Mmm … Bribes
By: Martha | November 21st, 2007
As you may have heard, a miracle occurred on Saturday that left England, who had been expected to spend next summer playing golf, suddenly in a great position to qualify for the Euros.
All Steve McClaren’s boys need to do is take a point from Croatia at home today, and they’re through despite the months of being average at best. Russia, meanwhile, who put England in this position by losing to Israel on the weekend, are in trouble: In order to go through, they not only need to beat Andorra (not too big of a task), but also need Croatia to beat England. Already qualified, Croatia could understandably be lacking the motivation required to thrash England, so Russian billionaire Leonid Fedun has stepped in with the offer of some material motivation: Shiny new cars.
Fedun, who, in addition to a being one of Russia’s many kings of the oil industry, also happens to own Spartak Moscow, has announced that he’s got four brand new Mercedes to give away to some Croatians, should the team beat England and allow Russia to go through. One of them is apparently already promised to Croatia (and Spartak) keeper Stipe Pletikosa, but the other three are up for grabs, and will go to Croatia’s three best players on the day, assuming they are able to rise up and beat the arrogant Brits. Niiiiice — Croatia’s big boys will be fighting to get on the pitch now, suddenly unwilling to take the day off and watch the youngsters get a runout.
And don’t you think Fedun is just blowing smoke: He gave Pletikosa a Hummer H2 last year, just for helping Spartak take second in the Russian league. If Croatia actually win, Pletikosa will have to build a new garage in which to keep all his gifts.
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