Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #109637 in Books
• Published on: 2009-03-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Daily Telegraph
"One of the best books about football in a foreign land you will ever come across"

Independent
"Bennetts has produced an engrossing, authoritative account of the game in his adopted country as it makes a growing mark in Europe"

The Herald
"An authoritative and adventurous examination of Russian football"

Customer Reviews

Otlichno! (Excellent)
Includes excellent accounts of Terek Grozny's (from Chechnya) victory in the Russian FA Cup to England's defeat in Moscow last year to Guus Hiddink's transformation of Russian national football, the book, via politics, literature, and a host of fascinating interviews with oligarchs, hooligans and players and more, really does "decode Russia through football."
Recommended for anyone interested in Russia (even if you are not a big football fan)

has the lot...
Not only does the book cover the basics of Russia's new found status as a world force, it explains the political and social contexts of Russian football. The author uses his 10+ years of knowledge in the country to give a run down of all the leading clubs, memorable events and corruption. There are basic histories concerning all the major clubs in Moscow etc and the accusations thrown about of match fixing, corruption, racism and hooliganism. Along with "Behind the iron curtain..." this book is essential reading for those wanting to know more about Russian football.

Fantastic, detailed, clever
Great detailed book about not only Russian football but Russia, it's political and social history, and what it's actually like to live in the country of oligarchs,vodka and so much more (Bennetts has lived there for several years). A great read for anyone interested in football, travel, culture, politics or history! Deserves a place alongside Phil Ball's brilliant 'Morbo' and Simon Kuper's 'Football Against the Enemy' (Kuper actually writes the foreword in 'Football Dynamo') as a great football book of our time.