– We are very happy to win the series. Very cool, says Danylo Andriietskyi (16). He and the rest of the boys in the Ukrainian ice hockey team Sdyshor 2007 managed a great feat at the weekend. Together they won the Norwegian series for teams where the players are 16 or younger. Last year, the hockey team went on a weekend tournament in Hungary, but they never returned to their home country. Twelve hours after the team left the city of Kharkiv, they learned that the city was under bombing. Instead of going back, their coach chose to take the boys to Poland. At the weekend, the Ukrainian ice hockey team Sdyshor 2007 played their last games of the season. Photo: Tom Edvindsen / news Taken by Oilers – We have thought that no one can help everyone, but everyone can help someone. When we heard about what had happened to this gang, we chose to step in, says Kjetil Garvik, public relations at Stavanger Oilers. The Oilers learned about the young ice hockey team sitting in Poland and unable to return home. They collected money, and less than a year ago the Ukrainian team came with 19 players and two coaches to Stavanger and Norway. – In the beginning it was difficult for the boys. What happened at home was like a horror film, and it probably still is. But now they started school and started training. It helped them look ahead, says head coach Igor Visnievsky. Many of the players have brought their family members to Norway. The mother and sister of Danylo Andriietskyi are among them. The father is in Ukraine. – It is difficult to be in Norway when the war is going on, both Andriietskyi and teammate Matvii Malovychko say. Matvii Malovychko and Danylo Andriietskyi. Photo: Tom Edvindsen / news Series winners The team was also allowed to play in the Norwegian series when it started, and there they have delivered the goods. – It is good. The season has been good and it was great that the boys got this chance to play as well, and not just train. The team has won almost all of their games in the series. At the weekend they took on Nidaros for the last three games. It ended with two wins and one draw. Thus they won the series. The Ukrainian boys have played their matches in Siddishallen and DNB Arena in Stavanger. Photo: Tom Edvindsen / news – It is the best they could achieve in Norway this season, as they do not have the opportunity to play in the Norwegian championship, says Garvik. Feel they have gained a new family – It is very interesting to play against Norwegian teams. Teams in Ukraine are no better. Or, some are better, some are bad, Andriietskyi and Malovychko say. – How will you celebrate the victory? – We will celebrate by eating pizza and drinking cola. With the help of the Oilers, the Ukrainian team has established itself in Norway. – We feel that we are part of a big family together with the Oilers. We get very good support from the club and the owner Tore Christiansen. He has helped us start a life here, says coach Visnievsky.
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The Ukrainian ice hockey team Sdyshor 2007 won the Norwegian series – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
