I have known Oksana Zakalik for many years. I used to monitor the Italian market for work, looking for players of Ukrainian origin. I came across her son Eduard. After the war started, we became even closer. Despite the fact that Oksana has been living in Italy for many years, she never forgets her historical homeland. She has probably delivered hundreds of tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. She is always looking for opportunities to be useful to the country where she spent her childhood. At the same time, like all workers, she has a family.
The arrival of the Dynamo youth team in her town of Abano-Teme in 2009 was a momentous occasion. Oksana took care of the team from the Ukrainian capital during the Torneo Internazionale Calcio Giovanile Citta.
- Oksana, tell us, how popular is the tournament in Abano Terme?
- It has been held for 29 years. This is a great story. Many generations of professional stars have grown up at this tournament. It is compared to the importance of competitions in Vioregio.
At the U-14 category level, it is one of the main ones in Europe. A lot of clubs ask to participate. There were 32 teams before the covid. There were 16 teams from around the world. This year we managed to gather 16 teams. As a matter of principle, teams from Russia and Belarus were not invited to the tournament. This is despite the fact that Abano Terme is a tourist town and lives on tourists.
The competition is organised by the city of Abano with the help of the Veneto region and the Italian Football Federation plays an important role. The best referees, big sponsors, and good teams are invited.
- Is there a lot of attention from the fans?
- The attention is huge. The entrance is free. In recent years, the stadium has not been able to accommodate the fans. We installed two more stands. We decided to stream to solve this problem.
- The main games take place at the Abano Terme Stadium. The group stage matches are played at stadiums in the cities around.
- How long has Dynamo been participating in this tournament?
- If I'm not mistaken, it has taken part 5-6 times. Before that, Shakhtar came here.
- Why did you decide to patronise the Dynamo youth team?
- I was invited by the organisers, the city hall. They have known me for many years. I have been working with them on other projects. They thought it would be nice for Dynamo to have someone from their own team working with them. Despite living in Italy for many years, I remain Ukrainian. I agreed without any hesitation. It is very pleasant for me. It's nice to work with boys like my son. The situation in Ukraine is difficult now, and I wanted to help in some way.
- What were your responsibilities?
- The whole organisation during the team's stay at the tournament - logistics, hotel, food, living conditions, the place where the training will be held, the match protocol
- How was it working with Dynamo?
- This is a very interesting and new job for me. I knew some things because my son also plays football. The guys had an extremely good attitude towards me. It was very easy to work. They accepted me very well. They understood that such cooperation is very necessary.
- The head of the Dynamo Academy was present at the tournament. How did you get on with him?
- Very well. Oleksandr Oleksiyovych said that they feel more relaxed having me as a coordinator. I have known Ishchenko for several years. Because Kyivans have already come here. Back then, I was a spectator and a fan.
I saw every day how he and the coach worked with the children, adjusted them, helped them as much as possible. They are true professionals in their field.
- Who coached Dynamo?
- Serhii Ishchenko. This is not his team, because he works with the U-10s in the Dynamo system. The U-14 coach couldn't leave Ukraine.
I really liked Serhii's work. He is a true professional. He created a homely atmosphere. Other coaches allowed themselves to shout at the players. With Ishchenko, everything was calm, he explained and advised them. He wanted the players to show their best qualities.
- Were there any additional requirements?
- Sometimes there were requests to provide a training field. We had to agree on the time with the organisers. Everything had to be done in accordance with the tournament requirements under control.
- Abano Thermo is famous for its thermal pools. Did you take them there?
- Yes, I did. They were in the pools. They really liked it there.
Before we arrived, I set a condition for the organisers. The team was accommodated in a nice hotel with a swimming pool and a park. These guys are going through difficult moments. I wanted them to remember this tournament for the rest of their lives and to have a good time.
- Did the Ukrainian diaspora support Dynamo?
- When we sent the boys home (they came to Abano by bus from Uzhhorod and got there by train from Kyiv), the local Ukrainian organisation packed them a perk for the journey. The organisers also prepared food for the journey. I wanted to give these children as much as possible to make them feel good on the road. Like every mother worries about her children.
- Dynamo lost all four matches. Tell us about all the matches.
- In the first game, we lost to Juventus - 0:2. The Italian captain was Davide Marchisio. His father once played for Juventus and the Italian national team. The match was officiated by Serie A referee Daniele Ciffi.
In the second game, we lost to Udinese with an equal score of 0:1.
In the third game, they lost to the future winner, Flamengo. The Brazilians outplayed all the teams physically - 0:2.
"Tokyo lost 3-2. After the match, the Japanese gave their shirts to Dynamo players, exchanged them, shook hands, and talked to those who spoke English as a sign of respect. It was a highlight of the tournament. The Dynamo players really wanted to play against the Japanese. Because this is a team from another continent, with a different culture.
But it wasn't all bad. The game was very intense and good with each team. Each opponent has their own style. There are teams that were physically superior. There were strong opponents. Not a single game was clear-cut. Either with Juventus or with the winner of the tournament, Flymengo (the guys are more like rugby players). our team outplayed the opponent for most of the match.
- Was there any attention to Dynamo given that there is a war in Ukraine?
- Yes, there was. We were interviewed by three national channels and two local ones. The attention was extremely high. When the guys were walking around the city, sometimes we could hear "Glory to Ukraine", they wanted to be authors, take photos together, ask for T-shirts.
- Do you remember any of the Dynamo players?
- All of them. The eyes of these guys are something extraordinary. He has blue eyes more than anyone else. People came up to me and asked. Everyone said how beautiful these children are. Our children are the most beautiful!
Especially the first days were hard. The road was hard. We sang when we had a very difficult week in Kyiv. We were worried about our parents, about the game. When we were doing interviews, some of us couldn't hold back the tears. It was impossible not to cry myself.
- What are their gastronomic tastes?
- This is a special topic. They liked Italian cuisine. I supervised their menu - pasta, meat of various types and types of cooking, lots of vegetables and fruits. Before they left, they had lasagne, mozzarella and tiramisu cake. The boys tried everything.
- Your son Edo is a footballer. He has a good account with Padova. He was born in Italy. Do you hope to be called up to the youth national team of Ukraine at his age?
- My son really wants to. Like every footballer, he wants to play for his country.
Last year he trained with Dynamo 2006. The U-17s were invited to the neighbouring city of Vicenza for a week and to Florence for the same period. The organiser told us about Eduardo. The coach told him to come and meet the boys. If he was interested in training. It was his age. He was curious about the training sessions. I supported some of the Dynamo players in the Ukrainian national team during the qualifiers in Bosnia and Cyprus. It's a pity that Ukraine failed to qualify for Euro U-17.
Serhii Tyshchenko
