Soccer fanatics gather at Ukrainian sports bar

by Khristina Lew

NEW YORK - Some sneaked out of their offices in the starched-Oxford-shirt-and-pleated-slacks uniform of Manhattan's business set. Others took the day off and threw on blue-and-yellow shirts emblazoned with the number seven.

Young, old, Ukrainian, American-born - all came to watch Team Ukraine beat Tunisia in Berlin during the first round of the 2006 World Cup. None left the Ukrainian Sports Club on Second Avenue in Manhattan's East Village on June 23 disappointed.

There was standing-room only in the newly renovated, members-only USC, one of the few venues showing the 10:55 a.m. Ukraine-Tunisia match in the East Village. The mood was decidedly somber throughout the first half, with fans staring fixedly at one of three strategically placed television sets, but took on a carnival atmosphere when striker Andriy Shevchenko scored a goal off a penalty kick in the 70th minute of play. USC's main hall exploded in cheers, clapping and laughter as fans celebrated the goal that clinched Ukraine's 1-0 victory over Tunisia.

"It's really cool to be in a place where Ukrainians from Ukraine and Ukrainians from America are slapping each other on the back when Shevchenko scores a goal," said Roman Chwyl, a Toronto native of Ukrainian descent who now lives in Manhattan.

"The Orange Revolution aside, this World Cup has put Ukraine on the world stage. You've got soccer fanatics in Korea, and Mexico who haven't heard much about Ukraine suddenly understanding that Ukraine is its own country, with its own people. It's exciting!" he said.

The festivities continued until the end of the 90-minute match, with Ukraine set to face Switzerland on June 26. And then, almost as quickly as they had assembled at the Ukrainian Sports Club, they dispersed, back to their everyday lives in America.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, July 2, 2006, No. 27, Vol. LXXIV

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