Dainius Gleveckas: Every day I read Shakhtar site

08-01-15 09:00:40

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The December issue of Shakhtar magazine is out. We bring you an exclusive interview with the ex-player of our team Dainius Gleveckas, published in the new edition of the club publication.

Olexiy Gai helped us contact with the former Pitmen’s defender! Another ex-Shakhtar midfielder had the Lithuanian number of Dainius. As it turned out, it is still in use. When he learned that the phone call was from Donetsk, our hero happily agreed to grant an interview.

- Dainius, Gai gave us your contacts. So, are you keeping in touch with him?
- I have long talked to Olexiy, we communicated via text messages. But recently I have talked to Bakharev. By the way, I still have the same phone number since I have played for Shakhtar.

- But here everyone remembers you: teammates, employees of the club, the fans...
- It's very nice. Even though I was not a key player for Shakhtar. However, I am very proud that I had the opportunity to play for a team.

- What do you do now? Have you not gone far from football?
- I live in my hometown of Panevezys, Lithuania. I am engaged in real estate. I rent apartments, buy, sell ... As for football, ex-players of Ekranas gather twice a week. That is we keep in shape.

- That is, you have decided to devote yourself to the business?
- Well, it’s not that I have decided. After a career at Ekranas, I trained reserve side for six months. But then the club began experiencing big financial problems. Ekranas may even become bankrupt. I left, but it was necessary to something to do. I first tried to engage in the restaurant business, but then decided to go into real estate.

- After so many years in football, was it hard to switch to a completely different sphere of life?
- Honestly, it was hard. Life of a professional footballer is clearly painted. You know exactly when you train, when the games are scheduled and so on. And here it is already necessary to think, to make money. Of course, things do not always work out. Therefore it is difficult.

- But you are dealing with it?
- (Laughs.) Of course, I try! But the result is different: it is better, then worse. This is life!

- In the future do you plan to do coaching, is there such a possibility?
- If there was a decent offer, of course, it would be interesting to work on. But now, frankly speaking, there are few options.

- About ten years have passed since you left Donetsk. Right?
- (Recalls.) Well, I still had two years in Mariupol. And exactly nine years have passed since I left.

- What memories about Ukraine do you have?
- Honestly, I often think of Donetsk, watch Shakhtar’s games. There are no bad memories about the city and the team. Only the best! I am still telling everyone how great I feelt in the Donetsk club.

- Do you follow the Pitmen’s games mostly in the Champions League?
- Yes, but every day I read the club's official website. So I am aware of everything happening. Ukrainian championship matches are hard to find, they are not shown here. With European competitions, of course, it is easier.

- How do you assess the prospects of Shakhtar in the match-up with Bayern?
- I will be not original: it will be very hard for the Pitmen. But as you know, the Champions League is not so easy to win. In football everything is possible, there is always some chance. When I came to the team, I remember that I had a dream to advance from the group. Then the Pitmen won the UEFA Cup, and now more and more they are able to get into the knockout stages of the Champions League. So dreams come true! It is possible to play with Bayern as well.

- So you're aware of all the events associated with Shakhtar, aren’t you?
- Yes I am. I know everything! I know that the team lives in Kiev, and plays in Lviv. It is a very difficult situation. The Pitmen have such a stadium, so many fans, and have to play in another city. Of course, this is bad.

- This year Viktor Prokopenko would have turned 70. What memories of him do you have?
- You know, only good memories! He was such a warm person. Always smiling, he had a very good sense of humor. He’s always supported me and all the guys. He would cheer you up, give advices... He was a man of wide soul. It is sad that he is gone.

- Are you planning to visit Ukraine?
- I've always wanted to see Donbass Arena. But given a current situation I do not know when I can come to Donetsk. But I would like it very much! It is a pity that the base suffered as well, not to mention the people. Too bad. I would like to wish all the people of Ukraine to live in peace as soon as possible.

FC Shakhtar magazine