Tucked away on a quiet street in Samara city centre, a quaint and quirky football museum pays homage to the beautiful game while riding the wave of World Cup fever.
Co-founded and run by friends Sergei Leybgrad and Aleksander Chernishev 11 years ago, the building is situated on Molodogvardeyskaya St, a residential area just one block from Kuybyshev Square or, as it s been renamed for the duration of Russia 2018 the FIFA Fan Fest.
If it weren t for the goalposts that frame its entrance, one could easily miss it.
And yet, in the build-up to the finals, the site has become an increasingly popular attraction for supporters from far-flung corners of the globe.
Stretching across just five small rooms in an underground basement, the museum is jam-packed with mem…
The Chinese Super League (CSL) has been postponed following the Chinese Football Association s (CFA) announcement amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Domestic football at all levels in China has been postponed in order to help control the spread of the virus a SARS-like condition which has reportedly claimed more than 130 lives.
The CSL was scheduled to get underway on February 22, with Guangzhou Evergrande looking to defend their title.
The Chinese Football Association will continue to maintain close communication with national authorities, determine the timing of each season s events in combination with the actual development of the epidemic situation and make reasonable adjustments to the system, schedule, and scale of some events when necessary, a statement read …
Brazil began their World Youth Championship 2009 campaign with a convincing 5-0 victory over Costa Rica.
The Brazilians went ahead after 24 minutes at Port Said Stadium, with a goal from Vasco da Gama forward Alan Kardec.
Giuliano added a second in the 35th minute, and Alan Kardec made it 3-0 shortly before the half time whistle.
Vasco da Gama s influence was visible in this game, as Alan Kardec club mate Alex Teixeira found the target in minute 75. Rafael Da Silva, better known as Boquita, scored the fifth and final goal with one minute to go in regular time.
Brazil play their next match against the Czech Republic on Wednesday. Earlier that day, Costa Rica will need a positive result against Australia.
…
Pavel Vrba is set to become the new coach of Czech Republic after announcing his intention to relinquish his post at Viktoria Plzen.
Vrba has activated an exit clause in his contract with the Czech champions and will leave the club on December 15.
He is then poised to take over his national side from January 1, ending the interim stewardship of Josef Pesice, who stepped in when Michal Bilek resigned in September.
Miroslav Pelta, president of the Football Association of Czech Republic (FACR), expressed satisfaction at securing the services of Vrba.
Of course I am very happy that we get a coach who has had a number of excellent results, said Pelta in a statement on the FACR website.
Vrba guided Plzen to their first domestic title in 2011 and secured a second …
Eden Hazard is adamant he does not care about scoring goals and supplying assists so long as Chelsea are winning and the fans go home happy.
The Belgium international has been in good form this season after a disappointing 2015-16 campaign, scoring nine goals in 20 Premier League outings.
Nevertheless, personal success is not what drives Hazard, who claimed he just wants to enjoy himself and please the supporters.
For me, football is like this: I go on the pitch and I try to enjoy it. I do not look at statistics, I do not look at goals, I just want to go on the pitch, Hazard told Chelsea Magazine.
I prefer to win 5-0 and I play an amazing game, but do not score or assist, than play a bad game where I score two goals and we win 2-0.
Football i…
Liverpool moving to bolster their goalkeeping options before the start of the Premier League season is a must according to former Anfield favourite Graeme Souness.
Jurgen Klopp is reportedly on the verge of making Roma s Brazil international Alisson the most expensive goalkeeper in football history.
The 25-year-old boarded a plane in the Italian capital on Wednesday and is expected to complete the formalities of a £67million switch.
Alisson s arrival would be widely viewed as a response to Loris Karius error-strewn showing in the 3-1 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid, where he was culpable for goals by Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.
Another mistake leading to a Tranmere Rovers goal in a pre-season friendly earlier this month brought fresh scru…
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has pledged to keep the memory of the Busby Babes alive.
Sunday’s visit of West Ham is the closest fixture to the 66th anniversary of the Munich air disaster on February 6, which claimed 23 lives, including eight players.
It is also the first time without Sir Bobby Charlton, who was injured in the crash, following his death last year.
Remembering the Flowers of Manchester.
Tributes to those who we lost in the Munich Air Disaster will continue across our fixtures this weekend and into next week
— Manchester United (@ManUtd)
Fernandes said: “We know the demands of playing for Manchester United. It’s a legacy which is in the club.
“It’s a responsibility for everyone: managers, pl…
Manchester United returned to the top of the Premier League on Sunday as South Korea midfielder Park Ji-Sung sealed a 2-1 victory over bitter rivals Liverpool.
Sir Alex Ferguson s team trailed to an early goal from Fernando Torres at Old Trafford, but Wayne Rooney equalised with the rebound from a controversially awarded penalty before Park s third goal of the season won it for the champions.
United are now two points clear of second-placed Arsenal, while Chelsea can move level on points with the Gunners if they win at Blackburn later on Sunday.
Torres took just five minutes to score his third goal in his last three meetings with United. Dirk Kuyt provided the cross and Torres took advantage of slack United marking to power a header past Edwin van der Sar.
…
Zenit edged closer to their first Russian Premier League title since 2012 with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Rostov, while Krasnodar were held by struggling Amkar Perm.
Andre Villas-Boas side have finished runners-up in the past two seasons, but will be crowned champions next weekend providing they at least match Krasnodar s result.
Having struggled to break down Rostov, Zenit finally found their way through in the closing minutes of the first half as Oleg Shatov and then Hulk put the leaders ahead.
Salomon Rondon wrapped up the victory after 87 minutes and their title hopes were further boosted following Krasnodar s 1-1 draw against Amkar on Monday.
Mauricio Pereyra had kept Krasnodar s outside hopes of catching Zenit alive with the opening g…
Arsene Wenger has praised Mesut Ozil and feels the Germany international was a bargain signing at £40 million following his fine performances for Arsenal.
The Germany international joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in September 2013 and has since developed into a key figure at the Emirates Stadium.
Ozil, 27, has already provided 11 assists in 12 Premier League appearances this campaign and Wenger is delighted with the playmaker s form.
I spent £40m on Ozil and it was a bargain because he is a top player, Wenger said at a news conference ahead of his team s match away to Norwich City on Sunday.
He is not just a provider now, he likes to get on the end of things.
Arsenal have been linked with a number of players in recent weeks as an injury crisi…