Worry about ex-Werder coach! Viktor Skripnik (52) has been coaching the Ukrainian club Zorya Luhansk for over two years. Particularly explosive: The team does not play in Luhansk itself – but in Zaporizhia. There were recently Russian attacks on Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.
By Matthew Marburg
Ex-Luhansk kicker Joel Abu Hanna (24) has never broken off contact with his former club. In the BILD interview, Abu Hanna tells, among other things, how much his former teammates and coach Skripnik fear for their lives.
Mr. Abu Hanna, you have two years for Zorya Luhansk played – what do you hear from your former teammates?
Joel Abu Hannah: Even in my time, we no longer played and lived in Luhansk itself, but in Zaporizhia, which is more than 200 kilometers away. There too – so one hears – fighting is going on at the moment. Nobody knows exactly where the Russian soldiers are. I am very touched by what I hear from my former teammates in our Whatsapp group. They sit in basements or bunkers to protect themselves from the bombs. Partly with their children, whom I also got to know. Just awful.
There are also players who the club and the Ukraine have left?
Yes, almost all of the foreign players are gone. One of them traveled 60 hours with an assistant coach to the Romanian border. The coach Viktor Skripnik could also go, but he will stay – as I heard. He even hosted five or six players at his home. Together they seek shelter in his basement when bombs fall. There’s probably a constant air raid.
You are currently playing in neighboring Poland. How is the atmosphere there?
I saw many demonstrations, also in front of the Russian embassy here in Warsaw. Our fans clearly opposed Putin in chants. And I’ve yet to meet anyone who thought it was wrong for Poland not to play Russia in the World Cup play-offs. But the issue is settled anyway. Overall, the solidarity of the Poles is extremely high.
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How do you help?
My association Legia Warsaw has a foundation that collects monetary and material donations for Ukrainian refugees can be given. Like many volunteers, I also help at the delivery point, of course I regularly buy relief supplies myself and bring them there. I also try to reach as many people as possible through my Instagram account who can help people who have fled from Ukraine. I also sent private messages to friends and acquaintances in Ukraine. If I can help them, I will. In any way – it doesn’t matter. I help where I can. Even if it’s just a transport from the Ukrainian-Polish border inland.
What is the goal?
Among other things, the foundation wants to set up refugee accommodation. And organize teachers and translators so that children can continue to be taught as quickly as possible. Nobody knows how long the refugees will stay in Poland.”