- You were ten in 1999. Do you remember that game?
- Sure, I watched the game. When I grew up I talked about that match with Olexandr Shovkovskyi and Serhiy Rebrov. That defeat still bothers them. Back then everyone thought that Ukraine would defeat Slovenia easily and qualify for Euro-2000, but football can be unpredictable. We hope we’ll overcome our barrier.
- What have Rebrov and Shovkovskyi told you before matches against Slovenia?
- I told Olexandr jokingly that if he rejoins the national team Slovenians will be shocked to see him still featuring on top level. He laughed and said that we entrusts the revenge to us. Anyway much water has flown under the bridges since 1999. This is different generation of players. That’s why qualification for Euro-2016, but not revenge is our priority. I think we deserve participating in European contest.
- This is the first play-off Ukraine will play in Lviv…
- We must break with bitter tradition. I hope that happens soon. There’s always great support in Lviv. We’ll do our best to gladden our fans.
- Ukraine have never outplayed play-offs opponents. Doesn’t that create psychological pressure?
- It doesn’t. As for me, it’s just juncture. Different generations of players participated in those matches. If personally I lost five play-offs maybe I would have felt guilt. I’m sure we’ll start the new era. We must win the first leg to feel confident away.
* photo by V. Rasner
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