Of all the European trips I've participated in, none has caused me so much heartburn, and at the same time led to my patience debilitating at an alarming rate.¤ The Ukrainian Embassy did their utmost to make a complete and utter pigs ear of the Visa application by arranging for it start on the 18th October, two days after the game was due to take place. It's been ten years since the former Soviet Union dissipated.¤ However, going through this palaver you could have been excused if you thought otherwise.¤ Red tape was certainly in abundance along with the sheer weight of the cost.¤ Once on the plane we were presented with a gift-wrapped present in the shape of another form, which required filling out, courtesy of the Immigration authorities for insurance purposes.
Lonsdale travel arranged three trips for this fixture.¤ Firstly two flights went out on the Monday, one from Gatwick (which I was a part of).¤ And secondly, a single flight, which departed from Manchester, via Paris.
Problems arose on the day of the game regarding the final trip. Following a delay from Manchester brought about by the standard congestion encountered along the runway; an incredible cloud of dense fog had descended over Paris, thus delaying the landing.¤ The situation soon intensified as Air France reached the conclusion that the flight couldn't be held up any longer; despite twenty-nine passengers still due to board it.
Lonsdale stipulated that no refunds would be allowed and reiterated more than once that we were all travelling at our own risk.¤ However, due to extenuating circumstances they performed a U-turn, knowing that displaying a perfidious attitude could harm future business dealings with their clients.¤ They offered full refunds for those who required them.¤ Some, however, still wanted to travel!¤ A hurculean effort was needed just to allow them enough time to view the second half.
Judging by the first half performance though they certainly wouldn't have been disappointed.¤ We started the game very confidently, knocking the ball around with such aplomb.¤ Compared to Dortmund, we'd played more football in the opening ten minutes than we managed in the entire
90 over there.
Keeping it going was always going to be the acid test.¤ And not before long Kyev proved that they weren't there to make up the numbers.¤ Going into the game propping up the rest of the group proved blasphemous as they burst forward with pace and precision at every given opportunity.
With a goalscorer in tandem, we could have been in dire straits.¤ Jerzy though was forced into a few important saves that would prove decisive as the evening unfolded.
For the loyal pocket of 250-300 frostbitten travelling reds anxious moments were certainly evident.¤ Spirits weren't dampened though as the 'Joooohhhhnn Aaaaarrrrrneee Resah' anthem was given more than one vocal airing, along with a cute little new ditty. How about this, "Hey Mr. Taliban, are you an Evertonian?¤ Daylight come and you've got no home". Very classy!
These provoked much bemusement to the Kyevites who were present in our section.¤ Along with the local Carabinieri they made our turn out look all the more respectable.¤ It's more than often documented the way English fans are treated abroad with such malevolence by the aforementioned.¤ But not here!¤ They were more than content, displaying a rather blase attitude towards us.¤ We never felt threatened at standing up, yours truly even standing on his seat at certain points. There was even the obituary character in town.
Roma provided us with a couple of Scouse drag queens.¤ The Nou Camp produced the individual who'd just crawled out of bed, decked out in his pajamas and slippers.¤ Kyev will be remembered for the lad decked out, head to foot in the Taliban's colours.¤ All that was missing was the
chest length beard. Mind you I must have ran him a close second.¤ During my stay, I'd sampled quite an array of Ukrainian cuisine.¤ Not all of it was fully dissolved, playing havoc with my digestive system.¤ Those around me couldn't have failed to notice the preposterous odor swirling around in the sub-zero night air.
With half time approaching, the stars of the day arrived.¤ Those stranded at Paris managed to make it, courtesy of a flight via Berlin. Top marks here to the Lonsdale reps who pulled out all the stops to make this possible.
Immaculate timing indeed, as they arrived in time to witness Gerrard ping another ingenious ball into the path of Murphy who beautifully guided it with his left foot into the bottom corner.¤ After being under the kosh for long periods we were presented with a lifeline.
Not as though it lasted very long.¤ Ten minutes or so into the second half, slack defending at the far post allowed an innocuous looking free kick presenting an equaliser. With the Le Boss hospitalized, Phil Thompson was faced with the kind of situation that he must have been dreading.¤ The response from all concerned was magnificent.¤ Kyev now had the impetus and could have gone on to obliterate us.
Thankfully Mr. Gerrard ruined that script as not for the first time he produced another life-saving goal, aided and abetted by a slight deflection.¤ From there on in, the lads showed the cohesion that Gerard has installed.¤ Heskey and Murphy were top boys.¤ Emile isn't going through the best of spells but he worked tirelessly, holding up the ball even though he was being knocked from pillar to post.¤ Murphy is turning into a vital away day performer.¤ Not everyone's first choice, but he
rarely wastes a goalscoring opportunity when presented with one.
Apart from following Liverpool in this day and age requires us paying customers to get in touch with Bupa beforehand.¤ More lapses in concentration led to a late equalizer.¤ Fortunately the linesman on the near side raised his flag.¤ Being situated on the other side of the stadium meant that none of us were given a clear view of the incident. I for one would like to give it a second opinion.
But quite frankly who cares?¤ We've come to fortress Kyev and left as the first ever English side to record a win there.¤ Okay they may not be the side that powered their way to the semi's three years ago, but they rarely lose at home.¤ Thanks to Dortmund defeating Boavista we're now in pole position.¤ A win in Portugal next week will see us proceed into the second phase.
The vestige of the evening was Phil Thompson's reaction at the final whistle.¤ He turned towards us, vigorously saluting victory, reminiscent of Paris '81.¤ Phil has been thrust into an awkward position and requires our full support.¤ Such a glorious victory is the perfect platform for him to progress. Roll on Boavista!
TEAM: Jerzy Dudek; Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Stephane Henchoz, John Arne Riise; Nicky Barmby (Patrik Berger), Danny Murphy, Steven Gerrard, Gary McAllister, Vladimir Smicer (JAmie Redknapp); Emile Heskey:
