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Andrey Totovitskiy, the 27-year-old Desna midfielder, has had many memorable matches in his career. On his list, a special place is probably occupied by fights with the great Donetsk Shakhtar. And the question is not only in the greater motivation inherent to all the rivals of the miners, but in the former involvement of the footballer in this club. During his contract with Shakhtar, Totovitskiy played on loan for Illichivets / Mariupol, Kortrijk, Belgium and Zarya Luhansk. But despite this peculiarity, he managed to distinguish himself by increased motivation in games with the residents of Donetsk. In one of them, in the 2015/16 season, the footballer who played in Zarya managed to score a hat-trick, leading his team to victory by 3: 2. And in a meeting with the miners last weekend, Now in the role of Chernihiv “Desna” player, Andriy Totovitskiy was one of the best on the pitch, traditionally signing in the goal of his former club. His goal helped secure a draw (2: 2), thus interrupting the tradition, unpleasant for Desna, of regularly losing to Shakhtar.
– After a confident game and a positive result, did the team probably earn at least one extra day off? – I’m interested in Totovitsky.
– Yes, the coaches spoiled us, they gave us four days off.
– Are there any bonuses increased by a successful game that results in matches with giants in Desna?
– He stays inside the club. We do not disclose such information to the public.
BROKEN TRADITION
– Did you satisfy the tie with Desna head coach’s champion Alexander Ryabokon?
– You probably have to ask him about this. But I believe it.
– And judging by his mood in the locker room after the final whistle?
– I went in after the game later than everyone else, because immediately after it ended I was invited to a flash interview for the Football channel. When I appeared in the locker room, there was hardly anyone.
– What were the emotions of the boys after the game?
– Judging from the way the game was going, in the end we all understood: somewhere we were a little disappointed. You could have won that night.
– However, there was still a positive grain in Sunday’s draw: for the first time in history, Desna did not lose to Shakhtar.
– In fact, it was the first time he took the points away from the Donetsk team. Before that, to my knowledge, Desna lost eight or nine games. It goes without saying that a tie is a positive thing.
WHEN A FORGOTTEN SENSE COMES BACK
– Does it seem that the Shakhtar is particularly irritating to you personally?
– I wouldn’t say that. I tune in all matches regardless of the opponent. It just so happens that the games against Shakhtar are going well for me. But this in no way means that it is easy for me to play with this team. No. In fact, it was very hard for me, on Sunday I was very tired in the game with the miners. But at the same time I will say: somewhere I have a bit of luck.
– Did you personally dedicate a goal against Shakhtar to someone?
– I dedicate every goal I score to my family and to the Desna fans who come to the stadium and support us warmly.
– By the way, about the fans. What was it like to play with the crowd that showed up at the Chernihiv Stadium after a half-year break?
– It’s really cool! Even those thousand people who were in the party created a good atmosphere. After all, how many fights have we played in complete silence before, with no spectators at all! Everything was sad. In the match with Shakhtar, it is another matter. The presence of fans adds to the excitement. Suppose that when we have to endure, we are warmly encouraged. Is very pretty. I’m glad the feeling we had forgotten is back.
– Do you sometimes remember the hat-trick against Shakhtar when you were a Zorya player?
– Of course I remember. This cannot be forgotten. We can say that that night the stars converged in my favor. Also, my team won then – 3: 2.
FRESH PERIOD IN “KORTRAIK”
– By the way, do you know who before was the only player who scored three goals against the miners in the Ukrainian league?
– Yes, they told me about it back then, in the 2015/16 season. This is Oleg Yashchuk, who played for Ternopil “Niva”.
– Absolutely correct! During your performances for “Kortrijk”, did you not get to meet Yashchuk, who now lives and works in Belgium?
– No, I’m not familiar with it. Unfortunately, I didn’t even see myself. But with another well-known player in our football, Sergei Serebrennikov, we communicated closely. And Oleg Yashchuk, to my knowledge, was working at the time as a coach in one of Anderlecht’s youth teams. I’ve heard a lot about him, in particular from goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski. He is also from Anderlecht.
– Your career abroad did not turn out to be long. Why didn’t you stay in Belgium?
– First of all, I moved to Kortrijk on a lease, and this is a big difference. And secondly, the circumstances did not develop in the best way: there were many problems with the documents, which left an unpleasant aftertaste on my soul. I was very upset about this. Then everything was too difficult for me. But these factors were not directly related to football. If we talk about football matters, then everything was great in “Kortrijk”. I remember that period with pleasant emotions. I was successful in the game, in Belgium I scored six goals. The management in Kortrijk offered to extend the term of my lease, but I was willing to stay only if they bought me from Shakhtar. However, the Donetsk club did not sell me at the time. A little later, by the way, I had the option of moving from Kortrijk to French Ligue 1, to Strasbourg. At that time he left Ligue 2 and won the National Cup in his first season. But this club also failed to reach an agreement with the Donetsk team. The French explained this by the fact that the Shakhtar is counting on me.
MAKE YOUR OWN IN “DESNA”
– How long ago did you legally cease to belong to the Shakhtar?
– When I moved to Desna. This untied my hands. Now in my career, everything depends only on me.
– Do you regret that your career at Shakhtar did not work out due to the abundance of foreign players in the midline and in attack?
– Difficult question. I don’t know … Does it make any sense to regret what happened before? Although it was difficult for me to establish myself in the Shakhtar, as the team had qualified legionnaires. It was very difficult to compete with players like Tyson and Marlos, moreover, at the peak of their careers.
– Having appeared on “Desna” earlier this year, did it immediately become yours?
– We don’t have a lot of legionnaires (only Estonian Joonas Tamm plays in Desna’s main lineup – VK note), basically all Ukrainians. This factor allows me to be a more cohesive team, so I had no problem with it. Once we met a lot of guys at Shakhtar and played together in the youth team.
HARDENED “WOLFSBURG”
– What do you think, what did your team lack for a positive result in the Europa League match with German “Wolfsburg”?
– In my opinion, the elimination of Tamm influenced a lot. Somewhere we lacked composure and, perhaps, experience.
– Despite the defeat, do you remember any positive moment of Desna’s debut in the European Cup?
– Of course! In the game with “Wolfsburg”, which is considered to be at a higher level than the middle peasants of the German championship, we looked very worthy. I think Desna showed good football. Maybe not in the whole game, but in certain segments we were good and scored at least one goal. A few days after the match, the German “Kicker” and “Bild” wrote that “Desna” lost with dignity.
– What do you remember from your trip to Germany?
– I have been in this country with Shakhtar before, when we went to games with Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt. Germany did not surprise me. In addition, we play with “Wolfsburg” without spectators, in addition, in a small stadium.
– How did the team react to Efim Konoplya’s call to the Ukrainian team?
– Everything happened spontaneously, and we didn’t even see it. He did not take part in the match with Shakhtar, and the call to Hemp’s national team was written in front of him. Efim was congratulated on this event in the team chat, wishing him good luck.
– Have you already thought about joining the main team of the country?
– Playing for the national team is a great honor for any footballer and I am no exception. If my game allows me to be called up for the national team, I will certainly be very happy about that.
RARE SURNAME WITH POLISHED ROOTS
– Have you moved to Chernihiv with your family?
– No. My family still lives in Kiev. About three months ago, our son was born, so we decided that the wife and children would stay in the capital. At the first opportunity, I visit them; Fortunately, from Chernigov to Kiev is only an hour and a half away. I don’t do this very often, but only when the day off falls. So I try not to spray the road. In Chernigov, I live on the base of a club.
– How do you spend four days off?
– I am currently in Kiev. Considering I have two children, there is something to do. I help my wife take care of them.
– Do you know the origin of your surname?
– No. It is only known to have Polish roots, as it ends with “iy”.
– It is known that a long time ago in the Lutsk district there was such a village: Totovichi. Maybe this is where your family comes from.
– Yes, I know this town well. I am from the Rivne region. Now it’s called Tutovichi and it’s located in the same Sarny region, where I come from. I did not think about the origin of the last name, although I know it is rare.
Photo – FC “Desna”, UA-Football!
