Dear Diary

A day in the life of soccer columnist Kurtis Larson on the ground in Russia

SAINT PETERSBURG — If the Krestovsky Stadium is cold now, I can’t imagine what it feels like in winter.

Situated on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, this venue is basically a stone’s throw from the frigid waters of the North Atlantic.

The stadium sits at the eastern edge of Krestovsky Island, a gorgeous, threekm-long forest located north of downtown Saint Petersburg.

The newly built subway stop accessing the stadium is so close to the water’s edge you can hear waves crashing against a barrier that keeps the bay from flooding the Novokrestovskaya metro station.

Exiting Tuesday night’s match, I couldn’t help but wonder what this place feels like during Russian Premier League matches in December. I was uncomfortably cold in my long-sleeved shirt under a windbreaker.

It seemed like a more appropriate venue for SKA Saint Petersburg, the KHL side that represents this city. Still, it was kind of cool to exit a World Cup venue to see large cruise liners floating on rough sees below an orange half-moon that hovered just above the horizon.

The fact the sun never fully sets here only added to the beauty of the night skies on the Gulf of Finland.

Thank God there are two subway stops accessing the Krestovsky Stadium.

Getting here by car didn’t seem advisable.

Russian porta-potties must be luxurious. Using them will run you 30 rubles. Something tells me the trees around Krestovsky Stadium get plenty of waterings.

Today’s meals: Potatoes and chicken stomach, rice with carrots and beef, and veal tongue with mustard and horseradish.

You wouldn’t believe me if I told which one I enjoyed the most.