Jovicevic hails ‘victory for Ukraine’AFP, RENNES, FranceShakhtar Donetsk on Thursday qualified for the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League, with coach Igor Jovicevic hailing the win at French side Stade Rennais as a “victory for Ukraine.”Shakhtar defeated Rennes 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after their playoff had ended 3-3 on aggregate and then went to extra-time. The win came a day before the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This match was for you, Ukraine, it was for our country, for Ukraine,” said Croatian coach Jovicevic, who has worked in Ukraine for more than 20 years. “Respect to my players, I’m proud of them,” said Jovicevic, who praised the “magnificent atmosphere” of Rennes’ Roazhon Park. “It’s already a very difficult situation to live to the rhythm of the bombardments, the sirens,” Jovicevic said.

Source: Taipei Times February 25, 2023 06:52 UTC