I love their anthem and normally route for Russia but I have England winning this one homie I even have some fam in Russia but I am going with my wallet and not my heart. Anyways my first prediction mulligan shood. I had Slovakia-Wales as a draw, ALMOST. Dam Wales effed it up for me in the 81st min. Well Hopefully England wins, Sorry Comrades nothing personal strictly business. Haha I am going with the Capitalists on this one . Plus I know something you might not know, Russian NT is like at 50% The Russian National Anthem is 100% but the national team is banged the crap up. This will help them in the LONG RUN though for the WC because they will get a $hit load of depth and experience. It is going to be interesting to see which teams will go through I think it will be between Eng, Rus and Wales, Slovakia is out most likely. Remember 4 of the top 3rd places go so MAYBE England, Rus and Wales will all go through.
Baba it is simple, they actually have a decent league but there is a lot of CORRUPTION in the Russian federation. You are right, with all of the athletes, they SHOULD have a top 10 team every year! Well back in the CCCP days, they had a decent squad, they won the Euro's a couple of times I believe. After they dissolved, they were never the same but even with those territories gone, Russia SHOULD be better than what they are producing. There is talent but they do not utilize it. They are a mystery and very frustrating. You want to like them and route for them but then they do something stupid and Wiley E Coyote themselves off the cliff!