Ukraine today became the first team to arrive at their FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 venue, and they were greeted not only with a taste of home, but by a traditional Kiwi welcome.
On arrival at Auckland International Airport, coach Oleksandr Petrakov and his team were treated to a performance from Tainui’s Haka Legend group and words of welcome from representatives from the city council. They also received a rousing reception from members of the local Ukrainian community, clad in the nation’s traditional blue and yellow colours, who sang the country's national anthem and presented the team with a traditional gift of sourdough bread and salt. Ukraine, of course, have the distinction of taking on the hosts in the tournament’s opening match at 1pm on Saturday 30 May.
On arrival at Auckland International Airport, coach Oleksandr Petrakov and his team were treated to a performance from Tainui’s Haka Legend group and words of welcome from representatives from the city council. They also received a rousing reception from members of the local Ukrainian community, clad in the nation’s traditional blue and yellow colours, who sang the country's national anthem and presented the team with a traditional gift of sourdough bread and salt. Ukraine, of course, have the distinction of taking on the hosts in the tournament’s opening match at 1pm on Saturday 30 May.
Similar scenes will await each of the 22 other teams jetting into New Zealand for the U-20 showpiece over the coming days, while the Kiwi hopefuls will be officially welcomed to the tournament at Auckland's Aotea Square on Tuesday 26 May. In welcoming Ukraine to the city, Martin Fairweather of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Limited spoke of the diversity that the tournament is helping to showcase. He said: “Despite being a long way from home, the Ukrainian expat community is rallying its support, and we look forward to some spectacular football."
Each competing nation will receive their own official welcome upon landing at the venue at which they will be based during the group stage. And with Auckland having taken centre stage today, Wellington and Dunedin will be the next of the seven host cities in the spotlight. That will be on 25 May, when Austria - who have already landed in New Zealand - move on to Wellington, while the latter city welcomes both Uruguay and Mexico.
Each competing nation will receive their own official welcome upon landing at the venue at which they will be based during the group stage. And with Auckland having taken centre stage today, Wellington and Dunedin will be the next of the seven host cities in the spotlight. That will be on 25 May, when Austria - who have already landed in New Zealand - move on to Wellington, while the latter city welcomes both Uruguay and Mexico.
By: FIFA.com
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