FC Spartak Moscow

France are the established powerhouse with a young team full of speed and skill. Croatia have the veterans that have shown they can never be counted out.

The two sides will meet on Sunday in the World Cup final, with France going for their second title in their third final in 20 years. Croatia, a country that only gained independence in 1991, will be playing in their first.

England's Harry Kane tries to control the ball during the round of 16 match between Colombia and England at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Spartak Stadium, in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, July 3, 2018. AP Photo/Matthias Schrader

The 2018 Fifa World Cup gets under way on Thursday, when hosts Russia face Saudi Arabia following an opening ceremony at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

Football's showpiece event features 32 teams, including holders Germany, competing in 64 games over 32 days.

The 21st edition will be played in 12 stadiums, across 11 cities, spread over 1,800 miles.

The Bulgarian national football team finished 2017 with a victory. In a friendly game played in Lisbon last night, the selection of Peter Hubchev won 1:0 over Saudi Arabia team which secured its participation in the World Cup in Russia, reports sportal. 

Spor Toto Super League title contender Be?ikta? has been very active in the winter transfer window as the club travels to Trabzonspor this weekend.

Turkey's Be?ikta? said in a filing to the stock exchange on Jan. 20 that it is in talks with Aras Özbiliz, the rising Armenian star of Russia's Spartak Moscow. However, the title contender does not plan to enroll the Istanbul-born midfielder this season, but send him on loan to Spain's Getafe, according to sources. 

MARSEILLE - The water polo club Radnicki beat Ligamus from Georgia 15-4 (7-3 2-0 3-1 3-0) in the 3rd round of Group A of the qualifications for the Champions League in Marseille on Friday.

This was the second win for the team from Kragujevac, after beating the host, Marseille (8-7) on Thursday. However they lost to OSC from Hungary (8-4) earlier on Friday.