Ramona and I have the privilege to attend the professional soccer team of St. Petersburg’s game today. Yuri the son of our friend Sveta is playing for the opposing team today. It is a great joy to see him playing this game professionally. The excitement in the air is something unlike I have felt in any American stadium. There is one small section of the opposing team’s fans which have armed riot police surrounding them. There is another section of riot police standing above this section ready to join the other should a fight break out. St. Petersburg beat Nalchik today 4 to 3 in a close match that in which 4 goals were scored in the last 10 minutes of the match.

Instead of our custom of singing the national anthem, the Zenit fans are singing a long (could have been 7 minutes long) team hymn.

One of the first goals of the game when the Nalchik player off a corner kick headed the ball into Zenit’s goal. A beautiful goal!!

Ramona and our friend chatting during the half time. A beautiful 70 degree evening for a great soccer game!