Sport Arena, together with the PFL, is naming the hero of the next round in the First League. In the 15th round this is the Left Bank midfielder Spivakov
One of the main matches of the tour was a duel in Boryspil, where the Left Bank visited its closest pursuer – FSK Mariupol. The fate of the meeting was decided by his two goals by the central midfielder of the Kiev team Spivakov, who is the most accurate scorer of the “storks”, despite the presence of qualified, technical forwards in the team.
So Sport Arena, together with the PFL, had no doubt about the winner. The hero of the fifteenth round in the First League, Andrei Spivakov, in an exclusive interview with Sport Arena, shared his impressions of the victory over Mariupol, spoke about his life and work abroad, and also remembered his return to the Left Bank.
“We made the right conclusions from the first round match”
— How important is it for you to be recognized as the best player of the tour in the First League?
— Of course, I am very pleased to win this honorable nomination, but, first of all, it is worth mentioning the entire team that worked for the victory.
– With what expectation did you approach the game with Mariupol? What conclusions did you draw from the first round match?
– We were expecting a very difficult game against a serious opponent. We understood that the lawn would not be of the best quality, so we prepared for a fight. Any little thing could have decided the fate of the confrontation, but we were aiming for a positive result. They understood that there was no room for error, because they were meeting with their direct competitor. The game proved that we made the right conclusions from the first round match (1:1 draw on the Kiev field – approx. Sport Arena).
– Do you agree that the Azov team is the discovery of this season? What strengths can you point out to this team?
– I’m impressed by the performance of this group. Azov players play modern football, which the fans like. This team has a combination of youth and experience. In addition, I would like to note the constantly improving strong coaching staff. I wish good luck to Mariupol.
“We haven’t scored from corners for a long time (Spivakov scored from corners twice in Boryspil)”
– There were few chances in the first half of the meeting, but you still managed to score after a corner kick. Can we say that standards are a trump card for your team?
– We understood that in such matches standards can help significantly. We haven’t scored from corner kicks for a long time, although we work hard on it in training. I hope that standards will become our trump card in the next games.
– In the first half, the center of the field was controlled by the Left Bank. Perhaps this was the key to victory?
“I think I managed to win thanks to discipline and great desire.” There was only one mechanism on the field that believed in a positive result. And of course, we had to convert our chances, because that’s what we lacked in the last games.
— Maybe the coaching staff made some changes during the break? How did they try to increase their shaky lead in the score?
— The coaching staff sorted out all our mistakes made in the first half of the meeting. They asked us to move correctly on the field and use the free space behind the defenders. We have fast attacking players, so we tried to use this.
– Can we say that in the second half you sacrificed entertainment for the sake of the result?
– Now the result comes to the fore in games. In the second half, the condition of the pitch deteriorated and it was necessary, first of all, to maintain compactness and prevent the opponent from creating chances at their own goal. We understood that we would have our own chances and need to use them wisely.
— You cleared up all questions about the winner again after Astakhov’s corner kick. Eight goals in this part of the season is a decent number. Did you hope for such results?
– I would like to note Ernest’s high-quality passes, after which all I had to do was put my head up. I always try to play well in defense and join the attack in a timely manner. As captain, I take responsibility for the discipline and character of the team on the field. I’m happy that I was able to bring the team very important points with my own heads. Thanks to the partners who help me a lot.
“I did everything right by quitting my job and accepting the offer from the Left Bank”
– The standings in Group B are now very tight. You probably enjoy playing in such competition?
– Indeed, all the teams are of a decent level, it’s nice to play in such a fight and competition. A very good level of the championship, and this allows you to grow and improve.
– You guaranteed yourself a place no lower than third at the end of the round. Does such a place in the standings satisfy your ambitions?
– There are three rounds left to play in 2023. For us, every game is like a final, so there is no room for error. Try to get the maximum number of points in these games.
– Remember your first steps in football. Who brought you into football?
– As far back as I can remember, I have always loved football very much. He began to take his first steps in his native Forest at the age of 5-6 years. I played with many guys who are now in the UPL, but I wouldn’t like to single out anyone. I really asked my parents to allow me to study, said that I myself would go to training and games, so that they would allow me to enroll in the Youth Sports School.
— Which coach influenced your career the most?
— I would like to mention my first coach, Alexander Sergeevich Kaploushenko, who taught me all the basic basics and qualities. I have very warm memories of the time spent at the Youth Sports School. Also, many thanks to Anatoly Ivanovich Buznik, who did a lot for me, brought me into professional football and always believed in my abilities.
— Anatoly Buznik invited you to the college football team. Perhaps you didn’t expect such an offer? Remember your emotions?
– At that time I played in the championship of the Kyiv region and worked at the same time. I knew Anatoly Ivanovich from working together in the Ukrainian student team, so when he called me, told me about the project and invited me to try my hand at professional football, I was certainly happy. After consulting with my family, I decided that this was a great chance to make my dream come true. I realized that the Kiev club had great ambitions, so, looking back, I can say that I did everything right by quitting my job and accepting the offer from the Left Bank.
“I worked on the roofs. I had to feed my family and think about what to do next.”
– With the beginning of a full-scale war, you moved to the Lithuanian Jonava. Who suggested this option to you and why did you decide to leave Ukraine?
“I don’t want to spend a lot of time on this issue, because I’ve encountered many problems of a sports and non-sports nature. My goal is to get gaming practice and maintain athletic tone; I wanted to see the level of the country’s Major League, because I spent almost a year without football.
– We know that you even had to install windows. Can you tell us more about this? How helpful are you to this new experience?
– I worked on the roofs, a volunteer hired me as an assistant, many thanks to him. This man was very worried about our country and helped Ukrainians. I had to feed my family and think about what to do next. I can’t say that it was difficult, but in fact all my thoughts were about home, about those people who are really having a hard time, about our soldiers. Low bow and glory to the Ukrainian Armed Forces for the opportunity to live and play sports.
— What do you remember most from your life in Portugal? What problems did you first encounter?
– Beautiful nature, incredible ocean, friendly people. There were no problems, but there was an understanding that we would not live here permanently. A few months later they began to plan their future. In the summer I found myself in Lithuania, and my wife and son moved home to Kyiv. Six months later I returned, having clearly decided that I wanted to live and work in my own country. About a month later, an offer was received to try my hand at the Left Bank again.
– During this pause, how did you continue to keep yourself in shape? Maybe they even played football somewhere?
– First, in Portugal, I trained with the local professional team Leiria. Once I got the job, I kept myself in good shape, ran in the park, played football with local kids. Portugal is a very football country, it was not a problem to find guys with the ball, especially on weekends.
“I was very glad to receive Zaporozhan’s call”
— Did you understand that you might not return to football, or did you try to immediately reject such thoughts?
“I understood and accepted this fact, but the most important thing is that there should be a peaceful sky again in our country.” It is imperative to drive out the occupiers. I’m happy that we can hold the championship in such a difficult time. Thanks to our defenders.
– Who suggested you return to the Left Bank?
– Returning to Kyiv, I did not expect an offer from the Left Bank, because there was a slight misunderstanding among those who did not immediately return to Ukraine. I went home without offers from football clubs; I wanted to look for teams in Ukraine myself.
Approximately 2-3 weeks after my arrival, Andrei Yuryevich Zaporozhan called and offered to come to training. He explained that the team will be reassembling and plans to take part in the next season of the First League. I was very happy about this call and came with pleasure. I am very proud to be part of this team now.
– What tasks do you set for yourself for the near future?
“I want to achieve my goal with the team and I’m sure we can do it.” Now we have gone through a period of adaptation to games for results. We played friendly matches for six months and it was difficult to get into the season. We went through defeats and victories together, and I feel that now this is a real team, where everyone is for each other and this team is ready to solve ambitious tasks.
BLITs
- Born in Kyiv
- Pupil – Children’s and Youth Sports School Peremozhets
- First coach – Alexander Sergeevich Kaploushenko
- Favorite club – Barcelona
- Favorite Player: Lionel Messi
- Goal in football? I strive to play in the UPL and European Cups
Yaroslav Krokha
Source: Sportarena
I’m Scott Moore, a professional writer and journalist based in the US. I’ve been writing for various publications for over 8 years now, and have been working as an author at athletistic for the past five years. My work has been featured by some of the leading sports websites and magazines across Europe.
