Following the Ukrainian championship, the European cups went on winter break. Last week, the final matches of the group tournaments were played.
Shakhtar Donetsk, having secured a continuation of the season in the Europa League in advance, failed to clinch the Champions League, losing away to Porto (3:5). And Zorya, although they won a convincing victory over Breidablik (4-0) in the Conference League, had to leave the competition. Consolation for the Luhansk side can be the fact that the club earned about five million euros for their performance on the continental stage.
Meanwhile, despite the late December, football life does not stop - neither on the football fields, nor in high offices. National championships of a number of countries continue, and in Saudi Arabia the Club World Cup is in full swing.
The Ukrainian House of Football, where an extraordinary UAF Congress is due to take place on 25 January, is also buzzing.
Shevchenko thanks and accepts the challenge
As recalled the official website of the organisation, one of the items on the agenda of the congress is "Pro obrannya president of the UAF", and according to the Statute it can be elected any capable person of not more than 70 years of age, who is a citizen of Ukraine and a delegate to the congress. At the same time, a candidate for the position can be proposed by any permanent member of the UAF and must have the support of at least one third of them.
"As of the 12th of June, the Ukrainian Football Associationadministration received the minutes of the meetings of the governing bodies of 14 permanent members of the UAF. All of them have nominated Andriy Mykolayovych Shevchenko (born on 29 September 1976), who won the Golden Match 2004, Hero of Ukraine and was awarded the National Legend of Ukraine badge, to be elected UAF president, " the portal reported, reminding that 27 organisations are permanent members of the UAF(Uaf.ua, 12.12.23).
This information was made public last Tuesday, and by the end of the week, while according to unofficial reports, the number of collective members supporting Shevchenko's candidacy had grown to 20. Thus, the legendary footballer and coach becomes, in fact, a non-alternative contender for the post of head of the UAF.
It is clear that such unanimity testifies to the authority of the candidate and hopes and expectations associated with his name for radical improvement of the structure and organisation of management of domestic football. However, it is not without other value judgements, sometimes expressing doubts.
The best answer to them can be the words of Andriy Shevchenko himself on his personal Facebook page, quoted by Ua.tribuna.com.
"I am grateful to the permanent members of the Ukrainian Football Association for their initiative - to nominate my candidature for the post of UAF president.
The development of football, the development of Ukrainian athletes is an important and responsible task that needs attention. Especially Ukraine's position in the international sports arena, protection of our rights, new partnerships and horizons that will strengthen us need it.
I am grateful for the expressed trust and accept the offer to run for the position of the UAF President. I will take time to prepare a programme and select a team, I plan to meet with representatives of all regional federations" (12.12.23).
An important statement was made last week by the head of the Ministry of Minsport Matvei Bedny, who said that his department has developed additional conditions for the admission of spectators to the stands of sports competitions with observance of safety conditions. The document contains 24 points and was developed in accordance with the protocol decision of the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on 1 December.
"No TV broadcast will not replace the emotion of the stadium, but our priority was and will be the safety of viewers. We have taken a very responsible approach to the development of measures together with non-protective structures. We are going to return the spectators to the stadiums in the same way as we used to return them to cinemas and concerts," the minister stressed(Mms.gov.ua, 13.12.23).
It should be said that the problem of spectators' presence at sports arenas, primarily at football matches, in the conditions of wartime and constant air raids is complicated and multifaceted. Nevertheless, some clubs, contrary to the regulatory requirements, allowed themselves to commit violations, for which they were repeatedly fined by the CDC. However, the fans managed to find loopholes, sneaked into the stands, gathered outside the stadiums despite the bans.
That's why they are fans, to believe in the victory of their team and their country. It is not for nothing that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, while recording his TV congratulations on the Armed Forces Day and passing by the Dynamo stadium, remarked: "...And next door we can see the beautiful Dynamo stadium. One day fans will return here and to all the stadiums in Ukraine. Thousands of them are now in the ZSU lions. Fighting for our cause. Like the others who didn't allow the invader to parade here. And there are memorials to ours in the neighbourhood. To our Chornovol. Our Lobanovs'kyi... Memorials to our prominent activists" (President.gov.ua, 06.12.23).
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke to UEFA president Oleksandr Ceferin, exchanging views on topical geopolitical and sporting issues, the official website of the European football body reported.
"The UEFA President expressed his unwavering support and admiration for Ukraine and the courage of its people in these difficult times and expressed his hope for a quick and peaceful solution that will bring stability and prosperity to Ukraine. He also wished the Ukrainian national team good luck in the upcoming Euro 2024 knockout matches.
Volodymyr Zelensky thanked UEFA for promoting peace, tolerance and justice through its tournaments and for the support the governing body of European football has given Ukraine since the start of the conflict"(Uefa.com, 12.12.23).
"Kryvbas throws down the gauntlet to the favourites
Statisticians have calculated that the winter break in the Ukrainian championship will last 75 days (the base date for the matches of the 18th round is 24 February). Players of most teams are now resting, then traditionally heavy winter training camps, control matches, transfer activity.
Dynamo Kyiv players went on holiday immediately after the meeting with Obolon (2:0) on 11 December, and will gather together on 12 January, after which they will spend a week in Kyiv, undergo a medical examination and leave for the preparatory training camp in Turkey.
Returning to the match with Obolon, the club president Igor Surkis admitted on the air of the Profutbol Digital programme: "I did not like this game and will never like it. One team only defended their goal, the other team tried to open this defence. Even in the days when we had more star players, this kind of thing was not easy. It is very good that we won. We will fight for first place.
Why do we have such problems with Obolon? Because it is a principled derby. Everyone is to blame, the referees too. And what can you charge the referee, when their players step on the ankle every minute? Half of the players of our team have injuries, Brazhko and Buyalskyi are under the care of doctors.
A controversial first goal? There is VAR for that. And as for the penalty, only a blind man could not see the 11-metre penalty".
Igor Surkis reacted less emotionally to the question about his vision of the club's transfer policy, admitting that he is ready to strengthen the team, but only with players who will improve the game, and not sign them for the sake of quantity or for a tick. In addition, due to the known circumstances, it is now difficult to invite players who would like to come. And the domestic market does not see performers who can bring quality, with the exception of Shakhtar's representatives.
"But we have our own youngsters who need to progress and join the first team, and they need to be treated very carefully. Dinamo school graduates born in 2006 are good, Ponomarenko and Mikhavko, I think, can go to the training camp with the main squad. It is very pleasant that we are the first in the rating by the number of our own pupils. It is also important for the national teams of Ukraine of different ages".
And as for the appointment of Oleksandr Shovkovskiy as a full-fledged head coach of Dynamo, he added: "I have taken off his prefix "duty holder" and I wish himall the best, and everything else will depend on the result. Itused to be the same with Serhiy Rebroviy, I hope everything will work out for Shovkovs'kyi"(Fcdynamo.com, 12.12.23).
Shovkovskiy's new status, the presence of Gusev in the coaching staff, the invitation of Fedorov, the work in the club structure Kravets prompted some do-gooders to talk about the revival of the "club of Dynamo hearts".
"In truth, Dynamo supporters were so concerned about this term due to the fact that the coaches were kept on their seats exclusively due to their affinity to Dynamo family, - nevertheless, observer Igor Tsvik believes. - If the team will produce results and win titles, it is unlikely that any of the chanuvalniki of the Kyivians will say any wry words to Shovkovs'kyi. Theplayers confirm that SaSho has significantly improved the atmosphere in the squad room, removed the psychological pressure and is always ready to listen to everyone in an individual conversation"(Sportanalytic.com, 11.12.23).
Oleksiy Slivchenko added: "Will the young "hearts" be able to surpass the achievements of their older colleagues? Only time will tell, but as a minimum, therecan be no activereasons for scepticism among the fans. Igor Surkis, having returned to the top position, once again demonstrated his character. Napolleglivosti and stubbornness sometimes bear fruit, and Ukraine is in no way endowed with talents to achieve success in football"(Sport.ua, 12.12.23).
Finally, the opinion of former Dynamo and national team coach Jozsef Szabo, under whose guidance Oleksandr Shovkovskiy's development as a high-class goalkeeper took place: "As a footballer, Sasha was a sensible, competent kid. And as a coach he was able to work as a substitute for Shevchenko and Lucescu, he gained some experience.
You can already see Shovkovs'kyi's hand. The team has a good game discipline, fewer mistakes in defence, and when the ball is lost, the pressing is used. Although not all of the players have learnt these principles. Dynamo share the first place with Shakhtar for the lost points, but these points are still to be gained. Still, I think that Shovkovs'kyi can lead his team to the championship"(Ukrfootball.ua, 13.12.23).
But the championship ambitions, as it turns out, live and Kryvbas, which in fact became the interim, winter winner of the national championship, having scored the same number of points with Dnipro-1, but ahead of Dnipro on additional criteria. Moreover, as Sportarena.com notes, it is Kryvbas that has improved its performance compared to the last season. "Dynamo" is on last year's schedule, while "Shakhtar" and "Dnipro-1" even slightly gave up.
"We are happy that we managed to leave behind the grandees of our football, - the head coach of the team Yuriy Vernidub does not hide his satisfaction. - We tried not only to achieve results, but also to show a good performance. And we are also glad that thanks to our soldiers we have the opportunity to stay, train and play home matches in Kryvyi Roshi.
Obviously, managers, supporters, footballers and coaches dream about the Champions League. I have already been there with Sheriff and I really want to give these emotions and experience to my current teammates. So, it will be important, because the supervisors are seriously interested in us. But everything is real. We are looking forward to not 13 matches, but 13 finals"(Expres.online, 14.12.23).
Well, with the greater interest football fans will be waiting for the resumption and denouement in the second part of the Ukrainian championship.
Unnecessary mistakes decided everything
"Shakhtar needed to beat Porto in the last group game to continue their Champions League performance. The task is not an easy one. Especially considering that the game was away, and the ease with which the Pitmen surrendered to the Portuguese (1-3) in a formally home game at the start of the tournament.
However, since then, the Pitmen have picked up three wins, recovered their spirits and noticeably improved their game, which many experts directly attributed to the change in the Orange-Blacks' coaching staff.
"Both teams, especially us, have changed over the last two months," agreed Shakhtar's Bosnian coach Marino Pusic. - But the opponents have not been idle on the spot, they have improved, as they demonstrated in the away match against Barcelona. That is why we are looking forward to a very interesting confrontation between two teams in such a final, where both teams want to win and qualify for the next round"(Shakhtar.com, 12.12.23).
Pusic confirmed that, in principle, his charges have achieved the main goal - to stay in the European cups for the spring, but Shakhtar are an ambitious team and claim for more.
How realistic is it?
Let us give the floor to two former Shakhtar players.
Yuriy Virt: "Shakhtar guaranteed their participation in the European Cup at the end of the season, so they will be uncompetitive and will be able to play to their own satisfaction. And this sometimes brings dividendi. But for Porto, a failure to win can be a huge blow, for them the Europa League is not prestigious. And another thing. After the arrival of Puszyszcz, the Pitmen became more organised in defence. And if they stand firm, especially at the start of the match, when the hosts rush forward, they will have a chance in counterattacks or when playing standard positions" (Sport.ua, 12.12.23).
Andriy Vorobey: "Porto will try to impose their game, they will press and dominuvati. Everything depends on how cold-blooded our footballers will feel and how they will be able to get out of defence. Last time, this element of the game was very good for the Pitmen. It is important to avoid individual mistakes. Andrely on their fast players"(Sport.ua, 12.12.23).
TV commentator Roberto Morales recalled that Portuguese coach Sergio Conceição had repeatedly fuelled excitement in the clash with the Pitmen, speaking critically and even disparagingly about Shakhtar as a neighbourhood team, thus trying to put the opponents off balance.
At the same time, he admitted: "The first meeting with Porto was a failure for Shakhtar in every sense: gross errors, general loss of control over the game, complete despair at the end of the game. Then Porto could have defeated their opponent"(Dynamo.kiev.ua, 12.12.23).
However, this time Sergio Conceição was as respectful to the opponent as possible: "Shakhtar are a serious opponent, with many players from the Ukrainian national team. There are players with bright individual qualities, thanks to which, among other things, they managed to beat Barcelona. They are motivated, because they represent a country going through very difficult times.
It will be enough for us not to lose, but we realise that no Porto fan will be satisfied with a draw. As a coach, as a sportsman who has given many years to the club, I assure you that we will play to win. Our club is financially inferior to many competitors, the more valuable it is to be among the top 16 teams in the Champions League"(Footboom1.com, 12.12.23).
And Porto started to realise the words of their mentor from the very first minute. "As early as the second half Bondar allowed Evanilson to makea cross, while his partners did not prevent Taremi from shooting from the other side - Shakhtar were only spared by Riznik's reaction," Footclub.com.ua described the events at the start of the game. - Three minutes later, Shakhtar's goalkeeper, being under pressure, made a mistake near his own goal - the hosts gave the Donetsk side a quick reprieve. But Galeno did not. 40-year-old Pepe made a long pass, Bondar again did not cover Evanilson, and after the Brazilian's dribble, his spivvitchitchiznik directed the ball from a metre into the net" (14.12.23).
Gradually, however, the Pitmen managed to move the collision line away from their goal and even sparked a couple of chances for Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Sican's goal in reply was a curiosity. The hosts reacted to the assistant referee's flag, but the head referee was in no hurry to record offside and, as the video replay confirmed, he was right. As a result, the Donets forward only had to put his foot down.
"Porto needed some time to get their emotions in order, and just before the break Galeno scored for the second time. And when in the 62nd minute Sudakov cut himself off in the centre of the pitch, allowing the Portuguese to launch a quick counterattack, everything finally came to a head. The teams then engaged in a shootout, exchanging goals twice. And the hosts scored both their goals again after mistakes by their opponents - Stepanenko and Bondar.
"Psychologically, Shakhtar were not ready for this encounter," summarised former Pitmen's defender Serhiy Yashchenko. - It was noticeable that the team was afraid of the opponent. "Shakhtar tried to slow down the pace from the start, but the lack of the right attitude reduced attentiveness and led to mistakes. It is not excluded, if the Donets were satisfied with a draw, everything could have turned out differently. But when you have to go forward, and even with such an opponent, there is always a risk of conceding a lot"(Footboom1.com, 14.12.23).
"It's a pity we lost, and the reason is very simple - they scored five goals and we only scored three, " Marino Pušić could only state. -Scoring three goals is a lot for a awaymatch, but it was not enough. "Porto" is a very good team, it is important to play against them, they play at a high tempo and are very adventurous. In some parts of the match we dominated, but we made two or three unavoidable mistakes, which is too much for this level.
Frankly speaking, sometimes it is strange to write the team after a defeat, but I write my team, a very young team. Such matches are important for the process of training young players, because this is the only way to getthe necessary experience. Such matches help to learn and develop"(Shakhtar.com, 14.12.23).
From Porto, Shakhtar travelled to Tokyo, where the Pitmen were scheduled to play a friendly charity match against local side Avispa Fukuoka on Monday. There, in Japan, the Pitmen learnt their opponent for the Europa League play-off round, the draw for which took place this afternoon in Nyon.
They were psychologically unprepared
For Zorya, the final group game of the Conference League against Icelandic Breidablik had no tournament significance. With any outcome, the Luhansk side remained in third place, and the current European Cup campaign was over for them. The point was small - some prestige, the team's ability to prove that they had not forgotten how to win. Well, and additional points in the UEFA coefficient table would not hurt.
"In Lublin, Poland, the Luhansk club will say goodbye to the European Cup and, judging by everything, for a long time," Roberto Morales predicted on the eve of the match. - Zorya's journey started back in the Europa League, where they hoped for a positive result against Slavia even before the end of the second match.
Zorya started positively in the Conference League group. Then under the leadership of Valeriy Kryventsov, Zorya scored four points in the opening two rounds. We don't really want to think about the victory over Breidablik, because its meaning did not bring joy, unlike the result. But Igor Gorbach's goal became the best episode of this European campaign of Zorya(Dynamo.kiev.ua, 14.12.23).
"Zorya's European campaign was a failure, and we can already talk about it openly and without any embellishments," Oleksandr Snitko complemented his colleague. - The team on the heels of a successful season with van Leeuwen simply collapsed under the leadership of Nenad Lalatovic, after which any efforts to reanimatise the team were fruitless. Yuriy Koval is now simply playing the role of a victim of poor managerial decisions in the club, so there are no questions about him"(Sport.ua, 14.12.23).
On the eve of the match, Koval himself was a little wordy but specific. Yes, it will be a tough game. The opponent's championship is over, and they played in the Conference League a fortnight ago, but you can always prepare for one game.
Another important thing is how much patience our players will have. In the meetings with Maccabi and Ghent, it was patience that Zorya lacked to play against the ball. But the fact is that the guys are motivated. After all, it is their prestige, the prestige of the country, points in the coefficient table plus bonuses that the club will get for winning.
And Zorya played to win. Already in the second minute, Guerrero opened the scoring after islanders' goalkeeper Einarsson unsuccessfully kicked the ball out, and Bol returned it to the attack and assisted the Panamanian.
The 20-year-old defender Anton Bol, whose contract belongs to Dynamo Kyiv, started the second effective combination of the Luhansk side, having crossed from the right flank to Churko, after which the Icelander of Serbian origin Muminovic cut the ball into his own net.
And by the 20th minute the scoreline became a rout.
"All these goals were a legitimate consequence of individual mistakes made by the Icelandic footballers," stated Football.ua. And immediately expressed his surprise: "Zorya somehow decided that they could stop on three quick goals, and they did not lose on that. Saputin had to do a lot of cutting behind the balls, and at some point the game started to be very similar to the meeting in Reyk'yavik" (14.12.23).
However, the Luhansk side, as the portal noted, managed to hold on until the break, after which the game was not so intense. Even so, Zorya managed to make mistakes at a relatively low pace, but the impression of the game as a whole was smoothed out by a goal near the end of the game, scored by Gorbach - another Dynamo pupil, who scored his third goal of the season.
"Regardless of the scoreline, the game was not easy," summarised Luhansk coach Yuriy Koval. - Supernick worked easier with the ball.In general, Breidablik is a technical and fast team.
Our task was to score a quick goal, to play. The team felt me. Of course, frequent travelling and pressure were a sign. But I am satisfied that those who took the field in the starting lineup, as well as the substitutes, were able to play well against the m'yacha and deserved the final result. Today it is the most important for the team"(Zarya-lugansk.com, 15.12.23).
At the same time, one of Zorya's former coaches Anatoliy Chantsev believes that the Luhansk side deserves an exceptionally unsatisfactory assessment for the European Cup campaign as a whole: "At least, in the Conference League they should have qualified for the next round. I think the team appeared psychologically unprepared for continental battles. That's why they let the superiors, who do not exceed them in the level of preparation, ahead of them.
And in general, I would not want to see Ukrainian football lose such a self-made team. The last matches of the Luhansk side give reason to believe that they will not go down to the worst - the UPL relegation. However, much depends on the next decisions of the club management: who will support Zorya on a permanent basis, what will be the vector of development"(Sport.ua, 15.12.23).
Be that as it may, Zorya's victory over Breidablik brought 0.400 points to Ukraine in the UEFA coefficient table. Now our country's seasonal coefficient is 3.900 points - the worst interim figure since the season-2001/2002 (3.625). And only 18th place in the aggregate table. At the same time, it is almost unrealistic to go higher. This means that from the 2025/2026 season four clubs will play on the continental stage instead of five (one in the Champions League, one in the Europa League, two in the Conference League).
It should be recalled that this season our country was in 14th position, and next year it will still be represented by five teams: two in the Champions League (one starting from the 2nd qualifying round, the other from the qualification play-offs), one in the Europa League (3rd qualifying round), two in the Conference League (2nd qualifying round).
Viktor ZHURAVLEV
