Russian champions Rubin Kazan caused one of the biggest shocks of recent times by beating European champions Barcelona at the Nou Camp. The 2-1 victory over the Spanish giants truly announced Rubin’s arrival on the European stage. Their rise has been incredible from zeros to heroes in a few short years.
Incredible rise
It’s more incredible due to the fact that Rubin were only promoted to the Russian Premier League for the first time in 2003. In their first season in the top flight they managed a superb third place but failed to make much more of an impact until clinching their first league title last season. They are currently favourites to retain their league crown this season but are in a five horse race for the title.
Rubin Kazan are only the third non-Moscow club to win the national championship. The league has been dominated by CSKA, Spartak and Lokomotiv before the recent success of Rubin and Zenith Saint Petersburg. Rubin also have the distinction of being the most eastern side ever to appear in the top flight of Russian football.
Hard work and teamwork
Rubin’s success has been based on hard work and good team ethic. Unlike some of teams around them they have not been built solely on oil millions. Their team ethic and togetherness has got them a long way since their promotion in 2003.
Current star players
They do have a few key players who are integral to the side’s success. They have a squad which is mostly Russian but they do have a touch of South American flair with players from Argentina and Ecuador.
A touch of South American flair
Argentinean attacker Alejandro Dominguez showed last season that he can provide the touch of flair and class needed in attack for Zenith Saint Petersburg and this season has proved a great success. He is in his second spell at the club after spending a year at Zenith. He was previously with Rubin for three years from 2004-2007.
Semak the General
In Rubin Kazan’s engine room Sergei Semak is the general. The Russian international is the club captain and is at the hub of everything that goes on through the team. The 33 year-old starred for his national team at Euro 2008 as they reached the semi-finals. His experience has been vital in a club that didnt have a lot of top flight experience.
The Turk
Turkish midfielder Gokdeniz Karadeniz has proved a big hit amongst the Rubin fans. He was the hero at the Nou Camp getting the winner against Barca. The Turkish international moved to Rubin from Trabzonspor due to the fact that there is a large Muslim population in the region. He was an integral part of the Rubin side that won the league title last season.
The Pretender
Striker Alexsandr Bukharov has impressed for Rubin in the last few seasons and he has a record of a goal every two games for the club. He’s been unfortunate to only win one cap for his country and more appearances for his national side are expected. The 24 year-old has time on his side and could still establish himself for his country.
Impact in Europe
The rise of Rubin Kazan has been a shock to the system of the more established Moscow clubs, just like the unexpected league victory by Zenith the season before. In the next few years some of the bigger European teams could also experience that same shocked feeling that Barcelona felt on Tuesday night. Rubin are very much a club on the rise and could turn out to be the ultimate dark horses in group F of the Champions League.
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