In its latest Olympic failure, Russia’s men’s hockey team failed to medal for the third straight Winter Olympics, losing to underdog Finland 3-1 in the knockout round.
A despondent Vladimir Putin was present for the match, watching as his team put on a performance that one would associate more with minnows Slovenia than the once-proud Russian team. As the clock ticked down, Putin hung his head in disgrace, likely devising a suitable punishment for his uninspiring and lethargic athletes.
Sochi marks the third straight Olympics the Russian men’s hockey team has not received a medal, despite their wealth of professional hockey talent. Russia last medal was a bronze in the 2002 games in Salt Lake City.
The Russian crowd let the team hear their disappointment, whistling – the European equivalent of booing – throughout the final minutes and after the final whistle as the Russian team lingered on the ice, wallowing in the crushed dreams of their nation.