Vladyslav Fedotov from Ukraine joins us for part 26 of the series. Vladyslav was born in USSR - Ukrainian Republic - now Ukraine in 1979. He has an MA in Engerering from Ukraine university and a Diploma in Hospitality Management from Swiss University. At the moment, he is doing his internship in Hilton , Hilton Head Island , SC. He never really played football, but became a big fan after Euro Cup in 1992, Vladyslav says.
I thank Vladyslav for agreeing to the interview.
Tell us a bit about the Ukranian football history and the football culture which exists.
If Ukraine has something to be proud of , it would be football!!! Not the national team - it’s a first time we qualified to the World Cup, its more clubs and great players. Since the Soviet time Ukrainian players Individually were the best in USSR team - the best is Oleg Blohin (now head coach ) became the best player in Europe in 75 and 85 - years when Dinamo (KIEV) - the best USSR and Ukrainian club ever - won Cup of Cups in 75 and Cup of Cups and European Super Cup in 85.
Ukraine became independent in 1991. Since then there was only one major victory - Dinamo (Kiev ) semi - final of Champions League with Schevchenko and Rebrov . The next season Shevchenko beacame AC Milans player. 2 years ago he became the best Europe player with AC Milan winning Champions League. Ukraine now is rooting for AC Milan , when national teams are not doing well at all in European Cups.
Andriy Shevchenko is asked “why not call the world football game soccer to avoid all the confusion once and for all regarding which game is which?”
I ask, “would the americans rename American football (NFL) as Dockey if the world decides to call it that?”
Heh.
Update: Geoff points out that he is being asked to call American football Soccer and keep calling football football. I guess I got confused. Wouldn’t the suggestion, if followed, make things all the more confusing?
Also, how would American fans take to rest of the world calling their football soccer?
Maybe we should call every thing Dockey and settle the issue once and for all!
Eriksson decided to go in with 4 strikers, one of which is Rooney (injured). The second guy is Theo Walcott - a 17 year old who hasn’t played a match yet for Arsenal at the highlest level. (Check out some Walcott videos here.) Eriksson has also picked Aaron Lennon and Owen Hargreaves. Brilliant intuitions or sheer madness?
There is drama for Ukraine too. Shevchenko is sidelined for 25 days at least. A huge blow for Ukraine who depend so much on him. It will be quite sad if he cannot play in the World Cup. First Rooney, and now Shevchenko. Drama!
Will this World Cup go down as one which missed out on the some major stars? There is still more than a month to go. Will see some more heartbreaking injuries? Or will the script unfold in such a way that we will marvel at how terrific the world cup was, with the drama looked back upon as some thing which added the spice to make a memorable tournament?
I will be watching, whatever happens! One thing is certain though - that Eriksson will occupy English discussions every where and the words, at least for now, won’t be kind.
Two late goals meant AC Milan stormed into the semis dashing the hopes of Lyon. Inzaghi scored in the 88th minute, Shevchenko in injury time. So they will face the winner of Benfica and Barca in the semis.
A Barca-Milan clash would be a dream considerng the strength of the two sides. You do feel a bit sad for Lyon but such is sport.
