Fighting spirit and warmth will be Russia's lasting legacy

Thousands of disconsolate Russian fans milling around Kuibyshev Square in Samara after the national team's heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Croatia on penalties in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday. Despite the painful defeat, the hosts can be proud
Thousands of disconsolate Russian fans milling around Kuibyshev Square in Samara after the national team's heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Croatia on penalties in the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday. Despite the painful defeat, the hosts can be proud of not just their football team's last-eight run, but the way the tournament has been organised to date. ST PHOTO: DAVID LEE
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The referee's whistle blew short and sharp, and for the 15,000 Russians fans at the Kuibyshev Square Fan Fest in Samara, it was like a stab to the heart.

It meant their nation's brave and unexpected run all the way to the World Cup quarter-finals had come to an end almost 2,000km away in Sochi on Saturday.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 09, 2018, with the headline Fighting spirit and warmth will be Russia's lasting legacy. Subscribe