News agencies have constantly found a worthy candidate in Russia as being a source of important political, financial, economic and sports news. This country though is known for its volatile environment presently continues to provide significant feed to news agencies primarily because of its contribution in sports. Sports in Russia have been a major source of positive international exposure with it also being one of the popular pastimes of the Russians.
A few of the sports these sports news agencies thrive on are those that surround the sports of rhythmic gymnastics, chess, football, basketball, ice hockey, ice skating and tennis. Of all these games, basketball, ice hockey, tennis and chess have brought the Russians plenty of glory odds betting.
With the end of the Soviet era, the nation was required to undergo several changes. These changes reflected inside the sports arena too. Football perhaps, was one of many games that was affected significantly from this change. Up until the Soviet era, it was probably the most popular and the most successful of all the sports that the Russians took part in.
Since the Soviet Union got separated into a number of smaller countries, the uniform football sports structure took a hit as well. With national teams and clubs becoming private enterprises, the Russian team as part of the Russian Premier League was affected rather badly. This league was at par with its European contemporaries lost a number of its members to this change. A few of the premier clubs also dwindled as they lost their government funding and were left in want of adequate sponsorship. Nevertheless, with changing times, football yet again emerged as a popular sport within the Russians. Russia presently has six Premier League teams alongside its national football team.
With new finances and sponsorships flowing in, the Russian Premier League is trying to get back its lost glory. Sports news agencies had a field day when Russia made its present felt once more in the Euro 2008 when they defeated Holland in the quarter final match.
Yet another sport that rose to great heights during the Soviet era was basketball. Since that time itself, Russia has been a strong contender in this particular sport, winning several championships. One of the most popular of them happen to be the Olympics, Basketball World Championships, The Eurobasket and the ULEB cup. Giving basketball competition in popularity is ice hockey. Ice Hockey has become popular sport amongst the Russians ever since the Soviet times as well. In keeping with its past success, ice hockey continues its dominance amongst the Russians, exporting 30 players to be a part of the National Hockey League related site.
Sports news agencies also keep track of developments from the sports of tennis, chess and ice skating. Many time champions in the Winter Olympics, Russia has directed the game by generating some of the worlds best pair and ice dancing skaters.
Tennis has had a huge contribution from Russia. A number of the worlds greatest mens and womens tennis champions are actually Russians. These Russians have gone onto make their mark with this sport by winning major events covered by sports news agencies from around the globe like the Wimbledon, the Olympics, the Davis cup and many other such hallowed tennis championships.
