Oshenkov’s and Jadson’s stars: how it happened

12-05-13 18:15:07

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On 12 May, a significant event took place in the life of FC Shakhtar. Two new stars, in honour of the legendary Shakhtar coach in the 1960s Oleg Oshenkov, and Jadson, the team’s former midfielder, were installed on the Walk of Fame at the southern entrance of Donbass Arena.

The fans began to gather on the Walk of Fame long before the designated time. By 18:00 there were about two and a half thousand fans. They shared expectations and discussed yesterday's match. Arrival of Shakhtar’s first team, led by Mircea Lucescu, was greeted by fans with thunderous applause. By the way, Pitmen took to the stage to the same modification of the song Spyat Kurgany Tyomnye, as the one used during home matches! It gave special solemnity. Players - not in football kits but in casual clothes - lined up in front of their fans with actually looking them in the eyes.

Shakhtar’s legendary coach was represented at the ceremony by his son Mykhaylo. As for Jadson, he arrived in Donetsk earlier and managed to attend Shakhtar’s game versus Tavriya. But his today’s appearance in front of the crowd was especially touching. Everyone tried to shout and tell the player something. For instance, to call him back to Donetsk, Shakhtar...

The ceremony was declared open. Governor of the Donetsk Oblast, Andriy Shyshatskiy, addressed the audience first:

- Dear FC Shakhtar supporters, dear Rinat Leonidovich, Mr. Lucescu, the players, everyone, without whom there would be no celebration of football in Donbass, thanks to you, we truly have victorious May – on the eighth occasion and on the fourth one in a row, Shakhtar have become the champions of Ukraine . On the eve of Victory Day, we opened the Alley of Memory of Stakhanovets Players - the first squad of the Pitmen who went off to war. Today, we have a good reason to unveil two new stars on the Walk of Fame in honour of two great players - Oleg Oshenkov, who instilled the team with the legendary Shakhtar’s character, and it was under him when the first cup victories were achieved, as well as Jadson, the crowd favourite and the scorer of the winning goal in the UEFA Cup final. I sincerely wish Shakhtar to go from victory to victory, and that the Walk of Fame was full. Shakhtar - the champion!

Then FC Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov took the floor. After that, the most exciting moment came for Oleg Oshenkov’s son and Jadson - the very unveiling of the stars! In addition, each of them received a memorable badge.

- I regret the fact that my father is not here, because, of course, he would have been happy even more than I was - the son of the legendary coach shared his impressions. - And I'm happy that I lived to see this time and was invited by Shakhtar, and I always celebrate success of this team, despite the fact that he worked at Dynamo Kyiv for many years.

Jadson also shared his impressions.

- I am very happy to return to my city, to be a participant of this wonderful event and, of course, to meet with fans and friends whom I left here - the Brazilian did not hide his emotions. - I have a pleasant feeling when remembering the seven years spent in Donetsk. Only God knows what will happen next, but it is possible that I will be back here again. In particular, I want to thank the team president – thanks to his invitation I am here today, the club CEO Sergei Palkin, Mircea Lucescu, whom I consider my second father and who has taught me a lot. Many thanks to all employees of the club, who all helped me, and, of course, my family who have always supported me.

Finally one could hear a legendary Jadson’s phrase: ‘Where is Dynamo? Where?’ And, of course, it brought a storm of applause! Should we remind you that in the case of Jadson it is the fans’ favourite phrase?

…The event came to an end, but no one was in a hurry to leave. Rinat Akhmetov, Mircea Lucescu and Jadson were signing autographs for fans for quite a long time. Seizing the moment, we have communicated with Jadson’s wife Renata:

- It was very emotional. I'm glad that my husband was welcomed here with such tenderness and warmth!

- Was Jadson nervous, before heading for the embedment of his own star?
- Oh, he was very nervous! And me too. (Laughs.)

- Jadson has a new hairstyle. Whose idea that was?
- To be honest, mine.

- Did you also miss Donetsk like Jadson? You spent so much time here...
- Yes, of course. I missed my friends who stayed here. And Willian’s family, which is in Moscow. Yesterday, we talked with Eduardo’s wife, and Jadson with Fernandinho.

This day will go down in the history of Shakhtar. Now there are seven stars on the club’s Walk of Fame! On the opening day, 8 May 2011, the following names have been immortalized here: Vitaliy Starukhin, Mircea Lucescu, Mikhaylo Sokolov and Yuriy Degteryov. On 27 August of the same year there was embedded a star of FC Shakhtar Supporters...

These same fans love spending their time in the Donbass Arena park. Naturally, they visit the Walk of Fame. From now on, they have the opportunity to even touch the stars of two legends of the Shakhtar golden eras - Oleg Oshenkov’s and Jadson’s.

FC Shakhtar
Press Office