A Gift For Lobanovsky

But after the second round only incorrigible optimists or experts believed it would succeed. The London Arsenal head coach ArsПne Wenger continued calling Dynamo the favorite of the group and Valery Lobanovsky underlined in his interview that the start was only SO FAR unsuccessful.

Incidentally, the Kyiv Dynamo solved another problem. Thanks to Dynamo, Ukraine advanced to the top 15 countries in the UEFA rating. This means that two teams will represent Ukraine in the League of Champions next year.

Kyiv Dynamo players are in a perfect mood before setting out on their vacation. They have given their head coach Valery Lobanovsky the best gift for his sixtieth birthday, which will be celebrated on January 6.

Daniel Leclerq, Lens head coach:

"Unfortunately, Lens did not succeed today and of course we are upset by the game's result. We planned to play better, but some circumstances were against us. Again we recall the pitiful disqualification of Tony Vairelles. Despite our appeal, UEFA did not change its decision. And as it turned out, Lens faced another serious problem, Frederic Dehu, the Lens captain was sent off the field in the very beginning of the game."

"Do you think the referee was unjust?"

"Fifty-fifty. He is very young (30 years old, author) and he lacked the experience to decide differently."

"Do you think Dynamo earned the victory?"

"The abilities of Dynamo are great, but in soccer, especially in individual games, it is not always the strongest who wins. Lens lacked the will, nerves and, most important, a better situation. Anyway, I am proud of my players. I think they deserve to be praised and for the game against Dynamo also."

"What chances does Dynamo have in the further fight for Champions' Cup?"

"No less than any other team."

Oleksiy Mykhailychenko, Dynamo coach:

"Naturally, we knew that the game against Lens would be difficult, because it was a cup match and only the winner would advance further in the League of Champions. Though our players made several errors, they went over the top to win the game, and I would say the team earned not only the game's result, but also the year's summary."

"Was it planned to deliver a blow on Lens in the second half, after sending in Kosovsky and Belkevych?"

"Generally yes. We knew that in the first half the game would be tough, that Lens would try to pump the initiative, so we had to wear them down. After sending in Kosovsky and Belkevych, Dynamo increased the team pace. Lens turned out to be unprepared for this."

Oleksandr Shovkovsky, Kyiv Dynamo goalie:

"The reliability of our defensive players added to my confidence. We won and advanced to the quarterfinals, this is the main thing. It is a distress for every goalkeeper, despite the result, if he allows goal, but Smicer was too accurate."

Giullaume Warmuz, Lens goalie:

"Too often did the Dynamo offensive players roll out to me. Ask any goalie, that at least he is constantly worried in this case. But I understand our defensive players, they had to risk and support the attackers, because Lens was losing."

"Perhaps, it is Shevchenko whom you remember best?"

"I can say I did everything possible against his thrusts, but obviously not enough."