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4.0 out of 5 stars
dynamic look at the modern Russian soccer scene,
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This review is from: Football Dynamo (Paperback)
This is a look inside modern day Russia that you just don't find anywhere else. As the author pointed out early in the book, it's odd that so many travel books choose to ignore sports when that is probably one of e the best ways to experience a culture from the locals' POV.
When you read this you'll no longer think, as far as Europe goes, that Italy's Serie A has a grip on match fixing and corruption. Russia's professional leagues take corruption to levels that defy description although Marc Bennetts does his best to describe them in as much detail as possible. The book covers many aspects of the Russian game from the popularity of Moscow's Spartak team from the communist era through to today capitalist age to even soccer in war-torn Chechnya. The funny thing is the least interesting chapter was the last on Guus Hiddink's reign as manager of the national team when Russia surprised many by making the semi-finals of Euro 2008. By the time you reach this stage of the book, the successes just are not as crazy and wild as the rest of the tales. Although, I have the "revised and updated" version, Zenit St. Petersburg's 2008 UEFA Cup win is not covered in the chapter on Zenit. It's buried in the last chapter just in case you're wondering. |
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Football Dynamo by Marc Bennetts (Paperback - March 5, 2009)
Used & New from: $11.10
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