Category Archives: sports
Ер доттерс вер райт
On Thursday night, Russia won its bid to host the 2018 World Cup and Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko delivered a rousing oration that came, by all appearances, from his nethercardiac region. By Monday morning, the YouTube clip of said … Continue reading
From the bottom of everyone and their mother’s heart
It’s where all the thank you’s to FIFA are coming from. The best is, of course, Vladimir Putin’s, especially the part where he talks about soccer promoting fair play. The Cup, by the way, is, by some estimates, projected to … Continue reading
Let the games begin
Today, Russia won its bid to host the 2018 World Cup. Since Putin, miffed over allegations of that FIFA was selling votes, declined to attend the ceremony at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Sports Minister Vitaly “97 breakfasts” Mutko spoke of … Continue reading
Harley Freedomson
This Saturday found Vladimir Putin in Sevastopol, a city made famous by Tolstoy and the fact that this Ukrainian Black Sea port has a large Russian population that once spoke openly of seceding. The press has mentioned this historic visit because, … Continue reading
Breakfast of champions
In case you’re sick of the spy scandal, here’s a blast from the past: the Russian collapse at the Vancouver Olympics. Remember that? Well, in case you forgot Russia’s inability to live up to its Olympic dreams (successfully done by … Continue reading
The indomitable Russian spirit
Tomorrow brings the beginning of the quarterfinal round of the World Cup. Russians, who lost their chance to qualify for the championship this November in a 1-0 loss to Slovenia, will be watching even though their team is not in … Continue reading
I so knew it
Remember that extra-fishy World Cup match where the Portuguese crushed the North Koreans 7-nil? Turns out I wasn’t the only who smelled the fish rot. A group of loyal St. Petersb– er, Leningrad Communists were also paying attention and their … Continue reading
I'm in love with my car
This weekend, hundreds of cars packed onto a lot on the outskirts of Moscow to show off what Russian drivers do best: decorate their cars. They were there for, yes, the Sixth Annual Auto Fashion Day, also known as Aerograph … Continue reading
Chess saga continues with scathingly legalistic open letter
On Saturday, the day before he turned 59, chess champion and Russia’s contested nominee for the International Chess Federation (FIDE) presidency, Anatoly Karpov fired off a scathing open letter. Addressed to his “dear colleagues,” the letter took aim at Arkady … Continue reading
Moscow, you should be ashamed of your racist, xenophobic self — but, of course, you're not
Crossing the underground transfer to the Paveletskaya stop on the circle line in the Moscow metro this morning, I found myself swallowed up by a bunch of singing, rowdy youths. Decked out in red-and-white scarves, they were on their way … Continue reading
