Epress.am News from Armenia
It’s hard to call Russia a “football powerhouse” — it will never play like Brazil and Spain, said People’s Artist of the Soviet Union, Armen Dzhigarkhanyan, 76, in an interview with Soviet Sport.
In his opinion, it’s an issue of genetics: “Certain prerequisites are needed to even hit the ball well. We play better with a puck. Hockey is our sport. Even if someone following the recent World Cup doesn’t think so.”
Commenting on Russia’s intention to win the FIFA 2018 World Cup, Dzhigarkhanyan said, “The chances of winning the world championship are roughly equal to the chances of building a brighter future. But the football bosses, of course, know better. Especially if it’s a government assignment.”
As for Armenia’s national team, according to the actor, Armenia, like Russia, is more of a theater country than a football country. “Armenians love theater. They even genuinely believe that Shakespeare is Armenian.”
The Russia-Armenia match on Jun. 4 is not as principled as matches between Armenia and Turkey, continued Dzhigarkhanyan. “That’s a war, a fight that has deep historical roots, while the Russia-Armenia game is a meeting of friends.”
At the same time, the well-known actor said Armenia can now also claim to be a way out of the group (in the qualifying round). “I want friendship to win. I am prepared to cheer just for this. I will sit in front of the television in my house slippers. Perhaps I will weep from nostalgia.”