Springtime in Paris, Ukrainian soccer-style (04/04/99)

Springtime in Paris, Ukrainian soccer-style

Ukrainian National Team ties world champion France 0-0

by Lev Holubec
Special to The Ukrainian Weekly

PARIS - "Soccer is an issue that the whole of the country can agree on, that brings joy in hard times," said an exuberant fan from Kyiv after the Ukrainian National Team (UNT) skillfully drew its European Championship Group 4 qualification match 0-0 with world champion France. Kyiv natives Oleksander Kryvorih and Vasyl Mazur were just two of the 3,000 or so fans who ventured to Paris for the March 27 match - from 16 different countries - to support the UNT in its quest to qualify for the EURO 2000 finals, scheduled for June of next year in Belgium and Holland.

Lisa Cenkewicz, a Ukrainian in France and chief contact for match tickets for the Ukrainian group, was overjoyed with the support of the Ukrainian soccer fans, many of whom were dressed in national colors from the time of their arrival in Paris to their departure.

"Our small Ukrainian community in France never expected such a response," she said, noting that the match attracted visitors from various parts of France, England, Scotland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Poland, Hungary, Estonia, Australia, Mexico, Canada, the United States and, of course, Ukraine.

A weekend of activity

The French Ukrainians coordinated all UNT fan visits, providing information on Paris, hotel arrangements and a weekend program intended to bring Ukrainians together prior to the main event. On Friday and Saturday, March 26-27, the Ukrainian visitors took in Paris attractions and continually made new acquaintances. Ukrainians, obvious due to their language and blue-and-yellow attire, were often approached in the streets by French locals who greeted them with an excited "Shevchenko, Shevchenko" and offered a thumbs up, acknowledging Ukrainian soccer superstar Andriy Shevchenko's talent.

On Friday evening many of the Ukrainian fans came together at Charletty Stadium, where 11,000 fans watched a skillful display by France's David Trezeguet in a 4-0 win over Ukraine in the under-21 group. The Ukrainian team, first in its qualifying group, but apparently still awakening from winter hibernation, watched as Trezeguet scored all four French goals. Nonetheless, after the lopsided match the Ukrainian fans were not swayed. "We have tomorrow," said a supporter from Zaporizhia, referring to the main event against the world champion Frenchmen.

On Saturday morning approximately 150 people attended a panakhyda (memorial service) for Symon Petliura, president of the Ukrainian National Republic who was assassinated by a KGB agent in France in 1926, conducted at his gravesite at Montparnasse Cemetery.

European Ukrainians defeat U.S. counterparts

Next, soccer fans gathered at Jules Noel stadium, where European Ukrainians challenged U.S. Ukrainians to a diaspora soccer match.

The European team, organized by Stefan Sozansky of Manchester, England, skillfully defeated the United States team 4-2. Pavlo Levitsky (two goals), Roman Lenio and Andrij Kaminsky scored for the European team, which was represented by Ukrainians from Ukraine, England, Scotland, Belgium, Germany and France.

Victor Loukianenko, a young goalie from Paris, tended the net well for the Europeans, but was not able to stop Mychajlo Dackiw (Chicago-SUM Kryla) and Marko Howansky (Yonkers-SUM Krylati) from scoring for the Americans.

Prior to the match, Ireneus Isajiw, a board member of USCAK, the Ukrainian Sports Federation of the U.S.A. and Canada, greeted both teams with commemorative USCAK flags for the captains and for Myroslaw Homola, the French Ukrainian organizer of the diaspora event. While handing out USCAK medals to all participants, Mr. Isajiw asked both teams to compete in the spirit of Ukrainian sportsmanship and fair play. After the match, Mr. Homola presented the diaspora trophy to Messrs. Demianczuk and Sozansky, who in turn presented it to their team.

Taras Jaworsky (Chicago-SUM Kryla), led the USCAK-sponsored team that included players from Chicago-SUM Kryla, Cleveland-Lviv Ukrainian Sports Club, Newark-Chornomorska Sitch, Philadelphia-Tryzub and Yonkers-SUM Krylati. The uniforms with an USCAK patch worn by the U.S. team, were purchased with donations from generous individuals, USCAK and the aforementioned clubs; they have been earmarked for Krystal, a soccer club in Kozliv, Ukraine. The uniforms are on their way to the Ternopil region to the native club of Oleh Rabosyuk (Cleveland UASC Lviv), a midfielder on the U.S. squad.

Dancing on the streets of the Bastille

Many of the fans later ventured to St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Catholic Church for an afternoon buffet, prior to the ritual face painting, tailgating and singing that would precede the main event. Ukraine's Prime Minister Valerii Pustovoitenko addressed the crowd of soccer supporters during the informal buffet.

As kickoff time approached, fans started slowly gathering at the "place de la Bastille," to eat, drink, sing and dance - all in anticipation of the big game ahead. Here over 1,000 Ukrainians - most dressed in blue and yellow, many with painted faces - waved flags and chanted "Uk-ra-yi-na." A kolomyika circle was formed, stopping traffic around the Bastille, and three gentlemen dressed in traditional Kozak attire showed their dancing skills to the beat of Vlodko Hnatiw's (Coventry, England) drum and the fans' rhythmic clapping.

About two hours to game time, the crowd left the Bastille and traveled en masse via the Paris metro to Stade de France, in St. Denis. The merry singing and chanting continued as the Ukrainians entered the stadium, where they sat in at least two groups, totaling over 2,000 people. Those who were not fortunate enough to secure tickets gathered at La Plaine Stade de France to watch the game together on a big screen TV.

Ukraine ties world champions

The Ukrainian fans, although outnumbered 40:1 in the French stadium, were heard throughout the game. There was silence for a short while, however, in the third minute of the match as Laurent Blanc of France challenged Ukraine's goal with a header that was skillfully saved by Oleksander Shovkovsky, the Ukrainian National Team's goalkeeper.

That would prove to be the last truly tense moment for Ukrainian fans and the UNT, as the French national team, playing without their star Zinedine Zidane, had to count on a brilliant performance by goalkeeper Fabien Barthez to save the 0-0 draw.

A collective objection was heard from the Ukrainian sections in the 32nd minute, when a pass from Yurii Maksimov set up Serhii Skachenko alone with the French goalkeeper Barthez, who apparently tripped Skachenko in the penalty box. Upon watching replays later in the day, the fans acknowledged that no foul was committed by Barthez, that the referees were correct in not offering a penalty kick to Ukraine.

Ukraine had two opportunities to score on the French. The first was an Oleksander Holovko headball in the opening minutes of the second half, again foiled by Barthez. Later, in the 79th minute, Shevchenko broke through, but failed to capitalize on a one-on-one with Barthez.

The game finished with a 0-0 tie, and the UNT players acknowledged the Ukrainian fan sections by lining up and applauding in their direction. The Ukrainian fans descended from the stands, singing and rejoicing over their team's great performance at the home of the soccer world champions. Upon exiting the stadium, fans unfurled a large Ukrainian flag and respectfully sang "Sche Ne Vmerla Ukraina" (the Ukrainian national anthem).

Post-game reaction

The Ukrainian fans proceeded to the specially organized dance (zabava), which was held a 15-minute walk from the stadium. During the procession, with Ukrainians still singing and rejoicing, French fans lined up on the sides, and cordially applauded the Ukrainian fans, thus acknowledging the Ukrainian "victory." French fans exchanged French colors (scarves, shirts, etc.) for Ukrainian gear. Many French supporters claimed that Ukraine had fielded the better team, and that the French were lucky to have left the match with a draw.

Ali Boukhemkhem, hotel attendant (and soccer fan) at the Little Palace Hotel Tulip, where a portion of the U.S. contingent stayed, commented: "Ukraine had the better team. If Ukraine keeps playing at the level they showed, they will undoubtedly win the group."

Many of the Ukrainian fans attended the zabava, where they ate, drank and sang all night long, while viewing replays of the match. Other Ukrainian fans strolled down the Champs Elysées, publicly voicing their enthusiasm for the Ukrainian National Team's performance.

Ukraine controls own destiny

With the draw against France, Ukraine remains alone in first place of Group 4 of the European Championship 2000 qualification process. Fifty-one European national teams are competing in eight groups in a qualification process to secure one of 14 spots in the EURO 2000 finals, which are scheduled for Belgium and Holland in June 2000. The nine group winners will advance automatically, as will the second-place team with the best record. The remaining eight second-place teams will compete for the final four spots. Co-hosts Belgium and Holland qualify automatically.

After having sole control of first place in its group, Ukraine took a step back on March 31, playing to a 1-1 tie with Iceland in Kyiv. The UNT attacked throughout the entire match, but was able to score only one goal, on Vladyslav Vaschuk's breakaway early in the second half. Iceland equalized seven minutes later and succeeded in holding off the Ukrainian attack for the rest of the match.

Ukraine controls its own destiny, with five games remaining between now and fall of 1999. Ukraine will host Andorra and France in Kyiv, and will travel to Armenia, Iceland and finally Moscow, to meet Russia.

And for next year ...

Roman Jakubowycz, president of Shipka Travel, organizer of the United States contingent that traveled to Paris, said: "We had plenty of fun organizing this trip, and are already in the planning process for the finals in June of next year." Shipka Travel intends to charter a flight from the U.S. to Europe to bring the maximum number of UNT supporters to next year's finals.

In an Internet testimonial about this "Springtime in Paris" weekend, a satisfied UNT supporter from Ukraine noted: "Everyone has to do something like this at least once in their life." He suggested that all meet again next summer to support the UNT in the finals.

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