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Fled between the bombs, now a historic duel for the World Cup awaits: the unreal story of Ukraine | World Cup preliminary round

Football more than ever as a spark of hope for a nation. While Ukraine is still at war, the national team will play for a place at the World Cup in Qatar tonight. “Soldiers only ask us one thing: take us to the world championship.” The story of a country that wants to forget all misery for a while.

It is early in the morning of February 24 when Taras Stepanenko is abruptly awakened by explosions. The midfielder of Dinamo Kiev and the Ukrainian national team immediately flees into the air raid shelter with his wife and three children.

Russia has just invaded his country.

Three months – and endless suffering – later the war is still raging. Yet Stepanenko is no longer hiding in his bomb shelter.

He wants to qualify with Ukraine for the World Cup in Qatar. First must be won against Scotland, then Wales awaits.

Tonight part one of the mission in Glasgow.

Tears

It is already becoming a match that has few equals in football history in terms of symbolism and emotions.

While there are still deaths in Ukraine, it is figuratively do-or-die for the national football team. With players who cannot possibly be on the field alone with their thoughts. Anxiety about family and friends is constantly lurking.

Yesterday, strongholder Oleksandr Zinchenko burst into tears at the preview press conference. “Everyone in Ukraine only wants one thing: for the war to end. That’s what we dream of… just like the World Cup, yes.”

Ukraine is not only faced with a tough battle mentally. Also physically the cards are not at all favourable.

The majority of the national team plays for local top clubs Dinamo Kiev and Shakhtar Donetsk, but they have not played an official game since August. Actually, the Ukrainian league was supposed to resume on February 26.

Vladimir Putin thought otherwise…

City player Zinchenko burst into tears yesterday.

Bus trip of 37 hours

Instead of playing football, all teams had to flee.

At the end of April, a bus traveled through the devastated country to pick up internationals in various cities. After a journey of 37 hours, the company reached Slovenia, which welcomed the team with open arms. For a month, the Ukrainians there navigated between the Elegance Hotel and the national training fields.

Emotionally exhausted, but safe. The big goal: the jump-off against Scotland, which was originally supposed to take place in March.

The Ukrainian national team at work in Slovenia.

However, not everyone in Ukraine fully supported the move.

In theory, the players fell under martial law, which prohibited any adult male between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country. The fact that fit top athletes were given an exception aroused anger among some.

Nevertheless, the majority of the compatriots realized that the impact of the national team would be greater outside the national borders.

For example, Ukraine – just like Dinamo and Shakhtar – played benefit matches in various countries. Mönchengladbach, among others, happily sparred against the affected country.

Immediately a way to maintain the match rhythm a bit towards an unfair battle.

moment of hope

But make no mistake: Ukraine definitely wants to go to the World Cup.

The jump-off match will not dispel the coverage of the war in local media as the main point, but it will provide a rare distraction in the football-crazed country. Ninety minutes of land forget the misery.

And who knows, maybe even boost the troops.

“We are getting messages from our soldiers,” Stepanenko said. “They only ask one thing: please do everything to get Ukraine to the World Cup. This is a moment of hope for our country.”

National coach Oleksandr Petrakov also noticed this. The 64-year-old veteran volunteered to fight in February but was not handed any weapons. “You better take us to the World Cup”, was the message of the army officer.

After the rockets and bombs we are not afraid of anything

Ukraine players

With that heavy burden, Ukraine will face Scotland tonight. For the most important game in the football history of the country, which has not played a World Cup since 2006.

In this, patriotism will have to compensate for a lack of competition fitness. Rest assured that after a very emotional anthem, they will battle until they drop.

Just like in the Eurovision Song Contest, the world will give Ukraine the victory. Except for the loud home fans in Scotland.

“But after the rockets and bombs we are not afraid of anything”, the visitors shrug.

Tonight the sound of cheers should drown out that of impacts for a while.

National coach Oleksandr Petrakov

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