Sergey Rebrov Football player, midfielder-forward Date of Birth: 06.03.1974 Country: Ukraine

1. Former Soviet and Ukrainian footballer, striker
2. Life in Turkey after England
3. Choices and Opportunities
4. Impressions of Turkish Football
5. Challenging Times at Tottenham
6. Years at Tottenham were not wasted
7. Ukraine's Chances against Spain

Former Soviet and Ukrainian footballer, striker

Sergei Rebrov is a former Soviet and Ukrainian footballer who played as a striker. He was one of the rare cases where two forwards from the former Soviet Union played for the same club. Rebrov was known for being a key player in both the Soviet and Ukrainian national teams.

Life in Turkey after England

After leaving England, Rebrov made the move to Turkey to play for Fenerbahce. He was pleasantly surprised by the high level of organization within the club and the incredibly friendly atmosphere, especially among the fans. He noticed a football frenzy in Istanbul after the successful World Cup campaign of the Turkish national team, with every resident supporting a club. Rebrov's introduction to Turkish fans happened when they carried him on their shoulders from the airport to his car, leaving him shocked but motivated.

Choices and Opportunities

Rebrov had several options for continuing his career, including clubs from Germany, Spain, and England. However, due to the financial crisis in Europe, most clubs were looking for free agents. Tottenham Hotspur, his former club, wanted a transfer fee for him, which led several interested clubs to decline. Eventually, Rebrov had the opportunity to join Fulham in London, but a conversation with respected coach Jean Tigana made him reconsider. Tigana expressed uncertainty about Fulham's future, and Rebrov found it impractical to play without clear prospects for the next season. Fenerbahce's offer seemed more preferable, especially considering their ambition to become champions and compete in European competitions.

Impressions of Turkish Football

When comparing Turkish football to the English league, Rebrov noted that Turkish teams focus more on ball possession and play a more physical game. Apart from the top clubs, most teams play defensively and prioritize stopping attacks rather than playing an attacking style. Although this style of play has its risks, Rebrov had to adapt to it.

Challenging Times at Tottenham

During his time at Tottenham Hotspur, Rebrov experienced challenging moments when the club was not eager to sell him. There were reports of his depression and even his wife not knowing how to approach him. Rebrov dismissed these rumors, emphasizing that he had a strong relationship with his wife and never felt hopeless while waiting on the bench. He knew that eventually, the club would have to part ways with him and accepted the situation with a philosophical mindset, recognizing that life has its ups and downs.

Years at Tottenham were not wasted

Rebrov disagreed with the notion that the two and a half years he spent at Tottenham were wasted. He considered the first year and a half to be wonderful, with great relationships with teammates and coaches. The only issue was that he didn't play much due to manager Glenn Hoddle not seeing him fit into his system. Despite his limited playing time, Rebrov cherished his time at Tottenham and valued the experiences gained during his stay.

Ukraine's Chances against Spain

Looking ahead to Ukraine's upcoming Euro 2020 qualifying match against Spain, Rebrov believed that playing at home gives Ukraine a good chance of success. While acknowledging Spain's strength and star-studded lineup, he emphasized that Ukraine is not a weak team either. The outcome of the match will likely determine Ukraine's position in the group, and Rebrov believes they have a good chance of achieving a positive result against the group favorites.