Ukraine's Football Team Finds Solace and Support in Germany Amidst War

Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the nation's men's football team has found solace and support in Germany as they prepare for the European Championship. With patriotic songs echoing through the stadium and thousands of exiled Ukrainians in attendance, the team's first training session in Wiesbaden created a sense of home away from home.

As the national anthem played, a poignant reminder of the war back home was evident. Each player presented a ball to a fan, with Oleksandr Zinchenko giving his to a military veteran with prosthetic legs. The proximity to the United States military headquarters in Wiesbaden, which coordinates aid delivery to Ukraine, served as a constant reminder of the ongoing struggle.

Coach Serhiy Rebrov emphasized the importance of addressing the war and its impact on the team. "We need to talk about this," he said. "We know that some people are tired of the news, but we are continuing to fight and we need your support."

Zinchenko, who was part of Ukraine's quarterfinal run in Euro 2021, acknowledged the unique nature of this tournament. "There is still people dying for no reason and we have to stick together," he said. "For them it is super difficult, for us it's obviously extra motivation."

Ukraine's first match is against Romania on Monday in Munich. They will then face Slovakia and Belgium in Group F. Preparation for these games began in earnest on Thursday, with a formal welcome from local politicians.

The 4,000 fans in attendance gave standing ovations to the players as they warmed up. "In Germany, the Ukrainian community is everywhere. We were very happy with everything here," said Rebrov.

Despite the constant threat of Russian bombs targeting civilians and infrastructure in Ukraine, midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi expressed hope that people back home would have electricity to watch the games on TV.

For the past decade, Ukrainian champion Shakhtar Donetsk has been unable to play in its home city due to the conflict in the country's east. Midfielder Taras Stepanenko, who has remained with Shakhtar throughout this period, emphasized the team's determination to represent their people.

"Every day people die, cities destroyed. Every day when we wake up, we read the news about what the situation is in Ukraine," said Stepanenko. "We live in this condition almost three years. It's so difficult."

Tags: #Ukraine, #Euro2024, #Football, #War, #Patriotism