week 30 preview of Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia

Though inevitable, the day fans dread the most is upon us as with the coming of the harsh winter, the Russian season concludes on Sunday. It has been a grand and glorious year, dotted with heroic efforts of young players emerging from the unknown and aging veterans summoning the magical touch once again. Through the many ups and downs of the campaign, few years compare with the dramatic story lines of 2009. Whether it was the workmen like title defence of Rubin, Valeriy Karpin coming in from the boardroom to resurrect visions of the extraordinary Oleg Romantsev-led era for Spartak, the triumphant return of Yuriy Semin to Moscow or Anatoliy Davydov taking charge of Zenit, a club to which he has devoted his career to, the campaign was painted with the richest of hues.

For full report please visit preeminent Russian daily sports newspaper Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс)

CSKA Moskva defeat Wolfsburg

Leading into Wednesday's evening Champions League match between CSKA and Wolfsburg at Luzhniki Stadium, even a casual observer could note the dramatic shift on the Army-Men's fortunes since Leonid Slutsky took control.

The wayward, often uninspiring play that riddled Zico and Juande Ramos' regime has reversed under the new manager as CSKA is playing inspiring, never-say-quit football, suitable for the club’s rich tradition.

For full report please visit preeminent Russian daily sports newspaper Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс)

CSKA Moskva welcome Wolfsburg

Following Saturday's stunning comeback victory in the Moscow derby over Spartak, CSKA welcome VfL Wolfsburg to Luzhniki Stadium in Group B action of the Champions League.

If the Army-Men are to have any hope in advancing to the next stage of tournament they will need to come out victorious against Armin Veh's side.

For the Bundesliga champions it has been a far from satisfying start to the defence of their first title. Nestled mid-table in domestic competition, "die Wölfe" have lost much of their attacking edge that was so evident last year and their once home fortress of Volkswagen Arena has disappeared, including last Saturday's loss to FC Nuremberg.

For full report please visit preeminent Russian daily sports newspaper Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс)

Dinamo Kiev play Rubin Kazan to scoreless draw

Played at-times through a blinding snowstorm, the showdown between Rubin Kazan and Dynamo Kyiv in Group F action of the Champions League did not disappoint for dramatics as the Russian and Ukrainian champions fought through ninety minutes of heated action to a scoreless draw.

For full report please visit preeminent Russian daily sports newspaper Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс)

Marek Suchý joins Spartak Moskva from Slavia Praha

In speaking to Sports-Express after Rubin Kazan clinched the championship, Spartak Moskva owner Mr Leonid Fedun promise the Krasno-belye "will become even stronger, as we will search for reinforcement during the winter transfer break".

It did not take very long till those words rung true as Spartak has struck gold with the addition of twenty-one year old Marek Suchý on-loan from Spartak Moscow loaned the Czech defender Marek Suchy from Slavia Praha for one season.

For full report please visit preeminent Russian daily sports newspaper Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс)

preview of Rubin Kazan versus Dinamo Kiev

Coming off Saturday's triumphant crowning of the Russian title, Rubin Kazan welcome Dynamo Kiev to Centralniy Stadium in Group F play of the Champions League.

In the tightly packed Group F race, Rubin are deadlocked with Barcelona and will advance to the knockout stage of European club football premier event should the La Liga giants fall to Internazionale at Camp Nou and they are able to defeat Dynamo.

For full report please visit preeminent Russian daily sports newspaper Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс)

Review of week 29 of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia

Week twenty-nine of the Rosgosstrakh Championship of Russia saw Rubin Kazan celebrate their successful defense of the title. In workman-like fashion, the Tatarstan side showed a style of play that was both void of weaknesses whilst the model of consistency. Despite losing veteran’s Serhiy Rebrov and Savo Milošević from last year’s championship side, Rubin displayed a sense of calm throughout the campaign and pressed forward every challenge. Considering how they balanced the demands of personnel and consistently added younger players to the mix Rubin is looking very capable of extended run atop Russian football.

For full report please visit preeminent Russian daily sports newspaper Sports-Express (Спорт-Экспресс)