An Englishman, An Irishman, A Scotsman, An American, A Brizilian and A Ukrainian go to watch Football

One of the experiences that I was really looking forward to was going to watch a football game in the Ukraine. Having seen several games at different grounds around England I was really hoping to find out the similarities and difference between the culture. Would they have more vocal home support (let's be honest it can't be too hard), would I get to see a flare go off, would the Ultra's try and start a fight.

There was never any chance of the last one happening as I hadn't realised that the Ultra's and some other fans were boycotting the club because they had lost the last 3 games (which was an insult too far apparently, even though they were still second in the league). As such the ground was actually fairly empty and there wasn't too much singing and no flares were let of.

The football actually played was quite different to what we are use to in England and there was a much stronger focus on playing a passing game with a slow build up rather than quick counter attacking. As such many of the players moved around positions and there was a moment when the centre took the ball most of the way up the pitch.

Similarities between Arsenal could be brought with the tendency to pass the ball around the outskirts of the box looking for some option but not actually getting many shots of. Despite this as soon as Metalurg Donestk (the small brothers of the more famous Shaktar Donestk scored the game finally came to life with many more shots flying around at both ends. In the end the game finished 2-1 to Metalurg much to the joy of our Ukrainian friend who had bought the tickets for us (we hadn't realised that he didn't support Dnipro until the first goal flew into the net and then everyone near us knew).

Particular highlights about the differences included the cost (30 UAH which is somewhere around £3!!!) for a top flight match, the halftime cheerleaders (I haven't seen this at any English game yet) and in particular the moment at the end of the match where the captain and several other players went over to the Dnipro "Kop" and spoke to the fan's their to explain their poor form. Apparently this is expected (which kinda of diminished the gesture a bit) nether the less it was interesting to see the players held to account by the fans first and then the media.

All in all it was pretty enjoyable and I will definitely go to other matches.