Moscow – One City Four Top Teams

Despite of all political controversies and disputes Moscow remains an awesome tourist destination with a lot of attractions to see.

One of them can be a football game. This huge city has four top level football clubs with old and replete history. One of them is Dynamo Moscow.

Dynamo Moscow is the oldest Russian football club and the only one that has always played in the top tier of the Soviet (for the Soviet era – sharing this achievement jointly with Dynamo Kiev) and the Russian football competitions, having never been relegated to the lower divisions. Originally Dynamo Moscow has its roots in the club Morozovtsi Orekhovo-Zuevo Moskva founded as a factory team in 1887.

During the Soviet era, it was affiliated with the MVD (Ministry of Internal Affairs – The Soviet Militia) and the KGB. Chief of the Soviet Union’s first secret police force, the notorious Cheka, Felix Dzerzhinsky and boss of the Soviet security and secret police apparatus (NKVD), Lavrentiy Beria were among the patrons of the club in early Soviet era.

This kind of superior support played first role in the club’s success. The greater part of it was right after the second world war and overall Dynamo’s 11 national titles made it the country’s third most decorated side behind Dynamo Kiev (13 titles) and Spartak Moscow (12 titles). Dynamo’s greatest achievement in Europe to this day was in the 1971 European Cup Winners’ Cup where they reached the final.

Dynamo’s biggest opponent is Spartak Moscow and their games are one of the biggest sporting and political rivalries in world football. Originated in the 1923 Moscow Championship, it was the most important game in the Soviet Union for more than three decades, attracting thousands of fans to every game. Following Dynamo’s decline in the late 70’s the heated rivalry has faded. Recently there’s a growing rivalry with Zenit St. Petersburg and to a lesser extent, neighbours CSKA Moscow and Lokomotiv Moscow.

Their ground used to be the historic Dynamo Stadium in Petrovsky Park. In 2008, it was closed for demolition. It is to be replaced by VTB Arena in 2016, which is designed for World Cup 2018 and will have a capacity of 27,000 (adjustable up to 45,000). In the meantime, Dynamo has shared Arena Khimki with rivals PFC CSKA Moscow since 2010. This stadium is situated in a lovely location near river reservoir in one of the Moscow suburbs not far from the major sights of the Russian capital.

At the moment Dynamo Moscow is one of the most modern and wealthiest football clubs in Russia and consistently signs-up on great contracts famous players from Europe. This fact allows them to compete worthily with any team in the Russian Premier League. It turns most of their games into an interesting event to visit.

Dynamo has an army of supporters across Russia and former ex-Soviet republics. Their main allies are fans of CSKA Moscow and fans of Spartak Moscow and Zenith St Petersburg are their worst enemies.

Moscow is definitely one of the numerous places around the world that one must see. Beside its unique and interesting football life you will be overwhelmed by its beauty, the incredible buildings, art, architecture, shopping, excellent food, and very friendly people.