Its a strange thing. Two English teams are battling for the Champions League Cup in Moscow. The trophy is displayed on Red Square, which was converted into a giant fun park with even an improvised small soccer field. Its hard to believe that heavy tanks and nuclear rockets were displayed here only 2 weeks ago in a display of want to be a super power.

This soccer game is the biggest sports event in Moscow since the Olympics. Russians have a reason to participate. Roman Abramovitch, one of Russians richest men, has bought into Chelsea long ago and now his team has the opportunity to become the master of European soccer clubs. The fact that this is a British team is not of interest because its owned by a Russian, so its owned by Russia and so its a Russian team in the eyes of many here. Its this typical outbreak of nationalism again. Sorry, yes I know, its patriotism, but being a German I often view it as nationalism.

So something very strange is happening these days. While the UK and Russia are politically far away from each other and there are deep diplomatic tensions between these two countries, Russia and the UK are actually closer than ever on a private level. More than 40 000 fans are welcomed. The president even waived the visa restrictions for this game. Russian and British fans are kicking the ball on Red Square and even though there are language problems, they give each other a smile. World peace is so easy. If the English fans only knew, why the Russian fans are so enthusiastic about soccer these days and have that very special smile. Don’t get me wrong I am not suggesting that most of the Russian fans think they “own” this English club and therefor own the fans or a piece of it, that would probably go to far.

As for me, I am not a big soccer fan. I have never been. Still, I give my sympathy to Manchester United. Not only because they are the pure English team and not connected to Russia at all, but because it doesn’t have this stupid show off glamor a la Bayern München. Its this glamor that Russians live and like. Its what they look up to, although its just a fake, bought by money. United instead is the real deal. Soccer pure, as it should be. But hey, everybody has his own reasons to favor one or the other team. OK, I am off to work. If you want to read more, check my participation on Paul Handlers sports blog at the Manchester Evening News.