Viktor Yushchenko, Grigoriy Surkis and Rinat Akhmetov

From left to right: President of Shahter FC Rinat Akhmetov, President of Football Federation of Ukraine Grygoriy Surkis and President of Ukraine Victor Yushchenko, in Kyiv, on Tuesday, on 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