Yevhen Levchenko: "The Dutch see themselves as European champions, but Ukraine has counterarguments"

02.05.2020 16:01

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Former player of the national team of Ukraine Yevhen Levchenko now works in the Association of Contractor Footballers of the Netherlands (VVCS), which is one of the three founders of a powerful global union of professional players FIFPro.

This international federation unites 63 national associations of professional footballers and takes care of the interests of more than 65 players. The fundamental status of the Dutch organization is evidenced at least by the fact that it is located in the same office with FIFPro in the suburbs of Amsterdam Hofddorp.

World team in the lobby FIFPro lobby

This is where the UAF press service, traveling on the future routes of the Ukrainian national team for Euro 2020, visited in the "pre-quarantine" period, even before the decision was made to postpone the final tournament of the European Championship. Yevhen Levchenko showed us the offices of both organizations, whose activities constantly intersect, and therefore there are no demarcations in the work areas. It's spacious here. Everything is arranged in the style of minimalism typical for the country. At the same time, there is a terrace for working on the street - so that thoughts come fresh and innovative. The symbol of the organization is a giant stele "The Best Eleven in the World", which consists of T-shirts of performers selected for the top 11 according to the results of voting by their professional colleagues.. 

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Caring for professional players

— Yevhen, tell us what you do in VVCS organization.

- If it is generalized - I help football players. A trade union is an organization that protects the interests of all professional players (both in the Netherlands and abroad) if they are members of VVCS and FIFPro. We provide legal support to contractors even after the end of their playing career. I personally call all the players, help them communicate with the national association, we are the voice of the players in the Netherlands. Usually I'm in touch with all the captains, but at the moment I have to call the guys regardless of team status if they get into difficult situations, so I try to keep in touch with as many players as possible.

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Currently, the issue that is relevant for all players is a possible reduction in salaries due to the coronavirus. Contacting Levchenko on the eve of the publication of this material, we learned from him the latest news about this process in the Netherlands, because Eugene is actively involved in the negotiations:

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- I can say that in the next 10 days it will become clear what percentage of salary players can give to employers, ie clubs. Although they may not lose their profits. We assume that there are only eight rounds left until the end of the championship, which, as you know, was decided not to finish, so the players have fulfilled the vast majority of what was required by the contract and will not finish the championship through no fault of their own. In this position we are supported by the Royal Football Association of the Netherlands (KNVB). I want to note that in March and April, all players on contracts in the Netherlands received their salaries in full.

Arena, van Gogh and bike

— The first match for Euro 2020, even if it happens a year later, the national team of Ukraine will hold in Amsterdam. What three characteristics would you give to the city where you have lived for five years? 

- Amsterdam is, of course, the spirit of freedom, it is people who come here from everywhere, creating an international community consisting of representatives of about 180 countries. I love the atmosphere here. It is created by numerous canals, which run colorful boats of different sizes, and cultural events that take place here. This is the most important thing in Amsterdam.

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— And what places would you recommend to visit for Ukrainian fans when they come here during Euro?

- First of all, you need to visit the Johan Cruyff Arena, which is an iconic place for every football fan. The stadium is very interesting. If you don't get to Ajax in the usual time (not in the days of the European Championship), it is considered a big minus. And since I really like going to cultural institutions, I would recommend the Van Gogh Museum. For me, this is the most interesting art gallery that reflects the life of the Dutch. Be sure to try the cheese and herring (I'm not talking about marijuana (laughs)). And, of course, you should ride the canals on the boat. Because when you walk on water or ride a bike, you see Amsterdam from a completely different angle.

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- Do you constantly move by a bicycle

- Yes, for me it is the main means of transportation. My wife and I sold one of the cars, deciding that we didn't need an extra car. And in terms of ecology, this is an important step in human development. I cycle from my home to Amsterdam Central Station, where I park my iron horse and take the train to work. And when I have the mood and time, I get to work directly on the bike - 40 km from home in one direction. There is a shower in the office, so I wear a cycling uniform - and go!

"For the Dutch, their team comes first"

 - To what extent are Dutch fans aware of the game of the Ukrainian national team?

- The Dutch, in fact, know a lot about Ukrainian footballers. Of course, first of all, they mention Andriy Shevchenko, because everyone watched his playing career. Now, probably less, because Andrew is already a coach. But, let's say, such footballers as Zinchenko and Malinowski are heard, because the guys show the top level of performance. Those people who are interested in football, and there are many of them in the Netherlands, note the strong qualities of the team game that have appeared in our national team. I discussed these things with leading journalists, I talked about it with ordinary fans. Everyone says that our team has significantly added in skill, it has its own style.

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- And what do orange fans expect from their national team?

- Speaking globally, the Dutch are primarily interested in their team. That is, they look at us positively, they say: "We respect the national team of Ukraine, but we believe that our national team is better, and it should win the championship." Of course, if we take the personalities separately, the Dutch national team has more qualified players, but the strength of our team is in the collective interaction, in the game approach of the coaching staff. Many guys are at the top level, plus the atmosphere in the team is extremely cohesive and mobilizing, and this can be a fundamental feature for winning the match against the Netherlands, and for a successful performance in the tournament in general.

Achilles heel orange

- How do you assess Ukraine's prospects at Euro 2020?

- I look at our chances absolutely positively. No matter what, I think that even the Dutch can and should be fought. I know how they can inflict, so to speak, game pain. The Dutch team is good, but it has an Achilles heel, and not one. Ronald Koeman's team often plays the role of the flanks and whether Memphis Depay is healthy. got time to recover. Approx. Ed.). I hope that the Ukrainians will reach the quarterfinals. These words may sound naive to some, but I firmly believe that our team will be able to show a decent result. I am convinced of that.

- What instructions would you, as a former player of the national team, give to the current performers?

- Guys, the most important thing is that you are the only team. I will come to the stadium and shout in all the languages ​​I know to support you. Forward, Cossacks! Ukraine, forward!

Oleksandr Hlyvynskyi, press attaché of the national team of Ukraine

The video of the visit to the organization where Yevhen Levchenko works can be seen in the next series of the project "Marshrutamy Zbirnoi" at UAF YouTube channel.