The Art of Soccer, Vashchuk Style

It always seemed to me Dynamo is for Vladyslav Vashchuk something more than a club and a high-paying job. I remember the winning Dynamo players taking photos of themselves after they had won last year’s cup match against TcSKA. In no way downgrading some Kyiv soccer players’ feeling of patriotism, I will still note that it was only Vladyslav who chanted, “Dynamo! Dynamo!” Then he confessed that this had not been for effect, and one in such moments one is usually ruled by emotion. Or take another telling episode: after that match Vashchuk was the only one who ran up to the fans’ grandstand and lifted the cup high, thus trying to say, “Thanks, guys, for your support, we’re with you.” It may seem an insignificant touch, but it shows Vladyslav’s nature in the best possible way.

We arranged a meeting on the eve of one of his many training sessions. The weather was terrible, and I began to wish I had not come fifteen minutes early. But I was so surprised when a minute later I saw Vlad’s Mercedes looming on the horizon. I strongly doubt that any other star of his magnitude would have rushed to see an ordinary reporter a quarter of an hour early. And it makes absolutely no difference to him who is in front of him — coach Valery Lobanovsky, a Day’s correspondent, or an autograph collector. He is as attentive and suave with everybody as is his mind lucid. In any case, see for yourselves, reading Vlad’s views and reasoning, most of which, anyway are very interesting.

ON AMBITION

There are well- and ill-grounded ambitions. Well-grounded, when you bend over backwards to get into the first-string, and then go out on the pitch and win. Ill-grounded, when you claim you can beat such and such standing on your head. Such things are, fortunately, not so common in soccer but occur every day in other sports.

ON THE KONCHA-ZASPA BASE

It is common knowledge Western stars do not practice at bases. But that’s over there; we’ve got a slightly different mentality. Of course, one should not think that if we were given complete freedom of action, we would just hit the nightclubs. Dynamo has gathered true professionals under its renowned name, which sets the highest possible standards. If this did not suit us, we would go to a different club which practices once every other day. But then we would have to resign ourselves to the role of habitual also-rans and whipping-boys. As to us, we aim at the highest attainments, and to achieve them, you must sacrifice so many things. Well, it’s worth it.

ON WEALTH

Banal as it sounds, money does not make us happy. Yes, money is important and vital, but what matters most to me is health. Not only my personal health, but also that of my relations, friends, and teammates. If you are healthy, the rest is sure to come. Money, too.

ON FAITH

I think faith is very important: if you are not sure to the end you’ve chosen the right path, you better put your thinking cap on it. And one more thing: I always believe everything we do is for the better. For if we sat with our arms folded, society would stop developing and start degrading.

ON CHILDHOOD

Antoine de Saint-ExupОry said, quite rightly, that we are all products of our childhood. I have most pleasant memories of my childhood: as part of the Dynamo under-18 team, I made a tour of so many interesting countries and won numerous tournaments. But the point is not only in prizes. That was a wonderful, matchless time. Sometimes it seems to have been a different world with different values. I don’t dare judge and compare it with today’s, I’ll just say I have a soft spot for those years.

ON KINDNESS

Do you mean whether I am a kind person? It is difficult to judge oneself, but my conscience is clean, I don’t bear a grudge against anyone. And if any conflicts still come up, I try at once to smooth or, which is better, defuse them.

ON FRIENDS

I’ve got both friends and acquaintances. I entertain especially tender feelings toward Shovkovsky’s family, for we have been friends since our schooldays (plus, both were born on the same day, January 2 — Author).

ON LIFE

For me, life is the game, soccer. Naturally, my life is closely interwoven with this sport: it gave me a name, money, and acclaim. But life is only full-fledged when you have parents, friends, people surrounding you with love and care, people not indifferent to you and to whom you are not indifferent. Fortunately, I have been lucky to have people like this.

ON ART

I like painting and sculpture. I like looking in the eyes of people created by an artist’s brush and feasting my eyes on chimerical statuettes. But soccer is also full of art: to score or assist, to rob the opponent of a ball, or a pass is the art of soccer.

ON THE LEAGUE

OF CHAMPIONS

I think every professional soccer player dreams of playing in this super-prestigious and exacting tournament. You are all set and braced, ready to make the utmost effort, for there are no weak opponents, you must fight to the end. This kind of competition is the best test of your strength.

ON MUSIC

In principle, I choose it depending on my mood and the state of my heart at a given moment. But, to sum it up, I like both classics and modern pop music. To everything there is a time.

ON RELIGION

I sincerely believe in God and think He helps me greatly. I am sure everybody must trust in God deep in his soul, exactly in the soul, for one can go to church every day and still remain an atheist.

ON GLORY

I don’t think I suffer from the disease of stardom. Having made the first-string of legendary Dynamo, I didn’t begin to snub old friends or try to be the hub of the universe. Fame has not changed my lifestyle.

ON TALENT

It is far from secondary in our profession, but as Valery Lobanovsky keeps saying, talent is only one percent of overall success. The remaining 99% is regular training.

ON HOBBY

I collect soccer balls.

ON JOKES

I treat them with understanding, and if somebody plays a friendly joke on me, I never take offense. And I myself don’t mind cracking a joke, for humor defuses a tense atmosphere and raises your spirits. When you do a ten-kilometer cross-country run, a clean joke is always taken in good humor.