CSKA rally Russian feelings

When PFC CSKA Moskva captain Sergei Ignashevich lifted the UEFA Cup in May in Lisbon, it was not just a victory for the capital club, but for the whole of Russian football.

Russian first
Even in the days of the Soviet Union, no club from its largest republic won a UEFA trophy - unlike Ukraine and Georgia. Therefore, while in England or Italy fans may not always be inclined to support those of their domestic rivals in continental tournaments, in Russia supporters of FC Spartak Moskva, for example, would not think twice about cheering on fierce rivals CSKA on the European stage.

Returning heroes
That explains the impact that CSKA had in Russia after their 3-1 win against Sporting Clube de Portugal in Lisbon. Coach Valeri Gazzaev and his players dominated the news bulletins and talk shows, and were treated as returning heroes, greeted by everyone from schoolkids to president Vladimir Putin, who granted them an audience as another head of state might for a FIFA World Cup-winning team. There followed another invitation from Russian minister of defence Sergei Ivanov, whose department have special links with the 'Central Army Sports Club'.

'New era'
For the players there were cash bonuses; for commander Gazzaev, a symbolic prize of a traditional Russian sabre and a pistol engraves with his name. The Russian parliament, the Duma, did not overlook their success, speaker Boris Gryzlov declaring: "This victory will give a new impetus for the development of Russian football." His first deputy speaker Liubov Sliska added: "What CSKA did is may prove the beginning of a new era in the perception of Russia."

Grateful fans
Gazzaev accepts the significance of his achievement. "Russia's ambitions in Europe have changed now," he noted. "Wherever we go fans come to us and simply thank us." And, in a more partisan manner, CSKA followers can now claim they have eclipsed Spartak and FC Lokomotiv Moskva as the most successful team in Russia's 15-year post-Soviet footballing history.

Rival claims
Spartak may boast nine league titles between 1992 and 2001 and appearances in the last four of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Cup plus a UEFA Champions League quarter-final run in 1995/96 while Lokomotiv reached the last 16 of the latter competition in 2003/04 and won the league in 2002 and 2004. But CSKA, with their UEFA Cup added to Russian championships in 2003 and 2005, now rival those achievements.

Personal vindication
It is a personal vindication for Gazzaev too. In 1993/94 his FC Dinamo Moskva team were beaten 7-2 on aggregate by Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Cup first round. He then pipped mighty Spartak to the Russian title with FC Alania Vladikavkaz in 1995, but in the subsequent UEFA Champions League qualifying round they fell to Rangers FC - 3-1 in Glasgow then 7-2 at home. With CSKA he suffered another preliminary humiliation in 2003/04, crashing out to FK Vardar of F.Y.R. Macedonia.

Starkovs praise
By winning the UEFA Cup, Gazzaev has banished the memories of those European setbacks and won appraisals even from his domestic opponents. Spartak coach Aleksandrs Starkovs said: "They have a powerful and balanced team with a special spirit. In fact, they have no weak points."

Golden year
Maybe that last point has not been borne out. While CSKA also won the Russian Cup against FK Khimki in May and overcame a disappointing start to reclaim the league title, playing more than 50 competitive matches in 2005 took its toll and their UEFA Cup defence ended in the group stage. But nothing can truly spoil the memory of a golden year.