Champions Without Sponsors and the Dynamo Sport Complex

The Day's correspondent met a participant in the match, the Ukrainian team's fullback, Kyivan Serhiy Krot, who answered a few questions.

"Serhiy, what is the financial state of your team?"

"During the world championship, we were assisted by the State Sports Committee, the Soccer Federation of Ukraine, and Adidas, but during the championship of Europe, only by the Soccer Federation and the Sport Committee. The management tries, so far unsuccessfully, to find sponsors."

"Where is your training base?"

"In Zhovti Vody, Dnipropetrovsk oblast. There, we prepare for competitions and have all our training sessions."

"Why Zhovti Vody, of all places?"

"We failed to find something closer and cheaper."

"Were there any alternatives?"

"There were negotiations with the Dynamo Sports Complex in Koncha-Zaspa, but they quoted a championship price."

"Most of players are not local. It must be hard to get to Zhovti Vody..."

"Yes, only three live in Dnipropetrovsk oblast, others go there for training. Some have even decided to move over there, although there were only two all-team sessions before the championships of the world and Europe."

"Are you regularly paid your salary?"

"Until recently, the team players were only paid bonus and per diem. After we had won the world championship, the FFU paid a $2,000 bonus to each player. But we recently signed a contract, so I think it will be easier with money."

"And what about uniforms?"

"The jerseys Adidas presented last year at the world championship are already fading. So they won't last long. And recently, just a few pairs of socks were issued for the whole team."

"Serhiy, is soccer a way of self-fulfillment for you?"

"No. I simply like to play and get pleasure from it."