It was literally historical evening. The two Ukrainian football teams competing in the 1/8 UEFA Cup final. The two antogonistic forces, the two unfriendly camps of the supporters - they all met that night in Kharkiv.03/19/2009. 6 PM. An overcrowded 'Metalist' stadium. After a regrettable defeat to Dynamo in Kyiv, Metalist form Kharkiv was believed to tumble over itself to gain a desired win. The point is that this team have never achieved such results in its history. The real heyday came to Metalist last year, when a new football specialst - Myron Markevych - was appointed a head coach. The result came at once. This team started showing a game of a quite well level hereby becoming a kinda 'third force' in a domestic Championship (with Dynamo and Shakhtar, Donetsk). Th
ough it was not enough time and possibilities to make the level of the team really competitive on a European football scene, Metalist hitched its wagon to a star. UEFA Cup's greenhorn, they was a bad surprise for the teams like Sampdoria and Beshiktash who undervalued them and were bitten.Thousands of fans filled the stadium and saw a big show each time. And may be some of them really believed their favorite team is just invincible.
However, there were another thousands of fans. The Dynamo fans. A Ukrainian Premier League traditional leader, this team has the most urdent supporters in this country. By the way, did I say the both team fans hate each other?
Logically, when It came to the game with Metalist, the passion run high. When Dynamo won the first from the two games in Kyiv 1:0, it was the moment or truth for Metalist and almost a jackpot for Dynamo.
The Dynamo fans came to Kharkiv to see the victory while their opponents propelled the players not to give up. And they didn't. Though a win 3:2 was a Pyrrhic victory for Metalist, this night will enter the Ukrainian sports history for sure. Although Dynamo goes forward to the next level without Metalist, Ukraine still has its two representatives in the Cup (do you remember Shakhtar? They overcame Russian CSKA). And the highest UEFA index this year.
Big UEFA games are real opportunity for Ukraine to show off there primetime hosting abilities before the Euro Championships role around. Sounds as though, event-wise, things went off without a problem. I think our friend Oleg probably went, I should ask him about the atmosphere and any administrative difficulties. Hopefully not like the non-existent ticket offices at Dnipro for the Lviv game.
ReplyDeleteNow, I'll have to look who Dynamo is playing next.