Ukrainian teams learn about Europa League rivals

The draw for the 1/16 and 1/8 finals of the UEFA Europa League in the Swiss town of Nyon showed that four Ukrainian soccer teams – Shakhtar, Dnipro, Dynamo, and Chornomorets – would have their rivals as follows: Dnipro vs. London’s Tottenham (prior to the draw the British club had fired the head coach, Andre Villas-Boas); Chornomorets vs. Olympique Lyonnais; Shakhtar (Donetsk) vs. the Czech Republic’s Viktoria (Plzen); Dynamo (Kyiv) vs. Valencia (Madrid).

Soccer moguls are convinced that the draw brought positive results; the fans are fascinated by games played by their teams against Europe’s top-notch clubs of the Valencia or Tottenham caliber.

Ihor TSYHANYK, soccer host, 2+2 Channel: “The results of the draw are very good. We have to challenge the world’s leading clubs. I predict that three out of four our teams will make it to the next round. This won’t be when the best man wins, but when one just gets lucky. I’m sure that all these matches will be very interesting to watch, and that the Ukrainian soccer clubs won’t be acting as extras in any of these performances, that they will fight to the last man. At this stage of the Europa League, no one will expect to confront a rival that can be easily defeated. It will be especially interesting to watch the Dnipro vs. Tottenham meet, considering that Dnipro’s coach Juande Ramos previously trained the British team. They must’ve underestimated him, so that now he will do his best to secure his Ukrainian team’s victory. I see no reason why Dnipro can’t beat Tottenham. I’m also convinced that Chornomorets will show a good performance. No one has expected much from this Ukrainian soccer club, yet the lads are making amazing progress. This team is likely to show a breath-taking performance in the field with their dedication, courage, and faith. The fans are looking forward to these matches that will take place two months from now.”

Europa League 1/16 finals are scheduled for February 20 and 27; 1/8 finals – for March 13 and 20, 2014.