‘All wins are important right now’, Ukrainians behind their selection for a World Cup spot

Canape, family pizza and a football match: a seemingly banal “football evening”. Or almost. It is in kyiv that this scene will take place, more than 100 days after the start of the war and when bombardments again hit the Ukrainian capital on Sunday morning June 5.

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And for good reason: Ukraine is 90 minutes from the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Ukraine, led by Oleksandr Zinchenko, must beat Wales on Sunday June 5 at 6:00 p.m. to Millennium Stadium of Cardiff to go to Qatar. A necessarily symbolic match to offer a breath of fresh air to a people traumatized by the Russian invasion. “This match obviously has a sporting aspect, but also a political one. Because when we play well and win, the world knows us a little better. It’s a way for the country to show itself, through the football”says Alexandre, the dad.

“All victories, in any field, are important at the moment. A victory in football, in these times of war, it inspires us all, it restores our morale, it gives us strength.”

Alexander, resident of kyiv

at franceinfo

The victory is so important that in the game of predictions, no one in the family hesitates: victory for Ukraine for the three children and the father. Daria, the mother, “don’t even know who we’re playing against”. It must be said that football does not really interest him. What Daria enjoys is singing the Ukrainian anthem with her family: “The game is an opportunity to get together as a family, and to have a good time together. That’s why I love this game. It’s not for football per se.”

“During the war, it’s always better to have these happy little moments, than to stay in your own corner and be afraid.”

Daria, resident of Kyiv

at franceinfo

In times of war, football is also welcome entertainment for the children of the family. The school, the cinemas… everything is still closed. “We only have the games left on the phone or Fifa on the PlayStation“, confide the twins of the family. But there is no question of taking them out this evening: at 7 p.m. local time, the whole family will be in front of the TV to sing the Ukrainian anthem.