Soccer in the dark (30 photos + video)

They see nothing but hear very well. Therefore, do not play the usual ball, and the "rattle" - a ball built sound system with balls and players determine its location by the sound. The ball is heavy and almost no bounce. Previously, these balls made only in Brazil and pricey. Now they have established production in Russia. And not just anywhere, but in the "Vladimir Central" (FPS №2 Vladimir region).

The match is carried out in two periods of 25 minutes, with substitutions during the game. Team on the field five people: four players and a goalkeeper. Form ordinary, except for one detail - blindfold. In fact, there is not only a bandage - before the game starts all eyes glued special stickers to all players with varying degrees of blindness put on an equal footing. The dressing also protects against injuries during the game.

In addition to the players in the game and take part in the so-called coach "Guide" - usually he is behind the opponent's goal and "suggests" players of his team at the target, directs their actions. Helps players and a goalkeeper - he sighted or visually impaired regulations.



Judged match two judges (yesterday was on the field and our Spanish). They watch the game, players are fined "fouls" and help them in the game, there are occasions when the ball stops and the players lose it. The judge then runs up to him and begins to tap sole of the shoe on the ball so that it "heard».

Along the field installed soft bumpers - they play the role of stopper space, help the players dribble, there arise the most active confrontation.

There are almost no perepasovki, long passes, Tackle. Players use personal skill in dribbling, driving the ball across the field short strikes, constantly monitoring and trying to focus on the field, following the coach and the "guide". The most amazing thing when a player scores a blind sighted goalkeeper. How should you feel the space to strike the right you invisible ball and get to the gate invisible - the mind boggles.



Zeroing the warm-up. Goalkeeper at this time directs the player voice and knocks his hand on the bar, determining the size of the gate (see. Video at the end of the recording).



They play on the same team, but never saw each other. In the center - the 11th number, Andrei Kovalev.



The opening ceremony with speeches of officials and orchestra.



The orchestra played the anthems of all four countries, the teams that participated in the tournament.



Producing Adults, really - the team sings the Russian national anthem.

Football Federation for the Blind and Visually Impaired, as it is written in the press release, recorded just two years ago, and the guys have already successfully participated in the European Championships in the French Nantes (7th place prize and fair play), were given the right to speak at the 2010 World Cup in England.



Professor, eye surgeon Igor Medvedev - a man who promotes in Russian football for the blind. He is, as I understand from the press release, and organized the creation of the Federation (FFSS), and now supports her finances. On the title page of the site name Medvedev mentioned dozens of times.



Belarusian coach gives his advice guys before the game.





Stickers on the eyes - a mandatory ritual.



Football for the blind sound picture is similar to tennis - there is also a tribune during the game are silent, and the players - no. According to the rules of football spectators should observe complete silence, and the players comment on their actions, let you know the opponent and his comrades about his whereabouts. Making a particular maneuver, the player must clearly and loudly say "Howl" ("go" in Spanish), or simply "I" or "mine" in Russian.



Confrontation is happening with serious and shots can be very unexpectedly.



Russian national team players: Vyacheslav Inhabitants, Minivagyz Sharafetdinov, Constantine and Alexander Stork Gurtovenko



Strips of white adhesive tape designated goalkeeper, penalty, the central line. The goalkeeper may not take ball with his hands outside the goalmouth.



This is a senior coach of our team - Nicholas Coast.





The fight at the side.



The match came a few dozen spectators. Find Spartak arena, not knowing the road, even in a car is not so easy. Navigator "Yandex-maps" I was getting very confused and I go there, asking for directions from locals.



The Russian team beat Belarus with the score 2: 0 and the field came the Spaniards and Greeks.



Spain national team - one of the strongest in the world. It began to take place in Spain the first national championship in football among the blind - even in 1986



The difference in the classroom, of course, is very noticeable. Spaniards are playing so that is sometimes overlooked, is in the field, it seems that they see the field. However, the team of Greece, where they play solid build guys aged successfully fought with fast, brisk Spaniards and even scored their one goal.





It is necessary to stop the ball and stop "sound" as they lose it, helplessly looking around and trying to find an opponent hands.



Once during the period, you can take a minute timeout.



Corner, of course, is not served, and play together. At the bar, too, are two, not one as in an ordinary football.



The Greeks lost their semi-final with a score of 2: 1, but did not upset. After the game, all the players gave military earflaps with asterisks.



Just on the field they looked so confident, fighting, rushed to the site, and now faced each other, put a hand on his shoulder and a neighbor, like children, go for a guide to the dressing room.



They hear the sound of the camera shutter for a few meters and start to smile - we shoot.





Russian national team football for the blind will be participating in the World Cup, which will be held in England from 14 to 22 August 2010 We wish good luck guys.

Today in sporkomplekse on Chertanovskaya, 7 - the final game of the tournament.

drugoi