Football in the war zone: Sorja Luhansk is fighting for the existence!

Football in the war zone: Sorja Luhansk is fighting for the existence!

In the shadow of the war, Ukrainian footballers rely on sporting success regardless of their uncertain situation. Gabriel Eskinja, a 21-year-old football professional, plays for Sorja Luhansk and experiences the horrors of the conflict every day. Despite the constant sirens that alert him and his teammates, everyday life in the athlete base over an air -raid shelter remains almost normal. In a phone call with the APA, Eskinja said: "The sirens are a day -to -day companion". He recently returned to Styria, but for him there is no doubt that he wants to stay in Ukraine in order to pursue his passion for football, even if his decision came up with concerns with his family, as he described in the interview.

an incomparable fairy tale in Ukraine

Sorja Luhansk, the traditional club of the city, has increasingly established itself as an away team after the loss of his stadium in Luhansk in Kiev and other cities. Despite the challenges that the war brings, they made a name for themselves in the Premier League and in the Europa League. Earlier unimaginable scenarios have become a reality, as you can see: "The word home game sounds exaggerated for me," said Sergei Rafailow, the club's general director of the club, while the club has to play its games without loyal followers. The last home game in the Awangard Stadium of Luhansk took place in April 2014, and since then football has only been a shadow of itself at home. Nevertheless, Sorja managed to fight in the league and to pass in international competition, which appears almost as miracle in view of the current circumstances.

For Eskinja, it is evident that football is an important distraction in these turbulent times. Despite the constant threats, such as during a game against Inhulez Petrowe, in which alarm led to a demolition of the game, he cannot be discouraged. "I got used to it," he describes his resilience in the face of daily threats. Soon, after a successful first half of the season, the team will fly to the winter preparation in Turkey, as hope for an improvement in the situation and the return to Luhansk will disappear. "The league used to be extremely good and is still," notes Eskinja and thus shows the unbroken will to continue to defend football in Ukraine, even in the hope of peace.