What impressions did the retromatch leave on the legends of Russian football

One of the most resonant events of May Day in Volgograd was the reconstruction of the historical football match of 1943 Dynamo (Stalingrad) – Spartak (Moscow). Retromatch viewers continue to post and comment on the event on social networks. Players and veterans of national football also shared their observations and impressions about the sports festival.

Peaceful football was played 80 years ago on the ruins of a victorious city. Stalingrad was destroyed, but this did not prevent the athletes from holding the legendary sports meeting. Then the Stalingrad team won, and now, in 2023, Muscovites have taken revenge.

But much more important than the final score is the emotions, memory and continuity that overwhelmed the participants and spectators. The reenactment of the match became part of a large program to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory at Stalingrad.

Some football players visited Volgograd for the first time, someone visited the city earlier, but everyone spoke kindly about the festive atmosphere and sports infrastructure. Dynamo Moscow midfielder Igor Semshov spoke about visiting Mamaev Kurgan, which he had previously seen only from the bus window.

– One word – goosebumps, – the Russian football player admitted. – We honored the memory of those who courageously defended our Motherland and thanks to whom we live today, we are entering the football field. We are proud of the generation of defenders of the Fatherland. I want my children, my family to come here too and feel it.

According to the guest, after the 2018 FIFA World Cup matches, Volgograd has changed for the better.

– The stadium is good, the lawn is beautiful, it was excellent even at the old stadium, – said Semshov. – Volgograd is a football city. An amazing atmosphere reigned at the stadium, so many people came to us – almost 40 thousand.

TV commentator Viktor Gusev also praised the Volgograd sports arena, activity and hospitality of the townspeople.

“You have very good people here, an amazing stadium,” Gusev said. – 36 thousand fans broke the record of the Russian Premier League. This season’s record set by the arena in St. Petersburg was beaten by 5,000.

And, of course, Gusev shared his impressions about the city itself – how it seemed to him.

– The city stands on a great river, which affects the spirit, mood, essence, – the TV journalist reflected. – The word “Stalingrad” sounds special for every Russian. Mamaev Kurgan is incomparable. A very good guide worked with us – she told the facts that shocked me to the core.

The legendary football player and coach Nikita Simonyan recalls that on June 13, 1946, he played for the Moscow team “Wings of the Soviets” against the Stalingrad “Tractor”, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

– But what was amazing – the city was still in ruins, it’s hard to imagine now: some tanks, steam locomotives on steam locomotives, tanks – after all, the war had just ended, and we were playing football. And the spectator went to the football.

The 96-year-old football patriarch liked the retro match.

– And what can I say about today – only a deep bow, – said Nikita Simonyan. You have extended my life. I don’t know for how long, but the fact that they extended it is absolutely certain. We built magnificent stadiums for the World Cup, and the fact that the World Cup was held at the highest level is also the merit of Volgograd.

The retromatch showed people’s great interest not only in sports, but also in the history of their native city and native country, in which a pool of thousands of fans wanted to be involved. Volgograd residents love both their stadium and football, they are proud of their hometown and its heroic past.