May 15th 2021
May 15th 2021 was a normal day for many russian people. It was a cold day, like most days, but that was nothing unusual, and for the majority of Russian Citizens, the day was uneventful. But for some diehard football fans, this day would be one the most important of their lives. It was the last day of the Russian Premier League season, and the title had not been decided. The 1st place team, CSKA Moscow were 2 points ahead of their crosstown rivals, Spartak Moscow. In their final game of the season, they would play each other. A point for CSKA would mean glory. A loss would mean devastation. 42,000 fans flooded into the Spartak Moskva, and thousands more watched the game unfold on their television. Now, we travel back in time to that game, a story told by the fanatical Russian announcers.
1st minute: And we’re off, Spartak start with the ball and they immediately look to score.
5th minute: It’s Jorge Brembilla with the ball now, he was bought by American Head Coach Jason Hunt last summer for 12.5 million pounds. He’s flicked it on to Alen Halilovic, who’s tapped it on to Nikolay Kretov. He has so much open space! He’s fired wide however and Spartak Moscow give a sigh of relief. That was a close call.
16th minute: Clemont Grenier has played the ball through to Bernado at the top of the box. Bernardo takes a touch, and fires it OFF THE BAR. Igor Akinfeev looks shaken in goal, and perhaps that Spartak chance will be one of many to come.
36th minute: It’s Evegeni Smetanin on the ball now, his contract was supposed to expire at the end of the season, and there was interest from both CSKA Moscow and At. Madrid to sign him on a free, but he signed a new contract with Spartak. He’s now found Rafael Carioca, who’s in the box. Both Carlos Witoszynki and Igor are pressuring. Carioca makes a move, and he’s HACKED DOWN BY WITOSZYNKI. The ref awards a PENALTY. It’s Smetanin who steps up to the spot, with tens of thousands of Spartak fans looking down on him. Igor Akinfeev looks determined to save this. Evegeni begins his run off, and GOAL FOR SPARTAK! He’s gone to the left while Igor Akinfeev has gone to the right. 1-0 to Spartak. If the result holds right now, that Spartak are champions.
45th minute: The ref has signaled for Half Time, and Spartak go into the the 2nd half with a 1-0 advantage and a very good chance at taking their second league title in a row.
71th minute: Carlos Witoszynki has the ball now, he flicks the ball onto Santiago Bitancourt. Bitancourt charges into the box and beats his defender. He shoots a finesse to the near post, and It’s blocked out for a corner. CSKA Moscow fans are holding their head in their hands, knowing that that was one of their best chances so far.
84th minute: Jorge Brembilla is now on the ball, he’s played the ball down to Alen Halilovic. Halilovic has been CSKA’s best player this year. He’s racked up 19 goals and 11 assists so far this year, and he was in the World team of the Year. He’s now played the ball across to Belshan Paskov, who’s gotten his head on the ball. The ball has just BOUNCED INTO THE BOTTOM CORNER OF THE GOAL. CSKA FANS ARE GOING WILD. Halilovic with assist number 12 to perhaps PROPEL CSKA TO THE TITLE!
90th minute: And THAT”S IT. THE REF BLOWS HIS WHISTLE. THE CSKA FANS RUSH ON TO THE PITCH TO GREET THE NEW CHAMPIONS. CSKA ARE THE CHAMPIONS.
![]()
CSKA Moscow did manage to win the title on the last day of the season, but the season wasn't a complete success. Just days after this game, CSKA would go on to lose the Russian Cup final to Spartak Moscow. Also, the club were eliminated from the Champions league after a loss to Betis. It is Jason Hunt’s job to carry the team on to more glory and success.
![]()
Thanks all for reading!
May 15th 2021 was a normal day for many russian people. It was a cold day, like most days, but that was nothing unusual, and for the majority of Russian Citizens, the day was uneventful. But for some diehard football fans, this day would be one the most important of their lives. It was the last day of the Russian Premier League season, and the title had not been decided. The 1st place team, CSKA Moscow were 2 points ahead of their crosstown rivals, Spartak Moscow. In their final game of the season, they would play each other. A point for CSKA would mean glory. A loss would mean devastation. 42,000 fans flooded into the Spartak Moskva, and thousands more watched the game unfold on their television. Now, we travel back in time to that game, a story told by the fanatical Russian announcers.
1st minute: And we’re off, Spartak start with the ball and they immediately look to score.
5th minute: It’s Jorge Brembilla with the ball now, he was bought by American Head Coach Jason Hunt last summer for 12.5 million pounds. He’s flicked it on to Alen Halilovic, who’s tapped it on to Nikolay Kretov. He has so much open space! He’s fired wide however and Spartak Moscow give a sigh of relief. That was a close call.
16th minute: Clemont Grenier has played the ball through to Bernado at the top of the box. Bernardo takes a touch, and fires it OFF THE BAR. Igor Akinfeev looks shaken in goal, and perhaps that Spartak chance will be one of many to come.
36th minute: It’s Evegeni Smetanin on the ball now, his contract was supposed to expire at the end of the season, and there was interest from both CSKA Moscow and At. Madrid to sign him on a free, but he signed a new contract with Spartak. He’s now found Rafael Carioca, who’s in the box. Both Carlos Witoszynki and Igor are pressuring. Carioca makes a move, and he’s HACKED DOWN BY WITOSZYNKI. The ref awards a PENALTY. It’s Smetanin who steps up to the spot, with tens of thousands of Spartak fans looking down on him. Igor Akinfeev looks determined to save this. Evegeni begins his run off, and GOAL FOR SPARTAK! He’s gone to the left while Igor Akinfeev has gone to the right. 1-0 to Spartak. If the result holds right now, that Spartak are champions.
45th minute: The ref has signaled for Half Time, and Spartak go into the the 2nd half with a 1-0 advantage and a very good chance at taking their second league title in a row.
71th minute: Carlos Witoszynki has the ball now, he flicks the ball onto Santiago Bitancourt. Bitancourt charges into the box and beats his defender. He shoots a finesse to the near post, and It’s blocked out for a corner. CSKA Moscow fans are holding their head in their hands, knowing that that was one of their best chances so far.
84th minute: Jorge Brembilla is now on the ball, he’s played the ball down to Alen Halilovic. Halilovic has been CSKA’s best player this year. He’s racked up 19 goals and 11 assists so far this year, and he was in the World team of the Year. He’s now played the ball across to Belshan Paskov, who’s gotten his head on the ball. The ball has just BOUNCED INTO THE BOTTOM CORNER OF THE GOAL. CSKA FANS ARE GOING WILD. Halilovic with assist number 12 to perhaps PROPEL CSKA TO THE TITLE!
90th minute: And THAT”S IT. THE REF BLOWS HIS WHISTLE. THE CSKA FANS RUSH ON TO THE PITCH TO GREET THE NEW CHAMPIONS. CSKA ARE THE CHAMPIONS.
CSKA Moscow did manage to win the title on the last day of the season, but the season wasn't a complete success. Just days after this game, CSKA would go on to lose the Russian Cup final to Spartak Moscow. Also, the club were eliminated from the Champions league after a loss to Betis. It is Jason Hunt’s job to carry the team on to more glory and success.
Thanks all for reading!
Good luck 
Hopefully the league win will give a core to the cup-winning side of the future! Keep it up 
