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INTERTOTO CUP: Tiraspol or bust for Tavriya

/noticias.info/ 'Crimean Wayne Rooney' Volodymyr Gomenyuk says UEFA Intertoto Cup success is vital for "our club and our city" in SC Tavriya Simferopol's 50th anniversary year.

Back in Europe
The first Ukrainian champions after independence in 1992, and the only side other than FC Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Dynamo Kyiv ever to take the Premier League title, Crimean titans Tavriya have not been a significant presence in Europe in recent years. But a fifth-placed finish last season put them back into the fray via the UEFA Intertoto Cup for the first time since losing to Paris Saint-Germain in 2001, and as they kick off their second round tie at Moldova's FC Tiraspol on Saturday, they are determined to make their chance count.

Ukraine stars
Formed in 1958 as FC Avanhard Simferopol, Tavriya have nurtured a number of top Ukrainian players, and their current crop includes two internationals, midfielder Denis Golaydo and Gomenyuk, whose 14 goals last season led to him being compared to Rooney. The 25-year-old is ready for European action, saying: "We understand how important is to prove ourselves at this level. It's a completely different experience, a different level of motivation, so we will try to show our worth. We understand how important it is for our club and our city."

Fomenko challenge
In order to reach their goal, the second qualifying round of the UEFA Cup, Tavriya must overcome first Tiraspol and then France's Stade Rennais FC, something which will demand a tremendous performance. Coach Mykhailo Fomenko, a defender for FC Dynamo Kyiv as they won the 1975 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the UEFA Super Cup, has overseen a major boost in the club's form but knows the next step is a huge one. "Tavriya must improve and try to reach the next level," he said. "We are trying to make our guys play every match to their maximum, regardless of the opponent, otherwise it's easy to slip up."

Encouraging results
Tavriya will be hoping the same attack-minded game that served them so well in Ukraine last season will prove equally effective in Europe. Not the sturdiest side in defence, they boast a great attacking line with Gomenyuk lining up alongside Nigerian Lucky Idahor, who played in the UEFA Champions League with Dynamo. Recent friendly wins against Slovenia's NK IB Ljubljana (1-0), Russia's FC Krylya Sovetov Samara (3-1), Austrian giants FC Salzburg (3-2) and Romania's AFC Unirea Valahorum Urziceni (2-1) promise much, but competitive results are what matters for Fomenko. "Our coach is a totally goal-oriented person," said Gomenyuk. notas_de_prensa_archivo