When a defender from Azovstal, legends of Ukrainian soccer, and volunteers from ten European countries meet on a field in Valencia, it stops being just a game. It becomes a statement of resilience.
On March 27, Spain hosted a unique soccer tournament alongside the founding conference of the Ukrainian European Football League (UEFL). The event was organized by the Federation of Associations of Ukrainians in Spain and the newly established UEFL, with support from the Ukrainian embassy, local authorities, and Ukrainian community organizations.
Mykhaylo Petrunyak, president of the Federation of Associations of Ukrainians in Spain and the Association of Ukrainians in the Valencian Community, told the Ukrainian World Congress how sports and culture are bringing Ukrainians together across Europe while supporting Ukraine’s Armed Forces during the full-scale war. Here is his account.
The idea for the tournament had been in the works for more than a decade. Various cups and championships were held in the past, but everything came to a halt due to the pandemic and Russia’s war against Ukraine. In Valencia, the idea was finally realized and timed to coincide with Ukraine’s national team match against Sweden on March 26.
The tournament lasted two days. Ten teams – from Spain, France, Poland, England, Ireland, Austria, Germany, Ukraine, a Plast team, and a United Europe squad – competed on the fields of Alboraya.
The opening ceremony was attended by the city’s mayor, honorary consul of Ukraine Pablo Gil, and Ukraine’s ambassador Yuliia Sokolovska. The event became a symbol of unity among Ukrainians, bringing together representatives from both the European Congress of Ukrainians and the Ukrainian World Congress.
All events were charitable, raising donations to support Ukraine’s Armed Forces and children affected by the war. Around 500 people attended, including local Spaniards and Ukrainians who had traveled from across Europe for the national team match.
The final delivered an unexpected result: the Ukrainian team from Austria, led by Yurii Madin – a defender who fought at Azovstal – defeated Ukraine’s national team in a penalty shootout.
Another highlight was a friendly match between veterans of Ukrainian soccer, Special Operations Forces fighters, and a European Ukrainian team. Among those on the field were well-known figures such as Myron Markevych, Maksym Kalynychenko and Oleksandr Buskyi.
I conceded three goals, but I was happy. It’s an incredible feeling to see sport and patriotism come together on one field.
The Federation of Ukrainian Associations in Spain awarded soldiers medals for “Dignity and Patriotism,” while defender Oleh Sobuskyi received the “Unity and Freedom” order.
150 teams without a shared voice
The following day, the UEFL founding conference took place at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Valencia.
Delegates came from different backgrounds but shared a common goal: to unite Ukrainian soccer teams across Europe. Among them were Ihor Karumov from Paris, president of FC Bandera Paris; Yaroslav Litvinsky from London, coach of AFC Karpaty London; Yurii Madin from Austria; Vitalii Tarasenko from Ireland, a journalist and president of the Association of Ukrainian Footballers in Ireland; and Mykola Shpakovskyi from Poland, a surgeon and volunteer.
During the conference, the organization was officially established to develop Ukrainian sports abroad, coordinate internationally, and support charitable initiatives. Mykola Shpakovskyi was elected president, I became first vice president, and Vitalii Tarasenko was appointed secretary general. The governing board includes representatives from eight European countries, and the organization will be registered in Paris.
The need for such a structure is clear. Around 150 Ukrainian soccer teams are currently active across Europe, yet until now they had no unified representation. The goal is to engage on equal footing with UEFA, FIFA, and the Ukrainian Association of Football.
More than sport
By evening, the event extended beyond sports. Ihor Hrokhotskyi, winner of The Voice of Ukraine, first appeared on the field as part of the Ukrainian team from Poland – he is a two-time Ukrainian youth champion – and later performed a solo concert. Three bandura players from the Cultural Forces of Ukraine’s Armed Forces also performed, bringing Ukrainian music alongside the sporting event.
The Valencia tournament was not just a sporting event. It served as a clear example of public diplomacy – intentionally shaping Ukraine’s image through culture, sports, and civic initiatives.
Several elements carried clear diplomatic weight. First, the tournament was timed to coincide with a national team match, helping attract broader audiences and media attention.
Second, the presence of local officials, the honorary consul, and embassy representatives turned the event into a platform for institutional dialogue. Local authorities didn’t just attend – they supported logistics and promoted the event, demonstrating grassroots solidarity.
The match between Special Operations Forces fighters and soccer veterans was also symbolic. Their presence alongside diaspora teams sent a clear message to European audiences: Ukraine is at war, but it is not isolated – it remains active and visible in Europe’s cultural and sporting life.
Finally, UEFL itself has the potential to become a lasting channel for Ukrainian representation in European structures – through engagement with UEFA and FIFA, participation in diaspora forums, and regular public events across countries. This is not a one-off initiative, but the beginning of long-term infrastructure for Ukraine’s visibility in Europe.
What’s next
UEFL is already planning its second tournament, set for August in Germany to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day. Teams from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Portugal, Italy, the United States, and Canada have expressed interest. Future plans include youth and women’s teams, larger tournaments, and closer cooperation with Ukrainian global organizations.
There are athletes, artists, and businesspeople here. Together, we can achieve a great deal.
