How the Cossacks ... Played Football

Quick recap

The episode begins with the Cossacks waiting for the return of Gray, Oko, and Tur from London. Upon their return, they not only share stories about the city but also introduce a game they witnessed there — football. The Cossacks then start training football, with the hopes of winning the championship cup in England. A team is gathered and they all head West to the accompaniment of the Cossack March, leaving their weapons at home.

The Cossacks play in three European countries. The first, unnamed country is indicated by the scoreboard displaying the word "Knights" during the score presentation, presumably representing players from medieval Germany. Initially, the Cossacks struggle to break through the knights' defense, dressed in armor. They counter the knights with agility, playing in a way that prevents their opponents from intercepting the ball.

In France, they play against musketeers in a palace. The musketeers elegantly pass the ball to each other, but the Cossacks rely on lively pressure based on the movements of the Ukrainian folk dance Hopak and win the match.

The match in England takes place in London. Initially, the field is soaked due to rain, and the English stand on small islands, passing the ball between them. Tur then hits the ball into the clouds, stopping the rain. The field dries up, allowing the Cossacks to quickly outplay the English. The English queen reluctantly presents them with the cup, which the Cossacks bring home.

Discuss

Did you enjoy this episode more or less than the first one?

How easy was this one to follow?

Which of the three matches did you enjoy the most?

Do you remember any particularly funny goals / tactics?

A lot of people comment on how much they love the music in this episode. Does it stand out as being particularly memorable?

How much of an interest do you have in football? Do you know anything about the history of the sport?

A brief history of football

Football is the world's most popular sport, with billions of fans and millions of players. Its history goes back many centuries, although the modern game began in England during the nineteenth century.

People have played games involving a ball for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations, including the Chinese, Greeks, and Romans, all had their own versions of football-like games. However, these early sports often had different rules and were much rougher than today's game.

During the Middle Ages, football was popular in England, but there were very few rules. Matches were often chaotic, with large numbers of people playing through towns and villages. In 1863, the Football Association was founded in London. It created a standard set of rules, separating association football from rugby. This moment is considered the birth of modern football.

Some countries have enjoyed outstanding success in international football. Brazil has won the FIFA World Cup five times, more than any other nation. Germany and Italy have each won four titles, while Argentina has won 3. Other countries, including France, Uruguay, and Spain, have also left a lasting mark on football history.

Football has produced many legendary players whose performances inspired generations of fans. Pelé is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and won three World Cups. Diego Maradona became famous for leading Argentina to victory in 1986. More recently, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated world football, breaking countless records and winning many individual awards. Their skill, dedication, and achievements have made them global sporting icons.

Discuss

Did you play much football in your childhood? Was it fun?

Do you know anyone who plays football seriously?

The text mentions Pelé, Maradona, Messi and Ronaldo. Are there any other names you can think of that should be added to this list?

What are the most iconic football clubs? Do you have a favourite one? (even if it's just because you like the name / kit 😊)

What is your country's greatest achievement in football?

We won't spend the whole lesson talking about football.

The Cossacks faced three formidable opponents, each of which was depicted in an exaggerated, stereotypical style.

What do you remember about the depiction of ... ?

a) the Germans

b) the French

c) the English

Let's have a quick reminder

The Germans

The arena:

A medieval castle.

The fans:

Common people, seemingly working class.

The goalposts:

A medieval castle door / passage.

The scoreboard:

Banners hanging from the castle tower

The outfits:

Full armour. Shields, helmets, the lot!

The team's pros:

Powerful, organised, disciplined, strong.

The team's cons:

Slow, not agile, not flexible.

The french

The arena:

A palace

The fans:

Aristocratic theatregoers

The goalposts:

A bed (for the French goalkeeper)

The scoreboard:

An artist painting numbers on a canvas.

The outfits:

Musketeer outfits, cavalier hats, tabards, boots.

The team's pros:

Sophisticated, elegant, graceful, skillful.

The team's cons:

Unable to cope with high pressure, speed and strength. Unfocussed and lazy.

The English

The arena:

A huge stadium

The fans:

Noisy and energetic football fans

The goalposts:

Real goalposts with nets.

The scoreboard:

Big Ben.

The outfits:

Horizontal striped shirts, Victorian Bowler hats and umbrellas.

The team's pros:

Great teamwork, play well in the rain, direct, practical.

The team's cons:

Not used to dry conditions. A dodgy goalkeeper. Fall apart when things start going wrong.

discussion

What do you think of the depictions of these nations?

Where there any details you particularly liked?

Do you think these depictions are ... ?

a) a fair representation of these countries

b) exaggerated but fun representations

c) offensive

How might the studio depict people of some other nations?

Now take a look at the AI-generated images of potential opponents for the Cossacks from other nations.

Can you guess where they are from?

Which one(s) is (are) your favourite?

Work with a partner. Choose one of the countries and create a depiction of them suitable for 'How the Cossacks ... Played Football.'

The arena:

The fans:

The goalposts:

The scoreboard:

The outfits:

The team's pros:

The team's cons:

Final thoughts

Which group's ideas did you like the most?

Do you think people from those countries might find any of the ideas offensive?

Are there any nations that could defeat the mighty Cossacks?

The next episode is How the Cossacks ... Freed the Brides. What do you think will be in the episode? What do you think will be in the next class?