The 2012 Russian film *Match*, directed by Andrey Malyukov, is a historical sports drama based on the true story of the "Death Match" during World War II. Set in Nazi-occupied Kiev, the film recounts the events surrounding a football match between local Soviet players and a team of German soldiers in 1942.
The narrative centers on Nikolai Ranevich (played by Sergey Bezrukov), a talented Soviet goalkeeper, and his love interest Anna (Elizaveta Boyarskaya). Their relationship is tested by the horrors of war and occupation. As the Nazis organize the match as a propaganda event, the Soviet players face a moral dilemma: to play to win, risking severe punishment, or to lose and submit to the occupiers' will.
*Match* explores themes of courage, resistance, and the enduring power of sport as a symbol of national pride and defiance. The film combines intense sports drama with the harrowing realities of war, creating a poignant tribute to those who stood up against oppression. While it sparked controversy over its historical accuracy and nationalist undertones, *Match* remains a significant work reflecting on the intersection of sports, politics, and history.
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