Football Dynamo: Modern Russia and the People's Game1991: The collapse of the USSR seems to signal the death of Russian football, as the money, the players and the fans leave. Now: With oil prices at a record high, 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. Join Marc Bennetts on a journey into the heart of Russian football and meet the managers, oligarchs, players, pundits and fans that define the nation's 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. 'Bennetts has produced an engrossing, authoritative account of the game in his adopted country as it makes a growing mark in Europe' Independent 'This book does more than just help you learn to love Russia. It even helps you learn to love Russian football' Simon Kuper |
