The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has now reached its fourth year, yet despite the ongoing fighting, football continues to be played.

Former Buducnost forward Marko Mrvaljević spent a year in Ukraine with the Veresa team from Rivne before transferring to Polish club LSK Lodz about ten days ago.

He shared fascinating insights about life and football in a wartorn country during an interview with Meridiansports.

“The city of Varesa, located in the far west, was quite calm. I didn’t experience much, except for the sirens that would randomly sound across the country indicating danger. Initially, I was startled by them and unsure how to respond. However, seeing my teammates remain unbothered made it easier for me to adapt. Eventually, I too stopped paying attention to the sirens,” recalls the 23-year-old player who secured three titles with Buducnost.

Yet, the effects of the war were still palpable.

We were taken to a military base to inspire those heading to the front, it was a terrifying experience.

“You could sense the war’s impact on people, particularly men, who ventured out less, as military patrols could recruit them at any moment to join the fight. Consequently, the streets were quieter. On one occasion, we, the football players, were brought to a military base to motivate those going to the frontlines. It was unsettling to see the number of individuals, both those who were eligible and those who weren’t. The base was underground, concealed, and there was no internet,” Mrvaljević explained.

He also recalls hearing bombs, albeit from a distance.

“That took place in Kiev, where facilities, particularly power plants far from the city, were attacked. Although I heard the sounds, there was no fear.”

Despite the ongoing war, the Ukrainian league continued its operations.

“I believe only in Odessa matches occur in empty stadiums because it is under siege. Other stadiums have varying restrictions – 500 fans in Kiev, 1,000 as you go towards the west, while some stadiums operated at full capacity, just like ours,” he mentioned.

Mrvaljević is hopeful for a swift resolution to the conflict.

“I know individuals who have been sent to the front and others whose families are there. For their sake, I earnestly hope for the war to end soon.”

The coach indicated that my goal-scoring was not his priority, yet I moved to a role where forwards are expected to score.

Mrvaljević’s football journey in Ukraine was notable; he began strongly last winter, netting three goals in his first four matches.

“I scored against Dynamo Kyiv, Vorskla, and Chernomorets. Unfortunately, I received a red card followed by a back injury that sidelined me for a month. This setback made reintegrating into the team challenging. Recently, during winter training, I began well again—three goals in four games—but I noticed that nothing was changing as I found myself on the bench. I sought clarification from the coach, who stated that he was more focused on aspects other than my goal-scoring, like defense. It became clear to me that we wouldn’t align well, and I needed to find a club where strikers are valued for their scoring. Then LSK Lodz came into the picture at the perfect time.”

Mrvaljević made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut in Poland.

“I came on for 30 minutes and scored right away, but I recognize that I will need a bit more time to adjust and acclimate to the new surroundings and the coach’s expectations. We’re striving to reach the First League, even though we currently sit ninth; sixth place isn’t far off, and securing that would lead to a playoff for promotion, which is our objective. I’ve been in Lodz for about ten days now, and my experiences have been positive so far.”

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