Not everything is perfect, but the result is what matters!
On Sundays, it can be difficult to buy Russian dailies and sports newspapers which are published on weekends, especially in Sochi. The newspapers sometimes arrive there with a few days of delay. Despite not finding anything new at the newsstands, Russian sports websites did bring a lot of interesting articles.
They mourn for the lost opportunity to enter the semi-finals of the World Cup, but at the same time, they praise their team which has proven to be a dangerous opponent, although at the start of the World Cup it was considered to be the least likely team to enter the knock-out round. They did not comment too much on the Croatian team, but they argued that, even if it was not the best game ever, the result is what matters!
The RIA Novosti website and journalist A. Rogulev emphasize the fact that Croatian coach Dalić was impressed by the Russian football players, including Ignashevich, who at the age of 39 was the great organizer of Russia’s defence. “The Russians played like one. During the penalty shootout, the Croatian team demonstrated its strong willpower. And whoever shows the willpower will win in the end,” said Dalić, according to the RIA Novosti website.
Russia’s most popular website Russia Today (RT) describes in detail the course of the match and the patriotic enthusiasm of the Russians, while Croatia is described as a country which has booked a place in the semi-finals against England, although that was a match which the World Cup hosts were especially looking forward to.
Komsomolskaya Pravda devoted an article to Domagoj Vida and his exclamation “Glory to Ukraine. Davay, davay”. The Russians consider this to be an inappropriate “joke”. Vida immediately replied that he had devoted the victory to his homeland and his people and that he likes both the Russians and the Ukrainians. Commentator Artyom Gnatyenko concluded that, after this political message, the footballer could be financially punished or even disqualified! He recalled that FIFA did not disqualify Swiss football players for sending political messages during the match against Serbia, but “rewarded” them with a fine. Still, many readers of the website say in their comments that they will support Croatia for the rest of the championship!
