Shakhtar play for first time since invasion of Ukraine in ‘Stop War’ friendly against Olympiakos
Shakhtar Donetsk play for first time since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in ‘Stop War’ friendly against Olympiacos, as gamers emerge from tunnel draped in flags of their war-torn nation in emotional tribute
- Shakhtar Donetsk performed their first match since the invasion of Russia on Ukraine
- The Ukrainian giants took on Greek facet Olympiacos in a ‘Stop War’ friendly
- Players walked out of the tunnel sporting flags in assist of their war-torn nation
- Shakhtar additionally face Fenerbahce, Lechia Gdansk and Hadjuk Split in different video games
Shakhtar Donetsk performed their first match on Saturday since Russia’s invasion on Ukraine in February.
The Ukrainian giants took to the sphere against Greek champions Olympiakos on the 32,000-seater Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens, the place 5,000 followers have been in attendance.
Aimed to lift funds for refugees amid the continuing disaster, the match was additionally for these affected by the invasion, while sending a message of peace.
Shakhtar Donetsk performed their first match since the Russia-Ukraine battle in February
Tiquinho netted the one objective of the sport as Olympiakos secured a 1-0 victory on Saturday
Shakhtar will play throughout Europe in one of 4 clashes, with all gate receipts being donated to humanitarian and support issues in Ukraine.
Players wore shirts bearing the names of Ukrainian cities which have seen combating in the struggle, as they emerged from the tunnel.
Toys have been additionally collected for refugee youngsters and a second of silence held to honour these killed in the battle.
Brazilian ahead Tiquinho bought the one objective in the twenty second minute, however sporting director Christian Karembeu and Shakhtar counterpart Sergei Palkin underlined that the consequence was of secondary significance.
Shakhtar’s stars walked out sporting yellow and blue Ukraine flag in assist of their nation
Ukraine continues to be below risk by Russian assaults, with hope the struggle will finish very quickly
Toys, which is able to donated to refugee youngsters, have been positioned on seats in the Karaiskakis Stadium
‘We are proud to host this occasion to lift consciousness of the struggle. We use soccer as a software for peace,’ Karembeu instructed reporters.
Palkin added: ‘We wish to discuss struggle and peace in Ukraine in these matches. The want to finish this insanity and return to regular life and to rebuild the nation.’
‘We wish to discuss struggle and peace in Ukraine via these matches. About the horrible struggle that Russia unleashed against Ukraine, concerning the struggling and destruction that this struggle delivered to our nation,’ Palkin had mentioned previous to Saturday’s match.
‘About peace – the necessity to finish this insanity, return to regular life and rebuild the nation. Our messages are easy: cease struggle in Ukraine and soccer for peace – that claims all of it.’
The match was one of 4 the Ukrainian giants will take part in throughout their ‘Stop War’ tour
Olympiakos followers proven their solidarity in the direction of the gamers all through the match in Athens
A complete of 5,000 have been contained in the stadium, with supporters additionally seen holding up Ukraine flags
Olympiakos coach Pedro Martins additionally mentioned he hoped Ukrainian groups ‘will quickly return to European competitions and Ukrainians (will return) to normality.’
The match was, nevertheless, boycotted by an Olympiakos supporters’ group referred to as ‘Gate 7’ who mentioned their ‘ties with different groups don’t enable us to be in favour of one facet or the opposite’.
Shakhtar’s tour continues on April 14 against Lechia Gdansk in Poland, they then head to Istanbul to tackle Fenerbahce 5 days later, earlier than ending in Croatia on May 1 against Hajduk Split.
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