I decided to go to “Donbass Arena” earlier on the 1/2final match day between Portugal-Spain, because traditionally roads to the stadium are closed on the matches’ day and that’s why it becomes difficult to get to the stadium. Ukrainian TV companies were announcing, that’s a lot of fans of Spanish and Portuguese teams were coming for this match and about 200 charter flights were expected. One of the Portuguese old fan even arrived in Donetsk with his own micro-bus.  As for Spanish fans, most of them attended the match against France too and on that day they were walking with beer in the streets.
There was a big interest towards this match but in spite of this tickets were being sold even on Wednesday. Some of the retailers had sale on tickets. It is unimaginable for football fan to buy tickets for European championship and then to sold.
By the way, some Spanish fans complaint with Ukrainian TV companies that there was not football celebrations in the city. One of them stated that there is such situation in the city as if the season finished and no one is interested with football. It goes without saying that it is difficult to notice football haste in whole Donetsk but it is really felt around the stadium.
In the square which is located in front of “Donbass Arena” local residents were taking photos with Portuguese or Spanish fans, with the soccer ball sculpture in front of the stadium or just in front of the stadium with great pleasure. Some of the fans were laying in the shade and was waiting for the match. By the way, in comparison with recent days there were lower temperature in Donetsk, the temperature was 22 °C.
It is also newsworthy that Ukrainians did not forget Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai, they settled his big photo in the street and every delighted person could write whatever he wanted on it.  It does not need much thinking that Ukrainians would not write anything good on it. By the way Ukrainians are distinguished with such behavior at European championship. Sol Campbell former player of English national team made such propaganda before European championship, that there was racism in Ukraine, in protest at it English football fans put his stuffed body in the coffin and were carrying it. But when they arrived in Ukraine, situation was quite different. I have not noticed racism fact either at the stadium or in the streets.
Before the match I met Dato Minashvili in the media-centre and looked through the territory around the stadium together.. you can see almost everything during European championship. We met fan who was carrying the flag of Apkhazia and was wearing papakhi, we even noticed fan from so called South Ossetia.  
Three hours later before the match, well-known Argentine coach Carlos Bianchi entered to the media-centre, as it was cleared out later, he works for some French channel at this championship.
At the media-centre I came across former player of French national team Rober Pires. Who also works for French TV company at European championship. At this time Martin Coven ex-forward of English national team spent several seasons in “Arsenal” London. Their meeting was very emotional. Both of them kicked hands on belly, to see what kind was their physical condition, but both of them are in such condition, that will manage to play today too. Cowen is representative of BBC at European championship.
While Pires and Cowen were talking, Bianchi also involved in their conversation. Pires greeted to Argentine coach warmly. French talks English and Spanish very well, besides “Arsenal” he was playing for “Villa Real” too. After some LIVEs he talked to Spanish Santi Cazorla for a long time. Both of them were joking and before saying good-bye, they exchanged their numbers. It seemed that Cazorla is the most cheerful player in Spanish national team. He has a good sense of humor and it was shown during the match as well as during the penalty serie. Later Steve Makmanaman appeared in the media-centre too. He was giving interview to some British editorial. It is newsworthy that neither Kharkiv nor Donetsk saw so many famous football players or coaches. The reason of it is that there was semi-final match of European championship. There were journalists from Brazil, Mexico, China, the USA and Canada, not to say anything about European countries.
No doubt that Spanish team held the most difficult match at this current tournament. Unexpectedly Del Bosque called up Negrado in start line-up and substituted him with Fabregas in the second period. Spain again played without a striker. Cameramen did well and showed Fernando Torres very well, Spain made three substitutions but striker of “Chelsea” stayed in substitutes. He was not pleased due to it.  
It is difficult to criticize Portugal. The team did its best and showed a strong resistance against champion of Europe. Their going through the final will not surprise anyone.
 Finally, the match ended in favor of the team which had better psychology and mastership. After Fabregas’ kick, Spanish player were very happy. Some of them – Mata, Cazorla, Casillas, Llorente, Reina went to the tribune and received congratulations from girlfriends or spouses. European championship finished in Donetsk, Kiev is ahead now, where is held final on July 1.
 It is worth mentioning that, during the match between Spain-Portugal, time by time tribunes were scanning “Russia, Russia”..

Lasha Tabagaru special correspondent of “Worldsport.ge” from Donetsk

Photos by Authors