Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who until very recently was unable to skate, on Friday participated in an informal game of ice-hockey between young players from Russian provincial teams.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankRussian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who until very recently was unable to skate, on Friday participated in an informal game of ice-hockey between young players from Russian provincial teams.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who until very recently was unable to skate, on Friday participated in an informal game of ice-hockey between young players from Russian provincial teams.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankThe game was held in Moscow's Luzhniki sports complex and involved teams from the cities of Chelyabinsk and Penza.
The game was held in Moscow's Luzhniki sports complex and involved teams from the cities of Chelyabinsk and Penza.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankThese sides faced off in the final of the Golden Puck Russian junior hockey tournament on Saturday.
These sides faced off in the final of the Golden Puck Russian junior hockey tournament on Saturday.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankPutin was wearing a uniform with number 11 and his surname on it.
Putin was wearing a uniform with number 11 and his surname on it.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabank"I congratulate you on getting into the final," Putin said before the game. The boys knocked on the ice with their sticks in return.
"I congratulate you on getting into the final," Putin said before the game. The boys knocked on the ice with their sticks in return.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankPutin promised to learn to skate during a video conference with young Russian sportsmen in February 2010.
Putin promised to learn to skate during a video conference with young Russian sportsmen in February 2010.
Putin kicks the puck.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankPutin managed to score only from the forth attempt.
Putin managed to score only from the forth attempt.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankThe prime minister said he liked a feeling when he was skating and compared it to skiing.
The prime minister said he liked a feeling when he was skating and compared it to skiing.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabank"It's a dynamic kind of sport...it is exciting and resembles alpine skiing a little," Putin said after the match.
"It's a dynamic kind of sport...it is exciting and resembles alpine skiing a little," Putin said after the match.
© RIA Novosti . Alexei Nikolskiy / Go to the mediabankPutin suggested everyone should learn to skate.
Putin suggested everyone should learn to skate.
Putin took a photo with young sportsmen.