Post by Bozur on Nov 21, 2007 12:43:59 GMT -5
Tycoon dangles Mercs to spur Croatia to victory over EnglandUp for grabs... four luxury Mercs
November 21, 2007, 9:40
Tycoon dangles Mercs to spur Croatia to victory over England
The owner of Spartak Moscow football club, Leonid Fedun, is offering Croatia's footballers Mercedes cars if they beat England in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday. Russia needs a Croatian victory to stand any chance of qualifying for the tournament.
A 2-1 defeat at the hands of Israel at the weekend left Russia needing a big favour from Croatia on Wednesday in London.
But whereas some Russian fans have given up hope, others are trying to produce a miracle.
A wealthy Russian businessman eager to help his home team qualify has offered an attractive incentive to the Croatian players. Fedun has promised to give the four best Croats a luxury Merc each if they come away with a win over England at Wembley.
Croatia have already qualified for the Championship, and Fedun, who also owns Moscow Spartak football club, said he wanted to boost Croatia's morale.
Yury Sevidov, a columnist from the Sovetsky Sport newspaper, says Fedun is not the first to resort to such tactics.
“As far as I know, things like this have taken place in South America, in Brazil and Argentina. Teams are often stimulated by third parties so that they would fight against the leader and take his points. It’s also widespread in Russian football,” Sevidov said.
Fedun's offer has surpassed the one made by English fan Fred Don last week. He said he would donate a Mercedes to the Israeli player who scored a winning goal against Russia last week.
The Israeli football association banned the player from claiming the car, whereas officials from the European equivalent say their rules do not expressly forbid such incentives.
UEFA spokesman William Gaillard thinks nothing can stop people from encouraging players to win games.
“This is not something we would investigate. It would only be if anyone tried to influence players or match officials to lose a game or to influence a game in this direction. This would be highly illegal," he said.
Fedun insists he came up with the offer strictly as a fan of the Russian national team, but some believe there may well be some other reasons behind his initiative.
Sevidov believes PR also plays great role here.
“He wants to be a fan-patriot in the eyes of the viewers. He wants to show he is eager for the team to win the match and he took part in it. It is not bad I believe for the PR or the name of Spartak if its owner cares about the prestige of the team,” Sevidov said.
Anything less than a Croatian victory over England will leave Russia with no hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008.
Hiddink remains optimistic
Russia’s coach Guss Hiddink believes pride will spur Croatia to get a crucial win over England to help his side secure a place at the tournament. The Dutchman’s side are in Andorra.
But despite being without injured striker Roman Pavluchenko, Russia should beat an Andorran side who've yet to win in qualifying and have conceded 41 goals.
The Croats have already qualified but lost their last game, and Hiddink they could be fired up for the England game:
“The Croatian side have also suffered a defeat in Macedonia. I know the Croatians because I played them several times and I know some players. And they have, I think, the same pride not to let happen twice what has happened to other teams. So I guess they will go for a very good performance,” he said.
Croatia’s coach Slaven Bilic has promised they'll be motivated to try and win despite having already qualified. He says that the Croatians are proud to be top of a group containing England and Russia and want to stay there. Bilic also believes playing at Wembley will be an extra incentive for his side to produce their best.
England’s second chance
For England, Wednesday's game is a second chance many never thought they'd have. Manager Steve McLaren admits that he and the players are under huge pressure.
There are fresh reports in the English press on Wednesday that both David Beckham and goalkeeper Paul Robinson will be dropped. That would mean McLaren gambling on 22-year-old keeper Scott Carson who's never played a competitive international game.
www.russiatoday.ru/sports/news/17297
November 21, 2007, 9:40
Tycoon dangles Mercs to spur Croatia to victory over England
The owner of Spartak Moscow football club, Leonid Fedun, is offering Croatia's footballers Mercedes cars if they beat England in a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday. Russia needs a Croatian victory to stand any chance of qualifying for the tournament.
A 2-1 defeat at the hands of Israel at the weekend left Russia needing a big favour from Croatia on Wednesday in London.
But whereas some Russian fans have given up hope, others are trying to produce a miracle.
A wealthy Russian businessman eager to help his home team qualify has offered an attractive incentive to the Croatian players. Fedun has promised to give the four best Croats a luxury Merc each if they come away with a win over England at Wembley.
Croatia have already qualified for the Championship, and Fedun, who also owns Moscow Spartak football club, said he wanted to boost Croatia's morale.
Yury Sevidov, a columnist from the Sovetsky Sport newspaper, says Fedun is not the first to resort to such tactics.
“As far as I know, things like this have taken place in South America, in Brazil and Argentina. Teams are often stimulated by third parties so that they would fight against the leader and take his points. It’s also widespread in Russian football,” Sevidov said.
Fedun's offer has surpassed the one made by English fan Fred Don last week. He said he would donate a Mercedes to the Israeli player who scored a winning goal against Russia last week.
The Israeli football association banned the player from claiming the car, whereas officials from the European equivalent say their rules do not expressly forbid such incentives.
UEFA spokesman William Gaillard thinks nothing can stop people from encouraging players to win games.
“This is not something we would investigate. It would only be if anyone tried to influence players or match officials to lose a game or to influence a game in this direction. This would be highly illegal," he said.
Fedun insists he came up with the offer strictly as a fan of the Russian national team, but some believe there may well be some other reasons behind his initiative.
Sevidov believes PR also plays great role here.
“He wants to be a fan-patriot in the eyes of the viewers. He wants to show he is eager for the team to win the match and he took part in it. It is not bad I believe for the PR or the name of Spartak if its owner cares about the prestige of the team,” Sevidov said.
Anything less than a Croatian victory over England will leave Russia with no hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008.
Hiddink remains optimistic
Russia’s coach Guss Hiddink believes pride will spur Croatia to get a crucial win over England to help his side secure a place at the tournament. The Dutchman’s side are in Andorra.
But despite being without injured striker Roman Pavluchenko, Russia should beat an Andorran side who've yet to win in qualifying and have conceded 41 goals.
The Croats have already qualified but lost their last game, and Hiddink they could be fired up for the England game:
“The Croatian side have also suffered a defeat in Macedonia. I know the Croatians because I played them several times and I know some players. And they have, I think, the same pride not to let happen twice what has happened to other teams. So I guess they will go for a very good performance,” he said.
Croatia’s coach Slaven Bilic has promised they'll be motivated to try and win despite having already qualified. He says that the Croatians are proud to be top of a group containing England and Russia and want to stay there. Bilic also believes playing at Wembley will be an extra incentive for his side to produce their best.
England’s second chance
For England, Wednesday's game is a second chance many never thought they'd have. Manager Steve McLaren admits that he and the players are under huge pressure.
There are fresh reports in the English press on Wednesday that both David Beckham and goalkeeper Paul Robinson will be dropped. That would mean McLaren gambling on 22-year-old keeper Scott Carson who's never played a competitive international game.
www.russiatoday.ru/sports/news/17297