In what was the last sporting event of this summer's Olympics and Paralympics in London, it seemed fitting that Russia, hosts of the next Winter Games in Sochi in 2014, took the final gold.

Earlier in the day, the bronze medal went to Iran, who thrashed Brazil 5-0.

Rasoul Atashafrouz and Farzad Mehri both struck twice, with Jasem Bakhshi also on the score sheet, as Iran dominated proceedings.

In the gold medal game, Russia were fully deserving of their victory, playing the better football throughout and looking the more threatening team during the 60 minutes – registering over twice as many shots as their opponents.

This was the third time in four Paralympic Games that the two neighbours' met in the gold medal match and Russia's first title since 2000.

Russia created a number of chances throughout the game, with Zaurbek Pagaev (pictured below, right) going agonisingly close in the first half as his curled effort narrowly missed the target with Ukraine goalkeeper Kostyantyn Symashko beaten.


Aleksandr Kuligin went close with a free kick, which Symashko did well to save shortly afterwards, as Russia continually threatened, only for the final ball or finish to let them down.

The second period was similar to the first in pattern, Russia controlling the play and the game being played for the most part in the Ukrainian half.

Ivan Potekhin, the Russian captain, set up Pagaev with a neat through ball as they looked set to finally score, but just as he seemed poised to finish Symashko got something on the ball to push it to safety.

When they had the ball, Ukraine were a threat on the break, with the tournament's top scorer Anatolii Shevchyk almost punishing Russian profligacy with a shot that went narrowly over.

Moments later Volodymyr Antoniuk, the Ukrainian captain, almost scored as his left foot effort deflected wide with Russian goalkeeper Vladislav Raretckii beaten, while Ivan Dotsenko also went close with a flicked header from a free kick.

That seemed the spark Russia needed to finally convert one of their chances, as soon after Ramonov (pictured top) was put clean through on goal by Pagaev and he kept his cool to slot home.


It was almost 2-0 immediately as Viacheslav Larionov (pictured above, right) ran down the right flank before cutting the ball back for Kuligin, but he contrived to miss with the goal gaping.

Ukraine probed in search of an equaliser, but the closest they came was when Oleksandr Devlysh fired narrowly over from just outside the area, before Dotsenko had an effort blocked by Raretckii.

That was their last real chance of the game as Russia claimed their 36th gold medal of London 2012.

At the conclusion of the Paralympics, Russia finished second in the medal table with 102 medals in total, edging out the hosts Britain.

"I am very proud that the team have succeeded," Russia coach Avtandil Baramidze said afterwards, before praising Britain's hosting of the Games.

"I want to thank everyone for all the support in the United Kingdom to the team.

"It has been a great help, I feel very positive and uplifted by the reaction we have received."

Britain had finished second in the medal table for the last three Paralympics, and were aiming to consolidate that position this summer, so Russia's end result is some consolation for being beaten into fourth by the host nation during the Olympic Games last month.


And at the conclusion of today's match and the Games, rain started to fall on the Riverbank Arena (pictured above), giving a unique summer in Britain a rather traditional end.

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