Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

One-third of Russians are going to follow UEFA EURO 2020; every fifth respondent says the Russian team may become the first in the group. An overwhelming majority of those who are following EURO 2020 will support Russia.

MOSCOW, December 3, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the data of a survey devoted to people’s predictions of the UEFA Euro 2020 results (the Championship will be held from June 12 to July 12, 2020 in London (Great Britain)).

Thirty-five percent of Russians are going to follow Euro 2020. Another 41% are not likely to follow the championship; 24% did not think about it at the time of survey. In general, 40% of respondents are interested in football with varying degrees: they are basically people aged over 60 (50%) and men (49%); every fourth (25%) usually follows the UEFA championships.

More than half of respondents know that Russia was qualified for the UEFA Euro finals (54%); they are mainly men (62%). Forty-four percent of Russians are aware that the final matches will take place in St Petersburg; this share is higher among respondents aged 45-59 and respondents aged 60 and over (48% and 65, respectively).

Every tenth Russian (13%) knows the results of EURO 2020 final tournament draw. Five percent of Russians was watching the draw. Those who were particularly interested are male respondents and Russians aged 60 and over (24% and 28%, respectively).

According to the draw, the Russian team is in the same group as Denmark, Belgium and Finland. Every second respondent says that Russia was really fortunate (50%) to be in this group. However according to 25% of respondents the favorite in this group is Belgium; every fifth Russian considers that any team is equally strong (22%). One-third of respondents believe that Russia will take the second place in the group (28%); every fifth respondent points to the first position (21%).

An absolute majority of Russians who are going to follow Euro 2020 will support the Russian team (85%). Russians are divided in their opinions on the Russian team’s performance: every fifth believes that Russia will get to the quarterfinals (19%); 16% think that Russia will drop out in the round of sixteen; 14% say the team will get to the semi-finals; every tenth says that Russia may become champion (10%).

Russian VCIOM-Sputnik public opinion survey was conducted on December 1, 2019. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers is used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

Are you interested in football? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)  

 

Total respondents

Men

Women

Yes, I am a regular football fan

7

12

3

Interested occasionally

33

37

30

Indifferent

59

51

66

Don’ t know

1

0

1

Are you interested in football? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

Aged 60 and over

Yes, I am a regular football fan

7

7

8

5

7

8

Interested occasionally

33

26

25

31

33

42

Indifferent

59

66

66

64

60

49

Don’ t know

1

1

1

0

0

1

Do you usually follow the European football championships? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents

 

Total respondents

Usually yes

25

Usually no

74

Don’ t know

1

The Russian team played Euro 2020 qualifying matches and got to the final stage. Do you know, or do you hear for the first time about that? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Men

Women

I know/ I heard

54

62

47

This is the first time I hear about that

46

38

53

Do you know/did you hear/do you hear for the first time that the Euro 2010 final matches may be held in St Petersburg? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

Aged 60 and over

I know/ I heard

44

30

27

30

48

65

This is the first time I hear about that

56

70

73

70

52

35

The draw for the UEFA EURO 2020 final tournament took place on November 30. Did you follow the draw? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Men

Women

I followed the draw closely

5

7

3

I did not follow the draw but I know the results

13

16

10

I did not follow the draw, I do not know the results

82

77

87

The draw for the UEFA EURO 2020 final tournament took place on November 30. Did you follow the draw? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Aged 18-24

Aged 25-34

Aged 35-44

Aged 45-59

Aged 60 and over

I followed the draw closely

5

2

2

3

4

10

I did not follow the draw but I know the results

13

6

12

8

13

18

I did not follow the draw, I do not know the results

82

92

86

89

83

72

Following the draw, the Russian team is in the same group as Denmark, Belgium and Finland. In your opinion, can the Russian team be considered fortunate enough to be in this group?  (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Rather fortunate

50

Rather not fortunate

17

Don’ t know / I am not an expert in this issue

33

In your opinion, what team in the same group as Russia is a favorite? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Belgium

24

Russia

12

Denmark

4

Finland

2

There are no favorites; all the teams are equal

22

Don’ t know / I am not an expert in this issue

36

The Russian team is in the same group as Denmark, Belgium and Finland. In your opinion. In your opinion, what place will the Russian team take after Euro 2020 finals? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

1 place

21

2 place

28

3 place

16

4 place

11

Don’ t know / I am not an expert in this issue

24

Will you follow the Euro 2020 matches? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

Likely yes

35

Likely not

41

I did not know about the championship; I did not think about it

24

Don’ t know

0

If you are going to follow Euro 2020, what teams will you support? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of those who are going to follow Euro 2020; answers of at least 5% of respondents)

 

Total respondents

Russia

85

Germany

10

France

8

Spain

7

Belgium

5

England

5

Other

0

Don’ t know

6

In your opinion, how will the Russian team perform at Euro 2020? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

 

Total respondents

It will not leave the qualifying group

6

It will get to the round of sixteen

16

It will get to the quarter finals

19

It will get to the semi-finals

14

It will get to the finals  

12

It will become Europe' s champion

10

Don’ t know

23

 

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.

Read the article in Russian