The eight millionth visitor to the RUSSIA EXPO received tickets to a match of the Russian national football team

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The RUSSIA EXPO welcomed its eight millionth visitor, fourteen-year-old Vadim Leizer from Tyumen. He came together with his parents Pavel and Anastasia, and his younger brother Roman. The winner was given a certificate to attend a friendly football match between Russia and Serbia, which will be held in Moscow on March 21. Such a gift turned out to be just right: the eight millionth visitor has been playing football himself since he was four years old.

"We are grateful for the unexpected surprise, we can't wrap our heads around it, it's hard to find words to express the emotions. We can't believe it happened to us! We can't fathom it yet. Give us a little time to believe in it," shared her impressions the winner's mother Anastasia Leizer.

The Leizer family lived in Germany for a while. Both boys were born there. But recently they decided to return to Russia. "Our place is here, in the Motherland. We are happy to be back. We made this decision because of our love for Russia, now we are enjoying life, walking around the RUSSIA EXPO. It is very impressive - you can clearly see in what direction the country is developing, how many opportunities there are for young people and children," said the head of the family Pavel Leizer.

The certificate is valid for four people and gives an opportunity to watch the match from a VIP box. In addition, a trip to Moscow and a three-day stay in the capital will be arranged for the family of the eight millionth guest. The gift for the anniversary visitor was prepared by the ANO «Directorate of the Exhibition of Achievements "Russia"» and the Russian Football Union. Head of the project office of sustainable development and social responsibility of the Russian Football Union (RFU), former captain of the Russian national football team Alexeyi Smertin, as well as famous Russian footballer, UEFA Cup and Super Cup winner Pavel Pogrebnyak took part in the ceremony to congratulate the jubilee visitor.

"We have a spring miracle today - Vadim from Tyumen became the eight millionth visitor. The Exposition celebrates its first spring million - and we have a special spring prize too. It's getting warm and we want to spend more time outdoors. We are very grateful to our football legends Alexei Smertin and Pavel Pogrebnyak and, of course, to the Russian Football Union, who give us tickets to a unique and long-awaited match. Vadim and Roman will enjoy the game and interact with our football stars, who were able to become ones thanks to their titanic work. And the boys still have everything ahead of them..." noted Natalia Virtuozova, Director General of the ANO «Directorate of the Exhibition of Achievements "Russia"».

Alexei Smertin, head of the project office for sustainable development and social responsibility of the Russian Football Union (RFU) and former captain of the Russian national football team, gave details about the gift to the anniversary guest. The match between the national teams of Russia and Serbia will take place on March 21 at the VTB Arena stadium.

"The Serbian national team is one of the strongest teams, a participant in the European Championship, which will be held in Germany. And this is the first game with a European team since November 2021, which participates in a friendly match with us. We invite you to the match, to cheer for our national team and get emotions together with all the fans at the stadium," Alexei Smertin addressed Vadim's family.

Famous Russian footballer, UEFA Cup and Super Cup winner Pavel Pogrebnyak also came to congratulate the young player and his family.

"The eight millionth visitor is a stunning figure, it's really cool. I want to wish you health, good luck and sporting success. You still have everything ahead of you," the footballer joined in the congratulations.

Less than two weeks ago, on February 22, the exposition was visited by the sevenmillionth visitor  - Alexey Maximov from Volzhsky, Volgograd region.  On February 4, the RUSSIA EXPO welcomed its six millionth visitor Dmitry Yershov from Moscow. The five millionth guest visited the exposition onJanuary 17 - on that day seven-year-old Polina Dmitrieva from the town of Kataisk, Kurgan region, came to VDNH with her mom and dad. On January 5, New Year holidays, thefour millionth visitor Daria Molodtsova  from Tula came to the exposition.

The threemillionth visitor to the exposition was Alexei Kozyrev from Barnaul. The two millionth visitor was Marat Sabitov from Kazan. Svetlana Suleymanova from Penza became the millionth guest. Anniversary guests receive gifts from the ANO «Directorate of the Exhibition of Achievements "Russia"» and partners. For example, an excursion to the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPP, a tourist trip to the Krasnodar region, tickets to the ballet "The Nutcracker" at the Bolshoi Theater and to the main holiday of the peoples of the North - Reindeer Herder's Day.