war story
Valencia, Spain - Mar 31, 2026
More than a Match
More than a Match
aiWhat does sport mean to Ukrainians during the war?
aiI consider myself a real football fanatic. It’s the kind of sport I love and can watch anytime, no matter what.
aiUntil the fall of 2025, I lived in Kharkiv — a city very close to the Russian border, and a main target of Russian attacks from the very first days of the full-scale invasion. Memories of fun football nights in Kharkiv are not just nostalgia for me. They are memories of a normal life that is being taken from us.
aiUkraine made the World Cup qualification this year! Our first, technically home, match was set to take place in Valencia against Sweden on March 26. Unfortunately, we have to play our home games abroad because of the security situation in our country. This alone says a lot: the war is always there, right beside us.
aiWhen I saw tickets go on sale, I immediately started thinking about going. Then I quickly pushed the idea aside — it felt impossible even though I was in Germany now and technically could travel there. I thought and thought, could I, should I go?
aiAnd then, a week before the match, I decided. I bought the ticket. If not now, then when? This was a chance to support my national team at an historic moment, and I would get to see a new country and city too.
aiOf course, I was nervous — would I make it everywhere on time, would I forget some necessary document, would something go wrong en route? I had two connections ahead of me. And then on the flights there were moments so intense that it took my breath away.
aiWhen I arrived in Valencia, I was met by warm, sunny weather, a completely different climate, and the feeling of being in another world. Palm trees, soft air, new streets — all of it felt unusual and exciting. I had only seen places like this in photos.
Behind our matches, flags, and cheering, there is a reality of a very high price being paid.
aiAfter checking in quickly, I headed to the stadium because the match was that evening.
aiOn the way, I met many Ukrainian fans. What was most special was talking with guys from Kharkiv. We remembered old peaceful times, when we went to football matches in our city, how people cheered in our stadiums, how natural and ordinary it all felt. Those memories carry a special weight. And now, when I think about it, I get goosebumps.
aiIf only I could go back to those days, even just for a moment. But hey, we are in an incredible stadium in Spain right now.
aiIt turned out the evening was not only about football. The stands were a place where we could shout openly who we are and what we are going through. During the game, the stadium echoed with words known by all Ukrainians: “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!” There was also the harsh and emotional chant, “putin is a dickhead” — a form of collective pain, anger, and resistance. To a foreign audience, it may sound rough. But for us, it is the honest emotion of a people who have lived for years under harsh conditions of war, loss, and constant danger.
aiOne of the most powerful moments were all the flares and the huge banner raised in honor of our fallen heroes of the war. The video I shot of this became the center of this story for me. In this moment football on the field moved into the background. And the stands exploded was acknowledgment that Ukraine still exists, still fights, and still has the chance to step onto the field under its own flag.
aiThe huge banner was not just for a football team but a reminder that the war is still going on, and that behind our matches, flags, and cheering, there is a reality of a very high price being paid.
aiIt was incredible that Swedish fans in the stadium supporting their national team, also showed solidarity with Ukraine. Fans came together before the match too. In moments like this, you know sport is more than competition — it can also be a language of support, empathy, and human connection.
aiUnfortunately, Ukraine did not make it through. That hurt, because all of us wanted to believe in a different result. But despite the loss, I do not regret this trip at all. On the contrary, I’m grateful to myself for deciding to go. Because it was not just a trip to a football match. It was a journey for a sense of unity, for an emotion that is so badly missing in wartime, and for one more piece of proof that Ukraine lives, remembers, fights, and speaks to the world.
Atlantic Ocean, Canary Islands
Valencia during the day. A place that offers warmth and tranquility
I'm at the stadium in Valencia. The sheer scale of this massive structure is impressive.
Valencia in the evening is enchanting
A cozy street in Valencia
A stunning view on the flight out of Valencia
In 2012, when the Euros were held in Ukraine and Poland, I went to the Ukraine vs. Sweden match in Kyiv. Back then, football felt like a true celebration — a moment of joy and unity that brought all Ukrainians together. P.S. This isn't my photo, but it really captures the atmosphere of that game)
Atlantic Ocean, Canary Islands
The video of the Atlantic Ocean was truly unforgettable, I wanted to stay longer and take in the beauty of nature.
Valencia during the day. A place that offers warmth and tranquility
