The Kyiv Post spoke with former legendary Dynamo Kyiv midfielder and soccer coach Andriy Bal on his thoughts about the state of the Ukrainian national soccer team, its chances in Euro 2012, and about Shakhtar Donetsk’s first ever appearance in the knockout stages of the Champions League against Roma on Feb. 16.
Bal played five years for Karpaty Lviv in the 1970s, after which he transferred to Dynamo Kyiv where he spent the majority of his career. He won the 1986 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and several USSR championships and Soviet Cups. He said his favorite international goal was against Brazil in the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain.
Kyiv Post: Are you concerned that there are less than 500 days left before the Euro 2012 soccer championship kicks off yet the Ukrainian national team still has no head coach and is still experimenting with its starting lineup?
Andriy Bal: I’ll tell you there’s very little time left and what time is left will pass us by without noticing. But the exhibition Cyprus tournament which ended yesterday [and which Ukraine won by beating Sweden] showed that the team has finally chosen which 25 players it will call up to the national team – they’ve vetted all the candidates. The time for experiments has ended. Regarding the coaches and trainers, the [Ukrainian] football federation must in the very near future name the head coach. It’ll either be the current caretaker coach (Yuriy Kalytvyntsev) or somebody else.
KP: What have you heard regarding Italy’s Marcello Lippi’s candidacy to take the helm of Ukraine’s national team?
AB: Nothing but rumors and only the federation’s management can say for certain whom the candidates are.
KP: How would you rate current caretaker coach Yuriy Kalytvyntsev’s performance so far, does he have enough authority among the older players?
AB: He’s certainly developed good relations with the players. He’s succeeded in finding common ground with the younger ones, having coached Ukraine’s under- 19 team to victory in the 2009 UEFA championship. But this success still doesn’t count for the national team.
KP: How would you rate Ukraine’s chances in Euro 2012?
AB: Well, let’s wait and see. Their first assignment should be to advance beyond the group stage. Still, there’s one more season to play before the tournament starts and many friendly matches to play.
KP: Andriy Shevchenko has publicly stated his last goal and dream is to play for the Ukrainian national team in Euro 2012. Will his age or current skill level be a factor whether he’ll actually see playing time?
AB: Shevchenko’s age shouldn’t matter. What matters is what kind of condition he’ll be in and if he’s ready to play. He’s still nursing some minor injuries and he has to be 100 percent.
KP: What kind of mixture do you expect to see in the national team regarding the ‘older legionnaires’ with the up-and-coming young stars?
AB: I foresee, and there should be, both younger and older players. For example, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk showed professional form and experience in the Cyprus tournament. Intangibles like leadership and poise are also needed. The younger ones have to gain form; it’s also the trainer’s job to prepare them.
KP: Who among the younger players impress you the most?
AB: I’m not going to single anyone out. The ones that played in Cyprus all impressed me.
KP: Given that this is Shakhtar’s first appearance in the Champions League’s round of 16, will nerves play a factor in their performance against Roma?
AB: Look, both teams will be nervous. But if you’re nervous you won’t perform well. The boys will have to control their adrenaline so let’s wish them success to advance. The same goes for Dynamo Kyiv and Metallist Kharkiv in the Euros.
KP: Is Shakhtar playing right now on a different level than any other Ukrainian club including Dynamo Kyiv?
AB: Well until the [winter] break they were playing great. Let’s hope they continue this way.
Kyiv Post staff writer Mark Rachkevych can be reached at [email protected].
