'Stay Strong, Ukraine': How a Danish Club Backed a Ukrainian Opponent Twice
FC Copenhagen and Zhytomyr's Polissya met in the Conference League qualifying rounds, and the Danish side used both encounters to express solidarity with Ukraine. In the opening match, which ended 3:3, Copenhagen's ultras displayed a banner reading 'Stay strong Ukraine. Fighternation.'
Before the return leg in Denmark, Copenhagen's delegation handed a lion statuette and a club shirt with a supportive message to Polissya representatives. Ukrainian fans at Parken Stadium responded with a banner that read 'Thanks, FC Copenhagen, for supporting Ukraine.' The Ukrainian club later referenced the 'We Stand With Ukraine' symbol in an official statement, reinforcing the mutual bond between the teams.
These gestures grew from a deeper connection. In June 2026, during a Denmark-Ukraine friendly, Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch, drawing emotion and support from both sets of fans. Danish supporters later said the two countries played as one team—a feeling that evidently carried into this tie.
'Football's unifying power reaches far beyond the pitch,' Polissya said.
What happened in these matches is a reminder that clubs and fan bases can stand alongside each other in difficult times. The support offered to Polissya by Copenhagen fans shows how football communities can rally behind shared values like humanity and solidarity. Such gestures can resonate beyond the sport, strengthening connections between countries and highlighting football's potential to foster peace and mutual understanding.