Fools Go Russian In

[BobBev]

Russky Telegraf

Thursday March 9th, 2006

Crushing Victory For Spartak

Spartak Moscow kick-started their season with a mighty impressive 5-2 defeat of Rubin in the home leg of their Russian Cup Quarter Final. They established a 5-0 lead before losing concentration late in the game and allowing the visitors a glimmer of hope for the return. Sergey Kovalchuk opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a well-timed run into the area to head home. Spartak were having a lot of joy on the left side of midfield and Maxym Kalinichenko scored the second on 30 minutes after some good work down that flank. Five minutes later Kovalchuk added the 3rd when he fired home from the edge of the area after a well-worked corner routine. The visitors managed to reach half time with no further damage being inflicted but it proved to be a short respite as the 4th goal came on 56 minutes, Andrejs Rubins playing a lovely one-two with Kalinichenko before finishing neatly. The 5th came after 72 minutes through substitute Nikita Bazhenov and it was yet another example of the pass and move style that Spartak play so well. Slack marking at a corner kick allowed the visitors to pull a goal back on 82 minutes, Moustapha Mohamed Mane being the scorer and with the game almost over Roni showed great pace to latch on to a through ball for a neat finish for Rubin’s second.

[BobBev]

Semya

Sunday March 12th, 2006

Tom Go To The Top

Newly promoted Tom celebrated their first ever Premiership match with a resounding 5-0 win at home to Rostov to set the early pace in the league. Amongst the favourites for relegation, they put a rousing performance for their enthusiastic fans to confound the pundits. Denis Kiselev scored twice as did man of the match Andrey Demkin as the front two had a field day at the expense of a very shaky Rostov defence. Pavel Mylnikov rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot late in the game and, for one game at least, the minnows from Tomsk can look down with some satisfaction at the rest of the Premiership.

[BobBev]

Moskovsky Komsomolets

Monday March 13th, 2006

First Blood To CSKA

Reigning champions CSKA gave notice to last season’s runners-up Spartak that they will not be relinquishing their title without a fight as they totally outplayed the home side in the much-hyped derby. The 3-0 victory was forged in the first 45 minutes when all three goals were scored. Andrey Arshavin struck after just 12 minutes with a turn and shot from a Vagner Love cross. Milos Krasic provided the second 12 minutes later when he fired home from a corner and Love effectively killed the game off at the stroke of half time when he found acres of space in the Spartak area. The second half was a real anti-climax as CSKA took their foot of the gas and a subdued Spartak failed to muster a single shot on target. There was also worrying injury news for the home side as Dmitry Alenichev suffered strained knee ligaments and is expected to be out of action for a month.

[BobBev]

Nezavisimaya Gazeta

Wednesday March 15th, 2006

Titov To Face Surgery

Spartak Moscow midfielder Yegor Titov will be forced to undergo surgery to correct his ligament problem after breaking down in training yesterday. The 29-year-old had hoped to be back in action soon but he now faces another enforced layoff that makes it unlikely that his club will see him on the pitch this season.

[BobBev]

Novaya Gazeta

Thursday March 16th, 2006

Spartak Move Into Semis

A Spartak Moscow side troubled by early season injuries and fitness problems were given a tough time of things at Rubin but a 3-2 defeat was still good enough to ensure Russian Cup qualification by an aggregate score of 7-5. But it was the injury-ravaged visitors that struck first, Alexandr Pavlenko finding space in the penalty area to finish with a powerful shot. But the home side came racing back into contention with three unanswered goals. Roni struck first on 16 minutes, working an opening with a neat one-two. Then on 34 minutes Roman Vasilyuk gave Rubin the lead with a glancing header. Minutes after the restart the home side wee right back in the game when Roni scored his second of the night, beating the Spartak keeper to a near-post cross. At this point Rubin just needed one more goal to go through but the visitors managed to re-group and Sergey Kovalchuk scored a crucial goal with 15 minutes remaining when he glanced home a corner. The win sets up an intriguing Semi Final as Spartak will face fierce rivals CSKA after they overcame Rotor 6-1 on aggregate.

[BobBev]

Ogonyok

Sunday March 19th, 2006

Spartak Steal It

Injury-struck Spartak Moscow put in a “backs against the wall†performance at Krylja Sovetov and somehow returned with a win despite the home side creating the bulk of the chances. Former Spartak striker Roman Pavlyuchenko scored his 3rd goal in 3 games to open the scoring on 12 minutes, latching on to a long kick from the keeper to tuck the ball home. His form is such that his ex-employers may be rueing his decision to leave the club at the end of his contract. Young Belarus striker Artem Kontsevoy equalised when he scored on his first-team debut, showing quick thinking to nip in front of a central defender and score with a stooping header. Krylja will wonder quite how the interval was reached with the scores still tied, such was the pressure they exerted. Keeper Wojciech Kowalewski performed heroically for the visitors and much credit should go to him for keeping his team in the contest. They took advantage of their good fortune shortly after the restart when Sergey Kovalchuk put them ahead with a neat header. The home side continued to press for the remainder of the game but stout defending and sound goalkeeping denied them and gained Spartak their opening league victory.

[BobBev]

Pravda

Thursday March 23rd, 2006

Spartak Into Their Stride

With their players starting to return to full fitness, Spartak Moscow are starting to look a little more like the team that we saw in the latter half of last season. In their league game at Tom yesterday they were rarely troubled by the home side and despite failing to find the net for most of the first half they always looked like getting the win. Their opening goal came after 41 minutes when Andrejs Rubins was following up to take advantage when a shot from Sergey Kovalchuk was parried into his path. Their second came with 20 minutes remaining as Vladimir Leshonok turned in a low cross from Artem Kontsevoy.

[BobBev]

Russky Telegraf

Monday March 27th, 2006

Moscow Derby Ends In Stalemate

The Moscow derby between Spartak and Lokomotiv may have ended in a goalless draw but there was no shortage of entertainment for the 35,000 spectators. On balance of play the visitors will feel that they deserved to take the points but Spartak keeper Wojciech Kowalewski had other ideas and a string of fine saves ensured that the spoils were shared. The home side have not been firing on all cylinders in this early part of the season but they have been deprived of several key players and coach Djerkinov would probably argue that he has only fielded his preferred eleven once this year and that came in the opening game of the season when they beat Rubin 5-2. His team now have a week without any action during which time they can re-group and work on their fitness.

[BobBev]

From the Diary of Yuri Djerkinov

Thursday March 30th, 2006

It has not been the best of starts to the new season, what with our injury problems and the generally slow start that we have made but I am optimistic that we will start to improve shortly. I definitely need to look at bringing in some new players to strengthen the squad as we are likely to be facing two games a week over much of the season. There are several that the scouting team have been watching so when the transfer window opens in the summer I hope to have a shopping list of targets that we can pursue.

[BobBev]

Semya

Monday April 3rd, 2006

Zenith Rock Bottom

Zenith Peterburg remain rooted to the foot of the table having lost all five of their league matches this season. Their latest defeat came at home to Spartak Moscow, although the visitors looked far from convincing during their narrow 1-0 win. The game appeared to be drifting towards a scoreless draw when substitute Artem Kontsevoy finished off a quick break upfield with a controlled piece of play to deceive the home keeper and slot the ball home. Zenith look doomed for relegation unless manager Valey Petrakov can find some way to inspire his players to greater efforts.

[BobBev]

Semya

Thursday April 6th, 2006

Cup Semis Both All-Square

The 1st leg ties in both of the Russian Cup Semi Finals ended with identical 1-1 scorelines and in each game the away side will feel slightly aggrieved not to have sneaked a win. The big game in Moscow featured CSKA at home to Spartak but with both teams sharing the same ground the question of home and away is somewhat of a technicality. CSKA definitely had the better of the first half and deservedly took the lead after quarter of an hour through Vagner Love. The exciting young Brazilian is having a wonderful season and his goal was a perfect example of his finishing skills as he unerringly found to bottom corner from the edge of the area. But Spartak enjoyed a much better second half and will feel that justice was done when substitute Mihajlo Pjanovic squared the game on 77 minutes. The unsettled Serb has been placed on the transfer list at his own request and seems determined to leave the club although his availability has yet to generate any interest from potential suitors. In the other Semi, Shinnik and Krylja Sovetov played out a very entertaining draw. The visitors took the lead in the first minute through Brazilian midfielder Souza, a player who is enjoying a terrific start to the season. It took Shinnik until the 77th minute before they found an equaliser, striker Anton Arkhipov coming off the bench to square the game.

[BobBev]

Sevodnya

Sunday April 9th, 2006

Pick A Card, Any Card

During yesterday’s league match in Moscow between Spartak and Uralan, referee Alexandr Kolobaev contrived to produce his yellow card no less that ten times to ruin an otherwise entertaining encounter. Both teams had players dismissed for what was deemed to be a second bookable offence – Andrejs Rubin for Spartak on 41 minutes and Kakhaber Mjavanadze for Uralan on 64. Mikhail Kerzhakov in the Uralan goal proved to be an almost immovable force, pulling off a string of inspired, and sometimes fortuitous, saves. He was beaten only once when a free kick from Nemanja Vidic took a wicked deflection off the defensive wall to leave him flat-footed as the ball almost trickled over the line. After the game both managers were highly critical of the refereeing although neither saw any benefit to be gained from making an official complaint to the FA.

[BobBev]

Pravda

Thursday April 13th, 2006

CSKA Progress To Final

A narrow 1-0 win for CSKA in the 2nd leg of their Cup Semi Final with Spartak was enough to see them through to the final with a 2-1 aggregate scoreline. There was little to choose between the two sides and both created enough chances to have won the game. The only goal came early in the game when centre back Sergey Ignashevic powered home a header from a corner after just 7 minutes. Talented and exciting young winger Yury Zhirkov had a magnificent game for CSKA and he looks to have a very bright future ahead of him. The Moscow side will face Shinnik in the Final after they won 2-1 at Kryjla Sovetov to secure a 3-2 overall scoreline. Juris Laizans scored for the home side with only three minutes on the clock and for much of the game it looked like that would be enough for the win. But the visitors struck twice in the last quarter of an hour to turn the game around. The first came from experienced striker Martin Kushev on 76 and substitute Anton Arkhipov repeated his feat of the 1st leg by coming off the bench to score, his winner coming with just two minutes of normal time remaining.

[axeman]

Tough luck in the cup game BobBev.

Hopefully you can steal that winger off CSKA's hands before long

[BobBev]

Cheers axeman

Zavtra

Sunday April 16th, 2006

Saturn Go Into Orbit

A 1-0 win at home to Spartak Moscow maintained Saturn’s unbeaten league record and lifted them to the top of the Premiership. The two teams cancelled one another out in what was a fairly sterile encounter with the only goal of the game coming shortly after the restart. Paraguayan striker Freddy Jose Barreiro kept up his incredible scoring record this season when he slipped his marker to head home from close range at the near post. With seven league games played the 24-year-old is averaging a goal a game and is currently the top scorer in the division. CSKA suffered their first defeat of the season when they slumped to a surprise 3-1 defeat at Kuban and the have slipped from 1st to 4th.

[BobBev]

Izvestia

Thursday April 20th, 2006

Spartak Back In The Groove

Spartak Moscow put in one of their most impressive performances of the season so far to recover from a one-goal deficit at home to Kuban and gain a 3-1 win. The home side controlled long passages of play and created a host of scoring opportunities. But the opening goal from Vitaly Kaleshin came totally against the run of play and it could well be a contender for goal of the season. Picking the ball up just inside the Spartak half, the winger left two defenders for dead before firing across the keeper and into the bottom corner. However, Spartak were even more dominant after the interval and Nikita Bazhenov tied the scored just after the restart and Sergey Kovalchuk put the home side in front after 53 minutes and Bazhenov scored his second of the game on 77 to complete the win.

[BobBev]

Moskovskie Novosti

Friday April 21st, 2006

Another Injury Blow For Spartak

Spartak Moscow suffered another long-term injury problem when promising young striker Artem Kontsevoy sustained a broken leg in an unfortunate training ground accident and the Belarus international looks set to miss the remainder of the season.

[BobBev]

Moskovsky Komsomolets

Monday April 24th, 2006

Spartak Battle Back For Point

Spartak went into one of the many Moscow derbies that they will face this season when they travelled to Dinamo with the news that striker Nikita Bazhenov would miss the game with a foot injury. Rather than start with the unhappy Mihajlo Pjanovic, Spartak boss Yuri Djerkinov decided to call up 20-year-old Tarmo Kink from the reserves. Dinamo got off to a wonderful start when Kink lost possession deep in his own half and Baffour Gyan took advantage to score. They doubled their advantage midway through the half when Emit Spahic turned a low cross into the net. The visitors were no doubt enlivened by a half time talk from their manager and the reduced the deficit on 58 minutes when Kink atoned for his earlier error by somehow connecting with a cross despite being surrounded by Dinamo defenders. Andrejs Rubins gave the visitors a well-earned point at the death when he found himself unmarked in the penalty area and calmly slotted the ball home. With almost a third of the season gone surprise package Amkar are unlikely pacesetters and Zenith have moved off the bottom with their first win of the season.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Pos | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 1st | Amkar | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 6 | +13 | 22 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 2nd | Saturn | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 7 | +13 | 21 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 3rd | CSKA Moscow | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 6 | +14 | 20 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 4th | Dinamo Moscow | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 12 | +7 | 17 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 5th | Shinnik | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 12 | +5 | 17 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 6th | SPARTAK MOSCOW | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 8 | +3 | 17 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 7th | Lokomotiv Moscow | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 6 | +6 | 17 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 8th | Kuban | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 8 | +3 | 14 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 9th | Krylja Sovetov | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 9 | +5 | 13 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 10th | Torpedo Moscow | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | -5 | 12 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 11th | Rubin | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 17 | -5 | 10 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 12th | Rostov | 9 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 12 | 23 | -11 | 6 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 13th | Uralan | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 19 | -13 | 5 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 14th | Tom | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 18 | -10 | 5 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 15th | Zenith Peterburg | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 18 | -11 | 4 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 16th | Rotor | 9 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 20 | -14 | 3 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

</pre>

[mavericktango]

Excellant job BobBev

I've read the whole of this story today and it's kept me royally entertained on a slow day at work !

[BobBev]

Cheers mav

Novaya Gazeta

Tuesday April 25th, 2006

Spartak Injury Jinx Continues

Spartak Moscow boss Yuri Djerkinov must be thinking that someone up there doesn’t like him as he lost yet another player to long-term injury. The victim this time is midfielder Vladimir Leshonok who suffered torn ankle ligaments in training. Surgery will be required to correct the problem and he is likely to be ruled out for the rest of the season.

[BobBev]

From the Diary of Yuri Djerkinov

Sunday April 30th, 2006

Will our injury problems never cease? Two more players with long-term injuries, a disappointing exit from the Cup and still struggling to really get going in the league. Our hesitant start to the season is also causing some unrest in the squad with several of the senior players making noises about how we are under-achieving. It’s amazing how a little success can suddenly raise expectations. After all these are the same players that had taken the club towards the bottom of the table before I arrived last year. But I suppose that I should be grateful that they have some ambition – better that than not caring at all. Looking away from football for a moment, I have still heard nothing about a trial date for Smirnoff and his cronies but I know from talking to some of Misha’s former colleagues that they will not be deported to England but will face justice here in Russia.

[BobBev]

Novaya Gazeta

Monday May 8th, 2006

Kink Treble Wins It For Spartak

A superb hat trick from new Spartak Moscow hero Tarmo Kink enable his team to come from behind at home to Torpedo and record a vital win. The visitors opened the scoring after just 12 minutes when Konstantin Zytyanov nipped between two defenders to head home. Kink started the fightback ten minutes later when he found space to accept a pass from a fit-again Mayxm Kalinichenko to finish powerfully. The game then entered a fairly even period with the home side shading the possession but with scoring chances at both ends. Kink put his team in front with 20 minutes remaining, the excellent Kalinichenko once again the provider. He completed his treble ten minutes from time when Spartak caught their opponents on the break with a decisive counter-attack. Andres Oper scored late on for Torpedo to give the home side an anxious few minutes but they were able to hold on to a valuable three points.

[BobBev]

Ogonyok

Wednesday May 10th, 2006

Mitreski Out For Season

Spartak Moscow defender Igor Mitreski was the latest victim of the Luzhniki training ground curse when he suffered a broken leg and his season is over. The 27-year-old Macedonian international has not been a first-team regular under the Djerkinov regime but he is regarded as an important backup player.

Pravda

Thursday May 11th, 2006

Rubin Hold Spartak

Spartak forward Tarmo Kink scored his 5th goal in three games when he opened the scoring at Rubin after 18 minutes. He was picked out in the area with a pinpoint cross from Denis Boyarintsev, the unsettled left winger who was recently placed on the transfer list at his own request. The home side came back strongly and forced an equaliser on the half hour, Jorgen Jalland scoring with a curling free kick around the defensive wall. Rubin saw slightly more of the ball after this but both sides had chances to get the winner. Spartak survived the dismissal of centre back Nemanja Vidic when he received a second yellow card on the hour but the in-form defender will be unavailable for their next game.

[BobBev]

Pravda

Thursday May 11th, 2006

Kink On Target Again

Tarmo Kink kept up his remarkable scoring run when he found the net in the final minute of normal time for Spartak Moscow in their game at home to Rotor. The home side dominated play and took the lead on 14 minutes through Sergey Kovalchuk when he fired home a corner from the edge of the area. The midfielder could well have had a hat trick before half time, hitting the bar and having an effort blocked on the goal line. The visitors rarely managed a foray upfield as Spartak dominated play and the Rotor goal seemed to lead a charmed life until the last minute of the game. Kink started and ended the move, showing great determination to hold off several challenges before striking a powerful shot from the edge of the area.

Moscow Times

Thursday May 18th, 2006

Real Lift UEFA Cup

Real Madrid overcame stubborn resistance to beat Schalke 04 2-0 in the UEFA Cup Final at Old Trafford, Manchester last night. Record signing Fernando Torres opened the scoring on 36 minutes when Zinedine Zidane selflessly squared the ball across the area to give the young striker a simple tap-in. Zidane himself scored their second just before the hour with a powerful shot from the edge of the area.

[BobBev]

Pravda

Sunday May 21st, 2006

Spartak Held At Amkar

Unregarded Amkar have surprised everyone by maintaining a place in the top three for most of this season and a battling 2-2 draw at home to Spartak showed that their title challenge is no fluke. Having taken the lead early in the game and then seen the visitors turn the game around they showed a lot of character to conjure up a late equaliser. The opening goal came after just four minutes when Erik Lincar converted a near-post corner for his 5th goal of the season. But the visitors came storming back into the game, equalising through Sergey Kovalchuk on 35 minutes, the midfielder scoring with a trademark volley from the edge of the area. They took the lead shortly before half time when Mayxm Kalininchenko was on had to tap-in after a shot was parried. But Amkar looked like a different team in the second period and exerted extended pressure on the visitors, finally getting an equaliser with ten minutes of the game remaining, Andrey Lavrik finding space in the area to head home.

[BobBev]

Semya

Saturday May 27th, 2006

CSKA In Cup Triumph

CSKA Moscow retained the Russian Cup with an extra-time defeat of Shinnik after the scores were tied at 1-1 at the end of normal time. Shinnik shocked the favourites when they took the lead through Alexey Medvedev on 22 minutes when the striker broke the offside trap with a perfectly timed run. CSKA pressed hard for an equaliser but the underdogs held on valiantly and were just four minutes away from a famous upset when the equaliser came. Young substitute Alexandr Genyrih outjumped several defenders to head home a cross from Petr Bystrov to send the game into extra time. There were chances for both sides in the extra period but with penalties beckoning it was Bystrov who scored the winner in the 119th minute.

From the Diary of Yuri Djerkinov

Tuesday May 30th, 2006

We have seen some improvement in our league results this month and the emergence of Timo Kink as a goalscorer is good news as young Bazhenov seems to be increasingly unsettled and it will prove difficult to keep him at the club in the longer term. But we have yet another long-term injury to deal with and we certainly need to look to the transfer market in the summer window. But now we have some six weeks off to concentrate on getting as many players as fit as possible and hopefully cheering on our national team to a good World Cup.

[BobBev]

Izvestia

Tuesday June 13th, 2006

Sychev Double Secures Opening Win

With the season suspended until the completion of the World Cup in Germany, all eyes are on the national side. They opened their campaign with an uncertain 45 minutes against minnows Jordan, conceding the opening goal on 17 minutes before rallying to score three unanswered goals in the second half. The Jordanians started brightly and their goal came when the offside trap was sprung by a simple ball over the top of the defence that allowed Osama Obeidat to slot the ball home. The second period was much more constructive for Georgy Yatsev’s team however and former Chelsea man Alexei Smertin, now plying his trade with West Brom, squared the game on 49 minutes. But the underdogs hung on gamely despite increasing pressure from the favourites and it wasn’t until the final ten minutes that the game was won. Substitutes Andrey Arshavin and Dmitry Sychev combined to break the deadlock with the Lokomotiv Moscow youngster firing home. Sychev scored his second in stoppage time after another assist from Arshavin to secure the win. In the other game in the group Norway completed a narrow 1-0 win over Ivory Coast in a compelling and competitive encounter.

[BobBev]

Pravda

Tuesday June 20th, 2006

Second Win Secures Qualification

A 2-0 defeat of Ivory Coast has ensured that Russia will qualify for the knockout phase of the World Cup. The victory was gained on the back of some impressive defensive work as their opponents were their equals for most of the game. Vyacheslav Malafeev kept an impressive clean sheet and Lokomotiv Moscow centre back Gennady Nizhegorodov was voted man of the match for his performance. The first half ended goalless but the precocious Andrey Arshavin broke the deadlock on 52 minutes when he headed home a cross from Yury Zhirkov. Alexandr Kerzhakov has enjoyed two good seasons in the Bundesliga with Hannover 96 and the 23-year-old striker secured the points with a goal 20 minutes from time. Norway also secured their qualification with a 3-1 defeat of Jordan and the two meet on Friday to decide the group winners.

[BobBev]

Sevodnya

Saturday June 24th, 2006

Russia Top Group With 100% Record

Russia came out in top in their Group G showdown with Norway, romping to an impressive 3-1 win to finish on top of the group. Alexandr Kerzhakov got them off to a great start with a goal after just 12 minutes as he capitalised on a quick break forward. The advantage was doubled ten minutes before half time when the impressive Andrey Arshavin took the ball from just inside his own half to finish with a delightful chip over the advancing keeper. Norway pulled a goal back with quarter of an hour to play when Martin Andresen ghosted in at the near post to score with a glancing header. But minutes later substitute Nikita Bazhenov restored the two-goal advantage when he combined with Igor Semshov to break the offside trap. The Spartak Moscow player had only been on the pitch for five minutes when he struck for his second goal in eight senior appearances.

Elsewhere there have been a few surprises, although most of the favourites have progressed. Brazil and England progressed from Group A as did Holland and Germany in Group B. The big surprise in Group C was the elimination of Italy as they lost to Nigeria and drew with Croatia. A similar fate befell France in Group D as they lost to both Denmark and surprise group winners Paraguay. The Czech Republic and Uruguay triumphed in Group E and Spain won all three games in Group F with the USA finishing just ahead of Senegal. The final shock came in Group H with the elimination of Argentina. With the top three all tied on 5 points each, the group was decided on goal difference and the South Americans paid the price for goalless draws against Tunisia and Ireland.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Pos | Inf | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 1st | Q | Brazil | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 9 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 2nd | Q | England | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 4 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 3rd | | Mexico | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 2 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 4th | | South Africa | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 1 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Pos | Inf | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 1st | Q | Holland | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 7 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 2nd | Q | Germany | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 6 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 3rd | | Saudi Arabia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 4 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 4th | | Chile | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | -7 | 0 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Pos | Inf | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 1st | Q | Croatia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 7 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 2nd | Q | Nigeria | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 6 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 3rd | | Italy | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 4th | | Uzbekistan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | -6 | 0 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Pos | Inf | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 1st | Q | Paraguay | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 9 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 2nd | Q | Denmark | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 3rd | | France | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 3 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 4th | | Japan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Pos | Inf | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 1st | Q | Czech Republic | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 6 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 2nd | Q | Uruguay | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 5 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 3rd | | Turkey | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 4th | | China | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 1 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Pos | Inf | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 1st | Q | Spain | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 9 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 2nd | Q | U.S.A. | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 4 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 3rd | | Senegal | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 4th | | Bulgaria | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 1 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Pos | Inf | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 1st | Q | Russia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 9 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 2nd | Q | Norway | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | +1 | 6 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 3rd | | Ivory Coast | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 1 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 4th | | Jordan | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 1 |

| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Pos | Inf | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 1st | Q | Ireland | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 5 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 2nd | Q | Tunisia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 5 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 3rd | | Argentina | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 5 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 4th | | Canada | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | -9 | 0 |

| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

</pre>

[axeman]

Can we expect more of the original sub plot to emerge in the next few posts Bob?

BTW, very nice job you've done there KUTGW

[BobBev]

Eventually axeman, but you may have to wait a little longer - thanks for your support though.

Zavtra

Wednesday June 28th, 2006

Russia Into Quarter Finals

First-half goals from Alexandr Kerzhakov and Ivan Saenko were enough to secure an appearance in the World Cup Quarter Finals at the expense of a dogged Tunisia last night. Once again the win was based upon a solid defensive display as the team built patiently from the back and took full advantage of the few scoring opportunities that came their way. The opener came after just eight minutes when Kerzhakov was freed in the area by Rolan Gusev to finish from an acute angle. Midway through the half Saenko, making only his 5th senior appearance, extended the lead when he got his head to a back-post cross from Denis Boyarintsev to score with a looping header. The Tunisian defence were found wanting on that occasion as the cross eluded both the keeper and a defender before reaching the striker. Russia will now face Spain in the Quarter Final with the winner taking on either Brazil or Nigeria. In the other games England face Croatia and the USA take on Norway.

[BobBev]

Moskovskie Novosti

Sunday July 2nd, 2006

Russia Out Of World Cup

Let down by their normally reliable defence, Russia was eliminated from the World Cup last night after a 2-0 defeat by Spain. Both goals came in the first half hour of the game and although the team battled hard to get back on terms they were sorely lacking inspiration in front of goal. Real Madrid striker Raul opened the scoring after quarter of an hour, keeper Malafeev left stranded in his 6-yard box as the Madrid man placed a deft lob into the top corner. Valencia winger Vicente scored the second on the half hour, arriving unmarked into the area to head home. Both efforts underlined a general lack of concentration at the back and the Spaniards created few more chances for the rest of the game. But by then the damage was done and the historical under-achievers were able to hold on and celebrate their first appearance in a World Cup Semi Final. Their opponents will be favourites Brazil who needed penalties to get past a stubborn Nigeria. The other Semi will feature England, who needed extra time to beat Croatia, and the USA who also make history after they disposed of Norway.

[BobBev]

Moskovskie Novosti

Monday July 10th, 2006

Spain Lift World Cup

Spain finally removed the tag of perennial under-achievers when they won the biggest prize in world football with a 2-1 win over England in Berlin last night. The game was far from a classic with both teams looking distinctly nervous but the Spaniards overcame their fears early on with goals from Raul and Fernando Torres inside 15 minutes. Quite how the Madrid striker managed to outjump the entire England defence for the opener will forever remain a mystery and the central defenders were caught flat-footed when Torres broke free for the second. The Madrid connection continued with Jonathan Woodgate pulling a goal back for England when he headed home a David Beckham corner in the second half but that was as good as it got for Eriksson’s team. Despite a good debut season in Germany, FC Bayern’s Frank Lampard had a game to forget in midfield and only centre back Sol Campbell performed to his potential. Spain went into the game as narrow favourites having eliminated holders Brazil on penalties in the Semi and Lampard scored the only goal of the game for England as they sneaked past the USA 1-0 in their game. Ivan Klasnic of Croatia won the tournament’s Golden Boot having scored 7 goals and Brazil’s Dede was voted Player of the Tournament

[BobBev]

Moskovsky Komsomolets

Wednesday July 12th, 2006

Spartak Unveil New Signings

With the domestic transfer window now open Spartak Moscow paraded the new additions to their squad at the Luzhniki earlier today. Hungarian midfielder Akos Buzsaky has joined as a free agent having been released by Porto last month. Joining him are 20-year-old Colombian international Freddy Guarin signed from Envigado for a fee close to $2M and Zenith Peterburg defender Velice Sumulikoski who has joined for an undisclosed fee. The Macedonian international is particularly pleased to have made the move and is said to be relishing the chance of European football. Spartak have several unsettled players on the transfer list at their own request so we may see more activity from the club shortly.

[BobBev]

Nezavisimaya Gazeta

Monday July 17th, 2006

Spartak Held By Shinnik

An entertaining encounter between two teams both vying for the title ended all square as Spartak Moscow were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Shinnik. The home side opened the scoring on 20 minutes through Sergey Kovalchuk after some excellent work by Timo Kink and Alexandr Samedov. But the visitors tied the game before half time, Bulgarian striker Martin Kushev rising first to a corner from Alexandr Kulchiy. There were further scoring opportunities for both sides after the interval but neither could come up with the winning goal and as we approach the mid-point of the season the race for the title is as competitive as we have seen for many years.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Pos | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 1st | Saturn | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 28 | 16 | +12 | 30 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 2nd | Lokomotiv Moscow | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 26 | 8 | +18 | 30 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 3rd | Amkar | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 27 | 13 | +14 | 30 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 4th | Shinnik | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 25 | 15 | +10 | 28 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 5th | CSKA Moscow | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 27 | 11 | +16 | 28 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 6th | SPARTAK MOSCOW | 14 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 20 | 14 | +6 | 26 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 7th | Dinamo Moscow | 14 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 30 | 21 | +9 | 23 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 8th | Krylja Sovetov | 14 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 20 | 12 | +8 | 20 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 9th | Kuban | 14 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 14 | 12 | +2 | 20 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 10th | Torpedo Moscow | 14 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 16 | 26 | -10 | 16 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 11th | Zenith Peterburg | 14 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 18 | 22 | -4 | 15 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 12th | Rubin | 14 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 24 | -10 | 12 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 13th | Rostov | 14 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 20 | 34 | -14 | 10 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 14th | Tom | 14 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 13 | 26 | -13 | 9 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 15th | Uralan | 14 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 28 | -20 | 7 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 16th | Rotor | 14 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 35 | -24 | 7 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

</pre>

[BobBev]

Novaya Gazeta

Sunday July 23rd, 2006

Rostov Dent Spartak Hopes

A shock 2-0 defeat at Rostov has put a major dent in the title hopes of Spartak Moscow who now drop down to 7th place, seven points off the pace. The visitors had precious little luck all afternoon and were denied several good scoring opportunities by the excellence of the home keeper. The opening goal came via a dreadful misjudgement by keeper Dmitry Khomich who allowed a pass from fullback Martin Jiranek to dribble under his foot and over the line. The 21-year-old protested vigorously that he had prevented the whole off the ball from crossing the goal line but the referee’s assistant disagreed and signalled a goal. The second also stemmed from a disputed decision after Alexey Rudakov went down in the area under a challenge from Maxym Kalinichenko and a penalty was awarded. Once the fuss had died down Bennett Mnguni kept his cool to convert the spot kick and give his team a 2-0 lead. Spartak worked hard to reduce the deficit but fortune did not favour them and they were unable to mount a comeback.

[BobBev]

Novaya Gazeta

Monday July 31st, 2006

Moscow Derby Ends All Square

Moscow derbies don’t come much bigger than CSKA against Spartak and, like two heavyweight boxers, these two great rivals punched each other to a standstill. A game full of end-to-end attacking play finished all square as Sergey Kovalchuk’s opener was cancelled out by Vagner Love. Both teams really wanted the win, that much was clear to see, as the loser would have taken a blow to their title hopes. Despite the intensity of the game there was no scoring in the first half, the opening goal not coming until the 56th minute. And a fine goal it was as Kovalchuk, operating on the right wing for the first time this season, combined with Tarmo Kink and finished superbly. Barely ten minutes had passed before the irrepressible Love equalised, a quick free kick from substitute Rolan Gusev having caused consternation in the Spartak defence. As unpalatable as defeat would have been, neither side will be really happy with the draw either as it allows those teams ahead of them to open up a little more daylight in their quest for the title.

[BobBev]

From the Diary of Yuri Djerkinov

Tuesday August 1st, 2006

Our new signings are welcome although they will clearly take a little time to settle into the team. It has been a very poor month as far as results are concerned and I swear at times that I have been sorely tempted to take solace with a bottle of Wodka. But I made a promise to myself that for the sake of poor Misha I would not go down that path again and I am determined to stick to that resolution. A number of the players continue to be discontented with our league position but I can only repeat to them that they are the ones who can change it, not me. One notable exception has been Maxym Kalinichenko and he is developing into a very influential player in midfield.

[BobBev]

Ogonyok

Sunday August 6th, 2006

Spartak Get Welcome Win

Spartak Moscow ended a run of four draws and a defeat in their last five league matches with a much needed 2-0 defeat of Krylja Sovetov. They went into the break a goal to the good courtesy of a 31st minute strike from Nikita Bazhenov who intercepted a suicidal pass across the penalty area from Patrick Ovie and tucked the ball away. Their second came five minutes after the restart in rather bizarre circumstances. Centre back Adrian Iencsi was held back in the area by Maxim Bokov and a penalty was awarded. The Romanian defender opted to take the kick himself but his effort was saved by Dmitry Borodin. The ball broke to Sergey Kovalchuk but as he was about to pull the trigger he too was pulled back resulting in another penalty award. This time new signing Freddy Guarín took charge and he found the bottom corner with no mistake.

[BobBev]

Russky Telegraf

Friday August 11th, 2006

Spartak Find Euro Joy

Spartak Moscow travelled to Malta for the 1st leg of their UEFA Cup 2nd Qualifying round against Birkirkara with two new names added to the growing injury list. Left winger Andrejs Rubins will miss a month with a broken collarbone and backup fullback Dmytro Parfenov is out for ten days with a twisted knee. However they were able to welcome back Yegor Titov who has apparently made a successful return from surgery and took his place on the bench. There was little to trouble Spartak in this game and they ran out easy 3-1 winners. Maxym Kalinichenko impressed with two goals and Ãkos Buzsáky scored his debut goal. All of the goals came in the first half and the visitors were able to ease off after the break, bringing on Titov for a cameo appearance in the last 15 minutes.

[BobBev]

Semya

Monday August 14th, 2006

Titov Back With A Bang

Yegor Titov made a welcome return to the Spartak Moscow starting eleven and was an influential figure in his team’s 3-0 defeat of Tom. He made an immediate impact when his backpost cross early in the game was headed back across goal by Maxym Kalinichenko for Freddy Guarín to fire home and open the scoring. There was no further scoring in the first half but within ten minutes of the restart Kalinichenko was picked out by Alexandr Pavlenko and the Ukrainian midfielder finished neatly for his 5th goal of the season. Titov rounded off the scoring with 20 minutes remaining when he shot home from the edge of the area following a Kalinichenko corner. The 27-year-old Kalinichenko is proving to be a key player for Spartak this season and his form is overshadowing many of his more illustrious teammates.

[BobBev]

Sevodnya

Thursday August 17th, 2006

Title Race Still Too Tight To Call

We are almost two thirds of the way through the domestic season and the race for the Premiership title is as tight as ever. Leaders Lokomotiv Moscow came within ten minutes of defeat at home to Spartak after Alexandr Pavlenko gave the visitors a first-half lead. With Clemente Rodríguez and Alexandr Samedov added to their ever-growing injury list, Spartak held on gamely until the 79th minute when Erwin Avalos equalised with a superb header from the edge of the area. Shinnik retained second place with a 2-2 draw at Saturn and CSKA moved to third after a 2-2 draw at Zenith Peterburg. Surprise package Amkar dropped to 5th following a 2-1 defeat at Kuban and Spartak stay 6th.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| Pos | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 1st | Lokomotiv Moscow | 19 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 32 | 15 | +17 | 37 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 2nd | Shinnik | 19 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 31 | 19 | +12 | 36 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 3rd | CSKA Moscow | 19 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 36 | 17 | +19 | 35 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 4th | Saturn | 19 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 29 | +7 | 34 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 5th | Amkar | 19 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 35 | 21 | +14 | 34 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

| 6th | SPARTAK MOSCOW | 19 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 27 | 18 | +9 | 34 |

| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

</pre>

[BobBev]

Zavtra

Friday August 25th, 2006

Stroll In The Park For Spartak

Spartak Moscow completed a comfortable 6-0 win over Maltese side Birkirkara to rack up a 9-0 aggregate victory and progress into the 1st Round of the UEFA Cup. But the win came at some cost with three more players ending up in the treatment room. Martin Jiranek and Alexandr Pavlenko are expected to be back in action within a week but Denis Boyarintsev will miss at least a month with a torn groin muscle. Maxym Kalinichenko started the ball rolling for the home side after just 8 minutes with Yegor Titov adding the second a minute later. Having set up Titov’s goal, Pavlenko scored the third on 35 minutes when his attempted cross deceived the keeper and drifted into the top corner. It was one-way traffic for the entire game and Nikita Bazhenov got his 5th of the season on 67 minutes. The incessant pressure resulted in a an own goal being scored on 81 and substitute Ãkos Buzsáky wrapped up the scoring 5 minutes from time.

[chesterfan2]

Glad to see the boys back in form after that mini-slump. Good luck with the run in.

This is a very entertaining read BobBev, thanks for sharing it with us.

[BobBev]

Well thanks for reading along chesterfan2 - glad you are enjoying it

Izvestia

Monday August 28th, 2006

Kalinichenko Double Gives Spartak The Points

Two goals from man of the match Maxym Kalinichenko gave Spartak Moscow a win and three vital points at home to Zenith Peterburg. His first came on the half hour with a rocket from 25 yards out that fizzed into the back of the net. The visitors responded well however, and Denis Zabotin was in the right place to profit when keeper Dmitry Khomich could only parry a shot from Lukas Hartig. But a hard fought encounter was settled in favour of the home side on the hour mark when Kalinichenko fired home in a frantic goalmouth scramble after Yegor Titov had struck the bar from a corner and Tarmo Kink had his follow-up shot blocked on the line. Despite gaining the win the home side could not avoid their injury jinx as full back Dmytro Parfenov suffered a wrist injury that will sideline him for a week.

[axeman]

Just stick Parfenov's head into a bucket full of Vodka and he should be up and running in no time at all

Great going BobBev

[haze.13]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by axeman:

Just stick Parfenov's head into a bucket full of Vodka and he should be up and running in no time at all </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Axeman - from my current Russian experience that appears to be the reason why I have so many injuries at the moment

Good going BobBev. Watch out for those Army Men though

[axeman]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by haze.13:

Axeman - from my current Russian experience that appears to be the reason why I have so many injuries at the moment </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

But having those drinks might actually make them not give a damn eh?

[BobBev]

Give me a break guys – I’ve just got Yuri off the Wodka and now you want to me force-feed it to the players!

From the Diary of Yuri Djerkinov

Wednesday August 30th, 2006

Things certainly seem to be taking a turn for the better. Our league form has been much improved and the return of Yegor Titov is making a clear difference. It is wonderful to have a player of his ability back in the team and he is starting to make his presence felt. It was particularly gratifying to make a good start to our European campaign and hopefully we can build on that and get a good UEFA Cup run going. Not only would it be good for the club’s finances but it would also be a wonderful experience for many of the players as well. I sometimes forget just how young some of the boys are but they are maturing into quite decent players.

[BobBev]

Moskovskie Novosti

Friday September 15th, 2006

Stalemate In France

Spartak Moscow returned from the 1st leg of their UEFA Cup tie with Auxerre having secured a satisfactory goalless draw, a result that gives them a decent chance of progressing to the group stages. Despite the scoreline the game was not without incident with both sides creating chances and their respective goalkeepers both having to make some fine saves. Perhaps the best chance of the match fell to Sergey Kovalchuk in the 53rd minute when he found himself one-on-one with the keeper only to blast the ball high over the bar.