KIEV, May 25 (Xinhua) -- "I am surprised how good Kiev is. I like the people, the atmosphere, and the environment,"said James, a fan from England, who came here for the UEFA Champions League final.
On Saturday night, his beloved football club Liverpool will clash with the title holders Real Madrid in the Olympic stadium. Before the game, James is exploring the sights of Kiev together with his friends.
"Ukraine is beautiful; it is my first visit to Ukraine. The history, all the buildings, all the monuments, statues are brilliant and lovely. All the waterfalls! Posh!" James told Xinhua.
Thousands of Liverpool and Real Madrid supporters arrived in Kiev for the Champions League final, bringing a joyful football feast to the city.
The fans have crowded Kiev's parks, pubs and the fan zone at the Khreschatyk Street in the heart of the Ukrainian capital, where they have been singing and dancing throughout the day.
Unia Robles from Cuba's southern Holguin city together with her husband covered a distance of about 10,000 kilometers to support Real Madrid in the final.
In a talk with Xinhua, Robles said some of her friends were suspicious about her travelling to the remote country, which was gripped by the crisis several years ago, but everything went out well.
"In Ukraine, I like the people and I like the city -- it is very beautiful. I decided to stay here for more or less 20 days," Robles said.
Nurtilek Nurti from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, also a Real Madrid supporter, said he never imagined that Ukraine is so modern and its people are so helpful.
"I've got the first impressions starting at the customs board -- they all were welcoming. In the apartment that we are staying now, our host is also really welcoming. He guided us what to do or not to do, where to find something cheap," Nurti told Xinhua.
"I think, it really shows the characteristics of the Ukrainian people and I really like it," Nurti added.
Ukraine seems to have left positive impressions not only on fans, but also on football professionals.
Milos Stepinski, Polish national women football team coach, said he is not for the first time in Ukraine and always he feels comfortable in the country.
This time, Stepinski came to Kiev to support his player Ewa Pojor, who played in the UEFA Women Champions League final for Wolfsburg against Olympic Lyon.
"It is great because it is football celebration -- people from different countries and regions, different cities gathering here to celebrate the final," Stepinski told Xinhua.
