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Dynamo fans at the game in Lodz against Fenerbahce
Photo: Grzegorz Michalowski / EPA
For coach Mircea Lucescu, Dynamo Kyiv's first competitive game after 221 days was a sign of hope.
"Football gives hope, enthusiasm and motivation for life," said the Romanian coach after the goalless draw in the Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce Istanbul.
Because of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the game of the record champions took place in front of 11,000 spectators at the Miejski Stadium in Lodz, Poland.
Both teams wore jerseys that said "Stop War."
Before the game started, the Dynamo team wrapped themselves in a Ukrainian flag and sang the national anthem together.
An important symbolism from Lucescu's point of view: "There is a terrible war going on in Europe and this should remind everyone that it is not over yet." His team has to play the second leg against the Turkish runners-up on July 27 (7 p.m.).
According to plans, the Ukrainian league is set to restart on August 23 despite the ongoing war attacks.
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