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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/14/russians-and-brits-set-aside-differences-for-football-humour-and-pop
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| Russians and Brits set aside differences for football, humour and pop | Russians and Brits set aside differences for football, humour and pop |
| (6 months later) | |
| In London’s diplomatic quarter on Thursday, it was finally time for Brits and Russians to put aside poison, politics and pointed accusations and celebrate the many things that they have in common: a sense of humour, the beautiful game and Robbie Williams. | In London’s diplomatic quarter on Thursday, it was finally time for Brits and Russians to put aside poison, politics and pointed accusations and celebrate the many things that they have in common: a sense of humour, the beautiful game and Robbie Williams. |
| Robbie Williams show at World Cup opening ceremony is too short to ever be dull | |
| And 52 years of hurt. Yes, Russians enjoyed their footballing high-water mark in 1966 too, when they competed as the Soviet Union, oligarchs and Robbie Williams hadn’t been invented and even Vladimir Putin was just a scrappy teenager. Since then, it has been one long chorus of pain walking down a one-way street. Russia have been even harder to watch than England. | And 52 years of hurt. Yes, Russians enjoyed their footballing high-water mark in 1966 too, when they competed as the Soviet Union, oligarchs and Robbie Williams hadn’t been invented and even Vladimir Putin was just a scrappy teenager. Since then, it has been one long chorus of pain walking down a one-way street. Russia have been even harder to watch than England. |
| As three dozen students, expats, pensioners and officials gathered at the Kensington offices of Rossotrudnichestvo (a Russian cultural cooperation body similar to the British Council in almost every respect apart from one: it is still open), there was a sense that this was not just about the action on the pitch, but the whole spectacle. | As three dozen students, expats, pensioners and officials gathered at the Kensington offices of Rossotrudnichestvo (a Russian cultural cooperation body similar to the British Council in almost every respect apart from one: it is still open), there was a sense that this was not just about the action on the pitch, but the whole spectacle. |
| “Our football is our frustration,” said one Russian fan, a long-term London resident who has changed his name to James Grey. “We do not have the best team,” he said. “But it is an important moment for Russians – Russia will be the best host ever, safe and secure, you will see.” | “Our football is our frustration,” said one Russian fan, a long-term London resident who has changed his name to James Grey. “We do not have the best team,” he said. “But it is an important moment for Russians – Russia will be the best host ever, safe and secure, you will see.” |
| Elena Doroshenko, who has lived in London for 15 years, agreed. “It gives us a special feeling of pride, a national consolidation,” she said. “The event has a special value for the country and popularity of Russia and our way of life and our people. We are a very welcoming people.” | Elena Doroshenko, who has lived in London for 15 years, agreed. “It gives us a special feeling of pride, a national consolidation,” she said. “The event has a special value for the country and popularity of Russia and our way of life and our people. We are a very welcoming people.” |
| And so the crowd started watching in the peculiar surrounds of a cultural centre, a grand piano in one corner, and paintings by Soviet artist Oleg Kudryashov on the walls. It was all very English, really. There were heads in hands half the time, hoping against hope, and ready to scoff and laugh when things get a bit ugly. There was much head shaking during a scrappy first half and raucous laughter at the diplomatic highlight, when Putin consoled his Saudi guest Mohammed bin Salman with a no-hard-feelings handshake. The relief when Yury Gazinsky opened the scoring was palpable, and by the end all was forgiven when Aleksandr Golovin hammered in the fifth, and strangers were saluting each other like old friends. | And so the crowd started watching in the peculiar surrounds of a cultural centre, a grand piano in one corner, and paintings by Soviet artist Oleg Kudryashov on the walls. It was all very English, really. There were heads in hands half the time, hoping against hope, and ready to scoff and laugh when things get a bit ugly. There was much head shaking during a scrappy first half and raucous laughter at the diplomatic highlight, when Putin consoled his Saudi guest Mohammed bin Salman with a no-hard-feelings handshake. The relief when Yury Gazinsky opened the scoring was palpable, and by the end all was forgiven when Aleksandr Golovin hammered in the fifth, and strangers were saluting each other like old friends. |
| For Anton Chesnokov, the head of Rossotrudnichestvo in London, it was a fitting end to a busy day that started with a cultural event on bilingualism with Russian and British educators. Here is a man with a tricky job: keeping up the battle for hearts and minds while the diplomacy turns to novichok. | For Anton Chesnokov, the head of Rossotrudnichestvo in London, it was a fitting end to a busy day that started with a cultural event on bilingualism with Russian and British educators. Here is a man with a tricky job: keeping up the battle for hearts and minds while the diplomacy turns to novichok. |
| Russia romp to 5-0 win as Denis Cheryshev double routs Saudi Arabia | |
| “The more difficult the political situation, the more important our work is,” he said. “But here the World Cup can help, by showing Russia’s visitors a good time. | “The more difficult the political situation, the more important our work is,” he said. “But here the World Cup can help, by showing Russia’s visitors a good time. |
| “From what I’ve seen the reception for the English has been great. It’s the best month to visit Russia, it’s warm, people will embrace the culture, they can travel freely.” | “From what I’ve seen the reception for the English has been great. It’s the best month to visit Russia, it’s warm, people will embrace the culture, they can travel freely.” |
| And the Russian team? “We hope they will perform well to get out of the group and bring joy and fun for Russians. | And the Russian team? “We hope they will perform well to get out of the group and bring joy and fun for Russians. |
| “But the main purpose of the event is for the world to meet in Russia.” | “But the main purpose of the event is for the world to meet in Russia.” |
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