Homenyuk on Ukrainian Cup matches: "Didn't win the tournament, but got a medal"
Today, September 8, the 1/16 finals of the Ukrainian Cup start in Ukraine, which will last for nine days. At this stage, representatives of the Eurocups, "Shakhtar", "Dynamo", "Polissya", and LNZ, enter the competition.
What to expect at this stage of the competition, former forward of "Tavria", "Dnipro", "Metalist", and the Ukrainian national team, Volodymyr Homenyuk, exclusively told the website Sport.ua.
– Volodymyr, during your time as a footballer, how did you approach cup matches?
– A footballer, if he is a true professional, tunes in to each match to the maximum. In the national Cup, I scored, if I'm not mistaken, 15 goals. I enjoyed participating in this tournament because practically every match was decisive in terms of advancing to the next stage of the competition.
However, in "Dnipro" and "Metalist", there were matches, especially in the early stages, when a mixed lineup took the field. Coaches gave players with little playing time the opportunity to show themselves. There was no pressure for the final result, as the focus was on the championship and Eurocups.
– Did you come closest to the top in the 2006/2007 season?
– Yes. Then in the semifinals, "Tavria" drew with "Shakhtar" twice – 0:0 and 2:2. I managed to score one of the goals. And the "miners" advanced to the final only due to more goals scored away. Unfortunately, I didn't win the Ukrainian Cup, but I have a winner's medal (smiles). I was awarded it by the president of "Tavria" Serhiy Kunitsyn after the 2009/2010 season. The Simferopol team won the tournament then, but I was already playing for "Dnipro".
– Do you like that the national cup has a blind draw now?
– Yes, of course. It's fair to all teams participating in the competition. It's a good chance for teams from lower divisions to go as far as possible. But first and foremost, it's about promoting football in small towns. I imagine the excitement in Vilkhivtsi when "Shakhtar" visits, or in Vinnytsia when "Dynamo" plays.
– I was just about to ask, how much of a chance does "Niva" have against the "blue and whites"?
– I think there's no need to expect a sensation here. Despite the decent start of the Vinnytsia team in the Second League, "Dynamo" will achieve the result they need due to their class and good physical fitness, even despite all the problems in the capital club.
– Besides "Dynamo", "Shakhtar", "Polissya", and LNZ are entering the competition. Will it be the toughest for the Cherkasy team?
– 100 percent. They will play against "Bukovyna", which in recent years has not only proven itself as a cup fighter but also has a stable lineup, the team knows how to adjust during the match. But most importantly, Serhiy Shyshchenko's wards always play with maximum dedication.
– With a relatively favorable draw, who among the lower division teams can surprise?
– I won't make predictions about specific matches, but I'm almost certain that there will be many more surprises than in the previous stage of the tournament. It won't be easy for Premier League representatives because they don't fly to matches by plane, some fatigue may show. And any opponent can tune in for a home match. It's not easy to play on the third day after two days. This was evidenced by the European matches of Ukrainian teams.
