Story By: Anastasia Smirnova, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport
These semi-nude pictures of female professional hockey players have been used in a Russian Women’s Hockey League calendar which has stunned fans.
The images show ten of 12 athletes from seven different clubs posing for the new year’s calendar photoshoot where several of them were seen posing in themes depicting the different seasons.
Local media report the Russian Women’s Hockey League (ZuHL) wanted to show the player’s more tender side as they captioned their post: “You have all been waiting for that. The most beautiful, feminine and tender calendar.”
Some of the women featured in the calendar were 20-year-old HC Tornado star Alyona Starovoytova as she can be seen lying on a field covered in flowers in pastel tones.
Her teammate Nina Pirogova, 20, was photographed surrounded by sunflowers, while their fellow Tornado player Elizaveta Konadkova is seen covered in white flowers.
SKIF Nizhny Novgorod player Ginger Anastasia Smirnova, 33, is seen in a seemingly tropical forest environment.
HC Agidel Ufa player Anna Prugova is seen lying on a surface covered with scarlet rose petals, which gives a hint of the iconic scene from the Oscar-winning American Beauty movie.
The pictures stunned supporters of the league and players as netizens took to social to show their support for the calendar.
‘smoleevdmitrii1401’ said: “You are such beauties.”
Another one ‘dvornik7902’ added: “So pretty and there is a certain style to it. Good job, ladies!”
And ‘permplus1’ commented: “I need this calendar in my life.”
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