Fresh from scoring three goals at Euro 2012, Russia’s Alan Dzagoev has gone back to school, or rather university, to defend his undergraduate thesis in front of a packed hall of students and academics.
The CSKA Moscow midfielder received top marks for his work, fittingly on the subject of optimal training methods for top-class football players, at Tolyatti State University in central Russia.
The 22-year-old playmaker said academic stress rivaled the pressure he felt on the football pitch, where he added to his reputation as Russia's top prospect at Euro 2012.
“Obviously I was nervous, I felt out of place,” he told R-Sport on Friday after his presentation on Thursday.
It is not unknown for Russian footballers to continue their studies as a backup if their playing ambitions are thwarted - Arsenal midfielder and Russia captain Andrei Arshavin holds a diploma in fashion design.
Elsewhere, former Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has a degree in law, while ex-Southampton striker Iain Dowie holds a masters degree in engineering and Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger studied economics.
Dzagoev scored twice in the 4-1 drubbing of the Czech Republic, and once in the 1-1 draw against co-host Poland before the team crashed out with a shock 1-0 defeat to Greece.
