Luzhniki

The World Cup in Russia has thrown up some stunning twists, turns and shocks, so it's perhaps fitting that its final game will feature the smallest nation to appear in the last stage of the tournament since 1950.

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) challenges Morocco's defender Mehdi Benatia (L) during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group B football match between Portugal and Morocco at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on June 20, 2018. AFP PHOTO / Yuri CORTEZ

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.

Serbs who work in Russia have already marked the main sporting event in the world this year - the football World Cup 2018.

In fact, they already covered it - literally, the daily Vecernje Novosti writes.

In fact, they already covered it - literally, the daily Vecernje Novosti writes.

Namely, the material used to build the roof and VIP section at Moscow's reconstructed Luzhniki Stadium came from Serbia - from the Impol-Seval aluminum producer in the town of Sevojno.