Forward Andrei Voronin is one of the few players in the Ukrainian team who was not ashamed to look into the eyes of the fans after a humiliating defeat from the Spaniards. Voronin basically can’t play badly on German soil. Germany became the second homeland for him. For more than ten years, the native Odessa has been protecting the colors of local clubs. The Sport correspondent managed to talk with the tenth number of the Ukrainian team.
My uncle has the most honest rules ...
- At the age of sixteen you, an Odessa guy, were away from home, and the soil under your feet was probably too unsteady ...
“... And at any moment a fatal mistake could be made.” Although I did not feel lonely in Germany, because my uncle lives in Frankfurt, who acquired his own business in Germany. Of course, he did not follow me on the heels. But the phone was practically silent. I consulted with him on all matters, even nothing. It’s just that there were times when it really was very hard for me. Now they often praise me, and then there was even such talk that I’m mediocre and I don’t know how to play football.
- Today, your wife Ekaterina is next to you. For many years in Germany did not flatter the European girl, even with an eye on future citizenship?
- For this, my national roots turned out to be too strong. Incidentally, when I went abroad, I was 100% sure that my wife would be Ukrainian, and 99% - that she was from Odessa. Therefore, I never looked at German girls. Honestly, I did not like them. There are very few beautiful women. In my youth I went to discos in Germany, but I knew for sure that I would not find my soul mate there.
- A few months ago you had a daughter. After this, the way of life of the Voronins family changed?
- Of course. I still can’t believe that I became a father! Now I look at the world more responsibly. And in every interview I say that Mashenka’s birthday is the happiest day in my life. Of course, the daughter interferes with sleep at night - she cries, screams and ... smiles. But every father has to go through sleepless nights. The main thing is that the children then appreciate it.
- What language will Masha speak?
- We teach her Russian. He grows up a bit, begins to learn German. I do not want her to be a black sheep in a society where they speak the language of Schiller and Goethe. Or maybe she will have to learn some other language: I don’t know where I will play in a couple of seasons. My contract with Bayer expires in a year. If in the fall some club wants to see me as part of it, he will have to pay Leverkusen compensation.
I go to Moscow to be treated
- Andrey, does something connect you with Russia?
- Honestly, fate very rarely brings me to this country. Enough fingers of one hand to count the number of my visits to Moscow. The last time I flew in October last year.
- For what purpose?
- An experienced and respected doctor in Europe lives in Moscow. I had to consult with him. And at the same time to meet old friends. For example, with Kormiltsev - with Sergey we have been friends for a long time. Incidentally, he met me at Sheremetyevo. He is also well acquainted with Ruslan Pimenov, Peter Bystrov. They, like Kormiltsev, acted as my guides.
- How do you like Moscow?
- Beautiful city. For several hours I walked along the Arbat and Red Square. I would love to go to St. Petersburg - there are no less attractions. Do you invite guests to the Sport editorial office?
- Sure! But now this is not about that. What do you think, which of the Russians would not prevent the Ukrainians at the World Cup in Germany?
- There are a lot of qualified guys in Russia. But who knows how they would play under the leadership of Oleg Blokhin. I think that if the USSR national team existed now, 40 percent of Russians and as many Ukrainians would defend its colors. And such a virtual team would fight for the highest places in the World Cup. I do not even doubt it!
Millions tossed - don't play cards
- The path to the Ukrainian national team for the football player Voronin was not easy ...
- Most coaches are very skeptical of players who are often not able to observe firsthand. And I was kind of a dark horse: I didn’t pass the run-in in the Ukrainian championship, I had to get information about me from the media. I was poorly known in Ukraine. Even in my native Odessa, I could calmly sunbathe on my favorite Riviera beach, which was at the thirteenth station of the Big Fountain, and no one recognized me. But then everything changed. Leonid Buryak called for a gathering, gradually I was entrenched in the Ukrainian squad.
- You were noticed and addicted to fashionable clothes. A kind of Odessa dandy. There was no desire to create a trademark with your name? True, the Voronin brand has already been patented ...
- True? So it's great, you don’t have to spend extra money on promotion (laughs)! I’ll call the company “Andrei Voronin and Co.”, but for now, people will guess that I’m not that Voronin and have time to make money ... But seriously, I really like to dress stylishly and respect people who monitor their appearance. This is not a desire to stand out from the crowd in any way, it's just very important for me to feel comfortable. Although a football player must think about the game, the desire to earn as much as possible outside the football field adversely affects his career. Beckham is another confirmation of this. A serious business is a passion. I am a gambler, I can go into it with my head. Better from sin away from temptation. Spreading the cards on the plane is one thing, and tossing millions is completely different.
Personal file: Andrey Voronin
Born July 21, 1979.
Center forward. Pupil of the Odessa football school.
Gaming career
Borussia (Mönchengladbach), Mainz, Cologne, Bayer (Leverkusen).
He made his debut in the Ukrainian national team on March 27, 2002 in a match against Romania (1: 4). Totally spent 33 matches for the national team, scored 4 goals.
Maxim Rosenko