He was speaking in Ukrainian but the sorrow and anger needed no translation. Oleksandr Zinchenko’s tears told us everything.
While the interpreter relayed what he had said and Zinchenko gallantly rubbed at his reddened eyes, ours remained stuck on him. It was impossible not to be drawn to this young man — still only 25 years old — and his statesman-like courage.
Zinchenko was addressing the world, given the Asian, American and South American camera crews here inside Hampden Park. But for all the genuine and uplifting talk of unity, he also set the tone for a match that will be contested by two fiercely-motivated opponents.