BARVIKHA, November 21 (R-Sport) – Russia’s space-themed playing strip for the 2014 football World Cup was officially unveiled at a lavish ceremony Thursday thrown by kit maker Adidas.
The event in the Moscow suburb of Barvikha was held a month after coach Fabio Capello led Russia to its first World Cup in 12 years.
The new jersey features a deeper red than that worn during the two-year qualification campaign, and dispenses with the thin sash-style diagonal strip that carried the colors of the national flag.
It also features a watermark of a monument to the conquerors of space, a nod to Russia’s proud history of cosmic exploration.
The shorts and socks are also red, completing a kit reminiscent of the scarlet Kremlin walls.
"The people of Russia were our inspiration for this kit," said Adidas creative performance director James Carnes. "We chose a deeper sense of two reds that represent the pioneering spirit," he said.
"The idea as to commemorate the moment when Russia was the first country in space."
"It's a really great kit," said wingback Dmitry Kombarov.
The German multinational company is providing kits for eight teams in Brazil.
"These will be the lightest football uniforms ever created," said Adidas creative performance director James Carnes. "The entire kit is 40 percent lighter than those worn four years ago."
Russia qualified by winning Group F by one point ahead of Portugal.
