

8.024 minSeason 1 • Episode 16
LatestThere is a year left until the World Cup. After another loss to the national team, the fans decide to choose a new coach from among their own. And now the humble chef Dima faces the most difficult task: not only to assemble a team of the best players and work out winning schemes, but also to reach the World Cup playoffs for the first time in the history of Russian football. And if legendary football players can help him in this, then everyone is ready to put sticks in the wheels, starting from sports officials and ending with his subordinates who do not take self-taught seriously.
Acting
Kolchin's deadpan everyman carries the chaos
Writing
Sharp jabs at Russian sports bureaucracy
Production
Genuine World Cup energy, filmed pre-2018
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Released months before Russia hosted the actual 2018 World Cup, the series captures pre-tournament national anxiety and blind optimism that aged weirdly.
Legendary players Yashin and Cheryshev appearing as themselves wasn't scripted magic—the show had genuine RFU cooperation that vanished for season 2.