Emotions are as important a part of football as the ball and the goal. These emotions make for exciting games on the pitch and for a very special experience for spectators. Through sports sponsorship Gazprom wants to share the enthusiasm for the sport and work together with the sponsored clubs, teams and athletes to develop personal partnerships.

This is what Alexey Miller, CEO Gazprom PJSC. means when he say: "Gazprom is not only the largest gas company in the world, but also one of those most passionate about football”.

Gazprom has been an official partner of the UEFA Champions League since the start of the 2012/2013 season. Each year, the UEFA Champions League provides the benchmark for European clubs to test themselves and compete for the top footballing prize on the continent. The best of the best meet in the group stages and knockout matches right up to the final to determine the Champions of Europe. The commitment to Europe's showpiece competition was a logical step for Gazprom as it further develops its footballing partnerships.

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In 2019 the Football Union of Russia launched a new project the Youth Football League (YFL) with Gazprom as its General partner as part of its strategy to develop youth football and prepare reserves for professional football. The tournament is divided into two divisions YFL-1 for players born in 2003 and YFL-2 for players born in 2004. Participation in the tournament provides an opportunity for young athletes to express themselves, prepare for professional level and attain significant achievements in the world of football. The winner of the Youth Football League gets a chance to reach the international level and represent Russia in the UEFA Youth League competitions.

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It all started with FC Zenit. Together with the 2007, 2010, 2012, 2015 2019 and 2020 Russian champions, GAZPROM has helped the club from the "Venice of the North" become a major force. In 2008, Zenit caught Europe's eye by winning the UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup. Over 60% of St. Petersburg’s population are Zenit fans and many of them cheer the team on during home games at the GAZPROM ARENA.

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Another successful partnership for Gazprom has been the involvement with FC Crvena Zvezda from Serbia. Since 2010, Gazprom has been involved with the club founded in 1945 as a shirt sponsor, hoardings sponsor and supporter of the youth teams. Gazprom was delighted to become the club's main sponsor not just because they are the record Serbian champions and cup winners, but also because over four million people in the Balkan countries, from all walks of life, are passionate supporters of Crvena Zvezda.

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In 2007 another club became part of the Gazprom family, the first partnership outside Russia. FC Schalke 04 are seven-time German champions and have excelled in recent years with some extraordinary performances in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. The working-class club from the Ruhr Valley, the industrial heart of Germany, was the ideal partner for Gazprom, mainly because of its exceptional fans.

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