VIENNA, Dec 16 (Reuters) – Ten-year-old Danylo Astion fled Ukraine together with his household quickly after Russia invaded however his dream of changing into a soccer star lives on in Vienna, the place coaching for one among Austria’s prime groups has rekindled his lust for all times.
Danylo fled Kyiv in March together with his household, taking little greater than the garments on his again, his mom mentioned. After per week at Austria’s border with Hungary they arrived in Vienna, the place buddies had invited them to affix them.
“He solely took one backpack with a soccer and his boots and nothing else. Our household had one small bag of garments, we forgot the whole lot else,” his mom Giuliana Astion instructed Reuters.
Danylo had educated with Ukrainian membership Dynamo Kyiv and shortly after arriving within the Austrian capital they contacted Speedy Vienna, who had him do a tryout. He now performs for his or her under-11s facet.
“We went there with Danylo and I virtually cried. He did not smile for weeks after we had been in Vienna and hastily when he began enjoying once more he began laughing and mentioned ‘Hey Mama, look, I am enjoying once more’,” she mentioned.
His coach Matus Kukla says he is among the prime gamers in his 12 months and is blossoming after his time in Ukraine, the place younger gamers are pushed tougher.
“Life in Vienna is so-so. If I might, I might return to Ukraine. Two buddies are in Italy and two buddies are in Spain and a few buddies stayed there (in Ukraine),” Danylo mentioned, including that he hoped at some point to play for Actual Madrid or Speedy’s Austrian rival Purple Bull Salzburg.
Within the meantime, he’s following the World Cup, the place Argentina will face France within the last on Sunday, with each hoping to safe their third title.
“I hope for France to win,” he mentioned.
Reporting by Lisa Leutner
Writing by Francois Murphy
Modifying by Gareth Jones
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