2018 WORLD CUP: How one Russian nearly made it to the very first finals in 1930
KEIR RADNEDGE in MOSCOW —- Russia might have been represented at the historic, first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930. In fact a further 28 years passed before the Soviet Union did appear at the finals and never yet have their Russian successors appeared in the knockout stages.
That tally almost certainly will need amending after Russia’s 3-1 victory over Egypt and Mohamed Salah in St Petersburg.
The story of the Russian who did not quite make it is in the journal of Jules Rimet, the French president of world federation FIFA from 1921 to 1954 and the ‘father’ of the World Cup.
Chaliapin . . . last resting place in Novodevichy
Rimet persuaded four European nations to sail to Uruguay in 1930. They sailed together on the Italian liner Conte Verde. Also aboard was the Russian opera singer Feodor Chaliapin, set for a South American concert tour.
On crossing the equator Chaliapin – born in Kazan – was invited to sing at a celebratory party. He declined, insisting he must save his voice for his concerts. Rimet duly invited him to attend the World Cup as FIFA’s guest.
Sporting absence
In fact Chaliapin disembarked in Rio de Janeiro and never made it on down to Montevideo. Hence no Russian presence at the first finals after all. Not even one bass, never mind the three tenors who eventually graced the World Cup in Italy in 1990.
Those were the years when Stalin’s Soviet Union stood aloof. The USSR entered the Olympics first in 1952, won Olympic football gold in 1956 and only then entered the World Cup. In goal was the legendary Lev Yashin, whose image adorns the World Cup poster.
The Soviet Union reached the finals on seven occasions, failing in the group stage only once and with a best finish of fourth in 1966. Their Russian successors are in the finals for the fourth time with nothing to boast about – yet.
Just to round off the history lesson: Chaliapian died in 1938 and is interred in the Novodevichy Cemetery, a 20-minute stroll from Luzhniki; the Conte Verde was scrapped in 1949; Rimet died in 1956.
The World Cup lives on. Heathier than ever.
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