Taras Stepanenko, a midfield stalwart for Shakhtar, advocates for staging charity matches with profits directed toward Ukraine. His comments were captured by ua.tribuna.com and reflect a broader push among athletes to support those most affected by the ongoing crisis.
He stressed the importance of organizing events that not only bring people together but also mobilize funds to assist the population enduring hardship. For Stepanenko, these matches symbolize more than sport; they are a lifeline for families, communities, and local initiatives striving to weather extraordinarily tough times. People across the country watch these efforts with a mix of pride and relief, recognizing that collective action can lighten some of the daily burdens faced by ordinary Ukrainians.
Stepanenko, who resides in Ukraine with his family, emphasizes his deep personal connection to the country and the people who stand behind it. He notes a troubling trend: public interest and international support for Ukraine have waned compared with earlier periods. This shift, he argues, makes it even more crucial for other nations to back Ukraine—its government, its institutions, and its military—through concrete, ongoing support that strengthens stability and resilience at home.
On the pitch, Ukraine’s national team recently secured third place in the European Championship qualifiers, outperforming strong squads such as Italy and England in the group stage. The upcoming play-off in March 2024 pits Sergei Rebrov’s squad against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the other semi-final pairing featuring Israel and Iceland. The winners from these two ties will face off in a final contest to determine one more slot for the tournament, underscoring the high stakes and unwavering determination of Ukrainian football in times of national challenge.
Looking back at past campaigns, Ukraine faced a tough setback in 2022 when they were defeated by Wales in a World Cup qualifying match, narrowly missing a spot at the global tournament. While that result was disappointing, it did not dampen the country’s resolve or its sporting ambitions. The narrative of resilience continues to drive supporters, players, and officials to push for progress on the field and to rally behind humanitarian efforts off it, including charitable events that channel resources where they are most needed. In the same spirit, organizers have also explained the context behind Ukrainian players and officials choosing to avoid certain matchups, including occasions involving Russia, underscoring the broader geopolitical dynamics that influence sport and public sentiment today.