Team Russia’s performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup drew pride, joy and respect from Russian citizens, according to a poll carried out by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center and published on Thursday.
“The performance of the Russian team at the World Cup drew pride (47%), joy (36%) and respect (35%) from our citizens, while 28% more felt hope and 21% admiration,” the report on the poll says. Just 8% of those polled were disappointed with the national team’s performance and 7% were saddened by it. A paltry 1% of Russians felt ashamed by Team Russia.
More than half of Russians (55%) are going to watch the football match broadcasts, while 38% are not going to follow the championship. Among those polled, 63% are going to watch the World Cup final: 61% will watch it at home, at work or as guests, 1% of Russians will visit a bar or a cafo to watch the game, and 1% more will visit the fan zone for this purpose. Just 0.2% of those surveyed are going to watch the final at Luzhniki Stadium. One in five Russians (23%) forecast France’s victory, while 16% are certain that Croatia will win.
“Team Russia’s victories on the football field have united the nation and stirred pride for our guys and the country, while the defeat was met with respect for the players’ devotion and for their opponents. Russians showed themselves to be amiable hosts, and the outstanding performance by the national team intensified the festive atmosphere all the more, reviving confidence and hope for Russian football among (our) compatriots,” Director General of the Russian Public Opinion Research Center Konstantin Abramov commented on the survey data.
The Russian national poll was conducted on July 10, 2018, among 1,600 respondents with a margin of error of not more than 2.5% with a 95% probability.
England will battle Belgium for the third place in St. Petersburg, with that match scheduled to kick off at 17:00 Moscow time (GMT + 3) on July 14. The next day at 18:00 Moscow time Croatia will take on France in the final game at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
