Ukraine needs morale boost

            Like the majority of self-absorbed North Americans, I could care less for soccer.  Even though I grew up playing it every single recess from grade 3 to 6, I didn’t grow up watching it.  I grew up watching football (real football!) and hockey, as did all of my peers, and so my interests developed accordingly.

            For me, soccer is a little like hockey but without the fighting and sticks.  Kick a ball, run, kick it again.  Kind of like golf but with running involved!

What we’re missing in North America is the entire soccer atmosphere.  We don’t build soccer stadiums, we don’t have soccer heroes (David Beckham is way too English for L.A.) – we simply don’t have the same soccer hype.

            In Ukraine, like most non-North American countries, soccer is huge.  My nephews in Ukraine follow it religiously.  And so it’s a pretty big deal when this country gets its first chance to co-host the European Cup.  It will be an even bigger deal if the Ukrainian team can make something of it.

            For a country that can’t seem to get much respect, they need the morale boost.

            While Ukraine has been granted a golden opportunity to host the third largest sporting event in the world, it hasn’t exactly been shown much love by western European countries.  German and French leaders announced they wouldn’t attend games in Ukraine due to the political circumstances.  Former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko (and political opponent of the current president) has been in prison since October 2011, a clear no-no when it comes to functioning democracies.

            It certainly is true that the current Ukrainian president is a criminal and a thug – he was charged twice in his lifetime with robbery and assault!  He was also behind the rigged elections of 2004 that brought about the Orange Revolution.  Now he’s the president after the government of western-backed Victor Yuschenko failed.

            To say it is the fault of ordinary Ukrainians, however, is wrong.  The public tried to restore democracy to their country in 2004, with few results to show for it.  Ukrainians are held captive by a struggling economy, divided Parliament, and corrupt ruling class.

Ukrainians are used to being viewed as “less than” the rest of Europe.  They know they don’t have the same wealth, democracy, and social programs that western Europe enjoys.  Like in so many poorer countries, their most talented people leave if they can.

            And so it would be quite satisfying if Ukraine could turn the tables on western Europe.  They’ve already shown they can beat a good team by upsetting Sweden 2-1 in their first match.  They’ve got the kingdoms of France and England up next.

            Fortunately they have their star player back.  Andriy Schevchenko, who once left Ukraine for greener soccer fields in Milan at the height of his career, is back in Kiev to finish up. He’s what Wayne Gretzky is to Canada, and he’s their only goal scorer so far in the tournament.  His return couldn’t be more symbolic.

            If there’s anything that can get me interested in sport, it’s the human aspect, where an underdog defies the odds.

            As little as I understand of it, I could get caught up in the soccer craze yet.