Alex Ovechkin, who is back in Moscow preparing for his wedding, participated in a charity soccer game on Saturday. The game was part of the celebratory run-up for the FIFA Confederations Cup, which opened today in Saint Petersburg.
Proceeds from the match, according to Russia’s TASS News Agency, will support the ophthalmological and dental treatment of retired Russian film and theatre actors.
Ovi joined a mixed team of former professional soccer players and Russian government functionaries, including Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich. The other side consisted of Russian stage and screen actors.
Ovi played in goal, perhaps due to his continuing recovery from injuries he sustained during the NHL playoffs.
As Ovechkin told TASS’s Igor Lazorin, “I’m starting to run a bit now, because my injuries just healed. A bit later, I’ll start to train again at full strength.”
Though Ovi blocked tons, probably, of high-quality scoring chances from the opposing team of aging actors and singers, he was no match for the Russia cheerleading squad, which was also out on the field.
Ovi did, however, make time for some snaps with the referees.
The game, in case you’re wondering, ended in a 2-2 draw.
Headline photo: Irina Buzhor / Kommersant.ru
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