TalkSPORT, a renowned sports radio station, has produced an hour-long documentary titled 'Play On! How Football Returned To War Torn Ukraine'.
This compelling documentary, set to be released on the Talksport Daily podcast feed on 17th November, explores the impact of war on Ukrainian football and its subsequent revival.
The documentary will also air as a radio documentary at 9pm on 19th November. It delves into the tumultuous journey Ukrainian football has faced since the outbreak of war in the country in early 2022.
The narrative is guided by British-Ukrainian sports journalist Andrew Todos, who provides an in-depth look at the clubs, players, and fans as war broke out, their current status, and how the football community recovered from the devastation.
Andrew Todos, who runs a website and a podcast about football in Ukraine, has been travelling back and forth to the country over the last 18 months. He has been recording interviews and visiting football clubs, gathering first-hand information and experiences to share with listeners.
TalkSPORT head, Liam Fisher, said:
“Our latest documentary provides much-needed insight into the future of football in war-torn Ukraine. Andrew has bravely travelled to Ukraine for over a year to create this exposé which sheds light on the challenges players, fans and their families have faced since the war broke out."
"It also explores how teams and the country are rebuilding amongst ongoing conflict, as well as telling the stories of courageous footballers and supporters who left football behind to fight on the front lines. It’s an outstanding piece of work from our award-winning documentary team that is not to be missed.”
Shevchenko, Rebrov and other legends of the game are a part of the documentary
Some of the biggest names in the history of Ukrainian football are a part of the project, including former Dynamo Kiev, AC Milan and Chelsea star, and UEFA Champions League winner Andriy Shevchenko; and Dynamo teammate, fellow national team icon and current Ukraine manager Serhii Rebrov.
They are joined by Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko and others to paint the picture of a country and footballing community stricken by conflict.
In addition to the voices of footballers, the documentary also features the courageous story of Olha Pyasetska, whose football fanatic husband died during the conflict. This personal narrative adds a human element to the documentary, highlighting the profound impact of the war on individuals and families.
'Play On! How Football Returned To War-Torn Ukraine' is more than just a documentary; it's a testament to the resilience of the Ukrainian football community amidst adversity.
It offers football fans an engaging and informative look into the world of Ukrainian football, its struggles, and its triumphant return.
This documentary promises to be a valuable resource for anyone interested in the intersection between football and global affairs, two themes which are so often intertwined.
