At five in the morning on February 24, 2022, Lluís Cortés, born in Lleida in 1986, heard the first explosions from a Kyiv hotel. The Ukraine coach and former coach of Barcelona’s women’s team quickly gathered suitcases. Jordi Escura, the women’s national team fitness trainer, recalls that the group had just celebrated winning the Turkish Women’s Cup, the first national team trophy in three decades. The victory was celebrated with pride, unaware of the looming upheaval. The Ibérica Group began its first anniversary as war began to reshape priorities and destinies in Ukrainian football.
Doing this work from Catalonia, Cortés continued to lead the Ukrainian women’s team despite the harsh realities. When Cortés and his staff arrived in the country in late 2021, the situation felt like puncturing a balloon that would not stop rising. The aim had shifted from rapid football advancement to rebuilding essential infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, and highways, a shift Cortés explains was necessary given the circumstances.
Kharkiv played a pivotal role
According to the Ukrainian Football Federation, the roadmap included a clear priority: host Euro 2025 and raise the standard of women’s football, especially for players aged 12 to 14. It was a mid to long term plan designed to strengthen teams so they could compete at higher levels and help clubs reach benchmarks seen in Europe’s top competitions.
Female futsal, a strong tradition in Ukraine, mirrored broader European trends. When war began, the two main Ukrainian women’s clubs, WFC Zhytlobud-1 and WFC Zhytlobud-2, were based in Kharkiv, the country’s eastern hub. Their schedules were disrupted as events unfolded, with one team cancelling its season and the other relocating to Poltava under Vorskla’s umbrella. Cortés stayed in close contact with his players as seasons pivoted and plans shifted.
Stadiums and training sites behind the women’s club Zhytlobud-2 in Kharkiv became symbols of resilience. In May 2022, the Ukrainian federation highlighted ongoing efforts to honor commitments to players while navigating limited financial resources and changing schedules. Concentrations were cancelled when considered unnecessary expenses, and international activity paused after September 2022, with Ukraine still seeking opportunities to play in Spain, among other places.
Ambassador athletes
Football may not sit atop Ukraine’s list of priorities, yet the government recognizes the sport as a powerful messenger in difficult times. The sport acts as a distraction and a demonstration of life continuing under pressure, Cortés notes, underscoring the role players serve as public faces for national resilience.
Among the most striking stories is the rise of talents such as Mykhaylo Mudryk, whose high value on the transfer market underscores Ukraine’s depth of talent. The ongoing conflict prompted realignments in ownership of major clubs elsewhere, illustrating how sport intersects with broader geopolitical currents. In Spain, Viktor Tsyhankov’s move to Girona also drew attention to a footballing talent pool that the world watches with interest. Cortés explains that these athletes become ambassadors for a country at war, embodying a spirit that motivates both teams and fans.
The first official matches during the conflict signaled a new era for Ukraine, with the national federation posting updates on social media about the reformation of the women’s league and the renewed hope of competition.
There is a strong sense of nationalism that has sharpened during the war. When Cortés took charge in November, some players used both languages, Ukrainian and Russian, in ordinary life. Today many prefer a clear Ukrainian identity, reflecting the war’s polarizing effect. Cortés describes the difficulties of balancing health concerns with the weight of family news, such as a father at the front and weeks without word, a reality that deeply informs the players’ focus and dedication.
As the conflict persisted, a sober realism settled in. Cortés speaks of the need to support players and their families while acknowledging the social and psychological toll. The current moment has required a steady commitment to the players, whose daily lives are shaped by the tides of war and the ongoing desire to return to normalcy through sport.
Concern for the next generation
Beyond the established professionals, Cortés worries about the development of younger players who might miss out on crucial opportunities. He notes that some tournaments were saved, but many youth programs stopped entirely. In the coming years, there is fear of a lost generation that would feed the national team, a reality that worries the Spanish coach who keeps a notebook of lessons learned from the field and the front lines. He pauses to reflect on how life has changed in recent months and what it means for families and dreams alike.
Public demonstrations and calls for solidarity marked the period, as supporters shared messages about resilience and unity. The sport’s community in Ukraine and abroad remained connected through social channels, emphasizing the shared hope for a future where football can contribute to healing and rebuilding, even as the war continues to shape every training session and match plan.
Keeping faith with the contract
A thought often returns to Cortés about the journey through crisis. The travel and endurance he endured during the early days of conflict taught him to value the moment and the people around him. The lessons from Kyiv to Lviv revealed a human side to the role of a coach: leadership, humility, and the need to stay present for players and families alike. While offers and opportunities continued to arrive, Cortés remained committed to his contract through the current season, honoring the agreement and supporting the federation as it navigates difficult times. Renewal discussions were anticipated for the summer, with the aim of maintaining stability for the team and the players who stand at the heart of Ukrainian football. In the end, the priority was clear: to stand with the players, to guide them through the tunnel, and to keep faith with a sport that serves as a beacon in dark times, a beacon that helps the nation endure and hope for a brighter future in the world of football.