Cocktail of the day: Chygrynskiy

The Boadas Cocktail Bar in Barcelona has made a cocktail named "Chygrynskiy", in honour of Barcelona's new signing.

The cocktail consists of two-quarters vodka, one-quarter lemon juice, one-quarter cranberry juice, some ginger ale, a couple of cucumber slices and a cherry.

Barkeeper Jerónimo Vaquero, who invented the cocktail, explains: "I analyzed the person, who is tall and strong. So we needed a powerful combination, and we couldn't leave out the vodka of course. You should drink it slowly, little by little, without hurrying. It's very fresh and digestive, ideal for the late afternoon. It's a big glass and the price is 7 and a half euros."

Chygrynskiy: "Barcelona is a religion"

Speaking at a press conference, new Barcelona player Dmytro Chygrynskiy has commented on his transfer to Barcelona:

"Adapting will depend on me. The language can be a problem because my English is quite basic. And although it's clearly an international team, all the players speak Spanish and the majority of them Catalan.

I am already looking forward to return there and to start working with the team. In Barcelona, the club is not just sport, it's a religion and it has an influence on the whole culture. People are crazy about Barça.

Has my status in the national team changed because of my transfer to Barcelona? I don't like to talk about status, but about being committed to the national team and thinking about our common interest. We are four steps away from the World Cup."

Read more:
Chygrynskiy: "This transfer was destiny"

Vilanova: "There are no doubts about Ibrahimovic"

Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova gave an interview to Catalan radio station Ona FM. Some excerpts.




Ibrahimovic
"People think that the first day you will already see the same level of performances as before. But it doesn't work like that. There are no doubts about his skills. He has won five leagues in a row in Italy, where it's not easy for a striker.

He will perform very well and he will bring us things we maybe didn't have before. I don't want to make comparisons with Eto'o. Eto'o had some extraordinary seasons at Barcelona and both are great players."

The new season
"It's impossible that we now already would be at the same cruising speed as we had at the end of last season. Besides that, one shouldn't forget that in our first league game, we played without Messi and Iniesta, probably two of the best players in the world."

Chygrynskiy
"We have seen Chygrynskiy play a lot and we have been following him closely for several months. Because of the way Shakhtar and Lucescu have been playing, it will be easy for him to adapt here. He can build up very good, with both legs."

Read more:
Vilanova: "Shakhtar comes very close to our style"
Vilanova: "Pep and I are ready for the bad times"

Student of the day: Chygrynskiy

On 27 July of this year, Dmytro Chygrynskiy received a Master's degree in Intellectual Property at the Donetsk State University of Management.

Movie of the day: One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

"One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" (1975), directed by Milos Forman and starring Jack Nicholson, is one of the favourite movies of new Barcelona signing Dmytro Chygrynskiy.

Picture of the day: Mourinho and Chygrynskiy

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho followed yesterday's Barcelona-Sporting league game side-by-side with new Barcelona signing Dymtro Chygrynskiy.

Mourinho was the only one not to move from his seat during half-time, even while the others in the stands went for refreshments or something to eat in the VIP zone.

watch also this video:

Chygrynskiy: "This transfer was destiny"

New Barcelona player Dmytro Chygrynskiy gave an interview to the club's official media.



Welcome. I suppose your first few days with Barça have been long ones.
They have been very emotional days, since I landed in Barcelona I have been astounded by the way Barça and the fans have treated me. It has all been very nice.

How did the negotiations go?
I had to be a realist, ever since I learned of Barça's interest I remained prudent. In fact I only started believing it once it was official, before that it was all just rumours.

Is there any past or present Barcelona player that you have admired?
A player I'd single out, from about 7 or 8 years ago, was Luis Enrique. As for the current players, they're my colleagues so I don't want to say I like one player better than another. But the first time I played against Barça, a year ago, I was impressed by the way Iniesta played.

Do you know Luis Enrique also wore 21?
No, I didn't know Luis Enrique had the same shirt number as I have now. It's nice to know, I like that.

Do you think the way Barça play will suit you?
Barça play the best football in the world right now. And I am sure players' careers progress much faster when they play for a club like Barça.

Tell us briefly about how you started in football.
I've always played football. It's as if I was born with the ball in my hands, if I can put it like that. There was a school in my town, but it was small. When I was thirteen I went to study in a more professional school, I made a lot of progress there and when I was 14 I joined the Shakhtar youth set-up.

Curiously, your first European game was against Barça.
Life brings these odd coincidences. It must be symbolic that when I was 17 or 18 my first five minutes were against Barça. I like to think that in a certain way it was destiny and that's why I am where I am now.

What kind of person is Dmytro Chygrynskiy?
I can't describe myself objectively. Only others can do that. But I have always tried to keep a cool head and be relaxed in any situation, without going to extremes.

What are your hobbies?
I like to read, but it depends on my mood. I have a university education, a finished Company Management degree, specialising in finance, and I'd like to carry on studying all my life, just getting better every day.

read the full interview here


Read more:
Chygrynskiy officially presented as Barcelona player
OFFICIAL: Chygrynskiy

Video: The presentation of Chygrynskiy

The presentation of Chygrynskiy (picture special)

New Barcelona player Dmytro Chygrynskiy was today presented to the fans at the Camp Nou.

Read more:

Chygrynskiy officially presented as Barcelona player

Chygrynskiy officially presented as Barcelona player

During a press conference, Dmytro Chygrynskiy has been officially presented as new Barcelona player. Chygrynskiy will play with shirt number 21.


Laporta
"It has been a long negotiation but we have achieved our goal. The player comes for a position Josep Guardiola had asked us to strengthen. I would point out his personality and his professionalism, which he also proved at the European Super Cup where he would deal with the pressure."

Begiristain
"After having decided that we wanted to sign a defender, Chygrynskiy was our first option. We aslo thought about a full-back but in the end we decided to go for a centre-back and we've fought until the last day to get the best option.

Chygrynskiy is calm and he transmits that to the team, he has good heading qualities and he can build up from behind, something that is fundamental for our game. He cannot take part in the Champions League but he is a young player, only 22 years old. He gives more certainty at the centre-back positions, which is a complicated position."

Chygrynskiy
"My wish to play for Barça has finally been fulfilled. It has been a long process and at certain moments we seemed to have reached a dead point. But I'm grateful for the continued interest of Barça. I also want to thank Shakhtar, which has been a family for me.

When they told me that I had to play the Champions League, I couldn't refuse that but I told the president and the coach that I nevertheless had the desire to leave for Barcelona. My first memory of Barcelona dates from the 1933-1994 season when Romario played at Barça and especially a game against Manchester United. That's why I have been following the results of Barcelona with a lot of interest.

I think that Barça and Shakhtar have a similar style of controlling the ball. I think that my way of playing can fit in and that I can add something to the team... My example has always been Laurent Blanc. I don't think I will have more pressure because the coach explicitly wanted me.

I'm happy with how my new team-mates have welcomed me today, I felt good about it. I have also spoken with Guardiola about technical issues and he explained me that he wants me to integrate into the team quickly and to start working with the group as soon as possible.

Every player should be aware that how higher he goes, how bigger the pressure will be. It's normal that I don't want to disappoint anyone but I feel ready. I know what this club represents and I promise to do everythign I can to learn the language as soon possible which should help me to adapt to the team and the city."

Read more:
OFFICIAL: Chygrynskiy
Chygrynskiy passes medical tests

OFFICIAL: Chygrynskiy

Barcelona has today officially announced the transfer of Shakhtar Donetsk central defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22).

Shakhtar Donetsk has meanwhile officially confirmed the transfer and the transfer fee.

Barcelona will pay the Ukrainian club a transfer fee of 25 million euros. Chygrynskiy has signed a five-year deal with Barcelona, until 2014. The buyout clause of the Ukrainian is set at 100 million euros.

Chygrynskiy signed his contract at 1 pm today. The player's agent and brother Victor Chygrynskiy, Barcelona president Joan Laporta, Barcelona sports vice-president Rafael Yuste, Barcelona sports direxctor Txiki Begiristain and Barcelona director of football Raul Sanllehí assisted the signing at the Camp Nou offices.

Read more:
OFFICIAL: Ibrahimovic
OFFICIAL: Keirrison
OFFICIAL: Maxwell

Chygrynskiy passes medical tests

Ukrainian central defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22) passed this mornng the medical tests that started at 8 am.

watch more pictures and a video here

Welcome dinner for Chygrynskiy

At 9:30 pm yesterday, Barcelona has offered Dmytro Chygrynskiy a welcome dinner at the Arola restaurant of the Arts hotel in Barcelona.

Chygrynskiy and his agent, Barcelona president Joan Laporta, Barcelona sports vice-president Rafael Yuste, Barcelona sports direxctor Txiki Begiristain and Barcelona director of football Raul Sanllehí took part in the dinner.

Read more:
Welcome dinner for Ibrahimovic

Chygrynskiy has arrived in Barcelona

The Front: Sport

CHYGRYNSKIY CONFIDENTIAL

He likes literature and movies and he hates nightclubs

He never drinks alcohol

He is normally the first one to arrive for training

He doesn't like sports cars

His friends call him Jesus Christ



The champion starts today

Barça-Sporting - 22 pm

Guardiola on Ibrahimovic, Chygrynskiy and Messi

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola commented on some players.


Ibrahimovic
"The only thing Ibra needs is time. It's a great player who didn't take part in the pre-season. But as he is so good, he won't have any problems."

Chygrynskiy
"It's a great transfer for us, but you will see it when he'll play. We had one place we had to fill up at the back, it's a Uefa Cup winner, still very young although he has already been playing in the Champions League for three or four years. It wasn't some crush. We knew a lot about him, we have asked around a lot, we have seen him a lot and I think he can help us. We should thank the club for the effort and now it's up to the player to show it on the pitch."

Messi
"He is clearly the best, he is always one step ahead of the rest and when he says 'I want to win that game', he wins it. He has to deal with the pressure of being the best and he does that in a very natural way. He has all the qualities the number one should have and I have never seen anyone like him."

Iniesta and Márquez
"They are both almost ready to reappear but you will have to wait for the second league game to see them in action."

Read more:
Guardiola: "Messi best player I will see in my life"
Video: Chygrynskiy at the Camp Nou
Ibrahimovic: "Soon I will be one hundred per cent"

Video: Chygrynskiy at the Camp Nou

Ukrainian central defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22) has arrived this morning in Barcelona around 10:45 am after a flight from Nice with his brother and a Barcelona official.

Chygrynskiy will undergo the medical tests tomorrow morning and will then be officially presented as new Barcelona player.

see the pictures here

Chygrynskiy has arrived in Barcelona

Ukrainian central defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22) has arrived this morning in Barcelona around 10:45 am after a flight from Nice with his brother and a Barcelona official.

Chygrynskiy will undergo the medical test tomorrow morning and will then be officially presented as new Barcelona player.

more pictures here

Video of the day: Chygrynskiy

Quote of the day: Guardiola

I take the responsibility for the signing of Chygrynskiy.

Josep Guardiola,
Barcelona manager

more quotes and numbers

Chygrynskiy will arrive in Barcelona tomorrow

Barcelona's official website has announced that Shakhtar Donetsk central defender and Ukrainian international Dmytro Chygrynskiy (22) will arrive in Barcelona tomorrow.

Spanish news agency EFE claims that Chygrynskiy will travel to Barcelona together with Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Barcelona sports vice president Rafael Yuste, who are today in Ukraine for the inauguration of the new stadium of Shakhtar Donetsk.

Chygrynskiy would undergo the medical tests tomorrow afternoon and will then be presented to the press and the fans on Monday afternoon. Barcelona is believed to have agreed to pay a transfer fee of 25 million euros for the Ukrainian centre-back, who would sign a five-year contract.

Read more:
Chygrynskiy: "I could sign contract on Sunday"
Video: Guardiola meets Chygrynskiy
Chygrynskiy confirms transfer to Barcelona