Ukraine on the barricades: soldiers want us to play football

“Most citizens say yes, do,” continues the former professional of Vitesse, Cambuur, Sparta and FC Groningen, among others. “But there are also critical voices. Duzce was bombed, many people in Ukraine have nothing to eat, people are dying. This is terrible. However, there are many soldiers behind the team. They say we fight on the battlefield, you do it. Send a signal to the world that we are still here.

Levchenko was recently in touch with the national team, who are preparing for a meeting abroad with Scotland and a decisive meeting with Wales (if they win). “Every player experiences the game differently,” says Levchenko. “Mentally and physically it is very hard for everyone. The question is whether they can play football normally or whether emotions will get the upper hand. The latter is of course very conceivable.”

Scottish captain Andrew Robertson has previously said he expects the whole world, except Scotland, to be for Ukraine. “But we are also playing for our dream,” the Liverpool left-back added, almost apologetically. Levchenko thinks this makes a lot of sense. “No Ukrainian player wants to receive gifts. We want to show that we are the best on the field. It would be a shame otherwise, but that’s the way it is in sport.”

He will not be attending the game in Glasgow. All the activities done to help his country are too much for him. Levchenko is also chairman of the Dutch football association VVCS. However, he remains closely involved in football in Ukraine. “I hope it will be possible to restart our internal competition soon. There was a meeting about this two or three days ago. Everyone really wants it. But in Ukraine it is difficult: “Maybe we can go to Poland or Turkey. The question is whether all clubs can afford it, at least efforts are being made, I hope it works.