Soccer:Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has welcomed the news that the 2018 World Cup is coming to his country but immediately turned his focus to delivering the event.
The Russian bid saw off competition from England, Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium despite the absence of President Vladimir Putin, who is now flying to Switzerland.
Medvedev was quick to commend the bid team's success though. Writing on his Twitteraccount, Medvedev said: "Victory. We got it! Russia will host the 2018 FIFA World Cup! Now we need to prepare for it and I hope our team will do well too."
Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, clutching a replica of the World Cup trophy on stage moments after Sepp Blatter made the announcement, told the crowd: "To have entrusted us with the World Cup for 2018....you will never regret it. Let us make history together."
Fans were also rejoicing at the news, with Alexander Shprygin, the head of Russia's official football supporters group, telling The Moscow News that the World Cup put even the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in the shade.
"This is huge for us," said Shprygin. "We've been waiting for this announcement for two years, when fans first spoke with sports minister Vitaly Mutko about it. It's a symbol, a landmark and a bigger stimulus than the 2014 Olympics. It's a national leap, a national project."
Everton's Russia winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov felt the decision would allow football to grow in his homeland.
"I think it is great news for Russia, it is a great decision because Russia needs this tournament more than other countries," said the 37-cap international. "For example, England could host the tournament tomorrow, they are a real football nation with great stadiums and everything is ready.
"I can't say the same for Russia because the football infrastructure is not so good. We need to take the next step and this decision will help us to do that.
"We can build stadiums and bring our game forward. Football will become the number one sport in Russia, it will become the most popular thing and people will all want to come and watch football in nice new stadiums.
"There will also be a big knock-on effect and it will create lots of jobs and help to strengthen the economy.
"We have the Winter Olympics soon in Russia and that will help us prepare. It will give us the experience of hosting a major tournament and will help us put on a great World Cup.
"People will be disappointed here and it is understandable as England would no doubt have put on a great World Cup, but they have fine stadiums and the Premier League is a fantastic competition so there is no shortage of good football for them to watch.
"It is not the same in Russia and everyone is really excited. I have had lots of messages from people over there. I think there will be a big party in Russia tonight but that will be nothing compared to the party there will be in eight years' time."