On June 20, Mykola Pavlov, a prominent football figure and honored coach of Ukraine, turned 70. Honorary member of UEFA Hryhoriy Surkis congratulated the hero of the day.
Dear Nikolay Petrovich!
I sincerely congratulate you on your 70th birthday!
I join my wishes for all the best of health to a man of word and deed, one of the most respected and experienced football specialists in our country, a coach who has devoted the lion's share of his life to serving Her Majesty the Game.
Your name and your noble work are associated with the truly resounding successes of Ukrainian football - both in Soviet times, when, contrary to the predictions of skeptics, you fought for national "gold" with Dnipro, and in the days of Independence, when, thanks to your coaching and managerial talent, you conquered new heights with a number of domestic clubs.
And how can I not mention that it was the young stars you brought up in Dnipro - Yurii Maksymov, Serhii Konovalov, Dmytro Mykhailenko, Yevhen Pohlebaev, Serhii Bezhenar - who formed the basis of both Dynamo Kyiv, which dictated fashion in our country at the turn of the millennium, and the national team.
In fact, the teams you have assembled have always produced results, and your numerous students are still helping to make history for the Ukrainian national team. The most recent example is Mykola Shaparenko, for whom you opened the way to big football and who is now defending the country's honor at EURO 2024.
Your victories, trophies and strong-willed life achievements speak for themselves, but the sincere love of our fans for you is even more eloquent. This undying respect of the stands is another invaluable award you have won.
An unsurpassed master of his craft and a man of wide soul, an innovator and a sage, you have always been and remain a true guru for our football family. You have also been a faithful keeper of Ukrainian football traditions, a model not only in terms of professionalism, but also in terms of humanity, modesty, sincerity, intelligence, sense of humor and many other qualities that make you a truly unique hero of our time.
Dear Mykola Petrovych, I wish you good health, patience and inspiration! May bad weather avoid your home and family. Happiness and prosperity to you!
And, of course, the longed-for Victory to our entire Motherland!
Sincerely,
Hryhoriy Surkis