Former CSKA Moscow and USSR national team player Vladimir Ponomarev recalls a vivid team dinner in Belgium
Vladimir Ponomarev, once a forward for CSKA Moscow and a member of the USSR national squad, shared a startling memory from his playing days in an interview with Match TV. He described how, after an international friendly in Belgium, the players gathered for dinner at a restaurant. The coach of the USSR team, Nikolai Morozov, paid careful attention to the room’s atmosphere. He knew very well that the mood could drift toward excess after such matches, so he took decisive steps to keep things in check and ensure the evening remained within sportsmanlike bounds. There was a clear intention to avoid the trivial distractions that can undermine performance, especially on the eve of important tournaments. The memory highlights a practical, quiet leadership approach that Morozov favored, a way of emphasizing discipline without dampening camaraderie. The story is relayed with the sense that Morozov acted out of concern for the team and its shared goals, rather than out of rigid control. [Source: Match TV]
The tale centers on Valery Voronin, a teammate known for his wit and timing. In the recollection, Voronin jokingly asks a teammate, Sexton, whether he would like some vodka. The response is a simple confirmation, and Voronin hints that the vodka will appear on a plate, a visual cue that the dinner would take an indulgent turn. Several players signaled their agreement, and the anecdote unfolds with the kitchen responding to the unspoken demand. Waiters eventually deliver plates of vodka to the table, and the players respond in characteristic fashion. They drink with spoons, break bread to accompany the ritual, and, as the memory goes, the gathering became noticeably more animated as the evening wore on. Ponomarev notes that Morozov did not quite grasp the root of the issue in that moment, underscoring how easily a team can drift from focus when surrounded by celebratory habits after a long season. [Source: Match TV]
As a member of the USSR’s national team in the 1960s, Ponomarev contributed to the squad’s achievements on the world stage. He recalls the squad advancing to the semi finals of the 1966 FIFA World Cup, a testament to the talent and resilience that defined Soviet football during that era. The recollection offers a broader context for understanding how the team navigated the pressures and public scrutiny that came with international competition. The narrative situates these personal memories within the larger arc of enduring preparation, teamwork, and shared ambition that carried the national side through demanding tournaments. [Source: Match TV]
Earlier, Ponomarev also remembered another episode involving the USSR national team and visits to nightlife venues, a story that reflects the social dynamics of top-level football at the time. While the details differ from the Belgium dinner, the core theme remains: players balancing intense commitments with the social rituals that surround sports at the highest level. The recollection underscores the human side of athletes who lived and trained under the bright lights of international sport, and it offers a rare glimpse into the everyday moments that shaped their experiences on and off the field. [Source: Match TV]