We Play On

Shakhtar Donetsk’s Fight for Ukraine, Football and Freedom

Author: Andy Brassell and Darijo Srna

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'The most important (thing) is to play,' Srna said, 'to show the world that we are still alive, that we are fighting, that we are living, that we will have a good future.'

In 2014, the conflict in the Donbas region of Ukraine began - and top football club Shakhtar Donetsk has since been in exile. This book tells their story; inevitably a story of the conflict and the recent Russian invasion but also a testament to the power of the game and the will of the players.

It is ultimately a footballing story, exploring the experience and meaning of being a Shakhtar player through the lens of a country in the shadow of a huge aggressive neighbour. There are moments of direct impact (such as when a youth coach was killed by Russian shelling earlier in 2022) but also what it means to just go out on the field and play, freely. Andy Brassell is a European football expert and has followed this story for years; he regards Shakhtar as the 'Barcelona of Eastern Europe'. This book celebrates the team and its achievements, while paying tribute to an occupied nation.

Critic Reviews

A gripping account Sunday Times

About the Author

Andy Brassell is a writer and broadcaster, specialising in European football. He works as a pundit across many forms of media for the likes of Talksport, the BBC, BT Sport, and ESPN as well as newspapers such as the Guardian, The Independent, the Daily Mirror and the Daily Star. Andy has been a long term fan of Ukrainian football, and has visited the country many times.

On the BBC, Brassell regularly contributes to BBC Radio 5 Live Monday Night Club, and the European football show. On talkSPORT he regularly features on Trans Europe Express with Danny Kelly, looking back at the weekend's European football action. For The Football Ramble, Brassell contributes weekly to their 'On The Continent' podcast with James Horncastle. He has featured on the Guardian Football Weekly podcast and The Totally Football Show. He has 80k Twitter followers @andybrassell.