Stalin and his Soccer Soldiers
Robert Edelman unravels the intriguing tale of the politics behind the rise-and-fall of a crack Red Army football team during the Cold War.
On November 21st, 1945, the Dynamo Moscow soccer team took the field at North London's fog-enshrouded White Hart Lane. In the third game of their goodwill tour of the United Kingdom, Dynamo, the Soviet champion, was to play and eventually defeat a war-depleted Arsenal side. Already the Soviet team had caused a sensation, drawing with Chelsea 3-3 while filling Stamford Bridge beyond its capacity. A few days later, they had overwhelmed a young Cardiff City team 10-1.
To continue reading this article you will need to purchase access to the online archive.
Buy Online Access Buy Print & Archive Subscription
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.
