Footballers of Shakhtar rode long enough by bus to reach their hotel in Interlaken. It took them near three hours to get from Zurich to the place of their second summer training camp. Though Swiss roads are excellent, and those who like to look out of the window were satisfied. Landscapes along the road were luxuriant.

But the most beautiful place was Interlaken. The matter is that its name corresponds to the facts. The town is situated between two enormous and very picturesque lakes and between mountains also very picturesque. Though it is not easy to amaze footballers with Swiss landscapes, but here many of them were lost in admiration. Though, not for long – they had to make their way through bikers’ formation and prepare for the training.

It is hardly worth saying that Victoria Yungfrau Grand Hotel where the team has been accommodated answers the most exacting requirements. The building which is ancient on the outside and ultra-modern inside will be Shakhtar’s residence for the period of the training camp. Why were bikers mentioned above? Fans of fast motorbike driving are also gathering at this hotel. And they are only Harley Davidson’s fans.

In principle it was a contrasting sight. Footballers in light T-shirts and shorts and big guys packed in leather and metal. Well, so much the more interesting…

Mircea Lucescu conducted the first training on the local stadium which is quite good. There are a good field, a full-fledged cinder track, a pit for pole-vaulters, a sector for throwers etc. Surely, footballers don’t need such facilities as they train on grass. It is mentioned to describe the level of the sports complex. 

Not far from the main field there is one lawn more and an all-purpose hall for basketball, handball and other parquet games and a swimming pool. Swiss appreciate sport and create good conditions not only for professionals. By the way few meters from the UEFA Cup holders quite young footballers were training. Once, their rout even was crossed by Shakhtar.

Slim school girls finished their training and decided to put a portable goal back into place. They overrated their strength… Here Dmytro Shutkov , Marian Ionitse, team administrators and masseurs came to the aid. It was like a sketch: real pioneers do so.

To begin with Mircea Lucescu gave his charges considerable racing load. The most part of the training was devoted to this. Only Volodymyr Yezerskyy was covering circles separately. The end of the training was somewhat washed. It was just warm and dry, when suddenly a cool downpour happened. It caused jokes that we’ve taken the rain from Austria to Switzerland.

FC Shakhtar
Press Office