The most notable poker scored by Russian player is the poker by Andrei Arshavin against Liverpool on Anfield. Arshavin became the first player to score four league goals at Anfield since 1946.

Valeri Shmarov was a key player for Spartak (Moscow) and FC Fakel (Voronezh) in the late 80s, early 90s. Shmarov scored his poker in his last game, a show game between Spartak and Fakel. Shmarov played a time for both teams.

Yuriy Nikiforov is another prominent Spartak player. He has played for a number of teams in various countries. Nikiforov scored poker while playing for Ukrainian side Chornomorets against Vaduz.

Hamlet Mkhitaryan played for Armenian side Ararat from 1980 until 1987, he scored several hat-tricks including one poker in Soviet Championship 84.

To play poker download Titan Poker.

Andrei Arshavin has taken part in “Poker with a star” event, together with Bwin poker room and “Poker with Arshavin”, organized by Pokerstars in Moscow. Andrei Shevchenko also took part in a poker event together with Pokerstars, the event involved players from Ukraine, Russia and other CIS countries.

Aleksandr Bukharov, Russian international and Zenit forward, took part in Sunday Million real money poker tournament, organized by Pokerstars. Bukharov’s nick was Timur Valeev, he came 6 in the final of the tournament and earned $ 48 720. During the final game Bukharov experienced some language difficulties in communication with the rivals and had to involve an interpreter.

Dmitri Bulykin, currently playing for ADO Den Haag in the Dutch Eredivisie, on loan from RSC Anderlecht, is rumored to be a good poker player. Bulykin says that football players in Holland play poker even in the matchdays. Bulykin claims to win often, “Russian poker school is stronger than Dutch”- he jokes.

The All-Russian Football Union was founded in 1912 and became part of FIFA at the same time. After the Russian Revolution USSR didn’t have a national governing football body until 1934.

Russian Football Union was founded in 1992 and its first president, Vyacheslav Koloskov, served until 2005.

Since February 2010 Sergei Fursenko serves as RFU president. Fursenko used to work as CEO of Lentransgaz, Gazprom fellow subsidiary, and FC Zenit Board chairman. Sergei Fursenko is the brother of Russian Federation education minister. Sergei Fursenko main projects in RFU so far are: Russia’s bid for World Cup 2018; transfer of Russian football championship calendar, Russian club will play more football in winter, spring and autumn, while traditionally most games were scheduled on summer.

Russian Football Union runs national football teams and several football competitions.

The Champion

Rubin (Kazan) are the Champions again. Rubin are 8 points ahead of Spartak (Moscow), who came second and 53 points ahead of Khimki, who came the last.

Gurban Berdiýew confirmed, that he is going to stay in Kazan and “finish what he has started”. Rubin will presumably conclude a number of new sponsoring contracts, they have already change Nike for Umbro as equipment supplier.

Rubin’s new target is to preserve its top players, Cristian Ansaldi (Argentine international), Sergei Semak (Rubin captain), Aleksandr Bukharov (Rubin top striker).

The relegated

FC Khimki have gathered just 10 points in the season, winning just 2 games in the season. Coach Igor Chugainov is ready to stay in the club in 2010 and fight the way back to the Premier League.

FC Kuban were promoted last year and didn’t succeed in Russian Premier League. Coach Sergei Ovchinnikov (ex-Russian international) was fired and Armenian coach Poghos Galstyan took charge of the club.

The promoted

FC Anzhi (Makhachkala) were founded in 1991 but have already played in UEFA Cup and Russia Cup final. However they played in Russian Premier League only in 2002 season. Omari Tetradze, former Russian international, has been working with Anzhi since 2007.

FC Sibir (Novosibirsk), founded in 1936 has changed 9 names since that. Sibir has never played in Russian or USSR top league.

Who’s gonna play in Europe

Rubin (Kazan), Spartak (Moscow), Zenit (Saint Petersburg) are going to play in Champions League 2010/11. The three clubs have an impressive winning record and are likely to be tough sides in the main European football event.

Lokomotiv (Moscow) and CSKA (Moscow) will take part in UEFA Europa League. Both have enough class to reach the latest stages of the contest.

Owners: Gazprom (over 95% of stock), a number of Saint Petersburg-based companies
Budget: 100 mln $ (2008), 90 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Gazprom

Gazprom, Russian largest energy company, finances most of the club’s spending. Gazprom can afford to spend any money so Zenit can afford any transfers and expenses. Anyway FC Zenit is probably the club with the best merchandizing in Russian football, a number of Zenit-owned companies (radio “Zenit”, “Zenit-Trade”, “Arena-Food”) can cover a significant part of the club’s budget. Gazprom aims to built a new stadium for FC Zenit, the project costs 250 mln $.

FC Spartak Moscow

Owners: Leonid Fedun (90% of stock), private persons
Budget: 65 mln $ (2008), 65 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Lukoil

FC Spartak is financed by its shareholders, mainly by Russian businessman Leonid Fedun. Leonid Fedun is one of the owners of Lukoil, Russian leading energy company. Lukoil is the sponsor of FC Spartak. FC Spartak players participate in a number of marketing campaigns run by Lukoil-owned companies. Leonid Fedun is currently building a new stadium for FC Spartak, the new stadium will be built by 2012.

FC Lokomotiv

Owners: Russian Railways (70% of stock), Valeri Filatov (15%), Yuri Semin (15%)
Budget: 70 mln $ (2008), 62 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Russian Railways

Russian Railways, the government owned railway company, covers FC Lokomotiv financial demands. FC Lokomotiv is also financed by a number of companies, owned by Russian Railways.

FC Rubin

Owner: Kazan city district
Budget: 70 mln $ (2008), 55 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Taif

FC Rubin is financed by Kazan city district administration, Tatarstan Republic administration as well as by a number of local companies: Taif (holding company), Tatenergo (energy company). Due to the financial crisis FC Rubin budget is significantly cut in 2009.

FC CSKA

Owners: Blue Castle Enterprises Limited (49%), AVO Capital (26% of stock), Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (25%)
Budget: 50 mln $ (2008), 49 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Aeroflot

CSKA is one of the most stable clubs in Russian Premier League, each year it earns more than 40 mln $, therefore the club can finance most of its spending. Recently CSKA made an agreement with a new sponsor, Aeroflot, Russian largest airline, each year it will pay 10 mln $ to the club.

FC Dynamo Moscow

Owners: Bank VTB (75% of stock – 1 share), Dynamo Sports Society (25% of stock + 1 share)
Budget: 60 mln $ (2008), 50 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Bank VTB

FC Dynamo main sponsors are Bank VTB (Russian government owns 77.47% of Bank VTB stock) and Polyus Gold, Russian mining and metallurgy company. Bank VTB became the club’s owners when Dynamo Sports Society found itself unable to finance the Bank VTB credits. FC Dynamo stadium is currently under reconstruction, it will cost 100 mln $.

FC Saturn

Owner: Moscow Oblast
Budget: 60 mln $ (2008), 42 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): no

FC Saturn is owned and financed by Moscow Oblast. At the end of the previous season Moscow Oblast wanted to merge FC Saturn and FC Khimki in order to cut budget spending. FC Saturn budget may be further decreased due to poor financial status of Moscow Oblast.

FC Terek

Owner: Chechen Republic
Budget: 35 mln $ (2008), 37 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Sat&Co

FC Terek is a major project for Chechen Republic government and namely for Chechen governor Ramzan Kadyrov, full name of the club is A.A.Kadyrov Republican Football Club Terek Grozny, A.A.Kadyrov is Ramzan’s father. FC Terek budget was increased in 2009. Ramzan Kadyrov also gives notable players magnificent presents.

FC Krylia Sovetov

Owner: Rostehnologii
Budget: 50 mln $ (2008), 35 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Rostehnologii

FC Krylia Sovetov main sponsors are Rostehnologii and AvtoVAZ, Russian automobile manufacturer, both suffer from financial hardships. The club’s budget was significantly decreased.

FC Moscow

Owner: Norilsk Nickel
Budget: 50 mln $ (2008) 25 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): no

Norilsk Nickel allocated 10 mln $ to finance FC Moscow demands in 2009, 5 times less than in 2008. The club aims to earn more money by increasing fan-base and merchandising revenue.

FC Tom

Owners: Tomsk Oblast, Tomsk city district, a number of Tomsk-based companies
Budget: 25 mln $ (2008), 20 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): no

FC Tom (the only Russian Premier League from Siberia) was on the edge of bankruptcy and only Russian Prime Minister Vladmir Putin’s influence saved the club. Putin forced a number of Russian companies (Rosneft, Inter RAO UES, Gazprom Neft and others) to allot money for FC Tom.

FC Kuban

Owners: Oleg Mkrtchan (75% of stock), Krasnodar Krai (25% of stock)
Budget: 21 mln $ (2008) 18 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): Bank Soyuz

FC Kuban is backed up by a number of Krasnodar Krai companies and regional budget. Krasnodar Krai government want to get rid of the spending on club needs, before the season the Krai sold 75% of FC Kuban stock.

FC Amkar

Owner: Valery Chuprakov (presumably)
Budget: 18 mln $ (2008), 17 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): no

FC Amkar main sponsor, Mineralnie Udobrenia, refused to finance the club in 2009. Perm Krai budget secure about 50% of FC Amkar budget. Local businesses provide the rest.

FC Spartak Nalchik

Owners: Kabardino-Balkar Republic, Nalchik city district
Budget: 16 mln $ (2008), 12 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): no

FC Spartak Nalchik is mainly financed by Kabardino-Balkar Republic, Nalchik city district. Due to the decrease of the budget FC Spartak Nalchik denied the plans of building a new stadium.

FC Rostov

Owners: Rostov Oblast (71,32% of stock), Estar (26,63%), Rostovenergo (2,05%)
Budget: 12 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): no

FC Rostov lost its main sponsor, TMK, the largest Russian producer of steel pipes. The club’s new sponsor, Estar, holding company, covers the vital needs of FC Rostov.

FC Khimki

Owner: Khimki city district
Budget: 20 mln $ (2008), 11 mln $ (2009)
Shirt logo (commercial): SMP Bank

FC Khimki could be merged with FC Saturn before the season, but Khimki fans arranged protests all over the city, so local authorities renounced the plan. However FC Khimki sold a number of valuable players and have a significantly weaker team in 2009.

FC Moscow are often called “the citizens” and “the caps” (Moscow mayor Yuriy Luzhkov usually wears a cap).

Club history

FC Moscow was founded in 1997, it’s the youngest club in Russian Premier League. FC Moscow broke away from Russian legendary club Torpedo and originally was called Torpedo-ZIL, in 2003 the name was changed to Torpedo-Metallurg. In 2004 the club finally approved the current name.

FC Moscow plays in Russian Premier League since 2003. So far the best result was the 4th place in 2007. FC Moscow’s Dmitri Kirichenko and Roman Adamov were the league’s top goal scorers in 2005 and 2007.

Competition

FC Moscow is facing fierce competition for supporters, since Moscow is the home for 4 Russian Premier League clubs and a number of lesser football clubs.

A young club, such as FC Moscow, hasn’t yet established himself on the market and has to rely on a very limited fan base. E. Streltsov Stadium, FC Moscow home ground, has just 13 200 seats and even this amount is not filled by the supporters.

Owner

FC Moscow is owned by Norilsk Nickel, one of Russian top companies, the world’s leading producer of nickel and palladium. The company is listed on NASDAQ and the RTS Stock Exchange. Norilsk Nickel is owned by Russian top businessman Oleg Deripaska and Vladimir Potanin.

FC Moscow is financed quite moderately, they don’t carry out mad transfer deals or pay extraordinary large salaries.

President

Igor Dmitriev is currently FC Moscow president. Dmitriev has been previously working as a CEO in FC Cosmos and FC Saturn, he also used to be Russian Football Premier League president. Dmitriev came to FC Moscow in 2008, he is aiming to change club’s organizational structure, normalize FC Moscow financial situation and develop FC Moscow structure.

Coach

Miodrag Božović is a Montenegrin football coach.

Božović has previously worked with FK Beograd, Consadole Sapporo, FK Borac Čačak, FK Hajduk Beograd, AEP Paphos FC, FK Budućnost Podgorica, FK Grbalj and FC Amkar (Perm). Altogether 9 clubs from 5 countries.

In Russia Božović was impressive as FC Amkar coach. Božović has worked with FC Amkar for a year, he refused to negotiate extension of his contract with the club from Perm city. In FC Moscow Božović’s salary is considerably higher than in Amkar.

Top players

Yuri Zhevnov is FC Moscow goalkeeper, he won 12 caps for his national football team. In 2007 Zhevnov was voted FC Moscow best player by the supporters. Yuri Zhevnov is one of the most reputable players in FC Moscow. Zhevnov has both Russian and Belarus citizenships.

Alexandru Epureanu is Moldavian international and one of the best FC Moscow defenders. Epureanu won Moldovan Footballer of the Year in 2007. Epureanu is an important player, but has slight tensions with the supporters caused by his careless interviews.

Aleksandr Samedov is a Russian footballer of Azerian ethnic origin. Samedov has played for the Russia U-21 team and hopes to break into Russian senior national football team. Samedov graduated Spartak Moscow football academy but lost his place in Spartak to Vladimir Bystrov. Samedov has played for Lokomotiv Moscow before joining FC Moscow in 2008. Samedov refused joining Azerbaijan national football team.

Isaac Okoronkwo joined FC Moscow in 2006, the same year he was voted the best player by the supporters. Since 2001 he has been playing Nigeria national football team, but currently lost his place in the national team. However for FC Moscow Okoronkwo is still a key player and a clutch defender.

On life in England

“The hardest thing was to adapt English principles. I was born in Saint Peterborough and has lived here for 27 years. England much varies from Russia, everything is different”. (“Sport-Weekend”)

“Of course for me it’s more comfortable in Saint Peterborough than in London, but it’s good that in London people don’t recognize me on the street”. (radio Zenit)

“During the first week I had problems with driving in England. I constantly wanted to turn left, I used to hit the borders. Paul, who is running common issues in Arsenal, after a ride with me said that I’m a crazy Russian”. (radio Zenit)

“In England if you are coming out of a night club you’ll sure meet one or two photographers, several times I met photographers, but I always was with my wife and my kids, and that’s not interesting for them”. (radio Zenit)

“The first season wasn’t even the beginning, it was just a demo. I just tried things, felt how it works, how to move, what to do”. (radio Zenit)

On English Premier League

“English Premier League is much better than Russian Premier League. Manchester City, who came 10th, have Robinho, Sunderland, they were even lower, had Cisse”. (“Sport-Weekend”)

“Of course, “the Big Four” are distinguishing, but Tottenham and Manchester City also have good squads, Everton have been very stable for the last 2-3 years. I think in the upcoming season at least 8 teams will be competing for the top places in the table”. (“Sport-Weekend”)

“Arsenal fans are supporting their players during the game, just like Zenit fans. In Saint Peterborough we have more performances, more banners, but in England they sing more. In England fans notice more elements of the game. A player can be cheered with applause for a good dash or even for an unsuccessful pass, if he passed into the right zone”. (radio Zenit)

On Arsenal

“Fabregas is the leader not just on the pitch, but also outside the stadium”. (“Sport-Weekend”)

“4th place is not that bad, but for 3 years Arsenal has not won a trophy and that’s disappointing”. (“Sport-Weekend”)

“I haven’t contacted the club during the vocation. Though I wanted to send an sms to Eboue, when media started to talk about his will to change the club, I wanted to tell him he shouldn’t. After all, I found out that I have only Bendtner’s number in my phone’s memory”. (“Sport-Express”)

“When I was signing the contract with Arsenal the 50% tax didn’t exist. But the only recipe now is to play better, so that the club would wish to sign a better contract with me”. (“Sport-Express”)

“I like the dressing room chemistry in Arsenal. The music is on, the guys are at ease, some are getting massage, some are playing with the ball, people are joking”. (ARSHAVIN.EU)

“Arsene Wenger is an intelligent and a very devoted coach. As far as I know, he watches very much football, he is constantly looking for young players. In Arsenal he is an icon, guarded by everyone. Everyone listens carefully to what he says, tries to do everything he wants. Before every game he says a couple of words to each player”. (radio Zenit)

On other Russian players

“There are plenty of rumours about Roman Pavlyuchenko, but I wish he’d stay in London. If any other Russian player comes to London I will be happy and will try to help him by any means”. (“Sport-Express”)

“Zhirkov is good enough for Chelsea. He is an attacking player, so he will compete with Chelsea’s attackers”. (“Sport-Express”)

“I would be happy if any other Russian player comes to Arsenal. Arsene Wenger knows Russian players and he has told me his opinion on some of them”. (radio Zenit)

On Russian Premier League

“I watched the whole 12th round and I enjoyed it very much. Firstly, the strife was hard, second, referees were determined and unbiased”. (“Sport-Express”)

“FC Moscow are doing very well on the moment, but CSKA and Zenit are much better than the “citizens” and any other team in the Premier League”. (“Sport-Express”)

On Zenit

“Zenit need to replace the departed players, but they don’t need just good players, the need star players and it’s hard to convince them to move to Russia”. (“Sport-Express”)

“Zenit needs a coach, who will guide the team to the title again. For the players it would be easier to work with a foreigner”. (radio Zenit)

“I want to end my career in Zenit, then my career would be beautiful”. (radio Zenit)

Miscellaneous

“My son Artem doesn’t play football. It’s embarrassing that my daughter Yana is playing football. Actually, I wouldn’t like her to become a professional player”. (radio Zenit)

“I have a dream. I wish to score throwing the ball over the goalkeeper while hitting from the centre of the field”. (radio Zenit)

Russian U-21 team currently plays unstable and hasn’t yet established itself as one of youth football leading teams. Many of the players don’t have enough practice in their clubs, which negatively influences the team’s potential. Recently they lost to Faroe Islands U-21 team (0:1).

Coaching staff

Igor Kolyvanov is Russian U-21 team head coach. Before U-21 team he has worked with national U-17 team, winning 2006 UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship and Russian U-19 team.

Kolyvanov knows his players perfectly well, having worked with them in U-17 and U-19 teams.

Players

Yevgeny Pomazan, goalkeeper, CSKA (Moscow). Pomazan has played just one game for senior CSKA team.

Georgi Schennikov, defender, CSKA. In 2008 Georgi Schennikov made his first appearance for senior CSKA team and his first international appearance for the club. Schennikov plays as a left full-back.

Pavel Mamaev, midfielder, CSKA. In the current season Mamaev became CSKA regular, he was recently called up to the national squad.

Aleksei Ionov, midfielder, Zenit (Saint Petersburg). Ionov made his first appearance for Zenit in 2007, since that he has not advanced into Zenit’s starting 11.

Aleksandr Prudnikov, forward, Terek (Grozny). Prudnikov was loaned to the Chechen club by Spartak (Moscow).

U-19 team

Russian U-19 team recently has lost to Holland and drawn with Slovenia and Belarus in the 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship qualifying games and as a result – failed to qualify.

Coaching Staff

Andrei Talalayev has been working with various youth teams since 1999, he has also worked in Spartak (Moscow) coaching staff.

Players

Evgeni Gapon, defender, FC Khimki. Khimki are struggling to avoid relegation and has limited financial opportunities. Therefore Gapon has enough opportunities to collect valuable Russian Premier-League experience.

Gapon is the only U-19 player having regular Russian Premier League practice. Though there are many talented players in the team, such as Basel Abdulfattakh (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Nikita Chicherin (Dynamo Moscow) and others, their abilities are unclear.

History

Zvezda 2005 was founded in 2005 and won their first home titles in 2007, winning both Russian women’s football Top league and Russian Women’s Cup. In 2008 Zvezda 2005 won the Top league, reached the final of Russian Women’s Cup, in 2009 – reached the final of UEFA Women’s Cup.

While in Russia women’s football is not very popular, Zvezda 2005 is the women’s football club with highest average match attendance.

Star players

Nataliya Zinchenko, Ukrainian international, captains Zvezda 2005. She is the main attacking player in the squad.

Elena Suslova, Russian international, won Russian women’s football Top league 3 times and has also twice lifted Russian Women’s Cup.

Natalia Barbashina is a veteran player, her career began back in 1992 and since that she has won Russian women’s football Top league 7 times and Russian Women’s Cup – 9 times.

Olga Sergaeva has won both Russian women’s football Top league and Russian Women’s Cup for 5 times.

Club’s infrastructure

Zvezda 2005 shares Zvezda stadium with local men football club Amkar, which currently plays in Russian Premier League.

Zvezda 2005 has a youth team and a cheerleading support team.

Marketing

Zvezda 2005 works diligently to increase women’s football attendance in Perm. Zvezda 2005 runs joint marketing campaigns with local business, has built up close relations with regional web-sites.

Zenit has won 4 games, drawn 3 times and lost to FC Rostov, FC CSKA, Dynamo (Moscow). Zenit failed to win against worst rivals (Spartak, CSKA, Lokomotiv).

Several forces may ruin Zenit expectations this season.

Lost leaders

Andrei Arshavin joined Arsenal. Danny, a player bought to replace Arshavin, will presumably miss the rest of the season due to a severe injury. Captain Anatoliy Tymoschuk will probably join Bayern Munich in summer (Russian mid-season).

Misfit expectations

Igor Semshov, one of Russian national team leaders, has played just 481 minutes (out of 900) in the current season and still hasn’t established himself as a key player for Zenit.

Szabolcs Huszti has played just 152 minutes and clearly hasn’t yet impressed Zenit coaching staff. Now with Danny injured Zenit needs Huszti to put on pace.

Fatih Tekke, Turkish international, was moved to the reserve team and has been put on transfer list. That makes Pogrebnyak the only forward in Zenit squad.

Squad unbalanced

Zenit has a lot of brilliant midfielders, just enough defenders, but lacks players in the attack. Pavel Pogrebnyak and Fatih Tekke are the only forwards, Szabolcs Huszti is the only attacking midfielder fit.

Unsettled speculations

Dick Advocaat, reportedly, reached an agreement with Belgian Football Association and will take charge of Belgian national team after the season.

Pavel Pogrebnyak and Anatoliy Tymoschuk may leave the team in summer.