LET THE STARS TALK

World football stars met in Baku in a match organised as part of a series of events dedicated to the final match of the 2018/2019 UEFA Europa League in Baku. The event held in a mini-stadium specially built in the downtown Baku included such celebrities as Jerzy Dudek, Michael Essien, Anderson Luis de Souza (Deco), Hamit Altintop, Nihat Kahveci, Andrei Arshavin, Revaz Arveladze, as well as local football veterans Nazim Suleymanov and the ambassador of the upcoming final match, Veli Gasimov. The game ended with the victory of the Western Stars vs. Eastern Stars: 11:10.

Among the fans watching the match "Baku-2019: Star Finals" live in the stadium were President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his daughter Leyla Aliyeva.

After the game, the best shooter of the game (five goals), former player of the Turkish national team Nihat Kahveci, gave an exclusive interview to our magazine.

"What are your impressions?"

"I have already been to Baku as part of the Turkish national team. If I'm not mistaken, it was seven years ago. We played with the national team of Azerbaijan in the old stadium. Now I can see an increased interest in football. Holding the upcoming Europa League final match in Baku is a great chance for Azerbaijan, which can make your country even more famous around the world. This year, the strongest clubs such as Arsenal, Napoli, Chelsea, Benfica, Villarreal and Valencia take part in the Europa League. It seems that this is the Champions League. Therefore, I think you have great chances. A wonderful finale will be held in Baku.

We have had a warm welcome since the first minutes in Baku. I'd like to express my gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev, President of AFFA and my Azerbaijani brothers. I am happy to be here."

"Azerbaijani fans dreamed of seeing a Turkish team in the final."

"I would also like to see one of our clubs in the Europa League but, unfortunately, they left the competition. I think we will have one of the Spanish teams in the final game. If at the next stage they do not meet with each other, it is very likely that in the final we will see at least one representative from Spain."

"What are the chances of Villarreal, which was your team previously?"

"Villarreal is experiencing hard days in the Spanish League. I think their main goal will only be to preserve their place in the League. I doubt that they have enough power to reach the finals. The fact that they are in the current stage is a good result too."

"The new head coach of the national team of Azerbaijan, Nikola Jurcevic, had once worked for Besiktas as an assistant to Slaven Bilic. And the former head coach of our team, Robert Prosinecki, now heads Kayserispor. What can you say about these specialists?"

"Both Jurcevic and Bilic had had many successful seasons. The same is true for Prosinecki. These trainers are high-level specialists. Although in recent years, the Azerbaijani team has to play in heavy groups at qualification stages, but there were games when your team achieved victory and earned points. You must continue in the same vein. After all, rivals also become stronger. I believe that in the coming years, Azerbaijani football will develop. If I had a chance, I'd like to work in Azerbaijan."

"In 2020, four matches of the European Championship will be held in Baku. What do you think are the chances of the national team of Azerbaijan to participate in the championship?"

"Now football is developing in all countries. There are no weak teams. Even the teams in the last places of the rating table are able to offer strong resistance. Therefore, it is difficult to talk about chances. I wish the Azerbaijani team success. Along with the Turkish national team, I have always supported the Azerbaijani national team."

"You probably know that there is a huge army of fans of Turkish clubs in Azerbaijan. Do you follow the performance of our clubs in European competitions?"

"We follow Azerbaijani football mainly in European competitions. I watched the performance of Garabagh in the Champions League. Their games with Atletico and Roma are unforgettable. We were especially proud when Garabagh tied two games with Atletico in a draw. We in Turkey are also happy with your participation in this tournament. In general, in recent years, Garabagh has achieved great results. These achievements let Europe know the Azerbaijani football, increasing interest in it. I remember the game with Chelsea. The matches with such rivals are watched all over the world. Turkey rejoices in all your achievements in sports."

"Where have you worked lately?"

"After graduating from courses in Spain, I received a UEFA Pro license. My last appointment was Fatih Terim's assistant in the Turkish national team during Euro 2016. I am not working currently. I hope that during my visit to Azerbaijan we will consider the prospects for my employment."