Victory over EFC would be a "success for whole of Ukraine"

Dynamo Kiev coach Sergei Rebrov believes victory over Everton would represent “a success for the whole of Ukraine.”

Rebrov, the former Tottenham forward, brings his side to Goodison Park on Thursday for their last-16, first-leg tie.

Seven points clear at the top of their domestic league, Kiev saw off French side Guingamp in the last 32. But with Ukraine gripped by political crisis, Rebrov says beating Everton is about more than just securing a quarter-final place.

“It’s a difficult time for our country,” he told ESPN. “I’m always telling the players that football for some people is a brief breath of fresh air. I hope they understand that.




“I hope the situation [in Ukraine] will get better. Our players don’t have any negative feelings now, just positive ones.

“Everybody knows that England is the number one country when it comes to supporting football. It’s positive for the people.

“Everybody here loves football. Any success for Dynamo is success for the whole of Ukraine. I hope people from outside can see that life is continuing here.”

Dynamo are on course to secure their first Ukrainian title since 2009 this season, and boast a talented squad, with the likes of Moroccan Younes Belhanda and Dutch international Jeremain Lens providing plenty of attacking quality.




“The year before this one, we didn’t have a team,” says Rebrov. “I think and hope that now, the players respect each other.

“We have a lot of players from different nations and they needed to understand each other, and that they come from different backgrounds, cultures and styles of play.

“When you’re working hard, sometimes it (success) comes. The players are working hard as a team, not as individuals. But you can’t stay in the same place. You have keep working.”


By Neil Jones / Echo