2000 spectators in Bucharest
Dynamo Kyiv plays for the first time since the beginning of the war
4/7/2022, 9:32 p.m
In the group stage of the UEFA Youth League, the Dynamo Kyiv U19s defeated the youngsters of FC Bayern, among others – but the round of 16 has long been in doubt after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The pros are also in the stadium – they should soon set an example against top clubs.
For the first time since the start of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, a Ukrainian football team, Dynamo Kyiv, has played a competitive match. The U19s played against the youth of Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Youth League, the Portuguese made it to the quarter-finals of the youth edition of the Champions League with a 2-1 (2-0) win. The round of 16 game was actually scheduled for March 2nd, but was postponed after the Russian invasion on February 24th.
Although Kyiv were the home team on paper, the venue was the Romanian capital Bucharest. Before kick-off, the Dynamo players walked onto the pitch wrapped in Ukraine flags, followed by a minute’s silence for the victims of the war. Around 2,000 spectators watched the 90 minutes at the Giulesti stadium, including some first-team players. The professionals were eliminated in the preliminary round of the Champions League in a group with FC Bayern Munich, Benfica Lisbon and FC Barcelona.
The U19s, on the other hand, managed to advance in the group that was identical to the professional team due to the Youth League rules. There was a clear 4-0 win away against the offspring of the record champions from Munich, which was followed by a 2-1 win in Ukraine. Borussia Dortmund’s U19s were the only German club to reach the knockout stages, but after beating Manchester United (3-2 on penalties) they lost in the quarter-finals with a 1-0 loss to Atlético Madrid.
With league football in Ukraine suspended until further notice, Dynamo Kyiv’s first team recently announced a series of charity games against top European clubs. These should be under the motto “Play for peace! Stop the war!” stand, the first opponent is therefore next Tuesday (April 12) the Polish champions Legia Warsaw. According to their own statements, Kyiv will then also face Paris St. Germain, FC Barcelona, AC Milan, Ajax Amsterdam and Borussia Dortmund until June.