St. Petersburg, July 25 – R-Sport, Alexander Rogulev. The first official event of the World Cup in 2018 – the draw for the qualifying rounds of the tournament – took place on Saturday at the Konstantinovsky Palace near St. Petersburg .
The Russian national team, which will participate in the final stage of the 2018 World Cup as the host of the tournament, in the European qualification included in the group H, where the team will play Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Estonia and Cyprus. With them, the Russians will play one or two matches.
Here comes the dream
For us the preliminary draw for the World Cup began on the bus or, more precisely, about him. We ran as best they could to catch the train to shuttle to the Konstantinovsky Palace, but only looked at the way through the glass front of us spread his hands the driver: bus moved from its place second in the second, and late for such global events to wait pending.
In general, the “internal” organization of the draw in St. Petersburg to the pain resembled the Olympics, and a half years after the Games entirely forgotten us. As in Sochi, it was on a grand scale: the volunteers at each step of the route, two shuttles, a majestic complex built next to the Konstantinovsky Palace only for the draw. It is terrible to imagine what awaits us in the days of the World Cup, if in three years the organizing committee has gone on such expenditure.
It is a temporary building, but not in the palace, was held the ceremony of the draw. The organizing committee was able to use the dimensionless territory imperial residence. Even between the dining room for reporters and press center walked special transport, not to mention the guests. And all the workers in the territory of a door marked sign with the slogan of the draw: “Here comes the dream”.
himself Konstantinovsky Palace became only a temporary haven for the distinguished guests of FIFA. On the terrace with a divine view of the Gulf of Finland and the pattern “Welcome FIFA” were placed snacks and ice samovars and vodka. Red carpet is located on the opposite side of the building, but it turned out a little duller than expected. We were waiting for her funny stories, but only got beautiful shots.Journalists wife conquer Diego Forlan, whose dress was not less than scarlet, than the track. For guests of the draw, by the way, I had a choice: to come to a business suit or national. We tried to find at least one man in the embroidered shirt, but women in red and pink accompanied only strict “suites.” A pity.
Dresses in color Russian flag
The ceremony identified supermodel and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova, and a star of the First Channel Dmitry Shepelev. Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko at the beginning of the year at a meeting argued: “Who else is known all over the world and who will become a real decoration of the draw? As for me, only Natalia Vodianova!”. She really graced the ceremony, changing her dress three times go from white to blue, and after – in the red.
The draw opened two presidents Vladimir Putin and Joseph Blatter. Hall expectedly met them standing up, climbing the wave of the left (where there were Vitaly Mutko, Nikita Simonyan, our Olympic champions, Alexander Kerzhakov and other important guests) to the right. FIFA President was generous compliments to Russia, saying: on the eve of the executive committee adopted a special resolution. “It assures FIFA Russian Federation in its full support for the project of the World Cup in Russia in 2018,” – said Blatter.If the hall in the early evening still doubted when to applaud and when – no, there was unanimous: the guests applauded the president of FIFA for a long time and rhythmically. Before going on stage Blatter had a long conversation with the head of the country on the upper floors of the palace, where even the VIP-guests entrance was ordered. “The choice of Russia for the World Cup will increase the popularity to expand the geography of football. I think this and the members of the FIFA Executive Committee guided by when taking a decision on the choice of the country for 2018″, – Putin said.
After the official speeches, some mixed terrain of the costume show came on the scene FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, who on Friday directly hinted its readiness to step down after the departure of FIFA Blatter. Vodianova asked how many such events in regulations prescribed kisses Valcke kissed her three times. “Good job you” – Shepelev, envied him.
Russia again in group H
With the release Valcke began working part of the draw. First there was the draw made intercontinental play-meetings. Balls pulled herself Vodianova, hardly realizing what an important mission entrusted to her. As a result, the fourth team from the Football Confederation of North and Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), and will play the team with the fifth Asia and the fifth team of South America to meet with the representative of Oceania.
Next Rinat Das and Samuel Eto’o have identified a pair of the African zone, the home team Cameroon former striker, “Anji” pulled out of the first. Following was the area of North and Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF). Fabio Cannavaro sent to Honduras Mexicans and Americans – to Trinidad and Tobago.
Draws Asian zone was not there now matches are held, and to sharpen the focus in Oceania will not: it is enough that the national team of New Zealand Fiji will play with the team. In South America, we are determined only by the calendar of matches, because there are all teams play each other round robin tournament. Of interesting fell that teams of Chile and Brazil will begin qualifying round between them. “Our hard to have no Neimar” – immediately commented on the news Ronaldo leading the ceremony.
A snack organizers have laid the euro zone. Naturally, it was the most interesting. In general, they are as follows:
Group A – the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Bulgaria, Belarus, Luxembourg;
Group B – Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Andorra;
Group C – Germany, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Norway, Azerbaijan, San Marino;
Group D – Wales, Austria, Serbia, Ireland, Moldova, Georgia;
Group E – Romania, Denmark, Poland, Montenegro, Armenia, Kazakhstan;
Group F – England, Slovakia, Scotland, Slovenia, Lithuania, Malta;
Group G – Spain, Italy, Albania, Israel, Macedonia, Liechtenstein;
The group H – Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus.
Group I – Croatia, Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland.
Given that the Russians could not get a group together with the team of Ukraine, they are ahead of schedule were sent to the company teams from Group H. After the draw is confirmed Mutko: “In general I would say that it is good for us subgroup, a variety of opponents, there is the opportunity to meet with such top teams as Belgium,” – said the Minister of Sport.
Croatia offered Russia a meeting
Mixed Zone after the ceremony was a mess. To reporters out a coach or a football official, he is set upon on a wave of reporters that a couple of questions in German or French rolls back to the wall. All you ever wanted to communicate in English or waiting for representatives of Russia. However, no centralized Russian chat with reporters and did not leave. Home World Cup begins the traditional attitude to the media.
In this case the protection of the Konstantinovsky Palace after the departure of chief guest significantly weakened attention. We were able to pass freely into the back yard of the palace, where the waste from the ceremony of its main faces. Immediately he appeared Acting RFU president Nikita Simonyan, who mean the journalists was very surprised, but to answer questions refused.“The final schedule and opponents of the Russian national team friendly matches will be determined after the appointment of the head coach, and taking into account its opinion. At the same time now negotiating the friendly match against Croatia” – said Simonyan agency “F-Sport”.
In general, the first event of the 2018 World Cup held cloudless, matching of the weather, which was established in St. Petersburg on Saturday. The organizing committee “Russia 2018″ begins the chore of preparing for the tournament and national team – preparation for the selection round cycle. The draw for the finals of the 2018 World Cup will be held in Moscow, but it is only two and a half years – in December 2017.
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