Andriy Pavelko: "Our boys have written their names in the history of Ukrainian football in gold letters"

16.06.2019 23:55

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Today, June 16, in the premises of the House of Football hosted the U-20 youth team of Ukraine, which yesterday won the World Cup gold. 

Tonight, the Ukrainian U-20 team, which won the World Youth Championship in Poland, returned to Kyiv. Coaches and players from Boryspil Airport immediately went to the Football House, where the UAF leadership in the presence of numerous journalists and very young football players arranged a solemn meeting for them. 

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

The winners of the bus went to the championship track through a lively corridor of their fans and media representatives. After a short photo shoot, they headed to the conference hall, where the official part of the ceremony took place. 

First, all those present had the opportunity to remember the championship path of the national team of Ukraine at the World Cup in Poland. The video on the big screen showed all the goals of our team, each of which was greeted with loud applause.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Then the leaders of UAF, NOC and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine addressed the champions with words of congratulations. Andriy Pavelko, President of the Ukrainian Football Association and a member of the UEFA Executive Committee, said: “I would like to congratulate the players, the coaching staff, the doctors and the administrators of the national team with great success! Exactly a year ago, it was in this hall that we congratulated you on reaching the finals of the World Cup. A year has passed, we are here again - and we have fantastic emotions. Your success is a dream come true for our fans. You have written your names in golden letters in the history of Ukrainian football. This achievement will be a real beacon for future generations of our players. We are very grateful to you for that! You have shown your character, you have shown that you are real Ukrainians. Now the youth and national teams are waiting for you, your clubs are waiting. We are all counting on you in the future! ”

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

On behalf of all Ukrainian sports, the President of the NOC of Ukraine Serhiy Bubka addressed the world champions: “I am really pleased to congratulate you! This is a great, historic victory! I want to wish you that this was the first step to the future victory at the World Cup among national teams. After all, every player dreams of becoming a world champion. I would like to thank everyone who was involved in this triumph. Congratulations once again from the whole sports family of our country. "

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

After that, Serhiy Bubka presented Andriy Pavelka with a symbolic plate in honor of the victory. Then the Minister of Youth and Sports Ihor Zhdanov took the floor: “I want to bow to you on behalf of all Ukrainian football fans. With a sinking heart we watched the final match of the World Cup. And victory came. Special thanks to the coaches, UAF management, administrators and doctors. Many thanks to the parents who raised such boys. I wish you not to experience and continue to work. Let's move forward! ”

Later, Andriy Pavelko presented a UAF commemorative award for the promotion of football to Zurab Alasania, Chairman of the Board of UA: Public Broadcasting (National Television and Radio Company of Ukraine), and Yaroslav Lodygin, Chief Producer of UA: Pershiy Public TV Channel. In addition, for the quality organization of broadcasts of the World Cup, they received from the hands of the captain of the Ukrainian U-20 national team Valery Bondar T-shirt with the autographs of the players and coaches of our team.  

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

After that, Andriy Pavelko, Serhiy Bubka and Ihor Zhdanov awarded football players, coaching staff and administrators of the U-20 national team of Ukraine with UAF medals "For Merits" and honorary pennants. Each player also received a certificate of "Master of Sports of Ukraine of international class."

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

The ceremony of the solemn meeting of our champions in the House of Football ended with a collective photo session. After that, the players and coaches handed out autographs and went on a well-deserved vacation. 

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov