Boris Kolesnikov, Viktor Yushchenko and Rinat Akhmetov

From left to right: lawmaker from the Party of Regions Borys Kolesnikov, President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko and President of Shahter FC Rinat Akhmetov during an awarding ceremony of players and employees of Shahter FC in the Secretariat of the President of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Tuesday, May 26, 2009. This day President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko presented high state awards to players and employees of Shahter FC, which won UEFA Cup in the match with German Werder FC. Delivering a speech at the awarding ceremony, Victor Yushchenko thanked Shahter FC for the victory, having said that the victory was brilliant one. He noted that not only whole Ukraine but also million people abroad supported the club. According to opinion of the President, the victory of Shahter FC in UEFA Cup indicates that Ukraine will be able to prepare and represent itself at the Championship of Europe on Football 2012 suitably. Victor Yushchenko received a football shirt with number “20”. The President in his turn put a signature on a football. Photo by Vladimir Gontar/POOL/UNIAN