{"product_id":"sbornaya-the-mixed-fortunes-of-the-ussr-football-team","title":"Sbornaya – The Mixed Fortunes of the USSR Football Team","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSbornaya\u003c\/em\u003e takes the reader on an evocative journey through the Soviet Union's final decade – politically, economically and culturally unravelling – as seen through the lens of its football world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book explores the history, politics and geopolitical dimensions of the game: how it began, how it evolved and how it became the country's greatest sporting passion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead and discover:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA fascinating untold history of the USSR national team and the leading club sides of the Soviet Top League\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow political machinations and behind-the-scenes manoeuvring disrupted a World Cup squad mid-tournament\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow two brilliant scientific minds came together to pioneer technological and scientific breakthroughs at a football club – with remarkable results\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe recurring story of the USSR's underachievement on the world stage despite its vast resources and talent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll of this unfolds under the shadow of a political system that sought to control, manipulate and micro-manage the game at every level. It is a football story like no other. Published in 2026.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize: 128mm x 198mm – 236 pages.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Soccer Books Limited","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57564640018814,"sku":"9781836802655","price":21.1,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/0546\/6903\/files\/SbornayaUSSRTeam.jpg?v=1781701797","url":"https:\/\/soccer-books.co.uk\/en-us\/products\/sbornaya-the-mixed-fortunes-of-the-ussr-football-team","provider":"Soccer Books Limited","version":"1.0","type":"link"}