It’s hard to call Russia a “football powerhouse” \u2014 it will never play like Brazil and Spain, said People\u2019s Artist of the Soviet Union, Armen Dzhigarkhanyan, 76, in an interview with Soviet Sport.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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