Category: Zhirkov

Spartak Moscow Midfielder Joins Sevilla

Russian Premier league has been dealt with a blow after the loss ofQuincy Promes from Spartak Moscow. The Dutch international has decided to move to La Liga outfit Sevilla and he has been able to convince the Russian Premier league team to sell – even when his contract runs for the next three years at the least. The 26-year-old was the top scorer for Spartak Moscow last season and his departure is a major blow for the club. This does spell good news for the likes of Dynamo Moscow, who will be looking to take advantage of with some impressive set of results in the league.

Spartak management has revealed that they have decided to accept the offer after considering the player’s wish to play for Sevilla. Since he has been extremely crucial to the successes achieved by Spartak Moscow in the last couple of years, they have decided not to stand in his way. It is reported that Spartak Moscow have agreed a fee of around € 20 million for the transfer of the midfielder. After moving to the Russian team in 2017, the midfielder came up with 66 goals in just 135 matches. Last season, he contributed 15 goals in the league and ended up as the top scorer in the league. This helped him pick up the Player of the Year title last season.
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Yuri Zhirkov retires from international football

Russian footballer Yuri Zhirkov has decided to call time on his international career following the country’s exit from the summer World Cup. The Russians exceeded the initial expectations to reach the quarter-final of the tournament where they were eventually ousted by Croatia in a penalty shoot-out.

Following the exit, Zhirkov has not taken much to announce his international retirement after saying that he does not have enough energy to continue at the same level, he said: “I do not have enough energy to play at this level. The latest injury was the final signal. I’ve had no time for my family and children and this was another summer without a vacation. I would like to thank everyone who I played with, all the coaches, our fans and of course my family, who persuaded me to stay in the team long enough play to play at the World Cup. I am proud that I was lucky enough to represent my country at two World Cups and two European Championships.”
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Russian defender wary of Spain threat in the round of 16

Russian defender Daler Kuzyaev has admitted that the team is wary of the threat Spain may provide during their round of 16 clash. The hosts had begun the tournament with convincing wins over Saudi Arabia and Egypt but they could not maintain their lead after a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Uruguay in the final group stage game.

As such, they have been pitted against Spain for the knockout stage of the World Cup and Kuzyaev admits that the team need to prepare carefully in order to secure a surprise win over La Roja, he said: “We learned upon arrival in Moscow that our next opponent is Spain… Spain and Portugal are serious opponents… Spain like to own the ball, they have the highest technical level, so we are going to study the opponent in the upcoming days. Of course, we are wary, just like we would be wary of any other opponent. We will prepare [for the game] very carefully.”
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Russia Likely to Be withoutYuri Zhirkov For Game against Croatia

Yuri Zhirkov is a major doubt for Russia’s upcoming World Cup game with Croatia. This is a quarter-final clash that could ultimately replace the show into the semifinals – a feat that they last achieved during the Euro 2008 competition. Zhirkov was a surprise candidate in the Russian national team squad, but the former Chelsea winger has certainly justified his inclusion by being able to perform admirably over the course of the tournament. He played a crucial role in the victory over Spain on penalties. It was one of the remarkable results for Russia, as they were facing backs against the wall for much of the 120 minutes before winning the game on penalties.

However, a major issue for Russia was the injury forZhirkov during the game against Spain. The Zenit St Petersburg defender appeared to suffer a serious injury which has now been diagnosed as an inflammation of a calf tendon. It is expected that this injury will take at least a couple of days in order to cure and this leaves Russia in a very troublesome position as fast World Cup qualification is concerned. With a lot of expectation arising surrounding the national team, Russia will be expected to perform even better than they have done over the course of the campaign. They now have to deal with the absence ofZhirkov. It is expected that the defender will be replaced by Vladimir Granat in the upcoming game against Croatia.
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Russia coach: Argentina are hugely dependent on Lionel Messi

Russia national coach Stanislav Cherchesov has opined that Argentina are hugely dependent on Lionel Messi to influence their results. The South American have lost heavily to Nigeria and Spain over the past year where Messi has not taken the playing field and Cherchesov believes Jorge Sampaoli’s side are not psychologically prepared to play without the Barcelona star.

“Argentina’s problem is that they are not psychologically prepared to play without Messi,” Cherchesov told La Vanguardia. “I’m not saying it’s a team of one player, but they cannot play without him. This was when, after the match with us, they played with Nigeria, and also lost to Spain. They depend on Messi.”
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Former Socceroos defender Luke Wilkshire eyeing A-League stint after Dynamo Moscow exit

 Former Socceroos defender Luke Wilkshire is open to the possibility of an A-League stint, with Sydney FC looking to recruit him as an injury replacement.


The 35-year-old right-back parted ways with Dynamo Moscow at the end of last season, and he has since turned down multiple offers from Russia’s second-tier in order to realise a possible return home.

The 80-cap Socceroo is being eyed by Sydney FC as a suitable replacement for Rhyan Grant who suffered a serious cruciate knee ligament injury, and Wilkshire confirmed his interest, he said: “If something interesting comes up that excites me, then I will certainly look at it. Everything is possible for me … it’s been like that throughout my career. For me, it’s about something that makes you excited to get out of bed each day. As of yet, I am still waiting to see what happens and I am enjoying being with my young family. If nothing pops up I might shoot to Miami and watch some baseball!” Continue reading “Former Socceroos defender Luke Wilkshire eyeing A-League stint after Dynamo Moscow exit” →

Marathon bet Agree Deal with Dynamo Moscow

Marathonbet have agreed to become the official sponsor for Dynamo Moscow, who have returned to the Russian Premier League following a year in the second tier.


The agreement will last until the summer of 2020 with the online bookmaker likely to benefit from branding placement on player’s shirts, the club’s Arena Khimki VTB Arena stadium. Dynamo Moscow will also display their sponsors on their various digital platforms, thus promoting Marathonbet to the Russian market and across the world.

“Sponsorship is an important part of the club’s make-up and we are therefore glad that our search has ended with a partnership with Marathonbet, a leader in the betting sector and one that is confident and optimistic about the future,” Dynamo Moscow general director YevgeniyMuravyov said.

Ekaterina Zemskova, a representative for Marathonbet, also had some fond words to say about Dynamo, who are one of the most recognised clubs in the country, he added: “Dynamo Moscow is a club with a great history – it is the first Soviet champion, the first Soviet Cup winner; it is a brand recognised all over the world. We have been partnering with sports clubs for a long time, with a portfolio now including Manchester United, Malaga and Hibernian.” Continue reading “Marathon bet Agree Deal with Dynamo Moscow” →

CELTIC MUST PROGRESS IN EUROPE

Brendan Rodgers did something amazing with the Celtic side last summer.


The former Reds boss built a talented ‘invincibles’ team that broke records. However, while this was much celebrated on the home front, it was not much in the international scene.

After the 7-0 white wash by Barcelona by the trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar Jr., the side picked themselves up against Premier League team Manchester City – A City side coached by Pep Guardiola that had won its first ten matches – playing a 3-3 result. Scotland knew no peace as fans ran riot. The follow up results against Monchen and City sustained the momentum even though they later exited the competition.

Many labelled the achievements as one of the greatest in the history of the Scottish football, forgetting that the same club had defeated Inter Milan, Rangers had humbled Russian giants Dynamo Moscow aside the exploits of Aberdeen and Dundee United in Europe. Continue reading “CELTIC MUST PROGRESS IN EUROPE” →

Russia count on Yuri Zhirkov, Igor Akinfeev’s experience at the Confederations Cup

Russia have been formed to name a rather depleted squad for the Confederations Cup later this month with nine of their Euro 2016 participants not making the list.


Manager Stanislav Cherchesov has decided to go with untested bunch of players for the showpiece event in their home nation with Yuri Zhirkov and Igor Akinfeev among the highly-experienced players in the squad.

Zhirkov, who is a left-back by trade, has the versatility to pop up anywhere across the field, and the nation will be counting on him to guard the backline, which lacks the presence of Vasily Berezutsky and Sergei Ignashevich. Akinfeev has been the undisputed number one for CSKA and Russia over the years, and he will have to be in his best form, in order to push the nation towards success.

Smolov is likely to lead the line for the Russians during the Confederations Cup with his compatriot Artyom Dzyuba in the physio room alongside several other key players including Alan Dzagoev and Roman Zobnin. Russia earned a valuable draw against Chile in an international friendly, and this provides them a lift as they take on Oceania champions New Zealand in the opener. Continue reading “Russia count on Yuri Zhirkov, Igor Akinfeev’s experience at the Confederations Cup” →

BIRMINGHAM KEEN ON ASTON VILLA STAR

The Birmingham Mail claims that Aston Villa is eyeing a move on Aston Villa star Christopher Samba.


Steve Bruce is set to offer the player a deal as he has been on trial with Villa since the winter window. He has been training with the team and it seems Bruce would confirm him this summer.

Birmingham want to spoil the party by luring the player under Bruce’s nose, the report says. The club manager Harry Redknapp has worked with the player in question at Queen Park Rangers. As he wants to bolster his squad, he might offer the Congo international a deal. Continue reading “BIRMINGHAM KEEN ON ASTON VILLA STAR” →