How the match ended. “We failed to convert chances”: what the players and coaches said after the Russia-Sweden match. Both? But Akinfeev was injured by a Montenegrin fan

A good deed will not be called football. Have you heard of a football match ending with something useful? So that, for example, the players would invent a separator, or would the fans establish the Red Cross Society after the match? No, this does not happen, but in the opposite direction easily. Brawls, burned cars, broken teeth. It has almost become the norm. And once, because of football, a war even started.

Warm-up before the match

Welcome to Latin America. Banana republics are right here. To the north of this place is the USA, to the south there are many, many monkeys, in the middle of El Salvador and Honduras, which have serious problems: there is not enough land to grow bananas. Outside in 1969. We present a short but capacious comparison of the two states.

In such a stuffy atmosphere of mutual understanding, our story began. Salvadorans regularly traveled to Honduras to stake land and grow bananas. The Hondurans aggroed, sometimes shot and took away the land. For almost ten years, there was a sluggish squabble, the situation heated up, mutual misunderstanding turned into a heated confrontation. The result was the termination of the immigration treaty by Honduras. Thousands of Salvadorans returned home empty-handed, a social explosion was brewing.

First time

Neighbors are not selected. Even if they are rare Hondurans, you will have to live and interact with them. So El Salvador and Honduras had to play with each other for reaching the final stage of the 1970 FIFA World Cup. Played up to two won matches. Football had not yet begun, and the political overtones made this confrontation almost a "lifework" for both countries. "Win, humiliate and dominate" - approximately the same task for the match was given to each team.

The first game took place on June 6 in Tegucigalpa (the capital of Honduras) and was accompanied by pogroms and beatings; some exalted lady even shot herself in order not to live all her life with the shame of the losing team. The second match was held on June 15 in San Salvador (the capital of El Salvador), and the heat of passion reached its maximum. Flags were burned, fans were beaten, something was destroyed, something broke on its own. Even the players were beaten. In response, a wave of attacks on Salvadorans rolled across Honduras. The matter took a serious turn.

Clashes between fans of Honduras and El Salvador

Honduras turned to the human rights commission, El Salvador turned to the same place and also to Sportloto (but this is not certain). Both countries began to mobilize, El Salvador severed diplomatic relations with Honduras - all in less than two weeks. On June 27, the decisive match took place, Honduras lost it, freaked out, and also broke off diplomatic relations with El Salvador. “Listen, if you don’t like my defense, then come out with me once in a while, and not goals in the goal of the bey.”

Second half

“We had 10,500 soldiers with us, ten M3A1 tanks, 60 World War II aircraft, seven patrol boats and one patrol ship. The only thing that bothered me was the RAYO armored cars converted from trucks. There is nothing in the world more helpless, irresponsible and immoral than armored cars converted from trucks. But I knew we'd be into it pretty soon."

"Fear and Loathing in Honduras".

Neither El Salvador nor Honduras could boast of having modern weapons, but who stopped if a real war began. In early July 1969, skirmishes began on the border. El Salvador went on the offensive and went deep into the wilds of Honduras. The fighting went on with the constant support of artillery, and the Salvadorans managed to advance eight kilometers into the depths of enemy territory. Few? Well, the countries are small.

The most interesting battles took place in the air. Honored old men and veterans of World War II took to the skies: P-51 Mustang, F4U Corsair, T-28 Trojan. This was the last conflict in the 20th century in which piston fighters participated on both sides. Honduras and El Salvador did not have bombers, they were cosplayed by ordinary DC-3 / C-47 transport aircraft. Bombs, 60-mm and 81-mm mortar mines were dropped from them manually, directly from the open hatch.

On July 19, Salvadoran troops captured the city of Nueva Ocotepeque. Three M3A1 tanks were brought into the city for intimidation, and the Honduran flag was torn off in the main square and replaced with a Salvadoran one. El Salvador already held 400 square kilometers of Honduras (this is about half a percent of the country's total area). Alas, then the attack simply bogged down: both sides ran out of ammunition for warfare, and Honduras (whose air force was generally more decent - due to the better technical condition of the aircraft and the training of pilots) bombed the convoy of trucks with Salvadoran reinforcements. The sixth day of the "football war" was coming to an end.

Additional time

Further, the guns were silent, and the diplomats were talking. Salvador swaggered and painted posts for the new border. However, a few days later it became clear that both countries ended up playing for a draw. Moreover: in game theory, there is a concept of win-win, when both participants remain in the black... here we have a lose-lose situation.

Military spending, destruction during the fighting, the closure of the border and the cessation of trade have taken a toll on the economies of both El Salvador and Honduras. 15,000 wounded and 6,000 dead in a senseless and useless football war.

On August 12, the parties withdrew their troops and agreed on the demilitarization of the border zone. The peace treaty between the countries was signed only 14 years later. Great walk. Counted - wept.

A few words about football

What about football? And how was the World Cup, which Honduras and El Salvador so wanted to get to?

Recall the results of the selection:

1st match Honduras - El Salvador 1:0
2nd match El Salvador - Honduras 3:0
3rd match El Salvador - Honduras 3:2

As a result, El Salvador reached the final of the World Cup, which was held in Mexico in 1970. There El Salvador consistently lost to Belgium (0:3), Mexico (0:4), USSR (0:2). After that, he left the championship on a positive note.

No. The 2016 European Football Championship qualifying match between Russia and Montenegro was interrupted without finishing. In the first minute of the match, a flare was thrown from the rostrum of Montenegrin fans, which injured the goalkeeper of the Russian national team, Igor Akinfeev. The match was going to be stopped immediately, but the teams left the field only in the second half, when Montenegrin fans threw a lighter on the field. At that time, the score was equal - 0:0.

And what is a draw?

No. The outcome of the match depends on the main European football organization UEFA, or to be more precise, on the decision of the disciplinary committee (the meeting is scheduled for April 8). According to UEFA rules, teams are responsible for the behavior of fans - both teams can suffer for flares thrown on the field.

Both? But Akinfeev was injured by a Montenegrin fan!

Yes, but UEFA believes that the fans of the Russian team also threw flares and other foreign objects onto the field. Proceedings were initiated against the Russian Football Union under the same article of the disciplinary regulations as against the Montenegrin national team - lighting and throwing flares and other foreign objects. But still, there are more claims to the Montenegrins - if the match is stopped ahead of schedule, the host side is responsible for this.

How can the Montenegrin national team be punished?

For the mere fact that the match was not played to the end, the Montenegrin national team will most likely be awarded a forfeit defeat with a score of 0:3. In addition, the Montenegrins are likely to be forced to pay compensation for the injury of Igor Akinfeev. Perhaps a fine will also be awarded for the fact that the fans blinded the captain of the Russian national team Roman Shirokov with a laser pointer - such an article is also in the regulations. It is difficult to predict, because the choice of sanctions in the regulations is large, and it is not tied to specific articles. This is not a criminal code, where a certain list of punishments is laid down for a certain crime. Theoretically, the punishment can be anything - from a small fine to revoking the team's license.

How can the Russian team be punished?

If the Russian team is punished for the behavior of the fans during the last match, then probably not as severely as the Montenegrin. But there is an unpleasant detail: this is not the first time Russian fans have carried flares into the stadium in international matches. In 2012, UEFA issued the RFU a suspended sentence for the behavior of fans during the match with the Czech Republic at Euro 2012: a fine and deprivation of six tournament points. After the appeal, the punishment was changed to holding three home matches in empty stands (also conditionally). If UEFA recognizes a repeated violation, a suspended sentence could become real - and Russia will have to finish the Euro 2016 qualifying round without the support of fans. The RFU can also be punished for other antics of the fans - judging by media reports, the fans burned the NATO flag in the stands and hung the flag of Novorossiya. Any political actions are prohibited by the regulations.

Polina Stamenkovich

The Russian national team lacked one goal to feel confident and demonstrate everything that it is capable of. This opinion was expressed by head coach Stanislav Cherchesov after the League of Nations match with Sweden, which ended in a goalless draw. Swedish specialist Janne Andersson admitted that both opponents were worthy of victory. Striker Denis Cheryshev noted the active actions of the Scandinavian midfielders on the field, expressing the hope that in the upcoming game with Turkey, the Russian team will correct the mistakes made.

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“In the next game, we will implement chances that we didn’t convert today”

The match of the third round of the League of Nations between the national teams of Russia and Sweden ended in Kaliningrad. A rather cautious game of the opponents led to the fact that by the end of the meeting the gates of both teams were the same.

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Many were surprised by the fact that the Russian players felt somewhat constrained on the field, although the victory over Turkey in the previous round made it possible not to think about the risk of relegation from the group. However, head coach Stanislav Cherchesov was in no hurry to belittle his opponent's dignity. that, even if they are not in the best shape, the Scandinavians are able to play the game at a high level due to their organization.

“Any opponent has problems with them. We knew that there would be a tough game, that they would act clearly in defense and counterattack. For the game to unfold, His Majesty needs a goal. Unfortunately, we didn't manage to realize our chances. But the team withstood the entire meeting at a good pace and endured, because it was impossible to open up in any case, ”the mentor explained.

Cherchesov admitted that he expected more from the match than a goalless draw.

“It was a game for six points, a victory would have brought us closer to the final first place. But everything worked out the way it did. We wanted to win. I am pleased with how we performed, but whether we are satisfied or not, nothing changes, ”added the coach.

By his actions, forward Anton Zabolotny, who appeared on the field only towards the end of the meeting.

“You always enter the game differently. Sometimes you get it, sometimes you don't. How it happened, how it happened. We will prepare for the next match and start from the score, ”Championship” quotes Zabolotny.

Comparing the last two meetings, another striker, Denis Cheryshev, expressed the opinion that the game with Sweden was more difficult for the Russian team than with Turkey.

“The Swedes played more compactly. Their fullbacks sank deeper to help their defenders. This affected the quality of the game, because it was harder to open the defense, ”Sport-Express quotes Cheryshev.

The forward expressed the hope that the Russian team will take into account their mistakes in the match with the Scandinavians and in the future will demonstrate a better game.

“We hope for a good result. I think it will be a tough match against the Turks. But we are ready to beat any opponent, we have already proved it. I would like to realize in the next game the chances that were not realized today, ”said Cheryshev.

For the first time in a long time, Marinato Guilherme took the place at the gate. The Brazilian shared his impressions of the meeting, noting the tenacity with which the opponent played.

“I have been waiting for a chance to play for the first time in the first team for a long time, but I was confident in my qualities and tried to show the highest level. It was a tough game. Sweden is a team that plays hard. We tried and, most importantly, we did not lose, ”Guilherme said.

Some fans feared that it would be difficult for a goalkeeper who does not have much experience playing for the national team to find a common language with partners, and this, in turn, could lead to unnecessary scoring chances. However, defender Giorgi Jikia assured that no one had any problems from this point of view.

“It was easy to find mutual understanding with Guilherme. He speaks Russian well,” Jikia said.

The words of a teammate were confirmed by midfielder Yuri Gazinsky.

“I didn’t worry about Marinato, you have to trust everyone. I would like to congratulate him on his debut, he played to zero. The Swedes are an organized group. It’s unpleasant when moments arise at our gates, but we will correct our mistakes, ”said the midfielder.

In addition, Gazinsky told at what moments the team was closest to the goal.

“We had more approaches. In the second half, Cheryshev could score. Dziuba clung to the balls well. Sasha Golovin does not need to be introduced: he is a quality football player who, in good shape, is dangerous for any opponent. After the injury, he did not have enough practice, now he will pick up - and everything will be fine, ”said the midfielder.

“There was no winner in this confrontation”

The coaching staff and the players of the Swedish national team, which, in case of defeat, risked relegation to a weaker division, were satisfied with the outcome of the meeting.

The head coach of the Scandinavians, Janne Andersson, expressed the opinion that a draw is a fair result of the match, in which the rivals demonstrated equal football.

“There was no winner in this confrontation. We saw two teams, two worthy opponents. I'm happy with how the preparations went. We analyzed the game of the Russian national team well, ”said the specialist.

In addition, Andersson noted the stability in the actions of his wards.

“We are happy because we played the way we wanted. Possessed the ball, actively acted in defense. Our style has changed a bit - and I think this has given additional chances. Many have shown themselves well from an individual point of view. The fact that the match ended in a draw is a good sign,” the coach concluded.

To some extent with a mentor defender Andreas Granqvist.

“It was a good fight. I think we deserved to win. We had more moments. We tried to play contact, as in the World Cup, ”said the football player.

However, Granqvist highly appreciated the opponent's game, especially his former partners in Krasnodar, for which the footballer played from 2013 to 2018.

“The Russian team was very strong at the World Cup, played well against Turkey away. It was a tough match. I am glad to return to Russia after five years of playing for Krasnodar, to remember the battles with Dzyuba. My friend Yura Gazinsky looks great in the center of the field, ”added the defender.

We did not discuss this topic for a second. I think you're digging too deep. We were preparing for the game and talked only about it. I said before the match that the situation was unpleasant, although I was accused of not wanting to comment.

- What were you dissatisfied with? Several times they actively gesticulated on the edge ...

Twice. Wow, three times. Once the judge, I hope, understood my Ossetian expressions. I don’t know how from the outside, but I am also a living person.

- What was missing to win?

Not enough goals, no matter how trite it may sound.

Dzagoev feels good as a person, but not so much as an athlete.

- How do you like Kaliningrad Arena?

The stands are great, there was very good support from the very first minute. The acoustics are good. We did not please the fans with goals, it upset us. I'm afraid that there may not be more such trips this season, not counting the match against in Sochi. Let's wait for the European Championship draw.

- spent 90 minutes on the field. Did you like his game?

We specifically do not give 90 minutes - we look at what will happen, we proceed from the game. Golovin was tired, because he had not played in such a mode and pace for a long time. But I think that this match will help bring myself into the right state. It is clear that there were several technical flaws, and a couple of times he made the wrong decision, which was necessary. The fact that the “Monaco” coach has changed, it concerns him to a lesser extent, because he does not choose the coaches.

- Are you satisfied with the draw?

It was clear that we would play with an organized team. In almost all matches, the Swedes play in an organized manner. That was the theme of the game as well. We clearly carried out what we planned, it was impossible to open up. It was necessary that the game became more open on their part, but, unfortunately, 0:0. The points were divided, the heads were not seen. There was a great atmosphere, a good match, kept in suspense, did not leave anyone indifferent.

So are you happy with the outcome?

We were determined to win. It was a game for six points, a victory would bring us closer to the final first place. The game worked out the way it did. We wanted to win. We are in professional football, "satisfied - not satisfied" - these are the wrong words. I'm happy with how the game was played, but whether we're happy or not, nothing changes.

- On Facebook, the fans are unhappy...

Facebook - what is it? Book is English for "book". I don’t know where you are looking and who is dissatisfied with what, so look further. By the way, I started Instagram now not because I want to, but because there are a lot of fake profiles. Everything was written there. I was advised by smart people to open their own, now there is an official one.

- Do you read comments?

Honestly? I don't even know how to get there.

Janne Andersson: Draw is good

- A quality game, but - only in defense. What do you think of it? - asked the coach of the Swedish national team

We are happy because we played the way we wanted. We had the ball, played well on defense. We changed our style of play a bit and I think that gave some chances. The fact that the match ended in a draw is a good sign. We analyzed the Russian national team well, all its matches. We can note the game of Andres Granqvist, who played in the Russian club Krasnodar. In this match, many showed themselves well from an individual point of view. I will note the stability in our game.

- Who won this match in terms of the tournament situation?

There is no winner in this match. We saw two teams, two worthy opponents. I am happy with how we managed to prepare for the match.

- Today, the former player of the youth national team of Sweden Labinot Harbusi died...

Yes, we dedicate this game to his memory.

- The Kaliningrad Arena was built for the World Cup. We are pleased with the stadium and the weather that the city met us with. This year we played in five different stadiums, but not in Kaliningrad.

- Was it difficult for you

Of course, playing on a foreign field is much more difficult. We didn't have many Swedish fans, it's hard, of course. But we are proud of the game.