FC Dynamo Kyiv president has done an interview for German media in which he told about life and football in Ukraine during the war, the choice of the "home" ground for euro cups and shared his expecttions of the game against SS Lazio.
- Mr. Surkis, on Wednesday FC Dynamo Kyiv will face SS Lazio at the Volksparkstadion. Your club flew comfortably for three hours to the last game of the Kyiv side in Hamburg in 1983. How is your journey going this time during the war?
- Unfortunately, we are all living through a time when comfortable travel is out of the question. Ukraine has been repelling russia’s barbaric attacks on our cities, our women and children for over two and a half years. Our soldiers, our heroic defenders, many of whom are Dynamo fans, are dying. All civilian airports in Ukraine are closed, teams travel for over ten hours by bus and train. To get to Hamburg, our team will have to use all types of transport – train, bus and plane. In total, our journey from Kyiv to Hamburg will take over 15 hours one way.
- The road to Hamburg will take a lot of time. Have you thought about finding an alternative location, closer to the border of Ukraine?
- During the two and a half years of war, we hosted matches in many cities in Europe. Polish Lodz, Krakow, Lublin, Romanian Bucharest. Hamburg will be our fifth “home” ground in European competitions. It would be more correct to say “host” stadium, since we have only one home – Kyiv, Ukraine. Returning to your question – of course, first of all, we consider cities where there is a large Ukrainian diaspora. We need support in home matches, we need our own, Ukrainian fans. And here the focus is not so much on the support of the team, as on the positive emotions of Ukrainians who became refugees and left for Europe: whose homes were destroyed by russian missiles, whose husbands and sons are now winning victory for Ukraine at the cost of their own lives. Football exists for the fans and for the sake of the fans. At our matches, Ukrainians forget about the terrible war at home for at least a few hours, and switch to positive emotions. They get to know each other, communicate with each other… at least for a few hours they feel at home. In that part of Germany where Hamburg is located, there is a large diaspora of Ukrainians. That’s why we decided to play there so that they could attend the Ukrainian team’s match and cheer for us.
- So far, ticket sales haven’t been as fast as you’d like. How many spectators do you expect at the Volksparkstadion on Wednesday?
- Let’s be objective: Hamburg is a legendary German club, and the fact that they are in the second Bundesliga is some kind of mistake. However, even the second German Bundesliga is ahead of many European leagues in its level. The second Bundesliga has great attendance, great teams, strong competition and quality players. It is objectively difficult to persuade a German fan to come to their stadium for a Europa League match, where a Ukrainian and, for example, a Latvian or Czech team are playing. I will tell you honestly – the matches for which Dynamo could sell a decent number of tickets, we will play away: Roma, Galatasaray, Real Sociedad, Hoffenheim. Famous clubs with their army of fans who travel with them all over Europe. Perhaps the strongest opponent who will come to us in Germany are Lazio. We expect to see quite a lot of fans at this game. We have taken all necessary measures to attract an audience to the match. Just take the signing of an ambassadorship with the legendary Ukrainian boxer Volodymyr Klychko, who is, to put it mildly, a familiar figure to this city. Volodymyr is an opinion leader for millions, people are drawn to him as a professional, as an idol. We hope that many will follow his example and go to the stadium on Wednesday.
- Many people in Germany have already become accustomed to reports of war against Ukraine. Is it possible to get used to war if you live in Kyiv?
- It is impossible to get used to war. People in Ukrainian cities go to bunkers several times a day during air raid sirens, because you never know which civilian object will be the next target of russian terrorists. Sirens sound in Kyiv almost every night, people experience every day with anxiety. As for other countries, the whole world should know about the barbarity that the russian military commit against our country every day. Europe understands that Ukraine is holding russia back, that it is a shield for its peace. If Ukraine surrendered, the aggressor would go further... I don’t even want to think about it. Therefore, we are grateful to all civilized countries for the financial and humanitarian aid to our country, for your understanding and support.
- What is the daily life of a football club like during the war? Does your team usually train in Kyiv? For example, where will away matches against Donetsk side be held?
- It is difficult to develop football during the war. Football clubs owners literally save Ukrainian football, because they did not abandon the teams in a difficult moment, they continued to invest money in the development of clubs and football in general. When we talk about a football club, we are not only talking about a team. We are talking about an academy where hundreds of children live, study and train. We are talking about an office and a system in which hundreds of professionals work. We are talking about infrastructure that needs to be maintained, protected and developed. Dynamo train in Kyiv, play in Kyiv and even despite 18-hour journeys to euro cups matches, the league games will also be played in Kyiv. For our fans, for our families.
The league matches are interrupted if an air raid alarm sounds, teams, journalists and fans go to the bunker. Not a single person remains in the stadium bowl until the alarm is off.
Currently, every Ukrainian stadium that hosts league matches is certified for the presence of a bunker and all the necessary amenities: toilets, electrical outlets, water, food, etc. The authorities allow a certain number of spectators at each stadium, which the stadium bunker can accommodate. For example, Dynamo Stadium in the center of Kyiv accommodates more than 16,000 spectators, however, we only sell 1,700 tickets for matches. This is the number that our bunker can accommodate.
As for the matches against Shakhtar, they will also play euro cups matches in Germany, in Gelsenkirchen. And they have chosen Lviv, the city near the border with Poland, as the venue for their home games in the Ukrainian league.
- How often do you need to go to the bunker?
- Every time ballistic missiles or enemy drones are in the air. Every time our lives are threatened.
- In many cities of Eastern Ukraine, normal life is impossible. What is it like in Kyiv?
- Kyiv is calmer now than it was during the first year of the war, when russian troops were a couple dozen kilometers away. Russian drones and missiles are constantly targeting Kyiv, its energy and industrial infrastructure. They are trying to unbalance the capital of Ukraine and, thereby, other cities in our country. Missiles hit anywhere: residential buildings, hospitals, kindergartens. Russia wanted to bring the “russian world” to Ukraine. Instead, it managed to unite Ukraine and Ukrainians. People became united. People turned into a fist that strikes back. While one part of Ukrainians is fighting the russians on the battlefield, the other is rebuilding infrastructure, raising funds and helping our soldiers in every possible way.
The whole world was shocked by the news of the attack on the largest children’s hospital Okhmatdyt, you probably remember this shock. Half of the city came to clear the rubble together with the special services. Ordinary people from neighboring areas brought medicine, clothes, food and water. We could not stand aside either! FC Dynamo Kyiv and the Surkis Brothers Foundation, which my brother and I founded, are completely rebuilding and restoring the orphan disease and gene therapy center for children that suffered during the russian attack. We have covered all the expenses of the organization. Children are our future, without them there will be no Ukraine. Hitting children with shells... This was not done by people! They cannot even be called animals!
I remember how in the first year of the war they hit a kindergarten with an air bomb! Can you imagine? A kindergarten where children aged 3 to 5 spend their time! When I learned about this, I immediately set a task for all club structures: we sat down and thought about how we could help. As a result, we rebuilt this building from scratch. The same thing happened with the hospital in the Chernihiv region. Look, those who are not at the frontline today, are obliged to do everything to help our soldiers achieve this victory! Otherwise, you can spit in the mirror, looking at your face. This is my position.
- You have players from Colombia and Panama. Are they not afraid at all?
- The fact that they came to us is the result of the work, convictions and negotiations of our scouts and coaching staff. Everyone is afraid to live in a country at war! Not everyone finds the strength to live here. Especially to move here. The fact that Ceballos and Guerrero agreed to join Dynamo is respectable. They are real men! Ceballos also moved his family here. Guerrero came to us from Zoria, who are also based in Kyiv. He reacts more calmly to what is happening.
- Before the game in Germany, Hamburg fans sharply criticized their own club for cooperating with FC Dynamo Kyiv, as they say that Kyiv fans have right-wing tendencies. Were you surprised by the protests?
- I was very surprised by these protests. I respect the fans of Hamburg, but these protests are unfair. Football Club Dynamo Kyiv has never in its history been performing a discriminatory behavior towards anyone, including football players, club employees and ordinary fans. Moreover, I believe that our club has been an example of a multicultural football society for many years. Representatives of South America, Africa, Asia and various European countries have played for Dynamo. All former Dynamo players speak with warmth and respect about the time spent in Kyiv, remembering these times for the attention and care with which they were surrounded in our club. Moreover, Dynamo have repeatedly taken part in public actions to combat racial discrimination. In particular, the slogan “Say no to racism” was placed right in the center of our team’s jerseys for several seasons.
- Hamburg fans are not the only ones criticizing the right-wing tendencies among Dynamo fans. How big is Dynamo problem with allegedly right-wing fans?
- There have been a few incidents at the stadiums related to the behavior of a very small number of fans. But they do not reflect the position of the club and its efforts to ensure tolerance and equality! As we have already said: for more than 25 years, Dynamo football club has been actively involved in the public life of our country, implementing numerous social and humanitarian projects aimed at supporting children, people with disabilities, war victims and the poor.
Therefore, I believe that all accusations against FC Dynamo Kyiv regarding racial discrimination are unfair, they do not correspond to reality in any way, since for our club the concepts of humanity and tolerance always come first.
- What efforts have you and your club made against right-wing extremist fans?
- In the case of these very few incidents, our club always contacts law enforcement agencies and conducts a personal investigation. Fortunately, they do not happen very often.
- You are Jewish yourself. Has your religion ever been a subject of debate among Dynamo fans?
- In Ukraine, there is no such problem as disdain for nationalities or religions. We are a modern nation that supports European values, especially tolerance. Besides, let’s not forget the terrible facts of history. We know what the Holocaust is, we remember how many Jews died in Kyiv during the occupation by the Third Reich. In the northwestern part of Kyiv there is the Babyn Yar tract, where up to 200,000 people were shot from 1941 to 1943. I am sure that 99% of the citizens hate anti-Semitism and everything related to hatred of other nationalities.
- Finally, about football: what do you expect of the game against Lazio on Wednesday?
- Dynamo are in good shape, we had a decent pre-season training camp and approached the start of the season well. We had a difficult series of 6 matches in the Champions League qualification and stopped literally one step away from the desired result. I think that we were not inferior to Salzburg and could have beaten them, but luck turned away from us. No big deal, as they say – this is football! We have a young ambitious coach, quality players, so I, as the president of the club, as its fan, see the only desired result Finally, about football: what do you expect from the game with Lazio on Wednesday?
Dynamo gained good shape, had a competent pre-season training camp and approached the start of the season well. We had a difficult series of 6 matches in the qualification and stopped literally one step away from the desired result. I think that we were not inferior to Salzburg and could have beaten them, but luck turned away from us. No big deal, as they say, this is football! We have a young ambitious coach, quality players, so I, as the president of the club, as its fan, see the only desired result – victory against Lazio. Our opponents are two-time champions of Italy, representatives of one of the four strongest club leagues in the world, so the match will be very difficult for us. But I believe in my guys, as does the whole country.
- Will you be at the stadium in Hamburg?
- I always try to be with the team at important matches.
- Do you remember the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup between Dynamo and Hamburg in 1982/1983 season?
- I was at that match in Kyiv. Unfortunately, we lost 0:3 and lost narrowly away. But we were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the team that eventually won the Champions Cup that season. I think those matches could be called the early final of the Champions Cup of that season. Our teams have a wonderful history!
