Ukrainian women's national coach fears for players

Lluís Cortés, the National Trainer of the Ukrainian women's football selection, is worried about a part of his players.

After the team won a tournament just before Russian invasion in Ukraine, some members are now in the middle of the war. "Some stayed after our tournament victory in Turkey because they had training camps with their clubs. But about half of the team is back to Kyiv and on Wednesday to their families. These players have not left the country, as far as I know,, Cortés said in the interview of the "Süddeutsche Zeitung".

"It's just very dangerous to move in Ukraine. They hide in bunkers and rural zones, where it's the safest," reported Cortés, who could rely on the country after a long run and is back in his homeland. The 35-year-old, who brought the Triple 2021 with the FC Barcelona footballers, has every day to contact the players and staff - "To know that they are alive. They do not tell us exactly where they are, because They have a great fear from the Russians and be spied out. One of our players has held up a trophy a few days ago - now she washes camouflage clothing for the Ukrainian military. "

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The players could leave the country, so Cortés, but many do not want that: "They think: if everyone go, who defends their home against the Russian invasion? They want to stay where they can do. There are also association employees who are fighting at the front against Russians. "

He himself feels powerless, says Cortés. "Just stayed in a hotel, celebrated a tournament victory, and all were totally happy, everything was perfect. Two days later, you refuge from a country that is in the war and are afraid that you could be killed at any time "