News agencies have always found a worthy candidate in Russia as a way to obtain important political, financial, economic and sports news. This country though is known for its unpredictable environment presently continues to provide significant feed to these news agencies primarily for its contribution in sports. Sports in Russia happen to be a major source of positive international exposure with it also being among the favorite pastimes with the Russians.

Some of the sports these sports news agencies thrive on are the ones that revolve around the sports of rhythmic gymnastics, chess, football, basketball, ice hockey, ice skating and tennis. Of these games, basketball, ice hockey, tennis and chess have brought the Russians a lot of glory.

Together with the end of the Soviet era, the nation had to go through several changes. These changes reflected inside the sports arena too. Football perhaps, was www.spessartnews.com one of the games that was affected greatly from this change. Until the Soviet era, it was one of the most popular and the most successful of all the sports that the Russians participated in.

Since the Soviet Union got separated into a number of smaller countries, the uniform football sports structure took a hit as well. With national teams and clubs becoming private enterprises, the Russian team as part of the Russian Premier League was affected rather badly. This league was at par with its European contemporaries lost a variety of its members to this change. A few of the premier clubs also dwindled since they lost their government funding and were left in want of adequate sponsorship. Nevertheless, with changing times, football yet again emerged as a favorite sport amongst the Russians. Russia now has 6 Premier League teams alongside its national football team.

With new finances and sponsorships pouring in, the Russian Premier League is trying to get back its lost glory. Sports news agencies experienced a field day when Russia made its present felt once again in the Euro 2008 after they overcame Holland in the quarter final match.

Another sport that rose to great heights throughout the Soviet era was basketball. Since then itself, Russia has been a strong contender in this particular sport, winning several championships. One of the most popular of them happen to be the Olympics, Basketball World Championships, The Eurobasket and the ULEB cup. Giving basketball competition in popularity is ice hockey. Ice Hockey has been popular sport among the Russians since the Soviet times as well. In line with its past success, ice hockey continues its dominance between the Russians, exporting 30 players to be a part of the National Hockey League.

Sports news agencies also monitor developments from the sports of tennis, chess and ice skating. Many time champions of the Winter Olympics, Russia has directed the game by producing a few of the worlds best pair and ice dancing skaters.

Tennis also has had a huge contribution from Russia. A number of the worlds greatest mens and womens tennis champions are actually Russians. These Russians have gone on to make their mark with this sport by winning major events covered by sports news agencies from around the globe such as the Wimbledon, the Olympics, the Davis cup and many other such hallowed tennis championships.