The Ukrainian football league has resumed play. Matches are largely played in Kiev and the western part of the country. In the opening match, record champions Shakhtar Donetsk drew 0-0 with Metalist Kharkiv.

“Football is indispensable for us “

Shakhtar’s Croatian coach Igor Jovićević says: “Life in Ukraine does not stand still, it goes on. Football is one of the things that moves the emotions of the whole country and the people who fight for all of us. Football is indispensable for us, not only for us as FC Shakhtar, but for the entire Ukrainian league. It helps us to live on and show the world that football goes on. “

Since 2014, Shakhtar Donetsk have already been homeless, first playing in Lviv, later in Kharkiv and now in Kiev. In total, the Ukrainian league comprises 16 teams, the clubs Desna Chernihiv and FK Mariupol have to refrain from participating because their facilities were destroyed in the war.