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Russian community puts high hopes in World Cup

Russian-Australians celebrate the festival of 'Maslenitsa'.

Russian-Australians celebrate the festival of 'Maslenitsa'. Source: SBS News

As Russia prepares to host football's FIFA World Cup in June and July, Russian expatriates in Australia are also counting down the days.


The Maslenitsa celebrates the last week before Lent, and a recent gathering at a Sydney community hall was typical of Russians observing an important period of culture and cuisine.

But it is fair to say the thought of football is never far away.


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