1. Early Life and Personal Background
Volodymyr Yezerskiy's early life laid the foundation for his distinguished football career. He was born in Lviv, a significant cultural and sporting city in western Ukraine, and developed his passion for football from a young age.
1.1. Birth and Childhood
Volodymyr Yezerskiy was born on 15 November 1976 in Lviv, Ukrainian SSR, which is now Ukraine. Information on his early family background and childhood environment is limited, but his early engagement in football began in his hometown.
1.2. Physical Characteristics
Yezerskiy primarily played as a defender throughout his professional career. Standing at 72 in (183 cm) tall, his physical attributes, including his height and defensive acumen, were crucial to his success on the field, enabling him to effectively compete for aerial balls and maintain a strong presence in the backline.
2. Playing Career
Yezerskiy's professional football career spanned over a decade, encompassing significant contributions to both club and international football.
2.1. Club Career
Volodymyr Yezerskiy played for a variety of Ukrainian clubs, making significant impacts and accumulating numerous honours throughout his club career.
2.1.1. Early Club Years
Yezerskiy began his professional football journey with FC Haray Zhovkva before joining FC Karpaty Lviv in 1997, where he played for two years. His performances caught the attention of Ukrainian football giants, leading to his transfer to FC Dynamo Kyiv in 1999. Following his stint at Dynamo Kyiv, he moved to Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih in 2000, continuing to develop his skills and reputation as a reliable defender.
2.1.2. Major Club Transfers and Achievements
In 2000, Yezerskiy moved to Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, where he established himself as an integral part of the team. His strong performances at Dnipro led to a significant transfer on 20 June 2007, when he was signed by FC Shakhtar Donetsk on a three-year deal for a transfer fee of 1.20 M EUR. At Shakhtar, he achieved considerable success, contributing to multiple league titles and domestic cups. During the winter break of the 2009-10 Ukrainian Premier League season, Yezerskiy was loaned out to FC Zorya Luhansk. After his time with Shakhtar and Zorya, he continued his career with SC Tavriya Simferopol from 2011 to 2013, and later with FC Hoverla Uzhhorod from 2013 to 2014, before concluding his professional playing career.
2.2. International Career
Yezerskiy's international career saw him represent the Ukraine national football team for a decade, contributing to historic achievements, including the nation's first FIFA World Cup appearance.
2.2.1. National Team Debut and Qualification
Volodymyr Yezerskiy made his debut for the Ukraine national football team on 15 July 1998, in a match against the Poland national football team. While his initial appearances were sporadic, he became a regular fixture in the national squad after his successes with Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. From 2004 onwards, he saw increased playing opportunities and played a crucial role in Ukraine's qualification for their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2006, featuring in 10 qualification matches.
2.2.2. FIFA World Cup Participation
Yezerskiy was a key member of the Ukraine squad that participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany. In a historic campaign for the nation, Ukraine managed to advance to the quarter-finals of the tournament, where they were eventually eliminated by Italy, who went on to become the world champions.
2.2.3. International Goals
Yezerskiy scored two goals for the Ukraine national team during his international career. Both of his goals were scored from corner kicks and served as the opening goals of their respective matches.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 5 June 2006 | Petrovskiy Stadium, St. Petersburg, Russia | Libya | 1-0 | 3-0 | Friendly |
| 2. | 24 March 2007 | Svangaskarð, Toftir, Faroe Islands | Faroe Islands | 0-1 | 0-2 | UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying |
2.2.4. International Match Statistics
Over his international career from 1998 to 2008, Volodymyr Yezerskiy earned 39 caps and scored 2 goals for the Ukraine national team. The following table details his appearances and goals by year:
| Year | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 |
| 2003 | 2 | 0 |
| 2004 | 8 | 0 |
| 2005 | 7 | 0 |
| 2006 | 8 | 1 |
| 2007 | 10 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 39 | 2 |
3. Honours and Awards
Volodymyr Yezerskiy's career was marked by significant team triumphs and individual recognition, reflecting his impact on Ukrainian football.
3.1. Club Honours
With Shakhtar Donetsk, Yezerskiy secured several major titles:
- Ukrainian Premier League: 2000, 2008, 2010
- Ukrainian Cup: 2008
- Ukrainian Super Cup: 2008
- UEFA Cup: 2009
3.2. Individual Awards
In recognition of his achievements and contributions, Yezerskiy received the following individual accolades:
- Ukrainian Bravery Order III Degree: 2006
- Distinguished Master of Sports: 2005