sports

April 28, 2026

Shakhtar Donetsk’s European Odyssey Heads to Palace After Marathon Campaign

Conference League semi-finals pit Ukrainian side against Premier League opposition, with the club still reeling from the affects of war

Shakhtar Donetsk’s European Odyssey Heads to Palace After Marathon Campaign

TL;DR

  • Shakhtar Donetsk is playing their European matches in Krakow, Poland, due to the war in Ukraine, with their home stadium in Donetsk last used in 2014.
  • The team endures extremely long travel times, including a nearly 24-hour journey for a quarter-final match, and has played 15 European matches since July.
  • Manager Arda Turan is described as energetic and eager, embracing the challenge despite the difficult circumstances.
  • Following the 2022 invasion, Shakhtar lost 14 players and coaching staff, forcing them to rebuild with a predominantly Ukrainian squad before reintroducing Brazilian players.
  • The club continues its model of nurturing talent, selling players like Kevin to Fulham for a club record fee, and developing local players for the future.
  • Reaching the semi-finals is seen as a significant achievement, bringing positivity to Ukraine and serving as a reminder of the ongoing conflict.

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