EURO and I
“There has been such an atmosphere here as if the whole Europe fit in one Kyiv”
Ukrainian capital seems to be quiet these days. Some fans, whose presence on the main streets in the past few weeks became the part of capital’s life, are now leaving Ukraine after group stage matches finished. If you haven’t been to the fan zone on Khreshchatyk, you better hurry. However, in a few days the capital will be overwhelmed with a new wave of visitors from Europe who will come to Kyiv for the final of Euro-2012. Meanwhile, The Day spoke with fans from other countries about their impressions from the championship and the host cities.
Mathias LIVEFIOSH, IT manager, Sweden:
“It is not my first trip to Ukraine. I have been here three years ago. When I first planned a trip here everyone I knew told me: ‘Oh, you are going to Eastern Europe! This can end badly! Some crazy man can attack you with a knife at the airport.’ But nothing like this ever happened. Ukraine is in some ways similar to my native country – Sweden. Ukrainians are more open and, just like Swedes, readily talk to strangers on the streets. I have become a soccer fan, probably, since I was a tiny baby. I have been to the previous European Championship in Austria and Switzerland. But in my opinion, Ukraine is a better host than Austria. Everything is so well organized here. However, the result for the Swedish national team is very disappointing. But I can tell from all Swedish fans: we were warmly welcomed in Kyiv and we all are happy. I would love to come to Ukraine some time again and watch Dynamo (Kyiv) play against Shakhtar (Donetsk). Apart from soccer, I was impressed with how you organized everything on the main street of the city, which was all dedicated to soccer fans. I have doubts that we would be able to do something similar in Stockholm the way Ukraine did it here.”
Miriam APPELL, sports teacher, Sweden:
“Before coming to Kyiv, we did not have any great expectations. However, we were all frightened by the level of security, but it is all in the past. It turned out to be much better than we thought it would be. People are very friendly. We got somewhat upset about soccer – things did not go quite right for the Swedish national team. Prior to this visit we were not aware of the political situation in Ukraine. Now we found out a little bit more about it: it is no longer the old Soviet system, the country has been developing. I would love to come here again because there are still so many things we haven’t seen. We would like to see more of Kyiv, its suburbs, and also to go to Chornobyl.”
Gabriel MULLER, France:
“Kyiv is a very nice city! Local people welcomed us brilliantly! We also enjoyed the way everything was organized. We live in a hotel, which is located near the fan zone. We have also visited Kharkiv and we liked it there too. Prices are lower here and people are very friendly. By the way, I have already been to Ukraine six months ago. I spend a few days here. I liked it here then too. If to compare these two trips that I made, prices for accommodation tripled. Therefore, at first we had some problems with it.”
Ravshan and Murod MASHARIPOVS and Bobur SADIKOV, Uzbekistan:
“Ukrainians are still closer in spirit for us than Europeans. However, there has been such an atmosphere here as if the whole Europe fit in one Kyiv. There are no boundaries between people here and it would be great if it was like this all the time. We are glad that Euro-2012 is taking place in Ukraine!”
