Global Tour for Peace

Dynamo and Shakhtar are Ukraines most successful and most supported clubs in the country. Since Ukraine's independence in 1991, Dynamo and Shakhtar have won a combined total of 29 Ukrainian Premier League titles out of 30 (16 for Dynamo, 13 for Shakhtar), with Tavriya Simferopol being the only other club to win a Ukrainian title, coming in 1992, the first season in an independent Ukraine. The two clubs have also dominated the Ukrainian Cup, winning the competition a combined 26 times out of 30 (both with 13 wins), and both teams having a perfect record in the Ukrainian Super Cup, winning the competition a combined 18 times out of 18 (both with 9 wins).

Due to the two teams dominance in their domestic competitions, Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk are the most recognisable clubs to play in Ukraine, with both clubs regularly competing in European competitions. Both teams often have the core of players who are called up to represent the Ukrainian national team.

For the tour, Dynamo chose to hold their series of games under the name "Tour for Peace in Ukraine". The club further played each game with one of two mottos, "Match for Peace! Stop the War!", which has been the most used motto for the games, and "Hand in Hand for Peace" being the other motto which has been used only once. All of the games played under the "Match for Peace! Stop the War!" motto have featured a small concert with Ukrainian singers before, during half-time, and after the game. While the other game is the only Dynamo game so far to be held without a concert during the event.

The tour for Shakhtar was held under the name "Shakhtar Global Tour for Peace". Like the refugees that the tour is mostly raising money for, Shakhtar have faced the situation of being forced out of their home, having been unable to play in their home stadium (Donbass Arena) since 2014 when Russian forces invaded Crimea and the Donbass region starting the Russo-Ukrainian War. Since 2014 Shakhtar have played their home games at Tsentralnyi Stadion in Cherkasy, Obolon Arena in Kyiv, Chornomorets Stadium in Odesa, Slavutych-Arena in Zaporizhzhia, Bannikov Stadium in Kyiv, Arena Lviv in Lviv, OSC Metalist in Kharkiv, and the NSC Olimpiyskiy in Kyiv. For the majority of the games on the Shakhtar tour, both teams have played without a sponsor on the front of their shirts, instead, wearing a Ukrainian flag with "Stop War" written on it in the sponsorships place.

The Shakhtar kits used in the Olympiacos game.

The tour started on 9 April 2022 with Shakhtar Donetsk playing in Greece against Olympiacos. This was the first time a professional team from Ukraine had played a game since the invasion of Russian forces.[7] The teams wore "Stop War" on their shirts in place of sponsors, with Shakhtar players wearing names of cities and towns heavily bombed by Russian forces in place of their own last names.[8] The stadium however saw a low attendance, in part due to the event being organised at short notice, with another factor being that Olympiacos ultras were not wanting to condemn the war due to their fan friendship with Russian football team Spartak Moscow. Those Olympiacos fans who were in attendance left toys on empty seats to be donated to the children of Ukraine.[9] Shakhtar, who had only 1 training session since the invasion and with the loss of all of their foreign born players due to the invasion, fell to a 1–0 defeat.

The amount raised from the Olympiacos game was 3.2 million hryvnia (€100k).[10]

Legia fans making a large Ukrainian flag in the stands prior to kick-off with Dynamo.

The specially released kit for the charity game by Lechia.

Dynamo Kyiv's tour started on 12 April 2022 in the Polish capital, playing against the Polish champions Legia Warsaw. The match was attended by over 20,000, however the fans from the Żyleta section of the stadium were notably absent, with a Legia fan group announcing that after discussions with Dynamo fans, who feel that their owners Ihor and Hryhoriy Surkis have pro-Russian views, decided not to attend the match.[11] Before the game both teams players were draped in Ukrainian flags, with a large banners of "Stop The War" featuring on the Żyleta end of the stadium, and banners of "Stop Russia Now" also featuring around the ground.[12] Dynamo won their match with their first goal of the tour coming from Vitaliy Buyalskyi. The match paired up to being a concert too, with performances before and after the game, as well as during half-time. The singing performances for the Legia game were from Tina Karol, Julia Sanina (from the band The Hardkiss), Kateryna Pavlenko, and Dorofeeva.[13] Due to Poland accepting more Ukrainian refugees than any other country the game in Warsaw saw a large amount of Ukrainian's in attendance who had either been displaced by the initial invasion in 2014, or displaced by the more recent events in 2022.[14]

Prior to the Lechia Gdańsk game against Shakhtar an initiative was set up by the Gdańsk Foundation as part of the "Gdańsk Helps Ukraine" campaign called the "Ticket for Peace". The initiative was set up so that people could make a ticket donation online so that a Ukrainian refugee living in Gdańsk would be able to attend the game for free.[15] Lechia brought out a red kit for specifically for the game, with Shakhtar opting to wear their white third kit for the game. The game was 2–1 to Shakhtar going into stoppage time, with Lechia equalising in the 92nd minute. After Lechia's equaliser, Dmytro Keda, a 12 year old Shakhtar fan who had escaped from the Siege of Mariupol and fled to Poland, came on as a substitute and scored Shakhtar's winning goal in the 94th minute.[16] The first two goals in the tour for Shakhtar both came from Mykhaylo Mudryk, and the game saw over 12,000 spectators in attendance, the second highest attendance Lechia had for a home game that season.

The total amount raised from the Polish section of the tour was 9.5 million hryvnia (€298k). ₴7 million (€220k) was raised from the Legia game,[17] and ₴2.5 million (€78k) from the Lechia game.[18]

Fans during the Galatasaray-Dynamo game.

Ukrainian and Turkish fans before the Fenerbahçe game with Shakhtar.

Ukrainian fans before the Antalyaspor match showing a Ukrainian flag saying "Sláva Ukrayíni! Heróyam sláva!"

The tour in Turkey, which would see three games being played in the Turkish capital Istanbul, started on 14 April 2022. The first game played in Turkey was between Dynamo and Galatasaray.[19] The game saw the Dynamo manager, Mircea Lucescu, facing the team he had previously managed from 2000–02. Apart from Galatasary, Lucescu also managed Beşiktaş and the Turkish national team, highlighting before the game that "he knows very well how helpful the Turkish people are" and the hopes that the games in Turkey can help to raise the needed funds for those Ukrainians who have been displaced.[20] The crowd for the Galatasaray was a contrast of what was experienced with Dynamo's game against Legia, where the large amount of Ukrainians in attendance made the game feel more like both sides were equally supported. The Galatasaray fans made a more intimidating atmosphere, one which would be expected in a European club game. Despite the loud support for the home team, Dynamo comfortably won the match 3–1 with both Buialskyi and Besedin each scoring in their second consecutive game of the tour.[21]

The second game of the tour to be played in Turkey was Fenerbahçe against Shakhtar. This was to be the first of two games in the Turkish capital for Shakthar who have based themselves in the city for the duration of the tour.[22] While warming up, Shakhtar players wore t-shirts showing a picture of a 4 year old Ukrainian girl called Alisa, who has been trapped in Mariupol during the seige, and at the time of the game had spent 55 days living underground in a bunker.[23] Over 11,000 fans attended the game, with chants of "Ukraine! Ukraine! Ukraine!" being heard from Fenerbahçe fans and Ukrainians in attendance throughout the match. Despite both teams hitting the woodwork, Fenerbahçe won the game 1–0 with the only goal coming in the first half from Enner Valencia.[24] After the match, while the story of Alisa and the pre-match shirts was again being highlighted, comments made by the Shakhtar goalkeeper, Andriy Pyatov, stated that more attention needed to be given to the fact that over 200 Ukrainian children had already lost their lives due to the actions of the Russian army and calling for the Russian army to stop their war of aggression.[25]

Shakhtar's second and the third game to be played in Turkey was the game against Antalyaspor. Before the game Shakhtar players once again wore tshirts bearing a message of the war. Before the game with Antalyaspor the warm-up shirts highlighted the number of children who had been killed since the outbreak of the war.[26] The two teams started the game well, each finding the net in the first quarter of the game. After going in level at the break, both teams made a high number of substitutions with Shakhtar edging the game with a late goal.[27]

The concert before the Dynamo game with CFR Cluj. The stage on the pitch is the outline of Ukraine.

The tour visiting Romania was meant to see Dynamo Kyiv playing FCSB on 20 April 2022. However, on 14 April Dynamo cancelled the planned game with FCSB after comments and accusations made by the clubs owner, Gigi Becali, on Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Azov Battalion, and the supposed role of billionaires on Zelenskyy winning the presidential election.[28][29] Dynamo stated that the FCSB owners comments were inadmissible, and that while Dynamo appreciated the efforts of the club with helping to organise training facilities and the teams stay in Romania, Dynamo no longer saw a friendly with the club as feasible.[30] Dynamo announced in the same statement that the tour in Romania would instead see the club facing the Romanian champions CFR Cluj on 20 April.

Before the Dynamo game with Cluj, it was announced that like the Legia game, this game would also be partnered up into being a concert with songs before and after the game, as well as at half time. The line-up for the concert was similar to that of the concert at the Legia game, with Julia Sanina, Kateryna Pavlenko, and Dorofeeva all returning, with Tina Karol being replaced by Ruslana.[31] The pre-match concert saw 200 Ukrainian refugees on the stage on the pitch with Ruslana while she performed her song.[32] The game itself was filled with many chances for both sides, however neither side could find the opening goal with the game finishing 0–0, the first draw in the tour, and the first time a game finished goalless on the tour.

Players and officials before the Borissia vs Dynamo game.

The tour arrived in Germany for its eighth game, with Dynamo's fourth game of the tour coming against Borussia Dortmund. The game with Borussia was one of the first games of the tour to be organised, leading to the possibility of greater planning and fundraising efforts for the game. Due to the size of the club, and the global reach the club holds, this game was the biggest yet to be held on the tour, with Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko thanking "BVB and everyone who made this game possible".[33] Fund raising efforts took place before the match, with Borussia selling blue and yellow wristbands with all of the proceeds being donated to charity. In total the game with Borussia raised over €400,000 for Ukrainian refugees, with the possibility of the final amount that is to be donated being higher.[34] The game itself started at a fast pace. Borussia were without many of their first team players, but still featuring big names such as Emre Can, Marco Reus, and Erling Haaland, took the lead after 4 minutes when Haaland assisted Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. Dynamo, who were starting the game with 11 Ukrainian internationals, quickly found themselves back in the game after levelling on 9 minutes. Dynamo turned the game around, taking the lead only two minutes later, and had the chance to extend their lead further with a penalty which was ultimately saved by the Dortmund goalkeeper. While both teams continued to attack and ultimately score goals, Dynamo secured their third victory of the tour with a 3–2 win over the German footballing giants.

The amount raised from the Borussia game was 12.8 million hryvnia (€400k).[35]

Dinamo Zagreb fans with the flags of Croatia and Ukraine.

A Hajduk Split flag hung besides the flag of Ukraine during the Hajduk vs Shakhtar match.

After Dynamo's game in Germany, both teams travelled to Croatia for a double header on the tour, with Dynamo playing Dinamo Zagreb on 28 April 2022 with Shakhtar playing 3 days later on 1 May 2022 against Hajduk Split.

Before the Dynamo game against their namesake, Dinamo, the Croatian club announced that it would releasing a special shirt with a limited run of 1000 to be sold to fans with all of the profits going towards the humanitarian effort that the tour is supporting.[36] Due to Dinamo still being involved in a title fight in their domestic league, the Zagreb side was composed of first team players as well as players from the Dinamo Zagreb II team. Dynamo Kyiv started the game strongly scoring two goals in the opening 20 minutes, however the first half was to be high scoring with Dinamo Zagreb equalising on the 38th minute, with the first half ending 2–2. Despite the strong start from both teams, neither side was able to find the net in the second half, with the game finishing 2–2 and ensuring that Dynamo went unbeaten in their opening 5 games of the tour.[37]

Before the Shakhtar game with Hajduk Split, the Croatian club gave the chance for Ukrainian children who fled Ukraine to the city of Split a tour of the clubs facilities as well as tickets to the game.[38] Hajduk also announced that the match worn shirts were to be auctioned off after the game to raise funds for the charity.[39] The Shakhtar came onto the pitch wearing shirts with "SAVE MARIUPOL" and "WE AZOVSTAL" (We are Azovstal) written on the front in reference to the long lasting siege of Mariupol, which had lasted 66 days at the time of the game.[40] Viktor Korniyenko joined the Shakhtar team for the first time on the tour, having taken part in the territorial defence of Poltava region. Once the game started, Shakthar found themselves on the backfoot, with Hajduk starting strongly. Hajduk led 1–0 at the break, taking a 2–0 lead shortly after. Shakhtar eventually levelled after the goal from Petro Stasyuk, one of the few Mariupol players who were playing with Shakhtar on the tour. After one more goal for each side, the teams ended the game level at 3–3, Shakhtars first draw on the tour, and the highest scoring game in the tour.

A fan holding a home made sign requesting "peace" and to "stop war" before the FC Basel match with Dynamo Kyiv.

Before Dynamo's match with Borussia Dortmund it was announced that the club were to play Swiss side FC Basel. While the match was to include the usual concert which has supported the charity matches, the game with Basel saw the introduction of the first non-Ukrainian singer taking part in the concerts, with Swiss singer Baschi singing during the match's half-time break. While all of the previous games provided free tickets to Ukrainian nationals, for this game all tickets were free, with the fans in attendance choosing themselves if they wanted to donate, or how much they would like to donate.[41] FC Basel also worked alongside a Michelin starred chef and 10 local chefs to host a charity dinner before the game for high donating attendees.[42][43]

As was becoming common for games involving Dynamo, both teams started at a fast pace, with Basel having many opportunities early in the match. Dynamo scored the opener on the 23rd minute, with Basel getting an equaliser just before the half-time. Basel took the lead in the second half, giving Dynamo the threat of them possibly losing their first game of the tour. Dynamo responded late in the game, scoring two goals in three minutes to turn the game around and hold the lead to the final whistle, and remaining unbeaten in their opening 6 games on the tour.[44]

In early April it was announced that the Ukrainian national team manager, Oleksandr Petrakov, wanted to prepare a training camp so that the team would be fully prepared for their World Cup qualifier against Scotland, the potential qualifying match for the World Cup with Wales if the first game is won, and the three Nations League matches against Republic of Ireland (x2), and Armenia. The month-long training camp was organised due to the suspension of the Ukrainian football league, and that many of the national teams players would not have the match fitness needed to play competitively in the international games. While Shakhtar agreed to pause their tour during the duration of the training camp and the international games, there was resistance on the idea from Dynamo's board and their manager, Mircea Lucescu, stating that he believed the national team would be better suited if the Dynamo players continued their tour and joined later on during the training camp..[45] The Dynamo board and management relented, and agreed that the Dynamo national team players would go to the training camp, and that the Dynamo tour would continue with the players that remained.

The training camp was based at the National Football Centre Brdo, in Slovenia,[46] with the Shakhtar players joining the camp on 1 May after their game with Hajduk Split, and Dynamo players joining on 4 May after their game against FC Basel.[47] Due to the camp being started while most European leagues were finishing their domestic leagues, the 25 players joining the camp in early May were all players who played in the Ukrainian league. The 25 players included; 1 player each from Vorskla Poltava and Zorya Luhansk, 3 SC Dnipro-1 players, 9 Shakhtar Donetsk players, and 11 Dyanmo Kyiv players.[48]

The Ukraine national team also scheduled their own games to be played as part of preparation for the upcoming game against Scotland, and like the Dynamo and Shakhtar games, all of the proceeds for these games will also be going to charity. Ukraine's first game will be on 11 May, playing against German club Borussia Mönchengladbach.[49]

4 goals

• Vladyslav Vanat (Dynamo Kyiv)

3 goals

• Artem Besedin (Dynamo Kyiv)
• Vitaliy Buyalskyi (Dynamo Kyiv)

2 goals

• Marin Ljubičić (Hajduk Split)
• Mykhaylo Mudryk (Shakhtar Donetsk)
• Dmytro Topalov (Shakhtar Donetsk)

1 goal