april-2012

Has there ever been a bigger
hero in Ukrainian football history
than current national coach Oleg
Blokhin? Due to lead his side
out at Euro 2012 in June, this
Kiev-born footballing giant hails
from the Soviet era, and hit the
heights as a fast-paced forward.
The leading goalscorer in the
history of the Soviet league and
most capped USSR international,
he starred for his home-town club
Dynamo in both their European
triumphs, the Cup-Winners’ Cup
wins of 1975 and 1986.
Prevented from joining a major
club abroad, Blokhin ran out for
modest Austrian side Vorwärts
Steyr and Cypriots Aris Limassol,
before coaching in Greece. He
returned to Kiev to manage the
national side from 2003, and took
[cover feature ]
EURO 2012
A UKRAINIAN
LEGEND
The Ukrainian coach and
Soviet-era football legend
demands pride from his team
Words Peterjon Cresswell
them to a debut appearance at
the 2006 World Cup finals.
He was elected to Parliament
with the United Social Democratic
Party of Ukraine, with Hryhoriy
Surkis, president of the national
football federation, who assisted
Ukraine’s bid to co-host Euro 2012.
Blokhin quit the Ukraine job in
2007, but four years later he was
back, telling a surprised press: “I
have a double responsibility taking
into account the fact that Ukraine
co-hosts the Euro 2012 finals.
“This tournament is very special
for me as I have never played at a
European Championship,” he said.
“The players need to prove they
are worthy of the blue and yellow
shirt every time they play. I only
want players who consider it an
honour to play for Ukraine.”