‘Ros! Si! Ya!’ Energised Russia is one nation under a World Cup chant

Expectations could barely have been lower for the World Cup hosts, but with qualification for the last 16 confirmed a wave of optimism is lighting up the nation

They chanted it inside the St Petersburg Stadium on Tuesday night. They chanted it in Moscow, above ground in the fan zone and below, in the metro. They chanted it in the restaurants and bars, and later, inebriated, they chanted it in the fountains. The main chant of this World Cup is not complicated. It’s the name of the host country, drawn out over three long syllables, and repeated ad infinitum: “Ros! Si! Ya!”

It was Uruguay’s win against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday afternoon that confirmed Russia’s advance to the next stage, but with two wins and a goal difference of +7, Russia’s progression was all but wrapped up at the end of the Egypt game the evening before.

Continue reading...

from The Guardian https://ift.tt/2MFptfI