It's always been interesting to me how geopolitics and futbol become helplessly intertwined. The fall of the Berlin wall and communism with it, brought along enormous changes in our world, and significant changes in our game as well. One can not help but surmise that, surprisingly, since this historic political event took place, the former members of the Yugoslavian federation-mainly Serbia, Slovenia and Croatia- have fared somewhat better internationally, in footballing terms, than their former Soviet counterparts. I say surprisingly, because it was the Soviet Union who won the first European Championships in 1960, and were always threatening to win something else of that magnitude in the 70's and 80's. They always seemed to have the team for it. But after the demise of communism, the clubs of these former Yugoslavian republics have not been able to mirror the successes of their national teams. It's been the Russians who've raised the flag for the former political eastern European bloc at this level. Anyone who follows this sport closely saw the wonderful victory of CSKA Moscow a few years ago in the Uefa Cup. The year after that, another Russian team under a little known Czechoslovakian manager-who should be getting a bit more credit for all this- reached the quarterfinals of that same competition. This year, that same club-under a more world renowned manager-has reached the final of the same competition. Not by beating, nor surpassing mind you, but by spanking really, opposition of a higher market and a superior world brand, such as Leverkusen and my dearly beloved Bayern Munchen. Now, I could've easily used this space to trash my beloved team and its ineffectual, clumsy at times central defence. But i would much rather write about the victor in this case. Zenit St. Petersburg takes me back. This club makes me feel nostalgic for those other eastern European teams of yore that achieved greatness in their own time by also slaying giants. Steua Bucharest in 1986, and the one I remember most, not only because I was older but because they too left me heartbroken in a Champions Cup semifinal and then went on to lift the European Champion's Cup in 1991, Red Star Belgrade. In this case perhaps, the odds aren't or theoretically shouldn't be so stacked against Zenit St. Petersburg. Zenit's success in Europe especially this year, is not really a story of David versus Goliath. More like little Goliath versus Goliath. For a couple of years now, Zenit St. Petersburg has been bankrolled by the third largest corporation in the world, Gazprom. They have brought in a very talented and experienced manager and solidified a mixed group of talent with hard working players. Players like Andrei Arshavin, who in spite of being unable to take part through suspension in the 4-0 humiliation of Bayern, has played a more than significant role for them in their European campaign and should be a player to keep an eye on during this summer's European Championships for Russia. Therefore, this eastern european club, unlike many others in that region, is not hurting for cash. They are being well taken care of. Still, Zenit St.Petersburg today, like Steua Bucharest and Red Star Belgrade then, isn't exactly memorable to me because of its flair or absolute dominance and commitent to attacking futbol. Steua and Red Star actually became European champions through penalty kicks in less than impressive matches. But they are reminders to me that a unified, hard working and inspired eastern european club under solid leadership can achieve history no matter how great the odds. And if you happen to have a gigantic company worth billions of euros, which is the biggest extractor of natural gas in the world injecting tens of millions into your club, all the better.