Boris looked out of the small barred window. The summer dawn was breaking under a bright pink and golden sky filled with soft clouds.

He rubbed his eyes and stretched. He needed to get some sleep but it was not often they were allowed to stay up and watch television through the night.

It had been worth it to watch the events unfold in Moscow. The Luzhniki Stadium was full, the crowd excited. The President had spoken. The Russian team, out of form and ill-fancied, had produced a stunning victory against Saudi Arabia.

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