Latest news with #DynamoKyiv
Irish Examiner
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Luxembourg won't be distracted by Gerson Rodrigues controversy against Ireland says manager
Luc Holtz insists his Luxembourg side are not distracted by the ongoing controversy over Gerson Rodrigues ahead of Tuesday's friendly against Ireland. The striker – who scored the winner in a 2021 World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road – has been handed an 18-month suspended sentence after being convicted of three assault offences, including against his former girlfriend Emily Boland. His appeal against the sentence was rejected. Rodrigues's presence in the team for Friday's defeat against Slovenia prompted protests from a section of supporters, with banners confiscated. Although the Luxembourg federation issued an apology on Monday for the heavy-handedness of security, outlining their position on Rodrigues in a long statement, the manager batted away questions about the episode on the eve of facing Ireland. 'Nothing interests this team,' Holtz said of the media storm still swirling around Luxembourg and beyond. 'The focus is on the pitch. Everything not on the pitch, in the stands, outside should not distract this team.' Pressed further on the matter, in particular why the manager continues to select a player convicted of such a serious crime, the federation media officer Marc Diederich intervened. 'The reason the federation allows the manager to pick the player is because the punishment came from the court,' he contended on the basis of double jeopardy. 'It is not a reason for the public or the journalists to give him a second punishment for the same thing. 'He did not go to prison and is free to do everything, including go to the supermarket. He could play for the club and national team. 'There are similar examples of players who continued to play after conviction, including Lucas Hernandez. 'Nobody says it is okay to bother a woman. Our player is getting a second chance and we have said this can never happen again.' Rodrigues, who has just completed his eight loan spell away from parent club Dynamo Kyiv, will spearhead their attack at the Stade de Luxembourg in what is their final friendly before the World Cup qualifiers kick off in September. First up in a group that includes Germany and Slovakia is Northern Ireland. Just like arranging a friendly against Slovakia's neighbours Slovenia, there's a purpose to undertaking a dry run against Ireland. 'It will be a very good test because both Ireland and Northern Ireland are physically very strong players,' said Holtz, embracing the stereotypes. 'They high intensity in the game. The mentality is quite close between Ireland and Northern Ireland so this is perfect preparation for the match in September.' Holtz's first magic moment of his five-year spell at the helm came in an Covid-19 enforced empty Lansdowne Road in 2021 but Ireland exacted revenge by running out 3-0 victors in the return. 'The team did not change so much since 2021, only a few new young players being added,' he summarised as the difference between the team led by Stephen Kenny against what he'll be confronted by under Heimir Hallgrimsson. 'Ireland's other players have now got more experience and confidence but football is the same in 2021 and 2025. Maybe we have more experience too.'
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Ukraine soccer team on the road again, looking to bring hope to war-torn home
TORONTO - For the 30th-ranked Canadian men, Saturday's matchup with No. 25 Ukraine at the inaugural Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto is a chance to test themselves against elite European opposition. But for many in the stands at BMO Field and back home in war-torn Ukraine, the game is much more. More than three years after Russia's full-scale invasion, the match offers a rare chance to rally around the Ukrainian national team and show support for a country still fighting for survival. The team can expect a warm welcome, given that it's estimated Canada is home to close to 1.4 million people of Ukrainian descent. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov knows playing in one of the 2026 World Cup venues could pay dividends down the road. But he sees a bigger reason for coming. 'For me, the most important reason for now, with this situation with the war, is that Canada is one of our most important friends in the world,' he said in an interview. The 50-year-old Rebrov, a former star forward whose playing resume includes stints with Dynamo Kyiv and England's Tottenham and West Ham, says his players know they have a bigger purpose than kicking a ball — even if they do so with a heavy heart. 'Now it's very difficult to play, to concentrate on the game,' Rebrov said. 'Everybody has a friend, family in the army. Everybody's worried about what's happening in our country. Every day they're trying to destroy our infrastructure, kill our people.' 'They're doing their best in this very hard period for Ukraine,' he said of his players. 'We understand we are playing for our soldiers … It's more responsibility now. I'm always telling the players we have to show the spirit, not only spirit of the players but spirit of the country, a country fighting for its freedom.' The Ukraine roster for the Toronto tournament draws on players with clubs in England, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the U.S. and Ukraine. After Canada, Rebrov's team takes on No. 86 New Zealand on Tuesday. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The Ukrainian domestic league continues to play, albeit with limits on attendance connected to the capacity of nearby air shelters. One recent game took more than 4 1/2 hours to complete because of air raid sirens going off. Matches are scheduled for early afternoon due to frequent power outages and the difficulty in travelling during wartime. Ukrainian soccer players are subject to the draft at age 25, but clubs can apply for exemptions. The 16-team Ukraine league wrapped up its season last month with Dynamo Kyiv topping the table at 20-0-10. The new season kicks off Aug. 2. Ukraine teams playing in European competitions have had to travel outside their border for home games, often having to take circuitous routes. Rebrov acknowledges that assembling the national team is a challenge but notes it pales 'compared to what the soldiers go through.' Andriy Shevchenko, president of the Ukrainian Association of Football, calls the Canadian Shield a 'very positive event for us.' 'First of all, Canada is one of the biggest supporters of Ukraine. Second, Canada is the largest community of Ukrainian people in the world (outside of Ukraine),' said the former Dynamo Kyiv, Chelsea and AC Milan striker. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'And we really think, in our professional view, Canada is a very good team,' he added. Canada played Ukraine to a 2-2 draw in their only previous meeting, in October 2010 in Kyiv. The 48-year-old Shevchenko remembers it well since he earned his 100th cap for Ukraine that night. 'I have a good memory from that game,' he said. 'One hundred caps for the national team is always a big target. And then for me, I'm very attached to Ukraine, very attached to my country, to the national team jersey. It was a big moment for me.' Shevchenko says the national team helps connect its people. 'We're still fighting for our democracy, for our sons to exist. Football plays a very big role because it is sport No. 1 in Ukraine. All the fans, most of them, defend our country on the frontline. They also connect to the team.' He says Ukraine's people celebrate sporting successes, like qualifying for Euro 2024, playing at the Paris Olympics and finishing third at the 2024 Futsal World Cup. Ukraine will also compete in the FIFA U-20 Men's World Cup in September in Chile. 'This all has a good impact on society in Ukraine,' said Shevchenko, 'People are watching football and are proud.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Most recently, Ukraine narrowly lost a two-legged UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation playoff in March to Belgium 4-3 on aggregate, winning the opening leg 3-0 in Spain before falling 3-1 in the rematch in Belgium, with Romelu Lukaku's 86th-minute goal deciding the series. Ukraine starts World Cup qualifying play in September in a group that also contains No. 3 France, No. 74 Ireland and No. 119 Azerbaijan. The group winner qualifies directly for the World Cup finals, while the runner-up moves on to a two-legged playoff. Ukraine reached the quarterfinals in its lone trip to the World Cup, in 2006 with both Rebrov and Shevchenko on the team. Ukraine went 1-1-1 at Euro 2024, failing to advance out of the group stage after losing 3-0 to Romania, defeating Slovakia 2-1 and drawing Belgium 0-0. All three teams finished with four points but Ukraine finished last on goal difference. Ukraine was 6-4-4 in 2024 but has not played at home since November 2021 with more than three dozen consecutive away matches since Russia invaded in February 2022. Ukraine Roster Valeriy Bondar, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine); Artem Bondarenko, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine); Yevhen Cheberko, Columbus Crew (MLS); Vladyslav Dubinchak, Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine); Oleksiy Hutsuliak, Polissya Zhytomyr (Ukraine); Vladyslav Kabaiev, Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine); Ivan Kaliuzhnyi, Oleksandriya (Ukraine); Andriy Lunin, Real Madrid (Spain); Oleksandr Martyniuk, Oleksandriya (Ukraine), Mykola Matviyenko, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine); Mykola Mykhailenko, Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine); Bohdan Mykhailichenko, Polissya Zhytomyr (Ukraine); Oleksandr Nazarenko, Polissya Zhytomyr (Ukraine); Yehor Nazaryna, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine); Oleksandr Pikhalonok, Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine); Dmytro Riznyk, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine); Mykola Shaparenko, Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine); Heorhiy Sudakov, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine); Maksym Talovierov, Plymouth Argyle (England); Anatoliy Trubin, Benfica (Portugal); Viktor Tsyhankov , Girona (Spain); Oleksandr Tymchyk, Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine); Roman Yaremchuk, Olympiacos (Greece); Illia Zabarnyi, Bournemouth (England); Oleksandr Zinchenko, Bournemouth (England); Oleksandr Zubkob, Trabzonspor (Turkey). —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2025
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ukraine soccer team on the road again, looking to bring hope to war-torn home
TORONTO – For the 30th-ranked Canadian men, Saturday's matchup with No. 25 Ukraine at the inaugural Canadian Shield Tournament in Toronto is a chance to test themselves against elite European opposition. But for many in the stands at BMO Field and back home in war-torn Ukraine, the game is much more. More than three years after Russia's full-scale invasion, the match offers a rare chance to rally around the Ukrainian national team and show support for a country still fighting for survival. The team can expect a warm welcome, given that it's estimated Canada is home to close to 1.4 million people of Ukrainian descent. Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov knows playing in one of the 2026 World Cup venues could pay dividends down the road. But he sees a bigger reason for coming. 'For me, the most important reason for now, with this situation with the war, is that Canada is one of our most important friends in the world,' he said in an interview. The 50-year-old Rebrov, a former star forward whose playing resume includes stints with Dynamo Kyiv and England's Tottenham and West Ham, says his players know they have a bigger purpose than kicking a ball — even if they do so with a heavy heart. 'Now it's very difficult to play, to concentrate on the game,' Rebrov said. 'Everybody has a friend, family in the army. Everybody's worried about what's happening in our country. Every day they're trying to destroy our infrastructure, kill our people.' 'They're doing their best in this very hard period for Ukraine,' he said of his players. 'We understand we are playing for our soldiers … It's more responsibility now. I'm always telling the players we have to show the spirit, not only spirit of the players but spirit of the country, a country fighting for its freedom.' The Ukraine roster for the Toronto tournament draws on players with clubs in England, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the U.S. and Ukraine. After Canada, Rebrov's team takes on No. 86 New Zealand on Tuesday. The Ukrainian domestic league continues to play, albeit with limits on attendance connected to the capacity of nearby air shelters. One recent game took more than 4 1/2 hours to complete because of air raid sirens going off. Matches are scheduled for early afternoon due to frequent power outages and the difficulty in travelling during wartime. Ukrainian soccer players are subject to the draft at age 25, but clubs can apply for exemptions. The 16-team Ukraine league wrapped up its season last month with Dynamo Kyiv topping the table at 20-0-10. The new season kicks off Aug. 2. Ukraine teams playing in European competitions have had to travel outside their border for home games, often having to take circuitous routes. Rebrov acknowledges that assembling the national team is a challenge but notes it pales 'compared to what the soldiers go through.' Andriy Shevchenko, president of the Ukrainian Association of Football, calls the Canadian Shield a 'very positive event for us.' 'First of all, Canada is one of the biggest supporters of Ukraine. Second, Canada is the largest community of Ukrainian people in the world (outside of Ukraine),' said the former Dynamo Kyiv, Chelsea and AC Milan striker. 'And we really think, in our professional view, Canada is a very good team,' he added. Canada played Ukraine to a 2-2 draw in their only previous meeting, in October 2010 in Kyiv. The 48-year-old Shevchenko remembers it well since he earned his 100th cap for Ukraine that night. 'I have a good memory from that game,' he said. 'One hundred caps for the national team is always a big target. And then for me, I'm very attached to Ukraine, very attached to my country, to the national team jersey. It was a big moment for me.' Shevchenko says the national team helps connect its people. 'We're still fighting for our democracy, for our sons to exist. Football plays a very big role because it is sport No. 1 in Ukraine. All the fans, most of them, defend our country on the frontline. They also connect to the team.' He says Ukraine's people celebrate sporting successes, like qualifying for Euro 2024, playing at the Paris Olympics and finishing third at the 2024 Futsal World Cup. Ukraine will also compete in the FIFA U-20 Men's World Cup in September in Chile. 'This all has a good impact on society in Ukraine,' said Shevchenko, 'People are watching football and are proud.' Most recently, Ukraine narrowly lost a two-legged UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation playoff in March to Belgium 4-3 on aggregate, winning the opening leg 3-0 in Spain before falling 3-1 in the rematch in Belgium, with Romelu Lukaku's 86th-minute goal deciding the series. Ukraine starts World Cup qualifying play in September in a group that also contains No. 3 France, No. 74 Ireland and No. 119 Azerbaijan. The group winner qualifies directly for the World Cup finals, while the runner-up moves on to a two-legged playoff. Ukraine reached the quarterfinals in its lone trip to the World Cup, in 2006 with both Rebrov and Shevchenko on the team. Ukraine went 1-1-1 at Euro 2024, failing to advance out of the group stage after losing 3-0 to Romania, defeating Slovakia 2-1 and drawing Belgium 0-0. All three teams finished with four points but Ukraine finished last on goal difference. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Ukraine was 6-4-4 in 2024 but has not played at home since November 2021 with more than three dozen consecutive away matches since Russia invaded in February 2022. Ukraine Roster Valeriy Bondar, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine); Artem Bondarenko, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine); Yevhen Cheberko, Columbus Crew (MLS); Vladyslav Dubinchak, Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine); Oleksiy Hutsuliak, Polissya Zhytomyr (Ukraine); Vladyslav Kabaiev, Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine); Ivan Kaliuzhnyi, Oleksandriya (Ukraine); Andriy Lunin, Real Madrid (Spain); Oleksandr Martyniuk, Oleksandriya (Ukraine), Mykola Matviyenko, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine); Mykola Mykhailenko, Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine); Bohdan Mykhailichenko, Polissya Zhytomyr (Ukraine); Oleksandr Nazarenko, Polissya Zhytomyr (Ukraine); Yehor Nazaryna, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine); Oleksandr Pikhalonok, Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine); Dmytro Riznyk, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine); Mykola Shaparenko, Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine); Heorhiy Sudakov, Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine); Maksym Talovierov, Plymouth Argyle (England); Anatoliy Trubin, Benfica (Portugal); Viktor Tsyhankov , Girona (Spain); Oleksandr Tymchyk, Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine); Roman Yaremchuk, Olympiacos (Greece); Illia Zabarnyi, Bournemouth (England); Oleksandr Zinchenko, Bournemouth (England); Oleksandr Zubkob, Trabzonspor (Turkey). — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2025
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Right now all of us lose': Shakhtar claim Ukrainian Cup in glimpse of past life
Valeriy Bondar vaults a perfunctory metal fence, is handed a flare from somewhere in the melee and waves it around in the night sky. Shakhtar Donetsk have won the Ukrainian Cup, finally beating Dynamo Kyiv on penalties: light and smoke fill the air in Polissya Stadion's south-west corner but there is something else, too. A trickle of supporters have been allowed back into many of the country's arenas since February 2024 but more than 5,000 are packed in this time and the scenes are redolent of a different era. There has been no occasion quite like this on Ukraine's soil for well over three years. Fireworks have been a theme all day. Ninety minutes before kick-off in Zhytomyr several dozen Shakhtar ultras from different groups convene on a footbridge that dramatically spans the River Teteriv, towards the outskirts of this neat provincial city, and march towards the ground in a pyrotechnic haze. 'It's the first time in years that we've all been together in numbers like this,' says one of them, Taras, whose organisation sends equipment to soldiers at the front. About 70% of those present on the bridge are in active service, he estimates. Advertisement Most of the military personnel have been given dispensation to take a few days off and travel for the match. One, who does not give his name, says he has come straight from the trenches. Another is Kirill, a softly spoken 23-year-old who is attending his first football match since 2021. He remembers it well: a game in Mariupol between the home team, who are now on an extended pause after Russia's occupation and devastation of the city, and Oleksandriya. Kirill was wounded last year and has since been deployed in the direction of Toretsk, a city in Donbas where some of the fiercest fighting is taking place, to help with soldiers' rehabilitation. Some of them have told him how Russian glider bombs flattened the stadium there while leaving their trail of destruction. He is wearing full combat uniform, the badge of the famous Azov Brigade stitched on to his left sleeve. Closer to the stadium, four Dynamo fans wait next to a refreshment stand with a Shakhtar-supporting friend. They have arrived by minibus from a military base near Vovchan'sk, a nine-hour drive away. For all five, it is the first live football match since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. 'It feels really unusual, I used to go all the time,' says one, holding his Dynamo scarf. Does the bitter rivalry between these two local superpowers still hold true in wartime? 'Aggression must stay in the war zone,' he says. 'Here, there is none.' It already has the feel of a return to normality beyond the necessarily cautious, sterilised form domestic football has taken. The stadium, usually home to the top-flight side Polissya Zhytomyr, has been cleared to host this final because there is sufficient air raid shelter capacity in proximity. Dynamo's home, the famous Lobanovskiy Stadion, can house only about 1,800 on those terms. Nobody can tell when a game may be interrupted by sirens; it can happen for hours at a time. The end of a purported three-day Russian ceasefire and prospect of imminent peace talks in Istanbul add to an already deeply uncertain climate. Advertisement In the main stand, through a tented fanzone and around a running track, sit Roman and his family. Roman was a director of FK Sumy, an amateur league club, before the war; he joined the army when it started and now works as a sapper clearing landmines in the Kherson region. Roman, a Dynamo fan, has built a mini-vacation around the final with his wife and children, the hours of travel all worth it simply to be here. 'Football is my love, my life,' he says. On the pitch, it is Shakhtar who feel the pressure. By their standards the season has been disastrous: tiny Oleksandriya sit above them in second place and, with two games left, Dynamo are all but assured of the title. 'We have the individuals, they have the team,' bemoans Yehor, packed into the Shakhtar ultras' section. The manager, Marino Pusic, once the assistant to Arne Slot at Feyenoord, is the subject of grumbles during breaks between patriotic songs and bare-chested bouncing. The first half is niggly and tense. There is, after all, an undercurrent of enmity. Tackles thud in, some of them ugly; the Shakhtar right-back Vinicius Tobias shoves Vladyslav Dubinchak and the thought occurs that the presence of a large crowd, quite aside from the stakes, has given this 'clasico' its edge back. But it needs some quality too and shortly before half-time Andriy Yarmolenko, now 35 and still marauding for Dynamo, clips a smart left-footed finish past Dmytro Riznyk. At the interval the 15-year-old Sviatoslav Vakhovnan, who is sitting near halfway, holds up his poster of Marlon Gomes and hopes for inspiration from Shakhtar's Brazilian midfielder. Here, football will always be a story within the story. Sviatoslav has travelled with Children of Heroes, a charity supporting youngsters who have lost parents as a result of Russia's aggression. Nowadays he plays for the SK Kyiv academy. His father was killed while delivering hot meals and humanitarian aid to Bucha. 'Ukrainian football symbolises our confidence that we're a whole family who can achieve victory together,' he says. Advertisement Gomes and Shakhtar perk up, perhaps sparked by a brawl that erupts early in the second half. Kaua Elias, another in their continuing line of imports from Brazil, equalises. A few monkey chants are audible from Dynamo's ultras; showing that uniting behind a just cause in wartime does not always equate to a consistent moral compass. Under the gathering dusk, two Shakhtar supporters climb high above their peers and set fire to a Russian flag. It is at once a violent and poignant spectacle. The only meaningful victory here can be Ukraine's ultimate triumph. 'But right now, all of us lose,' Yehor says, motioning to the hundreds in orange and black attire. 'These people are my friends and so many fight for us. But we keep losing our friends, and all of them have wives, mothers and children.' The stadium is packed now, its energy thrumming, its colour a throwback. Extra time is played out and then, before thoughts can turn to dashing away in time for the midnight curfew, Riznyk saves from Oleksandr Karavayev in the shootout. Bondar joins in with the firework display; Pusic, whose exit this summer still seems inevitable, is given the bumps by his players. The ultras sing songs of home and hope. For a few hours this game has, as much as can ever be possible, offered up its own world. Taras feels the moment's significance amid the happiness and exhaustion. 'Like a piece of a past life,' he says. The constant strain of the present is unlikely to abate quickly but everyone here has, at least, been granted a new footballing memory to cherish.
Press and Journal
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
GALLERY: Aberdeen International Football Festival 1990-99 - When Andriy Shevchenko and Peter Ndlovu took on Granite City youngsters
Take a look through our Aberdeen International Football Festival archive images from 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. Aberdeen International Football Festival ran from 1981 to 2010 and saw youth teams from all over the world – including from some big clubs – compete in the Granite City. Over the years, English Premier League sides, as well as sides from Europe, Africa, Asia Australia, and North and South America, travelled to Seaton Park for AIFF and to play against sides from closer to home. There were even a few youngsters who went on to be HUGE stars of the game… Following the success of our recent Champion Street galleries, we have now gone into our festival archive to digitise the best pictures from another gone-but-not-forgotten annual Aberdeen football tradition. 1990 Aberdeen International Football Festival 1990 – Mustapha Ouarti, centre, was team manager to both WA Casablanca teams who made the long journey from Morocco to compete for the first time… A position he had held for 15 years! Aberdeen International Football Festival 1990 – Alex Mair, chairman of the Aberdeen Football Festival organising committee, congratulates the Golden Lions freefall parachute team after they landed at Seaton with the footballs which would be used during the festival. They are(from left) Frank McCormack, Queens Own Highlanders, Gary Westwood, Black Watch, Robert Lundie, Ian Gilfillan, and John Mowatt, all Royal Highland Fusiliers. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1990 – The Dynamo Kyiv side who beat KR Reykjavik. Third from back left is Andriy Shevchenko. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1990 – KR Reykjavik. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1990 – Mid Wales SP attack the Vellinge Sweden goal during a festival game at Seaton Park, Aberdeen. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1990 – Deveron Boys, from Banff, pictured before their match against Middlefield United. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1990 – An 'It's a Knockout' competition took place in Duthie Park, Aberdeen, with teams from Aberdeen International Football Festival. (Nova) Scotia Olympics team members (from bottom centre, clockwise) Geoff Axell, Chuck McKinnon, Rob Langille, Braun Fader, and Khoi Phan. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1990 – The Dynamo Kyiv under-15 football team prior to their first match against Corby Town. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1990 – The Chris Anderson Trophy is presented to Peter Ndlovu, Bulawayo Select, Zimbabwe, by Mrs Christine Anderson. Ndlovu went on to become the first African player to star in the English Premier League, turning out in England for the likes of Coventry City and Sheffield United. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1990 – Under-15 winners of the AIFF tournament, Dynamo Kyiv, from the then-USSR, with the Total Oil Marine Cup. 1991 Aberdeen International Football Festival 1991 – Kalev Estonia's goalkeeper, Ernest Martinsons, already has a firm grip of the ball as the team look on. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1991 – Wailuku Bruisers goalkeeper Damien Mason demonstrates his skills to his Hawaiian team-mates. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1991 -Nairobi Select, the Kenyan side who were set figure in the Aberdeen International Football Festival and who face a strong local challenge in their bid to win the under-18 title. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1991 -Former Welsh international manager Mike Smith passes on some advice to his Mid Wales SP charges at the Aberdeen International Football Festival. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1991 – Aberdeen Under-15 Select celebrate a win in the Total Oil Marine Cup at the Aberdeen International Football Festival. The Aberdeen boys beat Cwm Hafren from Wales 3-2 in the final at Seaton Park. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1991 -Torry Vics captain Gareth Forbes (17) gets in some heading practice before a game against Middlefield BC. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1991 – A change of weather for these lads from Nairobi Select, as they shelter beneath a tree. From left, Habil Kachisa, George Ousa and Paul Aringo. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1991 – Making a splash as he retrieved the ball from a puddle during an Aberdeen International Football Festival match at Seaton Park, Aberdeen, was a member of Nairobi Select. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1991 – Launching the Aberdeen International Football Festival were (from left) AIFF Trust chairman Andrew Armstrong, convenor of the trust committee, councillor Alexander Collie and co-director John Taylor at a press conference in the Town Hall. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1991 – Aberdeen's Thomas Wilson evades a tackle from a Cwm Hafren player during the under-15 Total Oil Marine final at Seaton Park. 1992 Aberdeen International Football Festival 1992 – Deeside Kyle FC, the team who scored 25 goals in one match during the AIFF competition, ready to find the net again as they prepared for their match at Seaton against US under-15 side Emerald City Fusion. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1992 -Edinburgh referee Bill Crombie watches as Middlefield keeper Paul Greig stops a volley from ALC Hearts James Simpson, with Middlefield defenders Mark Warman (left) and Campbell Paterson left stranded. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1992 – Aberdeen-raised New York-emigre Jim Sinkins with the Guilderland CS under-18 side. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1992 – Coach Per Petersen with B93 Cophenhagen. Football Aberdeen International Football Festival 1992 – ALC Hearts goalkeeper Bryan Braidwood shows the skills Deeside Kyle would be coming up against in their under-15 final. His team-mates were – Back row from left: Martin Finnie, Jamie Fraser, Justin Brown, David Halliday, Stephen Benzies, Keith Adams; Lee Watson and Allan Deans. Front row from left: Gary Anderson, James Simpson, Lee Cran, Jamie Watt, Neil Ewen, Keith Baxter and Craig Anderson. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1992 – Corby Town goalkeeper Andy Beaumont awaits the outcome as the Junior Army sharpshooters try to get their heads to a corner kick during the under-18 Bank of Scotland Cup final at the Aberdeen International Football Festival at Seaton Park. Junior Army 4 – Corby Town Youth 2. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1992. The seeds were sown for girls teams to feature in future Aberdeen International Football Festival, with Pinner Park FC (London) featuring in a challenge match. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1992 – Estonians Kalev SC, with coach Jan Vazhinski fourth from the right in the front row. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1992 – A Dyce Boys Club forward battles his way past three Vaqueros 78 defenders, from Mexico, during their game in the Aberdeen International Football Festival at Seaton Park. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1992 – The victorious Gomel players who beat Emerald City Select Fusion from Seattle 1-0 to win the Consolation Trophy at the AIFF tournament at Seaton Park. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1992 -The young Estonian side display the under-18 trophy they won at the Aberdeen International Football Festival. 1993 Aberdeen International Football Festival 1993 – AIFF action from Aberdeen's Seaton Park as a youngster from Seattle side Emerald City (in blue) challenges a player from Jarl, of Norway. City won 3-0. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1993 – The ball got rolling on preparations for the 13th Aberdeen International Football Festival. At a function to thank the sponsors were (left to right) Graham Good (chairman, sponsors' committee), Alexander Collie (chairman, trustees), Lord Provost James Wyness, Andrew Armstrong (chairman, organising committee), Willie Miller (honourary vice-chairman). Aberdeen International Football Festival 1993 – A Lundby forward tries a long range shot at the East End goal in the girls' match which opened the Aberdeen International Football Festival at Seaton Park. The Swedish girls won 2-1. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1993 – Action from the Aberdeen International Football Festival under-17 boys' final between Middlefield (stripes) and East End A at Seaton Park. East End won 2-1. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1993 – Coach Alan Robertson with the Bellfield youngsters. The Ayrshire outfit netted 32 goals without reply in their three matches in the qualifying stages to set up a semi-final against Stoneywood BC. Their impressive No.9 Alan Jack grabbed eight of those goals, and he was one of five players in their squad on the books of Premier League Kilmarnock. Stuart Connolly, meanwhile, was the son of John Connolly, who played for Everton and Scotland in the 1970s. They were also coached by Alan Robertson, who made more than 500 appearances for the Rugby Park club between 1972-86. 1994 Aberdeen International Football Festival 1994 – Action from the under-16 girls' section of the Aberdeen International Football Festival at Seaton Park, where Guilderland/Clifton Park United of the USA beat Cove Rangers (in blue) 4-0. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1994 – A Fraserburgh forward tries an overhead kick in a girls' match against Tongwynlais of Wales. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1994 – Aberdeen football stars Stewart McKimmie and Eoin Jess with Elgin's David Shewan (14), a mad-keen Dons fan and winner of the AIFF mascot design competition. Ron Clarke from prize donors Soccerworld also features. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1994 – Corby Borough Select v Glentanar Kyle. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1994 – Aberdeen boss Willie Miller at the launch of the 1994 festival with New Elgin's David Shewan (14), who designed the mascot for the next year's 1995 event. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1994 – Northern Ireland's Rathgill Rangers goalkeeper Gareth Paterson punches clear in an attack from Swedish team IFK Timra as Fredrik Dolk kicks up the dust. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1994 – Aberdeen stars Gary Smith and Kenny Gilbert take time out to meet the children who took part in the exhibition of seven-a-side football at the Aberdeen International Football Festival. 1995 Aberdeen International Football Festival 1995 -Kenyan FA official Judith Nyamire, who took three days to get to the Granite City after having her handbag stolen at London's Heathrow Airport. Due to a national rail strike, she was stranded, but the AIFF eventually managed to get Judith a seat on a flight from London to Aberdeen to ensure she could take in the last few days of the tournament. Judith was joined in Aberdeen by Kenyan Grade 1 referee George Wakasala. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1995 -Norwegian teenagers (from left) Oevind Fugelstien, Stig Maeland and Jon Kristian-Olsen were top of the crops at the Aberdeen International Football Festival. The trio played for under-16 side Hundvaag SC. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1995 – Midfielder tussle… Action from the boys' under-16 final between King Street Standard and EPSM Salonica. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1995 – A Dyce Boys' Club player in full charge against Clermont Ferrand, of France, in a Group A match at Seaton Park. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1995 – Action in the girls' under-16 final match at Seaton Park. Cove Rangers v Jarveentan Palloseura of Finland. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1995 – The players of Eastern New York BC were delighted to get the chance to meet Dons defender Brian Irvine during a break from the AIFF soccer sevens. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1995 – The girls' semi-final between Cove Rangers and US side New Scotland. Susan Murray of Cove gets in a tackle on American Jane Meade. 1996 Aberdeen International Football Festival 1996 – AIFF action at Seaton Park involving Ballymena Youths from Northern Ireland and Clermont Ferrand from France. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1996 – KFUM of Stavanger and Aberdeen Girls. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1996 – Ballymena. Back, left to right, Jim Patton, Adam Watson, Chris Penny, Shea Thomas, Rory Stoneman, Gareth Addidle, Andy Hatton, Joe Daly. Front, Aidan Savage, Colm McMullan, Stephen Anderson, Richard Purvis, Mark McCambridge, Daryl Adams, Norman Harper. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1996 – Dundee United's Chris Gentile (above) recreates the moment when his uncle Claudio lifted the World Cup with Italy (inset). Chris was aided by team-mates Marc Cooper (left) and Ben Robertson. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1996 – Stoneywood. Back (from left) – Kevin Green, Daryl Stuart, Owen Collie, Steven Winton, Ryan Williamson, Andrew Dines, Andrew Aros, Jordan Milne. Front – Richard Davidson, Greg Davidson, Ewan Stuart, Steven Forbes, Paul Milne, Richard Galley, Mark Lawrence. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1996 – Lord Provost Margaret Farquhar joins in the fun as the delighted Bulawayo footballers show off the strips she handed over at a ceremony in the Town House. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1996 – The girls from Mintlaw and KFUM Stavanger get together before their match with captains Laura Ward and Linda Strom head to head. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1996 – Bulawayo YS (Zimbabwe) versus Old Benonian FC B match. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1996 – French team Clemont Ferrand (in blue strip) and Westhill Boys' Club. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1996 – The boys of Russian side Spartak Vladikavkaz celebrate their Total Oil Marine Cup win. Sparktak Vladikavkaz beat Dundee United Boys' Club 4-2 in the final of the under- 14 event at Seaton Park in front of a crowd of between 2,000 and 3,000. 1997 Aberdeen International Football Festival 1997 – Heather Kotty-Addo of Aberdeen Girls. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1997 – Albion BC v Inner London County Schools FA. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1997 – Dundee United BC v Dyce BC. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1997 – The under-12s Soccer Sevens team get together with Dons stars Darren Young, Malcolm Kpedekpo and Aberdeen FC community coach Chic McLelland to celebrate a successful tournament at Seaton Park. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1997 – Dyce goalkeeper Scott McQueen can only watch as Albion's future football star Shaun Maloney blasts his shot past the last two defenders. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1997 – Clermont Ferrand and Corby Borough players try to take control of the boys' under-16 final at Seaton Park. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1997 – Corby v Stoneywood. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1997 – Dundee United BC v Dyce BC. Grant Campbell. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1997 – Dundee United v Albion BC U14 final. Billy McGhee, Sean Taylor. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1997 – Dundee United v Albion BC U14 final. Billy McGhee, Sean Taylor. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1997 – Corby v Stoneywood. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1997 – Darren Young, Malcolm Kpedekpo & Aberdeen FC community coach Chic Mclelland presenting the U12s Soccer Sevens captains with match-balls. 1998 Aberdeen International Football Festival 1998 – Aberdeen FC. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1998 – Dundee United after beating Corby Borough in the under-14 boys' final. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1998 – Vaulen FK, who Cove Girls defeated 9-0. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1998 – Cove Girls. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1998 – Dundee United after winning the under-16 boys' trophy. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1998 – Colony Park BC of Inverurie. Back (from left) – Kenneth Tawse, Phil Gray, Jami Buchan, Paul McLaughlin, Les Lobban, Kevin Beaton, Andrew Bisset, Craig McKeown. Front- Jack Chapman, Kyle Henderson, Bruce Cormie, Ross Mackie, Fraser Harper, Andrew Hynds. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1998 – Wilson Mwale (left) of Zimbabwean team Vulindlela, and Finnish player Toomas Bergstrom, of Vuosaaren Viikingit, in action at Seaton Park. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1998 – Tillydrone v Broomhill. U12s final. 1999 Aberdeen International Football Festival 1999 – Westhill BC line up for their game against Hartlepool United in the Aberdeen International Football Festival. Kevin Neish, Andrew Connon, Anthony Henry, Craig Leyden, Steven Warman, Scott Gilbert, Stephen Gairns, Brynjar Bett, Joel Keddie, Neil Davidson, Vince Mars, Christopher Ness, Duncan Stewart, Kevin Souter, Lee Sweeney. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1999 – South Africa's Old Benonians (pictured) vs Aberdeen BC. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1999 – Hartlepool United line up against Westhill BC in their game at the Aberdeen International Football Festival. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1999 – Aberdeen BC (pictured) vs Old Benonians. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1999 – Former Dons favourites Jim Bett (right) and Duncan Davidson (centre) were coach and manager respectively of the Westhill team, wearing red and black stripes, who beat Hartlepool United 1-0 in their opening game in the under-16s section. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1999 – Aberdeen BC vs Old Benonians. Mario De'Freitas (left) and Bobby McColl (right). Aberdeen International Football Festival 1999 – North Rovers LFC of Zimbabwe (pictured) vs Aberdeen Girls. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1999 – Aberdeen Girls Squad: Joanne Smith, Lisa MacLean, Vicki Scouller, Rona Simpson, Katherine Burke, Kirsten Lawrence, Natasha Grant, Julie Fletcher, Jenny Taylor, Victoria Officer, Lynn McRobb, Shireen Bradford, Kandy Johnston, Claire Pocock, Kayleigh Paterson, Laura Davidson, Laura Gourlay. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1999 – Cove Girls (pictured with trophy) vs Santa Monica United, girls' final. Cove grabbed the girls trophy for the second time in three years by beating America's Santa Monica 4-3 on penalties after a 3-3 thriller, with their goals in normal time from Claire Martin, Rachael Hamill and Lisa McKensie. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1999 – Dundee United boys' U16s section with Jack Wood Trophy. Aberdeen International Football Festival 1999 – Dundee United boys U16s section with Jack Wood Trophy. United claimed the Jack Wood Trophy for the second successive year after a tightly fought 1-0 victory over Westhill BC. More Aberdeen International Football Festival pictures: Aberdeen International Football Festival 1981-89 – best pictures
