

When you're coming let me know, I'll stand you a pint of Bass :-)

Should mention it's been tipping it down all day here so no need to water the pitch. Decent crowd in with both sides chanting "Kosovo is Serbia"

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Originally Posted by Spudulika

When you're coming let me know, I'll stand you a pint of Bass :-)

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Be arriving the Saturday after Slovakia match. Taking in Moscow, then taking train up to St.Petersburg for a few days after the Russia game. Very much looking forward to it. Forget the Bass, I'll have something local!

So far so good, I'd love if the Ireland match was here, so much better than that craphole down the other end of the red line. The Serbians are very negative and look like they've packed the midfield. Arshavin is playing well, came close, but nothing too exciting so far.

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Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Be arriving the Saturday after Slovakia match. Taking in Moscow, then taking train up to St.Petersburg for a few days after the Russia game. Very much looking forward to it. Forget the Bass, I'll have something local!

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You're doing the right thing, and arriving at the right time too. Seems most I've been hearing from are landing in just before the match!

Cheers for the updates spudulika.

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Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Be arriving the Saturday after Slovakia match. Taking in Moscow, then taking train up to St.Petersburg for a few days after the Russia game. Very much looking forward to it. Forget the Bass, I'll have something local!

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Just don't end up in a barrel floating down the river Swan. You know how the song goes; "There's only one Rasputin...only one..."

Russia not playing well, making a sub already. Kerzhakov faking an injury, Pogrebnyak on.

Arshavin just split one of the Serbs open with his head. Russian defence is awful, if the Serbs put a 2nd striker in they'd wreck them. Got a boxers neck under his left brow. Atmos building and building. Pantelic is losing it, he's stuck up front on his own and not getting support.

Extra: Arshavin off, Bilyatedinov on. Big homecoming welcome for Dinyar, his father is sitting in the section below me (west stand).

Half time, should have been a free kick for a clear trip (well time) on Krasic. Krasic was outstripping Berezutskiy for speed (carthorse vs carthorse). Horrible match, doesn't match the atmos and yet it feels like it could take off in the 2nd half. Bad form from Arshavin.

Subs on for both teams, Russians brought on Shishkin for Anyukov. Anyukov was very good and the best of the defenders. Zhirkov improved towards the end of the half but not by much. Rain has stopped and it's a little colder now.

Goal Russia

Okay shot, keeper dropped it in front of Pogrebnyak and 1-0. Came from a decent move, but horrible keeping. Game on, so hopefully the Serbs will stand up to their big brother.

Chants are alternating between - Russia forward/attack and Kosovo is Serbia. When the latter is chanted the entire stadium is singing. I only counted the last 3 times it's been chanted during the match. There's an English journo I met earlier covering the match, first time in Moscow but speaks the lingo. Should be funny old report from him.

Ignashevich on for Zhirkov.

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Originally Posted by Spudulika

Should mention it's been tipping it down all day here so no need to water the pitch. Decent crowd in with both sides chanting "Kosovo is Serbia"

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Go in and shout its recognised by all UN nations to be a seperate country....in a quick catchy chant.

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Originally Posted by Spudulika

Chants are alternating between - Russia forward/attack and Kosovo is Serbia. When the latter is chanted the entire stadium is singing. I only counted the last 3 times it's been chanted during the match. There's an English journo I met earlier covering the match, first time in Moscow but speaks the lingo. Should be funny old report from him.

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Ah i finally got it....

your updates aren't coming as mobile.

http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodi...bia)-14839386/

Arshavin head clash

:-) Sorry, it's a pain, I'm on wi-fi and it's a bit patchy (all that concrete). I just keep smiling when they chant about Kosovo, you hear the same thing in Croatian football grounds, except they chant in support of Kosovo. Then they complain about "Albanians" smuggling and causing crime in the domovina! Raining again, but drizzle. Would love to see the odds of a 1-1.