Blokhin spearheaded the Dynamo Kyiv and Soviet Union attack for 15 years, winning the European Cup-Winners-Cup twice and the European Player of Year award in 1975.

In many ways Blokhin was the first real star of Soviet football and takes his place alongside Lev Yashin as the greatest players to have emerged from the old USSR.

In all, Blokhin won 109 caps between 1972 and 1988, playing in two World Cup finals and scoring a total of 39 goals.

How long have you been the Ukraine coach?

I have been head coach since October 2003 when we played a friendly against Macedonia. Our main goal is to qualify for the World Cup Finals in 2006.

Which players in the current England team have impressed you?

I was greatly impressed by the young player Wayne Rooney. I think that England played good football and richly deserved a better result.

Who are the Ukraine players that we should look out for tonight?

We are going to play our best line-up. I expect Shevchenko, Rebrov and other leading players to play.

What do you know about the history of English football?

It is impossible not to know the names Matthews, Charlton, Moore – they are treasures of world football! And personally I know Shilton, Keegan and Robson who I met on the football pitch.

You were a legendary player for Dynamo Kyiv and the national team of USSR. Do you remember matches against English teams?

I remember very good matches against Aston Villa and Newcastle United when I was a player and these days I am still attracted to English clubs for their athletic, modern approach to football.

Do you remember much about the internationals against England in 1973, 1984 and 1986? You played in the USSR team that won at Wembley in ’84 – that must have been special?

You are absolutely right – to beat the England team at Wembley was fantastic! It is impossible to forget matches like that!

Who will Ukraine play in the autumn? Which countries are in your World Cup qualifying group?

In September we have two away matches – versus Denmark and Kazakhstan.

Then in October we play two home matches, against Georgia and Greece and in November we go to Turkey. We also have Albania in our group.

What are your impressions of Sven-Göran Eriksson?

I consider him as one of the best coaches in the world at present.

Why is it that the Ukraine players, such as Rebrov and Luzhny, were unable to reproduce the form they showed for Kyiv in England?

Transfers from one club to another are always a difficult process and depend on various factors. Some players adapt to life at another club very quickly, others more slowly. Some players have to change football clubs to re-find their best form.

Oleg Blokhin Factfile

Nationality: Ukrainian
Date of Birth: 05 November 1952 
Place of Birth: Kiev, Ukraine
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 79 kg

Year

Club

Apps

Goals

1969

Dynamo Kyiv

1

0

1970

Dynamo Kyiv

0

0

1971

Dynamo Kyiv

1

0

1972

Dynamo Kyiv

27

14

1973

Dynamo Kyiv

29

18

1974

Dynamo Kyiv

29

20

1975

Dynamo Kyiv

28

18

1976

Dynamo Kyiv

19

8

1977

Dynamo Kyiv

29

17

1978

Dynamo Kyiv

26

14

1979

Dynamo Kyiv

24

17

1980

Dynamo Kyiv

33

19

1981

Dynamo Kyiv

29

19

1982

Dynamo Kyiv

24

10

1983

Dynamo Kyiv

31

10

1984

Dynamo Kyiv

30

10

1985

Dynamo Kyiv

29

12

1986

Dynamo Kyiv

23

2

1987

Dynamo Kyiv

20

4

1988

Vorwarts Steyr

0

0

1988/89

Vorwarts Steyr

0

0

1989/90

Aris Limassol

0

0


USSR: 109 matches, 39 goals