Krasnodar celebrate first Russian league title
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Russian Premier League - Krasnodar v Dynamo Moscow - Krasnodar Stadium, Krasnodar, Russia - May 24, 2025 Krasnodar's Joao Victor in action with Dinamo Moscow's Nicolas Marichal REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Russian Premier League - Krasnodar v Dynamo Moscow - Krasnodar Stadium, Krasnodar, Russia - May 24, 2025 Dynamo Moscow's Yaroslav Gladyshev in action with Krasnodar's Lucas Olaza REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Russian Premier League - Krasnodar v Dynamo Moscow - Krasnodar Stadium, Krasnodar, Russia - May 24, 2025 Krasnodar's Eduard Spertsyan lifts the trophy to celebrate with teammates after winning the Russian Premier League REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov /File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Russian Premier League - Krasnodar v Dynamo Moscow - Krasnodar Stadium, Krasnodar, Russia - May 24, 2025 Krasnodar's Fedor Smolov celebrates with the trophy after winning the Russian Premier League REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov/File Photo
KRASNODAR, Russia - FC Krasnodar won their first Russian Premier League title on Saturday, halting Zenit St Petersburg's six-year winning streak, but are unlikely to play in Europe next season.
Russia's national team and club sides were banned from European competitions after Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022, prompting numerous sanctions.
FC Krasnodar, from the city in southern Russia, were founded in 2008 by the local retail magnate and billionaire Sergei Galitsky.
They finished second in the Russian Premier League last year and reached the Russian Cup final in 2014 and 2023, losing both on penalties.
Krasnodar beat Dinamo Moscow 3-0 on Saturday to finish one point ahead of Zenit St Petersburg.
They have Russian international goalkeeper Stanislav Agkatsev and striker Alexander Chernikov in their squad, along with Armenian midfielder and team captain Eduard Spertsyan.
Colombian striker Jhon Cordoba opened the scoring in the title-clinching game against Dinamo Moscow.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said last month that Russian clubs would be readmitted into the continent's competitions once the war in Ukraine is over.
"Of course, it's regrettable. But bring on the Champions League, we will show you!," said Krasnodar fan Andrey Bragin outside the club's Ozon Arena stadium.
The black-and-green team, also known as the Bulls, have experience of playing in Europe, finishing third in their Champions League group in 2020 after facing Chelsea, Sevilla and Rennes.
Krasnodar manager Murad Musayev, 41, said he was overwhelmed with joy at winning the Russian title.
"I hope we will return to the Champions League," he said. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Spurs criticise online racist abuse aimed at forward Tel
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Tottenham Hotspur said on Thursday that they are "disgusted" by the online racial abuse aimed at French forward Mathys Tel after their UEFA Super Cup loss against Paris Saint-Germain. Europa League winners Spurs squandered a 2-0 lead as they lost to European champions PSG 4-3 on penalties in a dramatic Super Cup in Udine, Italy, on Wednesday. Tel and Dutch defender Micky van de Ven had missed their spot-kicks for Spurs during the shootout. "We are disgusted at the racial abuse that Mathys Tel has received on social media following last night's UEFA Super Cup defeat," Spurs said in a statement. "Mathys showed bravery and courage to step forward and take a penalty, yet those who abuse him are nothing but cowards - hiding behind anonymous usernames and profiles to spout their abhorrent views. "We will work with the authorities and social media platforms to take the strongest possible action against any individual we are able to identify. We stand with you, Mathys." Tel, 20, signed for Spurs on a permanent deal after a four-month loan spell at the Premier League club from German side Bayern Munich in June. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Root plans to use his experience to end Ashes win drought in Australia
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: England's Joe Root celebrates after reaching his century in the fifth test against India at the Oval, London, in August 2025. Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo England batter Joe Root said his experience of 158 tests makes him better equipped than ever to end a victory drought in Australia, as he ramps up preparations for the upcoming Ashes series. Root, who moved to second on the all-time test run-scorer charts during England's five-match series against India, which was drawn 2-2 earlier this month, has accumulated 13,543 runs in tests, trailing only India great Sachin Tendulkar (15,921). Despite his prolific record, the 34-year-old Root has yet to win a test or score a test century in Australia, where he averages 35.68 from 27 innings with nine half-centuries. "Having played in Australia a couple of times before, now going with 150-odd test caps under my belt, I feel I couldn't be more ready for it," Root told British media on Thursday. "The thing that stands out for me is I probably wanted it (a century) way too much the last couple of times. It took me away from what was important." Australia won both the 2017-18 series and following home series in 2021-22 4-0 before drawing 2-2 in England in 2023 to retain the urn. England last triumphed in Australia in 2010-11, which is also the last time the tourists won a test Down Under. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore 4 housebreaking suspects taken to Bukit Timah crime scene under police escort Singapore To Vers or not to Vers: How will this scheme affect HDB prices? Asia Citizenship for foreign talents: How this footballer from Brazil became Vietnam's favourite 'Son' Business MyRepublic customers to see no immediate changes to existing services: StarHub Asia Malaysian MP Rafizi says his son was jabbed with syringe in planned attack, threatened with Aids Asia India, Singapore ministers discuss deeper tie-ups in digitalisation, skills, industrial parks Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength "There were a lot of distractions," Root said of the last two Ashes series in Australia. "I was captain, COVID (in 2021-22), there was the (Ben) Stokes incident the time before that (when Stokes was ruled out of the 2017-18 tour after an incident at a Bristol nightclub), the Jonny (Bairstow) headbutt incident as well. "This time I want to just go and enjoy the tour for what it is. It is a beautiful country it is a great place to go and play cricket. I know if I put my best performances in then everything else will look after itself." This year's Ashes begins in Perth on November 21 before a day-night match in Brisbane, the third test in Adelaide and the traditional Melbourne and Sydney tests in December and January. REUTERS
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Defending champions Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka reach Cincinnati quarters
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Jannik Sinner returns a shot against Adrian Mannarino during the Cincinnati Open. CINCINNATI – Defending champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka led the way into the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals on Aug 13, with Carlos Alcaraz hot on their heels with a straight-sets victory of his own. Sinner shrugged off a mid-match weather delay lasting nearly three hours as he advanced 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) over Adrian Mannarino of France. Sabalenka, taken to three sets in her previous match with Emma Raducanu, regrouped after surrendering a second-set service break to defeat Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-1, 7-5. Alcaraz, the second seed who has reached the finals of his last six tournaments, hammered Italian lucky loser Luca Nardi 6-1, 6-4 in an impressive victory. 'This match was my best so far of the tournament,' the Spanish world No. 2. said. 'At the start I wanted to get better each day and I've done that. 'I'm proud of that and happy with how I felt the ball and how I moved,' added Alcaraz, who next faces ninth-seeded Russian Andrey Rublev. World No. 1 Sinner, playing his first tournament since winning Wimbledon, notched his 24th consecutive hardcourt match victory. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia India, Singapore ministers discuss deeper tie-ups in digitalisation, skills, industrial parks Business More seniors remain employed after retirement and re-employment ages raised in 2022: MOM study Singapore To Vers or not to Vers: How will this scheme affect HDB prices? Asia Malaysia's ex-economy minister says his son was jabbed with syringe in planned attack Singapore askST: Will assets seized in $3b money laundering case be sold at public auctions? Singapore Woman, 68, charged over assaulting maid with scissors and nail clipper Business StarHub first-half profit falls 41.7% to $47.9m; telco eyes 'more aggressive stance' amid competition Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength Mannarino's tricky game took a toll as Sinner was broken while trying to serve out the match in the second set. It went to a tiebreak, with Sinner firing his 11th and 12th aces to clinch victory. 'He's a very difficult opponent, different from the other payers,' he said. 'He can read the opponent well. It was a struggle to close it out but I'm happy to be in the quarter-finals.' Sinner next faces Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime, who beat Benjamin Bonzi of France 6-4, 6-3. After her marathon victory against Raducanu, world No. 1 Sabalenka was pleased to get off the court in straight sets against Bouzas Maneiro. 'The key was to focus and put as much pressure as possible on her serve,' said the Belarusian. 'I'm glad to win in straight sets, I didn't want to stay for three hours.' Sabalenka will face former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who beat Australian Open champion Madison Keys 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 6-2. In other matches, third-seeded Alexander Zverev had to take to the court twice to reach the quarters – although both outings were relatively short-lived. The German started his day by polishing off a 6-4, 6-4 third-round victory over Brandon Nakashima in a match continued from the previous day. The entire one-game exercise, with 2021 Cincy winner Zverev leading 6-4, 5-4 when play resumed, took less than two minutes. Hours later, he advanced to the quarters when Karen Khachanov retired with Zverev leading 7-5, 3-0. Fifth seed Ben Shelton, last week's Toronto champion, reached the last 16 with a 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory over Roberto Bautista Agut in a match rescheduled from Aug 12. Women's third seed Iga Swiatek beat Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-3, overcoming 33 unforced errors in a 95-minute victory to reach the quarters. 'I wanted to be more solid than in my last match,' Wimbledon champion Swiatek said. 'I'm happy with the level of my focus and the consistency.' AFP
