Six months ago Yuriy Vernydub was celebrating wildly at the Bernabeu.
His Sheriff Tiraspol team had just produced one of the great Champions
League shocks, beating Real Madrid 2-1. It was a seismic result for
the Moldovan league winners, who come from Transnistria, a breakaway
republic under heavy Russian influence. A triumph against the 13-time
European champions was barely believable for a side who came through
four rounds of qualifying to reach the group stage and did so on an
annual budget of about £5m.
Just over a week ago, on Thursday, 24 February, having eventually
finished third in their Champions League group, Sheriff found
themselves in Portugal for a Europa League knockout game. Ukrainian
Vernydub and his players had arrived in Braga on the Wednesday to
prepare for the game and he had gone to bed hoping for a good night's
sleep as they got ready to defend a 2-1 first-leg lead.
Then, in the early hours of Thursday morning, the 56-year-old's life
would change forever.
My son called me at 4:30am and he told me the Russians attacked
us. I knew then that I would return to Ukraine to fight.
We flew home and landed in Iasi, Romania. I then went by bus to
Tiraspol, in Transnistria, with the rest of the team on Friday evening
and left for Ukraine first thing on Saturday morning. I enrolled on
Sunday. It took 11 hours from Tiraspol to my home in Ukraine,
travelling via Odessa, then through Kirovgrad, Kryvyy Rih and then
Zaporoje, but I can't say it was difficult.
I don't want to lie to you. As I was returning home, I saw a lot of
strong men leaving the country. If they will come back, I'll be happy. I
understand they left with their families to Moldova, Romania and so
on. From our area a lot of men have left... men from Kharkov,
Zaporoje, Lugansk, Donetsk. I understood at that moment that I can't
do the same thing. I told myself that as soon as I get home, I'll go and
enrol myself.
The people close to me tried to stop me. My wife, my children, my
grandchildren. I stood strong and I thank my wife for supporting me.
She knows my character. If I make a decision, I won't change it.
We could have gone to Moldova and this option is still open for my
children, for their wives, for my grandchildren. But me and my wife -
we are staying here for sure.
Right now I think I'm not very far from the conflict. The heaviest
battles are probably 120km away from where we are. But I made my
decision so everything is OK. I am not afraid.
I was in the army when I was young - it was mandatory to do it for
two years. But it was in a unit for sportsmen. For two months, we
were instructed in theory and after that we learned how to handle a
gun. But that was so long ago. I can't say I have any trouble using fire
arms, I know how to use them.
The collective around me is crazy. In a good way, of course. It's really
cool that I am part of such a team. There are different characters
here. But they are united, friendly and very motivated. Everything is
shared between us. From this point of view, all is good. It's also nice
that many wanted to take pictures with me.
I met a nephew here, but generally speaking, I don't know who is here
and who is not. My brother is older than 60. My youngest son can't
fight because of his health. My oldest son is not here because I
insisted he stays home - he has two young children. If he will be
needed, he will surely come, I have no doubt.
I am not allowed to disclose what my role is in the army. Now we are
being instructed. In every minute we are ready to go where they tell us
to. I have not used my weapon yet but I am ready, always. Any time.
I can't understand [Russia president Vladimir] Putin and his circle. And
I can't understand the Russians who are not against him. I understand
many of the Russian citizens don't realise what's happening. In Russia,
things are shown rather differently than they are. They say they are
setting us free. But from what? They said we are fascists, Nazis... I
can't even find my words to describe what they're doing. They are
attacking civilian homes, but only say they hit the military
infrastructure. They are lying.
In depth: Full coverage of the Ukraine-Russia conflict
Why is Russia invading Ukraine and what does Putin want?
Five ways the war in Ukraine might end
I don't have any doubt in my mind that Ukraine will win this war. I can't
think of anything else. I'm sure of that. I saw this tragedy united us as
a nation.
I have total respect for [Ukraine president] Volodymyr Zelensky. No
matter what they say about him. I voted for him. People were calling
him a clown, but he showed he is a real leader.
He is honest. He made errors too, but it's normal for everyone to
make mistakes. I can imagine how hard it is to lead a country. I have
no doubt he is a good man. We have a president who will act in a
correct way. I believe in him.
I think peace will happen only when we win. I think Russia's demands
are impossible to reach. We won't stand down. There is a need for
dialogue, but we won't satisfy their ultimatums. We see negotiations
taking place and I hope they will have enough brains to stop this war.
First of all, I hope children and women won't die anymore. This is the
most important thing.
I want to thank the rest of Europe for their support. A lot of children
and women left for other countries. I thank those countries for this. I
thank everyone for their support. I know they are facing a tough
choice themselves. I think they are realising that right now Ukraine is
the shield for the entire continent.
I still think about football all the time. Football is my life. Ever since I
was a child I started playing it, I was a professional player, then I
became a coach. I am sure I will continue to be a manager and I will
win trophies.
When we beat Real Madrid, I couldn't imagine this. I started having my
doubts at the beginning of February. That's when news intensified on
this subject. On 14 February I started getting worried. The players kept
asking me why I am so sad all the time. Did anything happen to me? I
kept saying nothing's wrong, but soon something will be. They kept
saying it won't, but I felt something.
Sheriff Tiraspol - the Champions League team from an
unrecognised state
Some of the Sheriff boys have called me and I have received voice
messages. They asked how my family is doing, how my kids are doing.
On 1 March, Sheriff played in the league against a rival and they won.
I appreciate that. Some coaches sent me words of encouragement
too.
Thinking about football motivates me. Football is my life. I hope this
war won't last for long. We will win and I will go back to my beloved
work.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60601469

mynd44 oam4j lalasticlala seun

good one coach na there you go fine Your trophies

A great and Bold move to fight for your country.

But make he no go die oo

That's when the move he took will now look stupid and dumb

No face football,go there show urself.


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