Euro 2024: Ukraine displays damaged stadium stands in Munich as a reminder of war in the lead-up to opener

The Ukraninian football federation has unveiled the construction in Munich of the stadium’s stand that was destroyed during the war in Ukraine to bring attention to the ongoing war before the team’s opening game during the European Championship on Monday.

Published : Jun 17, 2024 18:42 IST , MUNICH

The Ukraninian football federation unveiled an installation in Munich of a stadium stand destroyed in the war back home to highlight the ongoing conflict ahead of the team’s first match at the European Championship on Monday.

A portion of the stand at Kharkiv’s Sonyachny stadium, built to host Euro 2012 — which Ukraineco-hosted -was placed in a public space in Munich before the opening game of the Ukrainian team match against Romania.

It was destroyed by Russian forces in May 2022. It’s part of an interactive project which demonstrates that 500 facilities for sports infrastructure in Ukraine have been affected by Russian bombardments and strikes in the war of two years.

“Today we’re going to start our games,” declared the former Ukraine striker and coach Andriy Shevchenkowho is president of Ukraine’s football association. “One team playing but millions of soldiers remain and protect Ukraine. We’re all in this together. Today we play for the nation. Today we play for those who defend our lives and our country.”

The stadium served as the training ground to The Netherlands squad at Euro 2012. Ukraine also had training there prior to the start of the final European Championship, where it reached the quarterfinals during the most successful tournament up to now.

“Learning that the stadium was destroyed felt like finding out your home was ruined,” said Shevchenko as Ukraine’s manager during Euro 2020.

The stand and the installation will be transported throughout German cities with the first stop to be Dusseldorf in which Ukraine will play its group E game against Slovakia on Friday.

“It’s very important that we show during the war that in the country, we continue our lives,” the 47-year-old Shevchenko said. “Sport is a major element of our society. It’s a useful tool, however it’s with the right people. The presence of the Ukrainian team today is an significant to send a message to all of the world that we’re living and fight, but we’re not just going to fight, but also everyday life and try to become part of European society as well as the global society that shares similar values in freedom and democracy as we do.”