Donetsk gears up for semi-final showdown (40)
- 26 Jun 12, 11:05 AM
I am back in Donetsk for Wednesday's semi-final metting between Spain and Portugal.
Donetsk is In Soviet times it was a centre for the manufacture of military hardware and as such was closed to foreign travellers.
I first visited Donetsk in 2000 with Arsenal, for a match against a new emerging force in Ukrainian football -
At that time, the region still felt as far removed from Western Europe as is possible. There were two hotels in Donetsk, one was terrible and the other was worse. Arsenal brought their own food, bedding, toilet roll and cleaners; the rest of us had to make do.
We were warmly welcomed, though. I remember travelling through dimly-lit streets to Shakhtar's stadium for training the night before the match and having an orange and black Shakhtar scarf thrust into my hand by a supporter. He just wanted the name of his club to be spread abroad. He's certainly had his wish, with and Champions League football almost guaranteed every year.
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