The Cup of Football Legends was held in Moscow. In the first match Russia crashed Germany and then defeated Portugal 8-4.
Group A
Russia – Germany 10:4
Goals: Khlestov, 4; Smertin, 6; Alenichev, 14, 21 (p), 25; Kiryakov, 15, 34; Beschastnyh, 20, 40; Titov, 37 – Remer, 1; Neuville, 22, 39; Worns, 29.
Smertin scored the following way: moved to the center from the left wing and lashed a powerful shot – Germany goalkeeper could not save it.
We conceded the first goal, but due to our younger team squad we managed to win. Italy gave a fight to Ukraine (2:3). The arrangers wilfully separated Russia and Ukraine in two different groups to make the final more spectacular. As expected, we are playing in the final game. Both teams are ambitious.
Final
Russia – Ukraine 6:2
Goals: Titov, 3, 20, 40; Smertin, 15, 29; Yashkin – own goal, 23 – Nagornyak, 12; Fedorov, 38.
First Smertin finished the low cross into Ukraine penalty area, and in final minutes he got the ball after the collision of Titov with defender, dodged the goalkeeper and celebrated the 5th goal. Russia won the Cup for the 4th consecitive time. Egor Titov was rewarded as the best player.
Alexei Smertin, Russian team
As a participant of the three Legends Cups I can say this was the most tense match. That is why the victory is so tasty. Last year we scored against the Dutch team quite a lot and just played to the end. Today’s match was tense. Such victories are memorable.
