The Ukrainian national team beat the English and won the «bronze»
The other day The Day 's correspondent found himself in a bus that was taking the Brazilian national team from Kyiv's hotel Sport to the first matches of the European open soccer championship for amputees. It was even strange: the bus roared with laughter and songs and almost danced the fiery Rumba — so cheerful were its passengers. And this was not artificial or calculated for effect, although one might think there was nothing to find joy in.... And it was still a long way to the finals, where, as is known, the South Americans beat the Russians 1:0 on Monday. I could not miss the opportunity to put a few questions to the team manager Henrique Escuado.
«Mr. Escuado, do you always leave for soccer matches in such a wild mood?»
«No, now the boys are behaving modestly and not ‘screaming' like little children, do they? But, on the other hand, should they, with their physical defects, be putting on a downcast air...? The boys are good and have strong willpower. Do you know what they reply when asked sympathetically if they find it hard to run about on crutches? A footless Brazilian really finds it hard to move over the soccer pitch, for he won't be able to show all of his techniques. But it is very simple on one foot: you lean on the crutches and then give a hell of a kick with your sound foot!»
«Your forecast about the winners?»
«The first will be you know who. The second will be either the Russians or the English.»
«What about the hosts?»
«I don't know, didn't hear, and didn't see...»
As a matter of fact, the forecast was rather accurate, except for third place. The Ukrainian players defeated the experienced (and better equipped) Englishmen 2:1.
The other day The Day 's correspondent found himself in a bus that was taking the Brazilian national team from Kyiv's hotel Sport to the first matches of the European open soccer championship for amputees. It was even strange: the bus roared with laughter and songs and almost danced the fiery Rumba — so cheerful were its passengers. And this was not artificial or calculated for effect, although one might think there was nothing to find joy in.... And it was still a long way to the finals, where, as is known, the South Americans beat the Russians 1:0 on Monday. I could not miss the opportunity to put a few questions to the team manager Henrique Escuado.
«Mr. Escuado, do you always leave for soccer matches in such a wild mood?»
«No, now the boys are behaving modestly and not ‘screaming' like little children, do they? But, on the other hand, should they, with their physical defects, be putting on a downcast air...? The boys are good and have strong willpower. Do you know what they reply when asked sympathetically if they find it hard to run about on crutches? A footless Brazilian really finds it hard to move over the soccer pitch, for he won't be able to show all of his techniques. But it is very simple on one foot: you lean on the crutches and then give a hell of a kick with your sound foot!»
«Your forecast about the winners?»
«The first will be you know who. The second will be either the Russians or the English.»
«What about the hosts?»
«I don't know, didn't hear, and didn't see...»
As a matter of fact, the forecast was rather accurate, except for third place. The Ukrainian players defeated the experienced (and better equipped) Englishmen 2:1.
Newspaper output №:
№31, (1999)Section
Society
