It was an “incredible” experience, to use the same descriptor as the Ukrainian Federation.

At the start of July, 40 young Ukrainian football players born between 2010 and 2012 – accompanied by 10 coaches, as well as representatives from the UAF - had the chance to ‘escape’ the horrors of war for just a few days, in training at Coverciano. And these 10 days left such a mark on those who took to the pitch at the Federal Technical Centre that the UAF (Ukrainian Association of Football) has written to thank the FIGC president, Gabriele Gravina. Signed by the UAF President and General Secretary, Shevchenko e Gryshchenko, the letter remarked that “the conditions on offer during our stay and our training were brilliant”, and that “our children, who have faced the tragedy of war, were extremely excited to take part in the daily sessions”. Finally, a word of thanks to Gravina and the entire Italian Federation for the “generosity, hospitality, sensitivity and dedication to promoting international football relations and supporting Ukraine in such an important and concrete way”.

From July 5 to 15, the Ukrainian children were able to train in the heart of Italian football to overcome the difficulties of practising sports and training in their own country, thanks to the ‘cooperation agreement’ signed in February by the FIGG and UAF Presidents, Gabriele Gravina e Andrii Shevchenko.

Young boys and girls from the areas struck hardest by the ongoing conflict - Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia and Mykolaiv - were able to pass a few worry-free days during this extremely difficult time, thanks to the on-pitch activities led by national and regional FIGC Youth and School Sector staff. Moreover, the Ukrainian technical staff were able to participate in training workshops coordinated by the central structure of the SGS with support from the Technical Sector.