This is Moscow today. The capital prepared for the World Cup in a special way. Today, we're finishing the report about the cities hosting the games of the World Cup.
So, Evgeniy Rozhkov has prepared a feature about soccer in Moscow.
The Bolshoi's ballerinas have never performed such a dance before — a pas de deux with a soccer ball, the main soccer ball of the World Cup. These days, even the fragile little swans are turning into avid fans to support the national team.
The Luzhniki in Moscow is the main stadium of this World Cup. 7 out of 12 Moscow-based games will be played here. The arena has been completely renovated. It'll be where we'll find out who the winner is; where the final will be. This renowned stadium is truly one of the world's greatest. The facade has been kept just like it was in 1956, but the interior is completely new. The stands are bigger now — the seating capacity is 81,000 spectators. This is exactly the place where Russia will meet Saudi Arabia. The reigning world champion, Germany, and Europe's best, Portugal, will play here.
Spartak Stadium will host 5 more games. There, Argentina will clash with the tough Iceland team, and Brazil will challenge Serbia. Here in the locker room, coaches will develop or change the strategy at the last moment. They will draw symbols showing forwards and defenders. Any of these lockers may be occupied by anyone — Ronaldo or Messi, or even by our players — Smolov or Akinfeev.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has already received a bread-and-salt welcome in Kratovo. Lionel Messi is practicing his trademark left kick in Bronnitsy. Russians are undergoing rigorous training in Novogorsk. The Peruvian team's practice session turned into a fan concert in Khimki.
There are hundreds of fans from around the world in the center of Moscow. Before going to the other host cities, everyone comes here. Englishmen are shocked — they're kicking the ball around, and no one drives them away.
Luke Jones: "Our journalists are completely wrong. They say no one smiles here, everyone's aggressive, but it's not like that at all. We've come here and this is just fantastic".
David Owens: "What a shame we didn't see any bears dancing in the streets".
The ever-hospitable city of Moscow is ready to amaze even more. Every shot here is like a postcard. The best views are here from the Moscow River. Here is the Kremlin, Christ the Savior Cathedral, huge monuments, and the Seven Sisters. Any route can be made especially for the World Cup fans.
The capital is well-prepared. A brand-new terminal receives the guests in Sheremetyevo.
From the train station, fans can be taken to any host city by double-deck trains for free.
The fan park is gathering soccer fans, and soon the stars will be there. Every night, there will be an amazing lighting show in the center of Moscow for everyone.
Valery Gazzaev, the renowned coach, took bronze at the Olympics in Moscow in 1980 with the USSR team. He wishes the team of Stanislav Cherchesov to fight till the end.
Valery Gazzaev: The players should get into the atmosphere. They should understand that…
— Moscow is behind.
— Well, roughly, yes.
This inveterate fan, Valery Syutkin, even rewrote his favorite song especially for the World Cup in Moscow.
Evgeniy Rozhkov, Andrey Bogdanov, Alexander Medvedev, Alexey Kalach, Andrey Lapidus, Pavel Alexeev. Vesti.
