Denys Boyko: It is desirable for this Ukrainian team to win Euro

23.04.2020 13:00

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

Goalkeeper of Dynamo «Dynamo» and national team of Ukraine Denys Boyko у in #GOnline project on UAF's Instagram page told how he missed football, and recalled the performances in Turkey.

- Denis, how are you in quarantine?

- Really after two weeks of quarantine it is difficult psychologically. Of course, it is very good that we can spend time with family, pay attention to loved ones. But without football, without training it is very difficult. It was as if they had taken away their favorite toy. God forbid the quarantine ends sooner. Now you need to be at home as much as possible, the main thing is to endure it all.

- At what age did you become interested in football?

- At the age of seven, my parents took me to the Dynamo school in Nyvky, Kyiv. There was an arena, an old field with an eraser and another one with a green lawn. When they went out to him, they were very happy. Later, once a week, Mikhail Mikhailov came to us and held an hour-long lesson with the goalkeepers.

- Have you always been a goalkeeper?

- No, the coaches started to try me as a central defender. But in the end nothing came of it. I was told: if you want to stay in football, try to score.

- What were your first shoes?

- At first there were no boots, but I remember the goalkeeper's gloves. My father gave it to me, I was incredibly delighted. And there were no boots for a long time. I played in sneakers. I remember they were very slippery at the tournament in Slovakia, and then I asked my parents to buy at least sneakers with spikes.

- Who are among the top three coaches you have worked with?

- Each of the mentors has left a mark in his career, each has invested something in my development as a footballer, as a goalkeeper.

- What penalty kick do you remember the most?

- One of the most memorable was not so long ago. In the match between Dynamo and Shakhtar, when I repulsed a blow from Moraes in the last minutes of the game. I parried the blow, Dynamo and I did not lose this match and remained in the championship race.

- Is there a friendship between the goalkeepers?

- I communicate with everyone, there were no conflicts, there is always a working atmosphere. I communicate with Pyatov, with Lunin.

Photo by Pavlo Kubanov

- Who is your close football friend?

- Eugene Seleznyov. We have a warm relationship, we are friends with families, we understand each other well ...

- Why didn't you have a successful career in Besiktas?

- I understood myself and came to the conclusion that the blame for this lies with me. I came to Besiktas when I was at a good level, after the Europa League final. But it turned out that the coach did not see me in the main lineup, another goalkeeper was playing. I had to wait for my chance, but I was nervous, I didn't understand why I was bought, paid money, but not included. When I was given a chance in a cup game, I was not ready, I made mistakes because I was psychologically depressed. So in any case, I take all the blame for it.

- What do you think about women's football?

- I'm positive, I have nothing against women's football. I know that our Ukrainian football players also play in Europe ...

- What other goals do you set in your career?

- I want to win the Ukrainian championship with Dynamo. I want to play successfully with the national team of Ukraine at the European Championship. I would like to win something with this team, with these players. This may be self-confident and brazen on my part, but I believe that this team deserves to win the European Championship. As ridiculous as it sounds, I believe it. I want this team to win this victory. This is very important for me.