Swamp soccer and bumper ball: World Cup fever hits Russia
A man plays football while wearing giant shoes as he takes part in a fun contest prior to the Russian Cup final outside the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd, Russia May 9, 2018. Picture taken May 9, 2018. REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva
Ahead of the World Cup, soccer-loving Russians have been playing the beautiful game in all its eclectic glory.
Be it swamp soccer, big shoe football or motoball on motor-bikes, Reuters photographers have captured enthusiasts playing the sport's niche offshoots ahead of the World Cup that kicks off in Russia on June 14.
Football players in giant inflatable balls spar in a game of bumper ball in a gym hall in Moscow. Outside the capital in the town of Vidnoye, a helmeted motorcyclist for the Metallurg motoball club watches as a ball rolls past a flailing goalkeeper.
Men play football while wearing giant shoes as they take part in a fun contest prior to the Russian Cup final outside the Volgograd Arena in Volgograd, Russia May 9, 2018. Picture taken May 9, 2018. REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva
In the northern Leningrad region, mud-caked footballers spurn conventional pitches altogether and take to playing in a swamp. In the southern region of Chechnya, which was rebuilt after two devastating wars, men on crutches play amputee soccer.
Members of Metallurg motoball club train at a stadium in the town of Vidnoye outside Moscow, Russia May 18, 2018. Picture taken May 18, 2018. REUTERS/Maxim ShemetovMembers of Metallurg motoball club train at a stadium in the town of Vidnoye outside Moscow, Russia May 18, 2018. Picture taken May 18, 2018. REUTERS/Maxim ShemetovSchoolchildren play bumper ball, the game involving strapping football players into giant inflatable balls, at a sports facility in Moscow, Russia May 12, 2018. Picture taken May 12, 2018. REUTERS/Tatyana MakeyevaSchoolchildren play bumper ball, the game involving strapping football players into giant inflatable balls, at a sports facility in Moscow, Russia May 12, 2018. Picture taken May 12, 2018. REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva TPX IMAGES OF THE DAYMembers of Knauf swamp football team fight for the ball during a training session in the village of Pogi in Leningrad Region, Russia May 19, 2018. Picture taken May 19, 2018. REUTERS/Anton VaganovMembers of Knauf swamp football team fight for the ball during a training session in the village of Pogi in Leningrad Region, Russia May 19, 2018. Picture taken May 19, 2018. REUTERS/Anton VaganovEnthusiasts take part in a Panna football tournament, a game played one on one inside a special cage, near the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia May 1, 2018. Picture taken May 1, 2018. REUTERS/Maxim ShemetovEnthusiasts take part in a Panna football tournament, a game played one on one inside a special cage, near the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia May 1, 2018. Picture taken May 1, 2018. REUTERS/Maxim ShemetovPlayers of Laman Az amputee soccer team attend a training session at a stadium in the Chechen capital Grozny, Russia May 25, 2018. Picture taken May 25, 2018. REUTERS/Said TsarnayevPlayers of Laman Az amputee soccer team attend a training session at a stadium in the Chechen capital Grozny, Russia May 25, 2018. Picture taken May 25, 2018. REUTERS/Said Tsarnayev
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