CHECHEN SOCCER TEAM TO PLAY FOR RUSSIA IN UEFA CUP

POZNAN, August 26 (RIA Novosti's Leonid Sviridov) - Chechen Sports Minister Khainar Alkhanov said on Wednesday in an exclusive interview with RIA Novosti that Terek, a soccer team from the Chechen capital of Grozny, would not just be playing for Chechnya in its UEFA Cup game against Poland's Lech, but for all of Russia.

The team arrived in Poznan Wednesday afternoon, and during the flight the players joked, told stories, but hardly spoke about the upcoming game.

"The players are in a good mood," Mr. Alkhanov said during the team's evening practice, "they are ready to play hard."

"The Terek team feels a responsibility not only to the Chechen fans, but also to all Russian sports fans," Mr. Alkhanov said. "We will try not to let them down."

When asked about the team's chances in the game, the minister said: "We hope to play in the next round."

On Thursday, a charter plane will bring 150 fans from Grozny to support their team during the match.

Terek and Lech's second game in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup will be held at Poznan stadium on Thursday at 8 p.m., Greenwich time. Terek won the first game in Moscow, 1-0.