Ukraine 5

 

Oleksandr Romanchuk (Metalist Kharkiv)
vs. Netherlands (1:1) | Friendly | 2010 in Netherlands

Another Ukraine national team shirt and one with a bit of a special story. In March 2022, shortly after Russia assaulted Ukraine, invading parts of the country, an absolute football legend got in touch with me directly: Marius Stankevicius, the Lithuanian record national team player, sent me a message on Facebook, where we were friends as Marius once played for Padania in the CONIFA World Football Cup 2018 in London, which I helped organising. Marius set up a charity for Ukraine, selling off some of the shirts he collected during his long career. I immediately bid 125 Euro on this shirt and won it, getting it just weeks later. While that is surely slightly overpriced, I am more than happy helping Marius in his effort to raise funds - and even happier to help Ukraine, even if just a tiny bit.

The shirt was worn by Vasyl Kobin, a former Shakhtar player who is now a coach in Ukraine. It is not the most exciting shirt - but it was for a good cause and of course is still a matchworn Ukraine shirt, which I am very pleased with. Thanks, Marius for contacting me back then - and much importantly, for the important work you have done helping Ukraine!