MILLWALL-loving Russian football fans have vowed to back England at Euro 2024 – saying politics and war won’t stop them cheering on the Three Lions.
The Anglophiles will be getting behind Harry Kane and the lads from their favourite boozer Churchill’s Pub in the heart of Moscow – just seven miles from the Kremlin.
Tucking into fish and chips while drinking London Pride beer, Millwall’s so-called “Russian Lions” wear their love of the English and England with pride.
And they will wave their St George’s cross flag despite the two countries being in a deep freeze amid Vladimir Putin’s nuclear threats and his brutal war in Ukraine.
Churchill’s Pub is a haven of Englishness – decked with scarves, shirts, merch, football on the TV, and even a traditional red phone box outside.
They even have a Millwall-themed band now – Max & The Jellied Eels Inc.
READ MORE ON EURO 2024
And in 2019, the group was handed the title of the official Russian fan club of Millwall FC.
Standing proud in the window of their pub is a mannequin with a mock-up World War 2 hero Winston Churchill’s iconic bowler hat, dickie bow and waistcoat.
Russia has been banned from Euro 2024 – being suspended from all UEFA and FIFA competitions since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The war has seen Putin’s nation become a pariah state – with Vlad now preferring to rub shoulders with tyrannical dictator pals like North Korea’s dumpy despot Kim Jong-un.
Most read in Euro 2024
But the Russian footie fans insist amid the frosty politics, barbed threats and even talk of war – the beautiful game is the way to bring people across borders together again.
England games will be shown on the big screens at Churchill’s Pub – and they still manage to get EFL games using an internet TV stick despite official broadcast being banned in Russia.
The pub has also managed to start getting hold of bottled versions of Fuller’s beers – including their beloved London Pride – despite originally struggling due to sanctions.
Thankfully, the supply of potatoes and fish for their traditional suppers remains unhindered.
Millwall’s Russian fans told The Sun that they have never been hassled over their love of the English.
Maxim Prokhorenko, 45, head of the Russian Lions, told The Sun: “Churchill’s Pub is working as usual. It’s no problem in Russia with it.
“You can support any sports team you want.”
I love Cockney slang even though I don’t understand a thing, me old China.
Maxim Prokhorenko
He added: “I don’t support the UK’s political course. But I love the UK and have been there many times.
“I love London, I love the weather, I love your mentality and incredible sense of humour, my favourite restaurant in London is Manzes Pie and Eel House in Peckham.
“I love Cockney slang even though I don’t understand a thing, me old China.
“I even love tea with milk.
“And I love Millwall – no one can prohibit me to do this.”
Maxim previously explained he was introduced to Millwall while working with a British building firm on a job in Russia.
And now he told us his love of England was sparked while attending the World Cup in Italy back in 1990.
“I fell in love with the brilliant England team and with Gazza showing his best magic,” he said.
The engineer added that England have “everything” to win Euro 2024 – but just need “a bit of luck”.
Maxim said: “In every football tournament England is one of the favourites, but every time something goes wrong.
“Brilliant players, the EPL is the best league in the world, good managers, best fans.”
Maxim singled out Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham as the Three Lions top stars.
He added he thinks the Bayern Munich striker “deserves” a trophy – and just like his team “needs some luck”.
Real Madrid sensation Bellingham meanwhile is the “future” of England – with Maxim saying he is sure that 20-year-old Jude will get trophies with the Three Lions.
But he worried England could be let down by the team’s back line – with Harry Maguire left out of the squad with a calf injury.
England started off their campaign well with a win over Serbia – but today face Denmark, before going on to face Slovenia in their third game of the group stage.
The Three Lions went into the tournament as the narrow favourites over France – scoring 19.9% chance of winning according to sports firm Opta’s supercomputer simulation.
Russia banned from Euro 2024
By Juliana Cruz Lima
RUSSIAN teams were banned by UEFA from international competitions within days of the brutal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Russia appealed against the bans to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but these were dismissed in July that same year.
The initial called was made by Uefa’s executive committee on then upheld by the CAS.
The football body also wanted to keep Russian flags out of the stadium when Ukraine played its first European Championship game Monday after some were displayed in the stands at other matches.
Following Putin’s war in Ukraine, his country was also banned from th 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Still, Russian citizens could try to buy tickets for Euro 2024 games.
But UEFA said it wanted to keep Russian flags out of the stadium when Ukraine played its first European Championship game on Monday.
UEFA said security staff would try to intercept and remove Russian flags from being displayed at the Munich stadium where Ukraine played Romania.
The national flag of white, red and blue horizontal bands has been displayed at some of the first group-stage matches, including in Munich last Friday next to Scotland flags at the opening game against Germany.
Maxim was clear to draw dividing lines between his country and his politics, saying while he thinks of himself as a “Russian patriot” he believes that “sport must be above politics”.
He said: “I have lots of mates in the UK – we are friends, cause we are fans of the same team and are missing each other now.
“They are waiting for the day to come to see beautiful Moscow and have a pint in Churchill’s, and we are waiting when we can visit home games at the Den and away games anywhere else in UK.”
Foreign Office travel advice says you currently cannot fly directly from Russia to the UK – or through EU countries.
And the UK does not issue visa-free travel to Russians.
Maxim was hopeful however that soon they would soon be able to come to the UK, but added “it is not the best time to travel”.
Another of the Russian Lions, Maxim Tcherviakov, added: “The relations between our countries leave much to be desired, but this does not affect the relations between people in any way. We communicate well with the English fans of Millwall.
“We have never had and cannot have any problems communicating with the British.”
And another fan, Dmitry Kokorin, told us that beers have become more expensive – but they still manage to get hold of British brews.
He said: “I hope they get back to the final. And they have a lot of quality players to win gold.
“But the only reason they won’t win is the head coach.
” I think Southgate is too cowardly to try and play a more aggressive style.”
Echoing his pals, he also said football remains above politics.
Dmitry said: “Football is out of politics. When we go to watch games in Churchill, some guys ask us which team we support and start cheering for Millwall.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“Nobody hates us here.”
Who are Max & The Jellied Eels Inc?
By Henry Holloway
RUSSIA’S Millwall-mad football fans have even formed their own band – Max & The Jellied Eels Inc.
Head of the supporters club Maxim Prokhorenko was the mastermind behind the music.
With one of the members of the “Russian Lions” being a former singer in a metal band, they decided to record a punk rock version of “Let Em Come”.
The song is a traditional Millwall anthem originally performed by Roy Green.
And alongside the song, they also recorded a music video – and it was an instant hit among Millwall fans.
“The lads decided to keep going, so we finally composed and recorded an album with 10 songs. We have called it ‘Behind The Wall’,” said Maxim.
Following the tragic death of Millwall’s chairman John Berylson – they decided to dedicate their album to his memory.
Maxim said: “Our project is not commercial, the only aim is to popularize Millwall worldwide with our music, and to have fan at our gigs drinking beers and making some noise.
“And hope one day we’ll play at the Den before some home game.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
