CSKA win, Russia lose

Welcome victory
PFC CSKA Moskva resumed their European campaign with a 2-0 victory against Portugal's SL Benfica in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 first-leg match in Krasnodar. Defender Vassili Berezoutski and Brazilian striker Vágner Love scored the goals in what was CSKA's first official outing of 2005.

Dismal performance
Meanwhile, the Russian national team fared less well, going down 2-0 to Italy in a friendly game in Cagliari. It was a dismal performance by Russia, and coach Georgi Yartsev can count himself lucky that the scoreline did not resemble the recent 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Portugal, which they lost 7-1.

Portuguese treasures
FC Dinamo Moskva have continued raiding the Portuguese transfer market, with SC Braga's Luis Loreiro becoming Dinamo's seventh newcomer from the Iberian country this winter. Dinamo director Juri Zavarzin has also discussed a possible move for FC Porto midfielders Costinha and Maniche in the summer, as well as his interest in securing the services of their goalkeeping team-mate Vítor Baía.

Koloskov resigns Off the field, Viacheslav Koloskov has unexpectedly tendered his resignation as president of the Football Union of Russia (RFU) after 25 years in charge, even though his contract was due to run until 2008. The election of a new president will be discussed at an extraordinary meeting of the RFU executive committee on 2 April.

A dangerous game
And finally Vadim Giner, son of CSKA president Evgeni Giner, was attacked in Moscow by unknown assailants. Three shots were fired into Giner's car - a vehicle belonging to Giner Sr - and although Vadim held the position of vice-president at the club, it was not 100 per cent clear who the target was.