Russia won the annual Legends Cup for former football stars with a 6-2 win over Ukraine in the final in Moscow on Sunday.
Ex-Spartak Moscow attacking midfielder Yegor Titov was the hero with a hat-trick as Russia took their fourth title against a Ukraine side who entered the tournament as late replacements when Spain withdrew.
“It warms my heart that we beat Ukraine in the final. Having taken part in three [Legends Cup] tournaments, I can say that this was the most intense match,” midfielder Alexey Smertin, who scored two of Russia’s goals, told gazeta.ru.
“Victories like this live long in the memory,” said Smertin, who currently serves as vice-president of Lokomotiv Moscow.
Russia has now won all four editions of the Legends Cup, which has been played annually in Moscow since 2009.
This year’s competition also featured German striker Oliver Neuville and Dutch attacking midfielder Ruud Gullit, who briefly served as manager of Russian Premier League side Terek Grozny in 2011.
