Russia Wins

5 July 2010 - The Football World Cup in South Africa has entered its last week and national sentiments in the last four qualifying countries are flying high. However, it is not only in Holland, Germany, Spain and Uruquay that emotions are felt. In Russia an independent poll, conducted between June 18 and 22, surveyed 1,600 Russian adults across 130 cities. A stunning 8% believed that their national team would win the World Cup - despite the fact that it never qualified for the tournament. When the Russian team was denied a place to play in South Africa by Slovenia, the nation was shattered and Dutch coach Hiddink was kicked out. I am hesitant about Russian nationalist sentiments, but their blind confidence in the football team needs to be admired.