Football Dynamo: Modern Russia and the People's Game

Description

A FASCINATING ACCOUNT OF THE CULTURE AND POLITICS OF RUSSIAN FOOTBALL, NOW UPDATED TO COVER EURO 2008 In 1991, the collapse of the USSR seemed to signal the death of the Russian football industry, as the money, the players and the fans left. But now the oligarchs who profited from the post-Soviet turmoil are supporting the nation's football clubs and their dreams of glory, resulting in unprecedented success.Along this journey into the heart of Russian football, Marc Bennetts meets the managers, oligarchs, players, pundits and fans that define the Russian Premier league, now the fastest-growing and most intriguing football league in the world. From Andrei Arshavin and the national team's adventures at Euro 2008 to the symbolism of a club from war-torn Chechnya lifting the Russian FA Cup, Football Dynamo uncovers shocking revelations about corruption, hooliganism and racism, but also the true beauty of the game and the country.

Marc Bennetts is a journalist and translator who has written for Insight Guides, The Discovery Channel and DK's Eyewitness Guides on Russia and Russian football. He lives in Moscow, Russia, and supports Nottingham Forest.

One of the best books about football in a foreign land you will ever come across -- Andrew Baker * Daily Telegraph * Bennetts has produced an engrossing, authoritative account of the game in his adopted country as it makes a growing mark in Europe * Independent * An authoritative and adventurous examination of Russian football * The Herald * This book does more than just help you learn to love Russia. It even helps you learn to love Russian football -- Simon Kuper