A natural and well-deserved ticket to the World Futsal Championship for the Ukrainian national team ... Shakhtar's difficult European Cup draw... New votes for Andriy Shevchenko as a candidate for the UAF presidency... The already bright palette of the football week was enriched by the EU court's decision on the Super League, which again revived talk around this dubious project.
Ukrainian futsal salvo
On the floor of the Atlas Arena in the Polish city of Lodz, the Ukrainian national futsal team triumphantly completed the qualifying tournament for the 2024 World Cup. Our guys confidently defeated the hosts with a score of 5:3, overtaking Poland in the final standings.
The revenge game was convincing. The fans received all the answers to their questions about the disappointing defeat by the Poles in the first meeting of these rivals, when Ukraine, having a 2-0 lead in the game, managed to concede and give the main competitor, as it turned out, the strategic tournament initiative. The Blue and Yellows proved that their crushing victories over the Belgians (10:2 and 8:2) and Serbs (6:1) were not accidental. In fact, after the first half of the match in Poland, the guests had largely decided the fate of their ticket to the World Cup.
"Oleksandr Kosenko [Ukraine's head coach - Ed.] prepared a surprise for the opponents - from the opening minutes, the goalkeeper of the national team of Ukraine was active in the attacks," we read on Football24.ua (20.12.23). In the 5th minute, he also earned a promising free kick, simultaneously putting the Polish player on a yellow card. The hosts did not shy away from fouls at all. They scored three very quickly. The last of them was fatal. Chernyavsky scored, Abakshin finished in the net - Ukraine opened the scoring."
The teams went to the break with the score 0:4. The replacement of the Polish goalkeeper did not significantly affect the course of events on the pitch. The Ukrainians cancelled out the attempted comeback (two goals scored) with a successful counterattack, with Semenchenko at the forefront of it: taking a pass from Savenko, undoubtedly one of the heroes of the match, he hit the goalkeeper between the legs, effectively removing all questions about the winner.
"I wantto thank the guys for showing dedication, character, skill, " O. Kosenko said in a commentary for the UAF official website. We are going to the World Cup, it is very important for both futsal and the country. We feel the support of the whole country. And the fact that it was 4:0 and then 5:3 is a game, and we understood that the Poles would fight to the last for this ticket. We realised that this was not the end, and it was not our fault that the score changed - it was the Poles who made every effort to try to level the game and get back into it. Once again, I thank the guys for standing up and scoring the fifth goal. They really deserved to qualify for the World Cup" (Uaf.ua, 21.12.23).
The final tournament of the World Cup will take place in Uzbekistan from 14 September to 6 October 2024. In addition to Ukraine, the national teams of Portugal, Kazakhstan, France, and Spain also received direct tickets from the Old World. Finland, Croatia, the Netherlands and Poland will play in head-to-head matches.
The success of the national team has also had a positive impact on the prospects of domestic clubs. Ukraine has risen to fifth place in the ranking of European national futsal teams, which will allow it to delegate two teams to the Champions League next season.
A vacancy for the favourite
The main football team of our country lives in anticipation of the Euro 2024 play-offs. The first opponent next spring will be the team of Bosnia-Herzegovina, a meeting with them will take place on 21 March in Zenica.
The topic of head-to-head matches was one of the main ones in a lengthy interview with the head coach of the Ukrainian national team Serhii Rebrov on one of the Instagram channels. In particular, the coach noted that he and his staff are carefully preparing for the game and that the winter break allows them to analyse the opponent's actions to the smallest detail. One of the subtleties is psychological readiness.
"What does a favourite even mean? " Rebrov asks the journalist, " We played Italy, who were favourites, but had to shoot a penalty in the last minute to win. "Being a favourite imposes more responsibility on you. Now everyone thinks that we are favourites, but in my opinion, it doesn't mean anything. We have to prepare for the game very carefully and go into this match with a lot of focus. I am sure that we know how to play football, we have shown that. Now it is very important not to think that you are the favourite, but to prepare for the match with concentration." (Ua.tribuna.com, 18.12.23).
Obviously, Rebrov already has the core of the team for the meeting with the Bosnians in mind. However, given the busy winter calendar of the clubs where Ukrainian legionnaires play, it is too early to announce the starting line-up for certain personnel issues regarding those performing at home. That's why the coach's comments were quite brief.
In particular, he advised the Spanish Girona players Tsygankov and Dovbyk not to leave the team during the winter transfer window (and the leaders of the sensational Catalan team have plenty of offers from top clubs!)
"No one expected this from Girona. The club looks confident, they are in first place in La Liga. I hope that Viktor and Artem will continue to progress. There are a lot of rumours around them. It'simportant that they finish the season at Girona, and only then think about other clubs ," Rebrov's opinion was relayed by 1927.kiev.ua (18.12.23).
The head coach also said that he was counting on Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin: "Game practice is very important for goalkeepers. When we didn't call Andriy up to the national team, he had no practice at all. And now we see that he plays with great confidence and helps Real Madrid. With this kind of play, he is a very important player for our team as well" (Xsport.ua, 18.12.23).
Serhiy Stanislavovych also spoke about the lot of the Donetsk Miners, our last representatives in European club tournaments: "If Shakhtar are in good shape for the clash with Marseille, they have very good chances" (Ua.tribuna.com, 18.12.23).
Time to make a wish for Marseille
Thus, the draw for the first round of the Europa League play-offs has determined one of the most reputable French clubs, Marseille, as Shakhtar's opponents. The first leg will take place on 15 February 2024, with the return leg on 22 February.
"A difficult opponent, a good team, a big club," commented Marino Pušić, the Donetsk coach, "There are no easy opponents at this level. In the Europa League, all teams are capable of playing in the Champions League. I am pleased with the draw, it will be very interesting" (Shakhtar.com, 18.12.23).
"It's not the best option, but it's not the worst either," analysed the draw result former Donetsk goalkeeper Yuriy Virt, " Marseille is on a roll now, but if Shakhtar retain their leaders, have a good preparatory period, and work productively in the transfer market, they have every chance of getting past the French club" (Sport.ua, 18.12.23).
According to Wirth, the French manager, the Italian Gattuso, managed to stabilise the squad and passed on to his players the intransigence he had when he took to the field. Marseille has several bright leaders, in particular, the striker Aubameyang has become more demanding of himself and is scoring a lot again. Mr Yurii also recalled a date with the Marseille team in the 2008/09 UEFA Cup quarter-finals. Back then, the Orange and Blacks won twice (2-0 and 2-1), reached the semi-finals, and eventually won the tournament.
However, coach and expert Oleg Fedorchuk is more pessimistic in his assessment of Shakhtar's February prospects.
"Marseille is a bright representative of athletic football (which is not quite suitable for Shakhtar today), with promising youngsters in the squad," the expert shared his attempted forecast for the Bookmaker-ratings.com.ua website (19.12.23 ). " In addition, our opponent represents the European top flight. I believe that Donetsk were unlucky with the draw. Shakhtar could face big problems if key players leave. I do not rule out that Georgy Sudakov will be among them. This will significantly weaken the team."
Fedorchuk gives the Pitmen a 40% chance of success in the clash. Shakhtar have a youthful enthusiasm, a decent midfield and a good goalkeeper on their side.
"Another plus is that coach Marino Pušić will have more time to study the team and, accordingly, prepare for these matches. After the winter break, we will understand what kind of coach he is," sums up his Ukrainian colleague (Bookmaker-ratings.com.ua, 19.12.23).
Hot on the heels of the draw, some of our media outlets highlighted Marseille's strengths and weaknesses. The general conclusion is that Shakhtar will have a tough time in the confrontation with a club that is rushing to the Champions League of the next convocation.
In the group stage of the Europa League, the French took second place in their quartet after the English Brighton. The team from the Côte d'Azur has many well-known players. In addition to Aubameyang, they include 29-year-old Spanish goalkeeper Pau Lopez, French defender Clauss, his defensive colleagues Argentine Balerdi, Congolese Mbemba and Brazilian Lodi, midfielders Veretou (France), Kondogbia (CAR) and Unahi (Morocco), forwards Sarr (Senegal) and Correa (Argentina).
Is Shevchenko looking for a team?
"If he manages our football, I think it will be good for everyone. This is the kind of person with whom you can communicate and find a common language. If he is elected president of the UAF, I wish him only success. This is a very responsible position. For my part, I will support Mykolayovych and do everything I can to help."
This is another quote from Serhiy Rebrov's interview mentioned above, where he speaks about his long-time teammate at Dynamo Kyiv and the Ukrainian national team, Andriy Shevchenko. The latter is currently the only candidate for the leadership position, with about two dozen of the 27 collective members of the UAF voting for his nomination. In the reporting week, they were joined by the Ukrainian Premier League.
"I think the current choice is quite normal, given Shevchenko's authority and the fact that he can select a quality team, and under his name, under his word, guarantees, serious, intelligent managers can come who will benefit Ukrainian football," said expert Oleksandr Sopko, interviewed by a correspondent of the FootBoom portal (Footboom1.com, 20.12.23).
"You need a properly selected team, as well as a clear understanding of the tasks set, what you want to start from - from children's football, reform of various championships, creation of independent television, etc. - O. Sopko delved into the topic. - If Shevchenko manages to gather around him new people who, moreover, will be professionals in their field, then you can listen to his programme and understand what it will bring
When he and the national team achieved certain results, everyone admired him: "Well, finally, we have a coach". And the players themselves believed that they could not only sit in the trenches, as they say, but also play football themselves, enjoying it. He made a certain mental revolution in the team" (Footboom1.com, 20.12.23).
The opinion of the president of the UPL club Polissya Zhytomyr, Gennadiy Tkevych, on the candidacy for the UAF chairman is also very interesting. Hennadii Butkevych.
"We have been on close, good terms with Andriy for many years," the official admitted in an interview with a reporter from Ukrfootball.ua (19.12.23) . He was the head coach of the national team of Ukraine, and this is also a managerial job - you select a team, distribute responsibilities, work together for the result. Now the scope of his experience, interests and ambitions has grown. This is normal.
For us, for the state and for football, it is great that there is such a legendary personality and he supports Ukraine throughout. Andriy Shevchenko can open any door in world football. Even though he is not the president of the UAF, he has already done a lot to support Ukraine. That's why I wish him all the best, I have no doubt that he has thought carefully about what he plans to do, and all clubs, all regional federations, all football organisations will help him."
Not subject to appeal
The topic of the creation of the European Football Super League, with which we conclude our Christmas review, does not seem to directly concern Ukrainian football. However, any of the football entities will have to reckon with the verdict of the EU court one way or another.
"The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled in favour of the Super League ," the organisation's decision, posted on its official Twitter account, was shared by Footboom1.com and most of the relevant websites (21.12.23).
Lawyers believe that FIFA and UEFA do not have a regulatory framework that would ensure their transparency, objectivity, non-discrimination and proportionality. Similarly, rules granting FIFA and UEFA exclusive control over the commercial exploitation of the rights associated with these competitions may restrict competition in view of their importance to the media, consumers and viewers in the European Union.
The Court notes that the organisation of inter-club football competitions and the use of media rights are clearly economic activities. Therefore, they must comply with competition rules and respect freedom of movement, even though economic activity in sport has some specific features, such as the existence of associations with certain regulatory and controlling powers and the right to impose sanctions.
As a reminder, in May 2021, the Super League accused UEFA and FIFA of violating competition law. In April of the same year, 12 European clubs announced the creation of the Super League. It included English clubs Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea, Spanish clubs Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, as well as Italian clubs Inter Milan and Juventus.
Subsequently, nine clubs refused to participate in the project, in which Barcelona and Real Madrid remain interested. Against the backdrop of the new decision, the Super League singers promptly published the format of the competition, gaining the support of some club presidents from the top tier. It remains to be seen how UEFA and FIFA will deal with this pressing issue. The first firm reaction from the presiding football institutions was as follows.
"UEFA takes note of the judgement handed down today by the Court of Justice of the European Union in the Super Leaguecase," the official website of the European Football Union published. Rather, it highlights a pre-existing flaw in UEFA's pre-authorisation system, a technical aspect that has already been recognised and addressed in June 2022.
UEFA is confident in the robustness of its new rules, including that they comply with all relevant European laws and regulations.
UEFA remains firmly committed to the European football pyramid, ensuring that it continues to serve the broader interests of society.
We will continue to shape the European sports model together with national associations, leagues, clubs, fans, players, coaches, EU institutions, governments and partners.
We believe that the solidarity-based European football pyramid, which fans and all stakeholders have proclaimed as their irreplaceable model, will be protected from the threat of exit by European and national laws" (Footclub.com.ua, Pressing.net.ua, Tribuna.com and others, 60+ sources).
The highest football authority was not slow to react. FIFA published a statement on social media.
"FIFA has taken note of the judgement handed down today by the Court of Justice of the European Union on the European Super League. FIFA will now analyse the decision in conjunction with UEFA, other member confederations and associations before commenting further.
In accordance with its statutes, FIFA firmly believes in the specific nature of sport, including the pyramidal structure based on sporting merit and the principles of competitive balance and financial solidarity.
Football owes its long and successful history to the above principles, which FIFA, its member confederations and associations will continue to promote in the future for the benefit of all football fans around the world ," according to, among others, information (Isport.ua, Footclub.com.ua, Pressing.net.ua and others, 60+ sources).
Whatever the case, the discussion around the Super League has resumed - attempts to split the football community do not allow some people to sleep peacefully. However, the front of opposition to this initiative is not shrinking and is looking for reinforcements. Thus, the professional leagues of France, Germany and England, the Italian Football Federation, the Association of European Clubs and some of the grandees, even those associated with the introduction of the Super League, have opposed it.
Some are not averse to capitalising on a high-profile news trend. Despite the opposition to the Super League from the retired official of the aggressor country, Vyacheslav Koloskov, and the management of Lviv's Karpaty, their presence in this discussion can only be perceived as a sarcastic misunderstanding.
The reaction of the relevant institutions is another matter. Even against the backdrop of all the controversy, the declarations of professional leagues are an important addition to those of state institutions. The UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport has expressed a strongly negative attitude to the creation of the Super League.
"We take note of the European Court's decision on the European Super League. Theattempt to create separate competitions was a defining moment in English football and was widely condemned by fans, clubs and the government. We then took decisive action by initiating a fan-led review of football governance, which called for a new independent regulator for English football.
We will shortly be considering legislation to make this a reality and to ban clubs from entering any such independent competitions in the future," The Telegraph reported the ministry's statement as saying (Footboom1.com, 21.12.23).
Sources in the governments of Italy and France have put forward legislative initiatives that would make the Super League impossible. However, there are still not enough specifics on this issue. There is a court verdict. It is likely to be appealed in order to turn the situation around in strict accordance with and in favour of the current principles of the European football pyramid, which has stood the test of time, strengthening the favourite game as the most popular and accessible. At least neither FIFA nor UEFA are in a panic mode over the verdict of Themis on the adventurous project.
Orest LELEKA
