Top 30 most influential people in Russian hockey

Sports.ru compiled a list of the most influential figures in Russian ice-hockey. Among them oil tycoons, local governors and politicians, sporting personalities and the man who created the KHL.

Roman Pavlyuchenko: Redknapp would always single me out as a bad English-speaker

Roman Pavlyuchenko’s transfer to Lokomotiv Moscow was completed in the nick of time; Sports.ru was the first media resource to confirm the deal. After all the details of his contract were finalised, the former Spurs man went to London to pick up his family. Our correspondent Yury Dud caught up with him on the way to the airport and asked him a few questions – about Anzhi, his struggle with the English language and the British visa.

Who is Mr. Zingarevich?

Anton Zingarevich, a 29-year-old businessman from Saint Petersburg, recently completed the takeover of the English Championship side Reading. Thus he became the fifth Russian shareholder of a British club, following the footsteps of Roman Abramovich, Alisher Usmanov, Maxim Demin, and Vladimir Antonov. Sports.ru correspondents Denis Romantsov and Vladislav Voronin decided to ask him a few questions about his past, as well as to find out what the regular English fans think about yet another Russian fat cat in the Premier League. Finally, our duo compiled a list of five more «sons of oligarchs» in Russia, who decided to try themselves in the business of football.

Ettore Messina: Before coming to the NBA I wrongly believed Europeans were better shooters

Former CSKA Moscow coach, now the assistant coach at the LA Lakers, Ettore Messina continues his regular blogging job on Sports.ru. This time the Italian once again reflects on the differences between European and American basketball, telling about the peculiar «defensive three seconds rule», quick hands, and the length of NBA games.

Ettore Messina: This season has been like a non-stop basketball clinic so far

Former CSKA Moscow coach Ettore Messina has been facing new challenges since he stepped in an assistant coach at the LA Lakers. In the new edition of his Sports.ru blog the Italian tells about the principles of his new team, the famous «triangle» offence, and reveals the similarities between the Lakers and CSKA.

Samuel Eto’o: I’ve had an offer from Uzbekistan, bigger than the one from Anzhi

Having spent three months at Anzhi Makhachkala, Samuel Eto’o gave his first big interview to a Russian publication. Sports.ru editor-in-chief Yury Dud put a few dozen questions to one of the most expensive players in the world and learned about the 25-million offer from Uzbekistan, a flasher-equipped car, and an autograph on the buttock of a crazy female Barcelona fan.

Ana Ivanovic: I want a big family, with at least three kids

Sisterly tears, The Hangover movie, a love affair with a golfer, and some distant family plans – Ana Ivanovic talks anything but tennis in her exclusive off-season interview with Sports.ru.

Russian Premier League: 9 things you should know about Matchday 32

Two goalkeeping debuts, Gokdeniz Karadeniz as a dog expert, yet another Lacina Traore’s goal against Spartak Moscow, feebleness of the Moscow teams in Kazan, football in Tomsk at minus 15 Celsius, and even more tidbits in our collection of the most important, interesting, funny, and sometimes sad things that happened within the latest matchday of the Russian championship.

The End!

The NBA lockout is over, which means the stars who had left for Europe will soon come back. In expectation of the imminent parting, Timofey Mozgov begins to bid farewell to the supporters of BC Khimki and tells about what these months in Russia gave him – all in his blog at Sports.ru.

Russian Premier League: 9 things you should know about Matchday 31

Banned laser pointers, Boussoufa’s bizarre foul, Alexey Andronov likeness to Valery Karpin, and even more tidbits in our collection of the most important, interesting, funny, and sometimes sad things that happened within the latest matchday of the Russian championship.

Well-forgotten old

In his Sports.ru blog Timofey Mozgov tells about how he settles in Khimki and adapts to European basketball once again and recalls the defeat at Charleroi, where his team lost the most important game of the season.

Nikita Filatov: I think it’s no secret that I’m a first or second line player

As the new NHL season is about to begin, we bring to mind our interview with Ottawa Senators’ new signing Nikita Filatov who told Sports.ru last month how he prepared himself for the upcoming season, why he decided to come to Ottawa before the opening of the training camp, what local fans were talking about, and what in fact he had been promised by the Senators.