Former head coach of the national team, Vladimir Krikunov, recently shared his view that Russia remains a country where ice hockey holds a premier place in the sports landscape. He spoke on this belief in an interview with Sport Express, offering reflections on how hockey has shaped national sports identity for decades.
Krikunov noted that the most notable achievement in Russian football in recent years came during the 2018 World Cup staged on home soil. He highlighted the team’s brave run to the knockout stage, where the Russians upset Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout to advance to the quarterfinals. The performance will be remembered for the decisive moments when goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev stopped two penalties, contributing to a historic victory and a sense of national pride that permeated the country during the tournament.
In Krikunov’s view, football, while a global sport with widespread appeal, has not generated the same level of enduring triumphs for Russia as hockey has over the years. He remarked that football results, even when achieved in major tournaments, are only one piece of the larger picture of Russian sports success. The emphasis, in his assessment, should be on sustainable development and consistent excellence across disciplines, rather than relying on a few memorable matches that capture attention for a limited period.
The tournament itself had a clear outcome: the players coached by Stanislav Cherchesov delivered a memorable run that ended in the quarterfinals, where Croatia proved to be a formidable opponent. France ultimately emerged as the champions of the event, underscoring the global depth of talent in football that Russia faced on its home stage. Krikunov’s commentary invites readers to consider the broader context of Russian sports culture, where the popularity and prestige of ice hockey continue to shape public perception and investment, even as football remains a sport with immense global reach and a steady stream of competitive moments.
Earlier remarks from Krikunov also touched on comparative development between Russian hockey and the sport in Latvia. He drew attention to differences in infrastructure, youth development programs, and the overall ecosystem that supports long-term growth in each country. The comparison served to illustrate how national systems, coaching pipelines, and investment priorities influence outcomes on the ice and on the field, reinforcing the idea that national sports strength is built through consistent, strategic efforts rather than isolated successes.
Overall, the commentary presents a nuanced portrait of Russia’s sports identity. It suggests that while football can deliver memorable nights and symbolic victories, the deeper, sustained passion and excellence in hockey continue to anchor the country’s athletic narrative. As audiences in Canada and the United States follow these conversations, the emphasis remains on the values of perseverance, teamwork, and long-term development that drive both hockey and football culture across the North American and European sports landscapes. The discussion also underscores a broader truth about national sports ecosystems: while international tournaments offer splashes of glory, lasting influence comes from a coherent plan that nurtures talent from youth through the professional ranks, across multiple disciplines.