Moscow Highwire Act Allows United To State Credentials

In the old Soviet days, visitors to Moscow had two choices of entertainment, ballet at the Bolshoi or the state circus. Even for non-balletomanes, the Bolshoi offered an excellent buffet and cheap champagne. The circus had high-wire thrills and a few clowns but no dumb animals to be pitied or applauded, according to taste.

Wednesday's Champions League final at the Luzhniki Stadium was mostly circus, being more about strength and athleticism than grace or interpretive movement. It was a night of excitement and uncertainty rounded off by the torture of penalties which no species should be expected to endure, even if it is capable of speech and reason. Alas, the clown was a bit of a let-down, the referee failing to see the funny-peculiar side of Didier Drogba.