1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

Russian YouTube star rebuilds football club in exile

Ilya Koval
March 13, 2026

Former footballer Yevgeny Savin has been convicted in absentia in his home country, Russia, for speaking out against the war in Ukraine. But ‘Sava’ has rebuilt his life, and his football club, in Cyprus.

https://p.dw.com/p/5AKGK

Yevgeny Savin, a former Russian footballer and YouTube star, rebuilt his club Krasava in Cyprus after fleeing Russia for speaking out against the war. Despite financial struggles, he led the team to the top division. Now he seeks major investment to secure the club's future, build facilities and keep his dream alive. For many Russian-speaking migrants, Krasava has become a symbol of community. 

For more DW Sports Life content, follow this link

Skip next section About the show

About the show

The DW Sports Life show logo is seen next to a composite image of a male athlete in a wheelchair, a female athlete holding up a skateboard and another female athlete flexing her right biceps

Sports Life — Overcoming Challenges with Sports

Everything we know about life can be found in sports: Success and failure, euphoria and despair. Sports Life tells stories from across the globe, where sports drives personal growth and changes lives.