With four matches played in the Russian Premier League, FC Rubin, from the Republic of Tatarstan, are in first place with a 100% record, seven points clear of 2007 champions Zenit.

Rubin, from the republic`s capital of Kazan, splashed out during the close season, bringing in a number of Russian and foreign players, including 34-year-old Savo Milosevic, the former Yugoslavian and Serbian international and one-time Aston Villa striker.

However, results have surprised even the club`s most loyal supporters. Saturday`s 2-1 victory over the Siberian side Tom Tomsk was the side`s fourth in as many matches, following on from wins over Luch Energiya, Lokomotiv Moscow and, most remarkably, a 3-1 defeat of Gazprom-funded Zenit St. Petersburg in Russia`s northern capital in late March.

Despite the side`s 100% record, Rubin`s players are not letting success go to their heads. "Victories are harder to come by in Russia than in even the Champions League," said another new signing, Sergei Rebrov, formerly of Dynamo Kiev, Tottenham Hotspur and Fenerbahce. "Teams are all roughly at the same level, and determination and commitment can turn games."

Both Zenit and the 2006 champions, CSKA, have struggled to pick up points this season, the Moscow club going down 1-0 to Terek Grozny in the Chechen capital at the weekend. Terek`s victory was their second home victory in a row following their 3-0 defeat to Krilya Sovetov on the season`s opening day. The match was the first top level fixture to have been played in troubled Chechnya for 14 years. Zenit were denied a victory away to Yaroslavl-based club Shinnik after conceding a last minute goal.

The perennial 1990s champions, Spartak Moscow, were held 1-1 at home to Siberian side Amkar, from Perm, and are in sixth place.
sections: Sport, Region News
areas: Volga region