Soccer and war - how Ukrainians make it work
The war in Ukraine continues, and the country has already been eliminated from the European Football Championship. Our author for ntv.de describes what the participation in the tournament with the fans, and everyone else, especially the soldiers at the front, means.
Every day in Ukraine is a fight. Whether soldier, civilian, or single mother, everyone experiences their own struggle. During the EM, football is not just a sport for Ukrainians - football is a piece of hope during the war and a glimpse of normality. Many people, not only football fans, gathered in pubs and restaurants all over the country to support the Ukrainian national team and breathe in this hope - the hope that one day life will be normal again.
A brief look into recent history shows that football plays a decisive role in the war and that Ukraine, through football and football fans, remains independent and able to fight against the Russians. Ultras and hooligans were one of the driving forces behind the protests against the pro-Russian government of former President Viktor Yanukovych at the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014.
The Maidan protests, also known as the "Revolution of Dignity," marked a turning point in Ukrainian history, driving the democratic transformation of the country and the development of civil society. In the following years, Ukraine saw a series of democratic changes, European values, and the common goal of transforming the country united many Ukrainians and Ukrainians. Until they had to resume the fight for their land and their values in a much more brutal way in 2022.
When Ultras Hold Back the Russians
Thousands of Ultras joined the army then to fight against Russian and pro-Russian soldiers in the Donbass region against the annexation of Crimea and the Russian occupation of the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk. Ultras played a decisive role in maintaining political stability in the Odessa region: When pro-Russian extremists tried to take over the city on May 2, 2014, they were held back by football fans from Chornomorets Odessa and Metalist Kharkiv, as well as locals who did not want to live under Russian rule.
Yuri Prazdnikov, now 44, a volunteer and co-owner of the charity project "Varnia Sviata" (Note from the editor: "Varnia Sviata" is a place for the rehabilitation of soldiers and volunteers, where they receive counseling and support and can spend time with their friends over a beer and a snack), was an eyewitness and participated in the fighting. He recalls: "We knew that Russian-backed 'social elements,' as we call them here, were preparing to stage clashes. I rode my bike back and forth and reported to our people where the pro-Russians could be. When they reached Grecheskaya Square, they began shooting at us. We had no firearms, but we were better organized and had the absolute will to repel the pro-Russian attacks. We drove them back, or Odessa would have been in Russian hands since 2014."
Symphony of Generators
The power outages in the city were a daily occurrence. The electricity grid was damaged during the fighting, and the power plants were not able to keep up with the demand. The situation was particularly difficult during the winter months. Yuri and his team at Varnia Sviata decided to do something about it. They set up a system of generators and began distributing electricity to the city's residents. The generators ran day and night, providing power to hospitals, schools, and homes. The project became known as the "Symphony of Generators."
Yuri explains: "We couldn't just sit idly by and watch as people suffered in the cold. We had to do something. So we set up a system of generators and began distributing electricity to those who needed it most. It was a symphony of generators, working day and night to keep the city running."
The project was a success, and the generators became a symbol of hope and resilience for the people of Odessa. They showed that, even in the darkest of times, the people of Ukraine could come together and find a way to keep going. And, as Yuri puts it, "That's what football does - it brings people together, gives them hope, and helps them fight for what they believe in."
Yuri was part of the provisional medical evacuation teams. His people and he took in the wounded, stopped cars, and sent or carried injured persons to hospitals. "By the way, we didn't check if the injured person shared our political views or not", he explained. "We simply saved lives." The events of May 2nd shaped the future of Odessa, as it was clear that pro-Russian forces would not take the city, at least not yet.
Precise and targeted attacks by Russia left the Ukrainian energy system in the country paralyzed and plunged it into endless power outages. But the Ukrainians are a nation of survival artists and problem solvers: instead of just sitting around and waiting for the situation in the energy sector to improve, local business owners bought countless generators, big and small, as long as they ran on gasoline, diesel, or gas.
"When you walk through the city center of a Ukrainian city, you can hear the 'Concert of Generators,'" Yuri told me smiling. They are installed near every restaurant, every pharmacy, every bank, or every supermarket, and when they all work together, it is indeed loud, a kind of "Symphony." At the same time, it means that the Ukrainians had and have many opportunities - and still do - to follow the EM on TV.
Defiance against Dictators
For non-Ukrainians, it may seem strange that during the EM 2024, people actually gathered in pubs and restaurants to watch and support the Ukrainian national team. But it also shows that they continue to try to make the best out of things and lead as normal a life as possible, despite bombing attacks and air alarms.
A British soldier, who is in action for the Ukrainian army, says: "It reminds me of the defiance of the British people during World War II. The Ukrainians will not be toppled by any dictator." However, there are always setbacks: During the match between Ukraine and Romania, Russian hackers interrupted the live broadcast, and instead of watching football in the second half, fans saw a black screen. "Fortunately, we lost 0:3, which spared us the embarrassment," commented the football fans ironically. The second match against Slovakia was won by Ukraine with a score of 2:1. "I was happy all evening until I found out that a close friend of mine, a soldier, had been killed by Russians in the east of the country," an football fan recounted.
No Time for Football
Soldiers love football just as much as other Ukrainians, but when they are in service, they have other problems. A soldier narrated that there is neither time nor space for football in the trenches: "Most people don't know what it's like to live in a trench. You have to stay alert. From a distance of 25 to 30 meters, you can hear explosive-laden suicide drones and try to survive. You can be attacked at any moment." There are drones that drop grenades and mines from above, and sometimes you can hear the sound of a falling grenade or mine.
Approximately three seconds is all the time a soldier named "Maverick" has to save himself, he says. In the trenches, there is neither time nor room for football. Unfortunately, Ukraine has been eliminated from the EM after a draw against Belgium. "But these moments, when we follow the game, away from the trenches, and can distract our thoughts from the war, are priceless," he adds to ntv.de.
Translated by Sabine Oelmann
Despite the ongoing conflict and Ukraine's elimination from the European Football Championship 2024, many people still gathered in pubs and restaurants to support the Ukrainian national team. Football serves as a source of hope and a glimmer of normalcy during the war. (Reference to the EM tournament and its significance during the war)
Football's impact on Ukrainian history is significant. In 2014, Ultras played a crucial role in maintaining political stability and fending off pro-Russian forces in Odessa. They demonstrated the power of unity and resilience in the face of adversity, showcasing the same spirit that football fans are exhibiting during the current EM tournament. (Reference to the role of Ultras in Ukrainian history and their continued support during the EM tournament)
