On Sunday, there was a big crowd. It was really hot, and the game was free. It felt like a holiday. Except that there were Nazi soldiers all over the city.
The other teams in the league were made up of soldiers from Germany, Romania and Hungary. But in the first game, Start was playing another Kiev team.
The German soldiers took all the seats. Everyone else had to stand. Me and Misha sat on the grass by the touch-line with the other kids.
When the teams ran out, we looked at each other. We were worried. The other team all had boots but some of the Start players were only wearing shoes. The other team looked younger and fitter.
“Come on, Start!” we shouted.
There was no need to worry. Our players were much better. The other team couldn’t get the ball. The Start players ran rings round them. The crowd cheered every time a Start player got the ball.
Then the goals started coming. 1–0. 2–0. 3–0. 4–0. 5–0. Easy!
Every time the ball went out of the ground, all the kids raced to bring it back. Once I got it and threw it to Kolya for a goal-kick.
“Thanks,” he said, with a big smile.
In the end we won 7–2. The crowd went wild. But the Nazis did not look happy.