Submitted by freenet on Sat, 18/12/2010 - 13:37
CHANNELS:
Moscow - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday vowed to host the 2018 World Cup at "a worthy level."
Immediately after Russia was announced as final winner of the bid, Putin told media that "Russia knows and loves football, and our country has everything for conducting the 2018 World Cup at a very worthy level."
Recalling many things for Russia to accomplish, Putin said: "But that is where the challenge is. That was precisely the advantage of our bid because it means the development of world football, but it also means the development of the sports, road, transport infrastructure for our country, the infrastructure that will be used not only by footballers or sport fans, but all Russians."
Putin thanked the FIFA executive committee members for its decision to trust Russia to host the 2018 World Cup. He said it was in tune with FIFA's philosophy to promote football globally, especially in regions where it is most needed.
Upon hearing the goods news, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also updated his Internet blog, saying: "Hurrah, we did it!"
At around 6:40 pm Moscow time when FIFA president Joseph Blatter opened the envelope and read out "Russia", thousands of Russians revelled in front of their television sets, celebrating the victory of their country.
Braving a chilling temperature of minus 16 degrees Celsius, most of Moscow soccer fans chose to celebrate the unusual victory in bars or restaurants.
In fact, all bars around the city were packed with soccer fans, awaiting the historic moment for the global football feast to come to eastern Europe for the first time.
At a bar in downtown Moscow, when Blatter announced the winner, fans with tight fists stretched out their arms, yelling and waving their national flags. One couple held tightly to each other for a long sweet kiss.
At this moment, no frigidity can triumph over a rejoice with drinking. "Today is a fiesta for every Russian who loves football!" one fan said.
Moscow streets were filled with ecstasy, with cars hoisting Russian flags rushing through with happy whistles. Some of them even lowered the car windows, shouting "Hurrah, we won!" into the air.
At subways with evening rush hour crowds, people holding flags could be seen expressing their joy.
The Russian bid includes 16 soccer venues in 13 cities, all in the European part of the vast country. - BuaNews-Xinhua