Artem Gagarin: Before the start of the UPL, we were the initiators of canceling the postponement of matches

Artem Gagarin, the vice-president of Kryvyi Rih "Kryvbas" answered the questions of the online publication Ukrainian Football. The most relevant moments of the conversation are for your attention.

- To Artem Serhiovych, like in the camp «Kryvbas» perceive departure from «Victoria»?

- For these two games, I am not ashamed of either the boys or the Club. I saw the desire, the desire, they played with the strongest team that could fall to us at this stage. There were moments, there were mistakes, there was arbitration - everything happened. We didn't lose to some name, because last season "Victoria" played in the quarter-finals, and that probably says something. So thanks, team. 

I especially wanted to thank the fans who created a great atmosphere. It is a forgotten feeling for us to play in a crowded stadium. The support was not only from "Victoria", but also from us. Also, in every interview, I never stop thanking our defenders. Thanks to them, we can play and develop football in Ukraine. 

- Okay, which one «Viktoria» off the field? 

- During these two matches, we developed a great relationship with the representatives of "Victoria": starting with the coach and players and ending with the management and the president. They rated Kryvbas very highly. 

During the conversation, the Czech side expressed its admiration for Ukraine and Ukrainians. They don't understand how we play football during war. For them, this is something incredible. We thanked them for their support, because "Viktoria" was one of the clubs that first supported Ukraine after the start of the full-scale invasion.

- «Betis» by class is much stronger than «Victoria». What can you offer? «Kryvbas»?

- Yes, indeed, "Betis" can boast of the presence of players who are worth tens of millions and decide matches on their own, but we have Yuriy Vernydub and we have a team. Yuri Mykolayovych knows how to create sensations. I believe in our team, because otherwise why play football and go on the field if you don't believe?! 

- Vernydubu is talented with the Spaniards. Hoping for something similar to what Bilbao used to be «Dawn» or in Madrid «Sheriffs»?

- To talk only about fartness will be disrespectful to Yuri Mykolayovych. In general, it must be said that we have a great coach. A person who deserves respect not only as a football specialist, because everyone began to forget about the year 2022, when Yuriy Mykolayovych, having an active contract abroad, learned about what was happening here, returned to Ukraine and joined the ranks of the Armed Forces. And, what is important, he did not hide his contract and obligations to the club, but came straight from the Europa League match. 

Yury Mykolayovych is 58 years old, but he hauled shells, was a rigger, traveled to positions, worked on enemy positions, there were flights from the enemy side, there were contusions, there were comrades who died. It just so happened that he defended our country precisely in the direction of Kryvyi Rih, when the enemy was 50 kilometers from our city. Special respect and gratitude to him for all this. And to those who try to devalue all this, as they say: "God is their judge." 

- After the first game with «Betis» you will have a championship game with «Ingul» home. «Kryvbas» will postpone the match as it did «Dynamo»?

- Before the start of the championship, we were the initiators of canceling the postponement of matches. We understood the consequences, but this is the level playing field we always talk about. The decision was made with two exceptions: the clubs went to meet the Olympic team and the teams that reached the playoffs of the European Cups. 

Some of the matches of the first round were postponed, and there was also an agreement that if the Olympians made it to the playoffs, it would be treated as force majeure and, according to the regulations, the matches of teams with two or more representatives of the Olympic team would be postponed. Also, clubs that have reached the playoffs of the European Cup qualification can postpone their match at the initiative of other UPL clubs. It was agreed in advance, although we voted against it, the decision was taken by majority.

As for the game with Ingulets, we will still remain in our position and will not postpone the match. We plan to return from Slovakia to Kryvyi Rih, play a match, move to Moldova, get on a plane and fly to Spain. This is the pace we have been living since the beginning of August. We stand for equality and everyone should have the same conditions. All! From our "grands" - to debutants of the Ukrainian Premier League.

Media of FC "Kryvbas" Kryvyi Rih for materials Ukrfootball.ua