The tactical preparations are complete, and the selections are finalized. Rugby clubs Fili and Bogatyri are set to clash in a PARI Higher League encounter in Moscow, and the official starting lineups for both sides have now been publicly confirmed.
This fixture represents the 4th round of the current season. For Fili, this match holds particular significance, offering an early opportunity for redemption after suffering a substantial defeat against Bogatyri in the previous season. The announcement of the starting fifteen and reserve players provides valuable insight into the strategic decisions made by the coaching staff ahead of this crucial league tie.
Below is the confirmed starting lineup for Fili:
- 1. Artyom Blokhin
- 2. Maxim Martynov
- 3. Matvey Shiryaev
- 4. Georgy Turov
- 25. Alexander Kuroyedov
- 6. Semyon Kondrashkin
- 24. Vadim Mochalin
- 8. Pavel Gribkov
- 9. Artyom Vdovin
- 10. Iustin Petrushka
- 11. Sergey Koltukov
- 12. Nikita Doropienko
- 13. Anton Yunisov (c)
- 14. Ignaty Nekrasov
- 15. Ali Shaykhattarov
Reserves:
- 18. Dorob Gulov
- 16. Dmitry Muravyov
- 17. Maxim Tsinkovich
- 19. Ivan Bryzgalin
- 20. Filipp Zabolotnev
- 21. Illarion Khatiashvili
- 22. Daniil Kozlov
- 23. Arseny Kropov
And here is the lineup for Bogatyri – a name that translates roughly to `Heroes` or `Champions`, perhaps fitting given their performance in the previous season`s encounter:
- 1. Andrey Tatarko
- 2. Vyacheslav Grigorashchenko
- 3. Kirill Chekulaev
- 4. Georgy Borovikov
- 5. Igor Mitin
- 6. Kirill Parkhomenko
- 7. Daniil Zhukov (c)
- 8. Nikolay Sukhoviy
- 9. Nikita Bondarenko
- 10. Ruslan Krivolap
- 11. Viktor Demchenko
- 12. Evgeny Sorokin
- 13. Sergey Gerasimov
- 14. Samvel Akopyan
- 15. Ilya Chernyshov
Reserves:
- 16. Nikita Salangin
- 17. Sergey Krutko
- 18. Viktor Ilkevich
- 19. Ivan Kuzminov
- 20. Sherzod Dzhurayev
- 21. Alexander Denisenko
- 23. Ilya Kuklin
- 22. Anzor Usmanov
The confirmation of the squads means all eyes now turn to the pitch at the Fili stadium. The coaching decisions are finalized, and the chosen players bear the responsibility of executing the planned strategy. For Fili, hosting the `Heroes` provides the perfect stage to demonstrate their progress since their last meeting and to secure valuable points in the league standings.
The match is scheduled to commence with the initial kick-off on July 12, at 17:00 Moscow time.
Rupert Caldwell 
Tristan Blackwood