Everton in Europe 2007 - Fans Info UEFA

As the title says this is a very rough guide to . If You any knowledge or comments of The Ukraine please mail bluekipper, so we can help fellow Blues with their attempts to watch the Blues in Europe.
E-mail info@bluekipper.com

UEFA Menu

Kharkiv By Air

Train Station

Petra

Kharkiv or Bust

* It's a couple of years since I've been to Kiev and they've changed the currency since, so I'm not sure. Suffice to say however than beer and vodka was ridiculously cheaper than here and food was too.

* In terms of exchanging money, the best thing is to change sterling into US dollars before you go, and then exchange them in Ukraine. Supporters won't get a rate here for Russian/Ukrainian currency and they, the Ukainians want dollars. The best rate they give is for dollars, then Japanese Yen, Euro and then Sterling. I usually change sterling into dollars via either the Post Office or Marks & Spencer, and then change dollars locally in the Ukraine. This goes for Russia too in the next round.

* Don't let anyone tell you stories about food shortages... that is all hogwash. There are no shortages of food in Ukraine !! The reason people queue at the food stores is to get things fresh, not before they run out.

* Try the dozens of different breads, black bread is "chorny hleb", it's very dry, but ideal either before a few drinks, or after a few drinks the night before. They have lots of different sausages and salami-type meats too.

* I cannot stress how friendly the people are if you treat them politely - they really will go out of their way to make you welcome... and seriously, if you get into a drinking session with them, they are the worlds best. I have had some memorable drinking sessions in Kiev - their favourite toast is "one for the horse.." usually followed by at least half a dozen more... there must be millions of bloody horses there cos they drink like fish for them.

A couple more simple phrases...

How are you ? - Kak Dill la ?

I'm fine - Ya Harashow

How much is ? - Skolke sto eta ?

My name is... - Min Ya Zavoot...

I am an Englishman / woman - Ya Anglicharnin / Ya Anglichanka.

Let's Go Everton - Dav Eye Everton !!!

Andy (05/09/07)

A Couple of Do's and Don'ts In Ukraine

* Don't tick the local police off, they take no prisoners as I witnessed at a Dinamo Kiev game where some locals got a bit silly.

* Don't change money in the street, always use a bank or cash exchange kiosk, the banks are the best bet for a good rate.

* Do be polite, you'll be surprised how warm and friendly the Ukrainian people can be.

* Tap water is drinkable, but to be on the safe side, drink bottled.

* Ukrainians love sugar... try the local cakes and ice cream - very sweet and tasty !!

* Local transport in the cities is very cheap.

* Local drinks... beer - peeva, and a type of ginger beer sold in the streets from small tankers called Kvas - very refreshing and slightly alcoholic. The beer is strong and shop-bought vodka stronger than here, it knocks Smirnoff into a cocked hat. Try the vodka coloured slightly red, it has a chilli pepper in it and is very strong. Home brew vodka - if offered you - is WAYYYY stronger and will send you to the moon. Many Ukrainians brew their own type of plum brandy too.

* A few simple phrases...

Two bottles of beer - Dva bootilky peeva pahjalsta (Three - tree)

Please - Pahjalsta

Thank you - Spaseeba

Thank you very much - balshoy spaseeba

Good morning - Dobray ootra

Good day - Dobray deen

Enjoy - I have twice and hope to again, but sadly won't be able to go with the Blues.

Andy (03/09/07)

Trinity Cathedral

Cathedral of Ascension

Angelika

Moyesy & Bully On Metalist Kharkiv

Moyesy says: "It is an interesting one. We don't know an awful lot about them but they are third in the Ukrainian league at the moment so it is going to be a really tough game. Travel will be tough and getting supporters there. We would have probably been away from home first of all but we will get a chance to play them at Goodison first and see what they are all about.

This is what we were so pleased about last season after qualifying. We have been waiting for today coming and this is a game we will look forward to because it is what we want. We want to be in Europe more often. These are the sort of ties you have to overcome and we will do our homework over the next week or two and do everything we can. The UEFA Cup is a very strong competition this year. It is a very difficult competition to win but what we want to do is get a good run and get some more European games back to Goodison."

Bully Wyness says: "It's not a team we know a lot about, obviously. But the Ukraine is a well known footballing nation and we will not be taking this game lightly. Europe is a big learning curve but we are determined and focused on going further than our last European adventure." (31/08/07)

Were Off To Ukraine

Ex shit 'ed Boss Gerard 'Robbie eats the grass' Houllier drew the Blues out of the hat, glass tumbler whatever you want to call it against FC Metalist Kharkiv in Monte Carlo this lunchtime.The Blues will play at Goodison first on September 20th, then travel to the Ukraine for the October 4th return, to hopefully finish the job off and make the Group stages.

Bluekipper are arranging travel to Europe this season, so if you are interested click here

A Little Bit Of Info on Metalist

Team: FC Metalist Kharkiv was initially founded in December 1925, when a local train construction facility provided funding and allowed use of its territory to start a football club. In 1981 the club won the Soviet First League outright to earn a spot in Soviet Top League. The club would appear in the remaining 10 seasons of the Soviet Top League with several successes on the domestic front. In 1983, Metalist was a runner-up in the USSR Cup (losing 1-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk) and few years later in 1988 would win the cup, beating Torpedo Moscow by a score of 2-0. As a result, Metalist Kharkiv earned a trip to the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup--their only European appearance to date. Metalist would only advance to the lat 16, beating Yugoslavia side Borac Banja Luka and losing to the Dutch club Roda JC.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Metalist would take part in the premier season of the Ukrainian Premier League in 1992. That season, Metalist took 5th place, an achievement it would never top until the 2006-07 season, finishing in 5th place three more times since, the most notable coming during the 2001-02 season.

Stadium: As Metalist Stadium is scheduled to be one of the venues for Euro 2012, it was decided to reconstruct and expand the arena and turn it into a modern recreational and leisure facility. Capacity of the stadium is planned to increase by 13,000, with final capacity being around 43,000. The restoration works commenced in autumn 2006 and are due to be finished by the end of 2008. (31/08/07)

Metalist's Revamped Ground Capacity 30,000