Legend doesn't mind signing contract with Shakhtar

13-01-15 17:23:08

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Everyday beach work of Shakhtar Donetsk in Rio has already turned into a kind of the local landmark. Anyway, not every game of the Ukrainian football championship gathers so many press representatives, as well as spectators, who want to look at Mircea Lucescu’s team running on sand or playing beach volleyball.

They have already formed something resembling a VIP section: one of the many cafés is located on the hill next to the beach, so its visitors arrange for the chairs in advance in order to comfortably watch the training of Shakhtar  from the shade of palm trees, sipping coconut milk. Great location!

Incidentally, the major media corporation for covering sports events here (and not only) called Globo has dedicated front-page materials to the Pitmen's beach efforts. The locals say that Brazilian teams are rarely given so much attention and only on significant occasions.

I thik that those who have gathered on the beach of Barra did not at all regret it on the hot morning of 13 January. In addition to the regular training schedule, Shakhtar’s stay on the atlantic coast this time have been flavoured with all sorts of highlights. For instance, Bernard is back and people immediately formed a queue wanting to have a photo taken with him. This short guy with great talent is incredibly popular in Brazil.

Though the paradise for fans of football selfie is not the main reason behind it. A group of kids playing football within the framework of the Zico 10 project have come to look at Shakhtar’s training and even to take part in it in a sense. Thousands of children from different social strata, including the inhabitants of the favelas, enjoy attention and care doing sports under the guidance of experienced mentors. The coaches of this original Academy have outfits featuring the Professor lettering. Unusual for us, but that is basically right. The children have arrived in blue uniforms with number 10 on the back (Zico!). However, part of the group, to their delight, got immediately dressed in the colours of Shakhtar.

The project patron, the renowned Zico, also got a club shirt. Handing him the orange-black kit, Mircea Lucescu said that he didn’t mind at all concluding a contract with the Brazilian football legend just immediately. He mentioned that it would be a particularly successful acquisition for our football. Zico reacted immediately. Contract? With pleasure! Playing for this famous giant-club is a great honour. Generally, Shakhtar shirt is the dearest for Zico now. Up until Sunday, when Flamengo are playing.

In this relaxed and friendly atmosphere the communication continued until the end of the training session. Television groups ran off their legs looking for the best views, with live stand-ups and interviews with the participants. A separate item on the programme was the match involving Shakhtar players, children from the Zico 10 project, Zico himself and Mircea Lucescu. The latter were acted as kind of playing coaches. Mister, it should be noted, managed to do everything: he played himself, plus he managed all players, big and small alike.

After completing all the points of the programme, the Donetsk team enjoyed water treatment, which was simply urged by clear and warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, then they went to the hotel. And Zico, having neatly folded Shakhtar shirt, began to warm up. His friends, who gathered to play beach volleyball, were waiting for him.

FC Shakhtar
Press Office