Russian YouTube personality Krasava leads Cyprus football club to success in their top league following his exile from Russia
In a fascinating turn of events, the Russian football club Krasava ENY Ypsonas, now re-registered in Cyprus, made its debut in the island nation's topflight football. The club, which has a rich history and a unique backstory, is the brainchild of Yevgeny Savin, a former professional footballer and a Russian billionaire's son-in-law.
Savin, who has a million followers on Instagram and YouTube, initially founded the YouTube channel "Krasava" to discuss Russia's problems from a football perspective. His vision for the club was to unite people from various post-Soviet countries, and Krasava has successfully achieved this, with 90% of its fans speaking Russian.
The club's name, Krasava, is a Russian word that means respect and incorporates the abbreviation of Savin's surname, "Sava." The Russian billionaire who supports Krasava is Yevgeniya Vasilyeva, who enabled its promotion to the first division by buying a local club's license for several hundred thousand euros.
Krasava's journey to Cyprus began after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The club was re-registered in Cyprus to continue its operations, and Savin chose the island for its relatively cheap running costs for a professional football club.
Savin, along with his family, left Russia after condemning the war and releasing a video featuring Ukrainian athletes expressing their feelings about the invasion. He feels guilty about being separated from his ailing father, who still lives in Russia and cannot travel.
The club's training facility in Limassol consists of two small artificial turf pitches and a converted office. Inside the office, there's a trophy and a gold medal from last season's second division championship, as well as an icon of St. Sava.
Despite the challenges, Savin dreams big for Krasava. He aims to qualify for European club competitions to increase the global recognition of the club. To this end, free weekly training sessions are offered on the club's grounds for children receiving support at the YASAM special therapy center in Limassol.
However, Savin's journey has not been without controversy. He was charged with "discrediting" the Russian army and sentenced to prison in absentia in Russia in March 2024, and this led to Krasava being banned from training at a stadium in the Moscow region.
Despite these setbacks, Krasava continues to make waves in Cyprus. Its debut match, albeit a loss against APOEL Nicosia, marked a significant milestone for the club. As Savin puts it, Krasava is more than just a football club—it's a startup that brings people together, transcending borders and uniting a diverse community in the stands.
