World Cup brings village community closer

World Cup brings village community closer

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Dimitri Strazhkov dreams about becoming a professional player with CSKA Moscow and one day being called up to play for Russia's national team.

The 15 year-old and other boys of all ages train every day at a small soccer field in the village of Aleksandrovka that was built only five years ago as a present from the town of Samara.

Located in the heart of a village with about 1,500 inhabitants, and under the watchful eye of a statue of Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin, it serves the community as both an outlet for the teenagers to express themselves and as a meeting place for residents old and young.

. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray
Children play soccer on a pitch next to a school in the village of Alexandrovka.

For the kids in the village, the soccer field is at the centre of many of their close-knit relationships.

"We call each other, we text on social media and knock on each other's door. Then we agree on a time to come to the soccer field," Strazhkov told Reuters on Saturday.

On the field, the players try to emulate the skills of their heroes on television.

The host nation's early success in the tournament has only amplified the status of popular players such as Aleksandr Golovin or Igor Akinfeev. But the foreign talents on display, including those of Russia’s next opponents Spain, have also

inspired the children of Aleksandrovka.

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Slideshow

Goal posts stand in an overgrown soccer field.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

Goal posts stand in an overgrown soccer field.

A newly constructed Russian Orthodox church stands behind an old church.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

A newly constructed Russian Orthodox church stands behind an old church.

Paintings adorn the ceiling of a newly constructed Russian Orthodox church.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

Paintings adorn the ceiling of a newly constructed Russian Orthodox church.

Gas pipes and chairs stand in front of a home.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

Gas pipes and chairs stand in front of a home.

An outdoor toilet stands in a field.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

An outdoor toilet stands in a field.

Jaroslav Aleeksev uses a water pistol as he plays outside his grandmother's home.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

Jaroslav Aleeksev uses a water pistol as he plays outside his grandmother's home.

A children's playground stands in front of a statue of Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

A children's playground stands in front of a statue of Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin.

Irina Aleekseva checks the honey in the bee hives at the back of her home.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

Irina Aleekseva checks the honey in the bee hives at the back of her home.

A gas bottle stands out the front of a home.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

A gas bottle stands out the front of a home.

Irina Aleekseva pulls a goat out of her vegetable patch.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

Irina Aleekseva pulls a goat out of her vegetable patch.

Irina Aleekseva skins a chicken in her yard.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

Irina Aleekseva skins a chicken in her yard.

Irina Aleekseva prepares a meal in the kitchen of her home.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

Irina Aleekseva prepares a meal in the kitchen of her home.

Jaroslav Aleeksev sits on a bed in his grandmother's home.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

Jaroslav Aleeksev sits on a bed in his grandmother's home.

A farmer holding a TV remote waves from the front gate of his home during half-time of a Soccer World Cup game.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

A farmer holding a TV remote waves from the front gate of his home during half-time of a Soccer World Cup game.

A large toy bear sits outside a shed in the village of Alexandrovka.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

A large toy bear sits outside a shed in the village of Alexandrovka.

Traditional decorated windows are seen on a building.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

Traditional decorated windows are seen on a building.

Farmers sit atop a wagon stacked with hay as it is pulled by a horse at sunset.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

Farmers sit atop a wagon stacked with hay as it is pulled by a horse at sunset.

An old army jeep sits outside a home at sunset.
. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray

An old army jeep sits outside a home at sunset.

“My favourite foreign players are Zlatan Ibrahimovic, because he is very technical and powerful, and Spain's Fernando Torres, but as he is very, very old, I prefer Sergio Ramos," said Dimitri Maklakov.

Despite wearing a Spain T-shirt, Maklakov was certain Russia would win when the two sides met in the last 16 on Sunday.

Dimitri Terentyev, whose son Denis is a regular on the village pitch, says soccer runs in the blood.

"His grandfather, his four brothers and my brother and I as well played football, and now Denis does as well," he said.

"And I hope my youngest will soon be playing as well."

Yet for some, the World Cup is the very first time some villagers have encountered soccer.

. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray
Irina Aleekseva sits on her bed as she watches the Soccer World Cup game between France and Argentina.

Pensioner Irina Aleekseva, who lives alone in an old wooden house, says she has been reading soccer magazines and watching the news to learn about the game and engage with her

grandchildren who visit her at the weekend to help run her farm.

“My grandchildren motivate me as they ask questions all the time, and they support the team and ask me to watch the matches with them," she says as the family gather to watch France play Argentina on the television.

"I should be a modern grandmother and know who the stars like Ronaldo or Messi are."

. Samara, Russia. Reuters/David Gray
A newly constructed Russian Orthodox church is seen at sunset.