The Kyiv Capitals defender summarized our team’s participation in the Sostine Hockey Girls Cup-2026, and also spoke about the importance of international experience and scoring goals.
Sofiia, tell us about your impressions of the tournament. How do you evaluate the team’s performance?
I really enjoyed the tournament. The execution and organization were carried out at the highest level. We faced strong opponents. Unfortunately, the team didn’t practice together very much, so our lines lacked chemistry. Nevertheless, I believe we represented both the Kyiv Capitals club and our country as a whole with dignity.
This is not your first international competition. How rewarding is it to build upon this experience of playing matches against hockey players who represent other schools of hockey?
Yes, I have already traveled to Canada for Wick Fest-2024, where our team (Ukrainian Wings) won, and I became the best player of the tournament. I also played for a boys’ team at an international tournament in Poland. Of course, if you compare it to matches against boys, the difference is quite substantial. Against girls, it’s not just a game, but a fierce battle. During the tournament, I learned a lot from the representatives of other teams. This will definitely be beneficial moving forward.
The tournament schedule was quite tough. Tell us, how did you manage to endure it?
Actually, I’m used to this. On weekdays, I have a very busy schedule. Sometimes it consists of 3 to 4 training sessions a day, because in addition to hockey, I also do boxing and track and field. The work of our coaches – Yevhen Alipov and Oleksandr Buniak – also played a significant role in keeping us energized.
Which opponent impressed you the most?
I would highlight the Latvian team, Laima. The girls are very well-prepared physically; they played in a very focused and tactically sound manner.
In one of the matches, you managed to score a goal. How much does this add to your motivation, considering your role as a defender?
After my goal, my emotions were simply off the charts. The fatigue instantly disappears, and you just want to continue the fight and stay on the ice for as long as possible. I also want to separately thank the management of HC Kyiv Capitals for the opportunity to participate in an international tournament with such excellent organization and strong opponents.
