today 20:45
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Six months ago, Ukrainian coach Yuri Vernydub and his team, Sheriff Tiraspol, celebrated a valuable victory over the famous Real Madrid in the group part of the Champions League. However, times are changing and today, unfortunately, he is fighting in the colors of his native Ukraine with a gun in his hand against the second largest army in the world.
Ukrainian coach Sheriff Tiraspol has decided to tell his story to the British BBC. He left his team before the elimination part of the European League and you can read his confession in the following lines.
“My son called me at 5:30 last Thursday and told me that the Russians had attacked our country. Right then I realized that I had to go back home to fight for my country. I traveled to Ukraine from Tiraspol on Saturday and on Sunday I already enlisted in the army.
I will not lie to you, on the way home I met many stout men who were leaving Ukraine. If they come back, I’ll be happy. But I completely understand why they fled with their families to Moldova, Romania or elsewhere. Many guys have left the area where I currently work. These are the Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, Luhansk and Donetsk regions.
But I realized that I just couldn’t do the same. I told myself that as soon as I got home, I would join the army. My loved ones tried their best to talk me out of it. My wife, children, and grandchildren talked to me. But I just thanked them for their support. They know me well. If I decide on something, no one will stop me.
We had the opportunity to go to Moldova and this alternative is still open for my children or grandchildren. My wife and I will definitely stay here in Ukraine. At the moment, we are really in the immediate vicinity of the fighting. The most intense shelling takes place only about 120 kilometers from where we live. But I have already decided to fight for my country, so everything is fine. I’m not afraid.
I have personally served in the military as a teenager. At that time, we had a mandatory two-year military service. But it was a long time ago. Still, I can’t say I forgot how to handle a gun. I still remember the basics.
Sheriff Tiraspol manager Yuriy Vernydub is primed and ready!
He defeated Real Madrid in the autumn
Now he’s joined the territorial defence effort too 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/8OsY7kOHST
— Zorya Londonsk (@ZoryaLondonsk) February 28, 2022
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THEY ARE DELIVERING US, BUT FROM WHAT?
As a team, we met a really great party here. I’m looking forward to being part of such a team. We have different personalities or characters here. But we are all united and fighting for one and the same thing. From this point of view, everything is fine. It’s also nice to see a lot of guys who want to take a picture with me. It’s really nice.
I can’t reveal what my role is in the military. At the moment, however, we receive daily instructions that tell us where to go and what to do. Fortunately, I haven’t had to use a gun yet, but I’m ready to do it. Anytime.
Personally, I cannot understand the actions of Vladimir Putin and his immediate surroundings, just as I cannot understand the Russians who have not yet rebelled against him. On the other hand, I realize that many Russians simply do not have information about what is actually happening in Ukraine at the moment.
In Russia, the events of recent days show a completely different light. Their propaganda, for example, says that the Russian army is liberating us. But from what? In fact, they do not free us from anything, they only continue to claim that we are fascists or Nazis. They attack civilian objects, but say they are destroying exclusively military infrastructure. They are simply lying. I really have no words …
Photo gallery
Milan Škriniar in the match with Sheriff Tiraspol.
Source: SITA
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I STILL THINK OF FOOTBALL
I have no doubt that Ukraine will win this war. I’m sure of that. I see how this tragedy unites us as a nation. We are stronger together. I also have great respect for our President Volodymyr Zelensky. It doesn’t matter what others have said about him. I personally voted for him, and people used to call him a clown, but today he shows everyone that he is a real leader.
Of course, he made mistakes too, but that’s normal. Everyone makes them. But I have no doubt that he is a good person. I trust him. I would also like to thank the whole of Europe for its support. Many of our children and women went to neighboring countries before the war. I sincerely thank these states that have helped us for that. I think a lot of people realize that Ukraine now acts as a defensive shield for virtually our entire continent.
But I admit that even though I’m wearing a military uniform, I’m still thinking about football. It’s my life. I started playing him as a small child, then I became a professional and later I took on the role of coach. I am sure that I still have many years in my coaching position and we will win many more trophies.
Photo gallery
Sheriff Tiraspol, led by Ukrainian coach Yuri Vernydub, defeated the famous Real Madrid last year.
Zdroj: SITA / AP
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I HOPE THE WAR WILL NOT TAKE A LONG TIME
When we beat Real Madrid last year, I couldn’t believe it. I started having serious concerns in February. It was then that there were visible reports of a possible Russian attack. On February 14, I started to get really nervous. My players kept asking me why I was so sad all the time. I told them that nothing bad had happened yet, but soon something really bad would happen. The players assured me that the Russians would not attack, but I just felt that something was going on.
Some Sheriff players called me or sent me voice messages. They keep asking me how my family is and how my children are. On March 1, the Sheriff played a tough league match with a big rival, but my players managed it and managed to win. I really appreciate that.
Even some coaches send me kind words to support me in what I do. It will always please. Plus, every time I think about football, it motivates me. Football is my life. I hope this war does not last long. I believe it will end soon. We will win and I will be able to go back to my beloved job – the job of a football coach. That’s what I want most of all. ”
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