Today is the 27th January 2020 and for the 1st time I am writing an article in the present time. If you followed my blog, you will realize that I write a lot about motivating people to fight for their dreams and ambitions. This article will be a bit different. At this moment I am 27 years, living in Belgium (Antwerpen) and still chasing my Football dream at the Club Beerschot. If someone would have told me 3 years ago, that I will become Champion and promote to the second league, play 2 promotion finals to the Highest League of Belgium football, sign a new long-term contract, be the player with the 2nd most games for this Club Beerschot, have interests from Clubs on highest Level, live in a beautiful apartment in the Zuid of Antwerpen and drive around in a BMW,…I would have signed up for this fantasy right away.
However, this fantasy indeed became reality. I can say that I am unbelievably thankful and amazed that everything turned out this way. I am very happy and grateful to the situation I am in, in this moment. But it wasn’t always like that…and I am sure that it will not always stay like that.
The bad news is ...nothing lasts forever, The good news is...nothing lasts forever. So be ready.
Now I am sitting in a small Coffee Bar and thinking back about the way how I got here and everything I went through; with a big smile on my face. Weather good or bad, I am grateful for every single memory because it will last a lifetime.
I remember…
…how I went to a football boarding school at the age of 12 and how much I hated it there. Living far away from my family and friends at this age gave me many difficult times, and that for 4 years……my time in Edinburgh (Scotland). I moved there all alone at the age of 17 years and lived in Edinburgh for 4 years. And how devastated I was when the club went insolvent and I had to leave.…..how difficult it was for me in Sevastopol, Sofia or Brussels because the Clubs stopped paying our salaries and went bankrupt. I remember how I signed in Union Berlin but was suspended from the team and wasn’t allowed to train any more……or my 1st year at Beerschot and how bad I felt not being part of the team.
These painful memories will always stay with me; they are part of my life and the path I am walking. If it would be possible to erase negative moments from my brain, I would never do that. These moments made me the person I am now, so I will keep them because erasing any of life’s experiences would be one of the biggest mistakes.
Memory is sweet. Even when it’s painful, memory is sweet.
I remember how I first got introduced to football, thanks to my Dad. The way he trained and taught me every single day. The hunger and desire he had awoken in me to get better and better. To never give up until I have what I really want. I remember my mother, how she sacrificed her time and energy to give me the ability to develop myself into a person with honour, respect, creativity and brain. My sister who was always there for me with an ear to listen to my problems and always seemed to have an answer to them.
My Family
But what would life be without friends, without companionship? Without realizing it my friends helped me to find a balance.
In all aspects of our lives balance is key. Part of this balance means not missing out on some of the marvels of life around you, the fun, some excitement, or other challenges in life. Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life to enjoy and remember. Find a Balance.
Arvydas (right) and me
I remember many stories with my team-mate from Hearts, Arvydas Novikovas. For example, how we went into a strip-club in Edinburgh and actually saw the girlfriend of our good Friend working as a stripper. So, we decided to pay her for a private dance and send a video to our friend. He didn’t talk to us for about 6 months after that.
Another night, Arvydas and me went out clubbing at “Why Not” in Edinburgh. That night, he got very drunk and started a fight. Obviously, I joined the fight to help him. The fight was broken off by the security and we were thrown out of the club. As we were escorted out, there was a police car standing in front of us…Still drunk and angry Arvydas kicked the window of the police car at full force and the window broke into pieces. The 2 policemen got out of the car and started chasing him. But because he was so drunk, he kept falling over so that the police got him eventually. It turned out to be a fun night at the police station.
Arvydas (right) and me
Another good memory which always makes me smile is how Arvydas and me rented a nice Mercedes Benz together for 6 months. We agreed to switch the car around on a daily basis…so one day, he could use the car, the next day me, and so on. But because it was such a cool car, it was always difficult (for both of us) to give it away on the next day. So obviously we always argued about who’s turn it was to use the car. One day (it was his turn to drive the Mercedes) I had a date and wanted to show off a bit, so I asked Avrydas if I could use the car. He clearly didn’t need it at that moment, but he refused to give me the key. We started to argue again, but he still didn’t change his mind. So I waited until he went to the toilet; I took the car keys and just ran out of his apartment. I started the car and drove away. On the way I picked up the girl and we drove to a restaurant in the city centre of Edinburgh called “Gusto”. We just ordered the starters when suddenly Arvydas came into the restaurant, showed me the middle finger and went out again. I was surprised how he got here but more importantly, how he found me. Anyway, I was curious and walked out of the restaurant to check what he was up to. And what did I see?… I saw the Mercedes Benz with 4 flat tires …Arvydas cut every single tire of the Mercedes Benz with a Knife. The funny thing was that the knife was still hanging inside the right front tire.
I remember how Arvydas and me went to the Fitness Center sometimes. We always used to play competitive games like Table Tennis, Squash or Tennis. One day we played Table Tennis and decided that whoever wins the game can give the loser a task to do, which you cannot refuse. Unfortunately, I lost the game. So basically, now Arvydas had the “power” over me. He was thinking and thinking, but after a while he told me to go to the gym (which was full of people…around 100 people) He told me to stay in the corner of the gym; then to start to dance and sing out loud: “That’s me in the corner. That’s me in the spotlight, losing my religion.” So I did it and he nearly pissed himself because he was laughing too much. I was so embarrassed and didn’t show up at that gym for 1 month after that.
Arvydas, me, Mariuz Zaliukas
I remember how Mariuz Zaliukas gave me a new Blackberry Phone as a present or Adrian Mrowiec, who gave me his nice Peugeot Car, basically for free.
I remember how Mark Rigers and me were freestyle rapping every day on the way to training. Or how Rob Ogleby tried to teach me how to cook properly.
I remember how I went fishing with Erwin Hoffer. We actually caught a big fish and I saw Erwin Hoffer celebrating more than after scoring a goal.
I remember about 2 years ago. We just lost the promotion final with Beerschot against Cercle Brugge and our Coach Marc Brys gave us 7 days off to clear our heads a bit. It was 1 day after the final and I was chilling in the apartment of my team-mate Octavio. The atmosphere was still very depressed (which is normal after you lose an important final). I came to his place at around 1pm and I think we didn’t even speak one single word to each other…I was on my phone playing Chess and he was watching some Brazilian TV Show. At around 6pm Octavio said: ”I am hungry, let’s go out and eat something.” I agreed, and asked: “What do you want to eat?” He wanted Steak. So I gave him some restaurant options like Meat and Eat, Da Giovannis, Arte,… He was thinking for some time and said: “The best Steak I ever ate was a Bistecca in Florence (Italy) at a restaurant called “Perseus.” I looked at him for a while and said: ”Okay, let go there.” We both started to laugh and looked at each other. Suddenly we both stood up at the same time, prepared 2 bags very fast, sat in his car, installed the navigation system in direction Florence and left. After 1300km, an accident somewhere in Switzerland and 14 hours later, we were sitting at the restaurant “Perseus” in Florence and Octavio was 100% right. It was the best Steak I ever had.
I remember how I was playing Basketball with my team-mate Rubin Okotie. Last summer we actually played every single day, after our football training. We always played “Free Throws”…1st to 10 wins the game. It started off with 5 Euro per game, so were both very eager to win. The games were so intense and we screamed/celebrated so much when we won or lost. I think the whole neighbourhood was sick of us. Unfortunately, Rubin Okotie left the Club Beerschot and moved back to his hometown Vienna. Luckily for me, because I still owe him 1200 Euro from these Basketball games. Don’t worry, I promise to pay you back one day 😛
I remember how I went to Marrakesh with my team-mate Mohamed Messoudi. One night he took me to a Russian Nightclub called Raspoutine. I was enjoying myself a lot. There was this girl which I found really attractive. So I started talking to her and giving her all my attention and time. We stayed in that club till 5am or something and I never left the side of that girl. I think I was even falling in love with her already. We exchanged numbers. The next day I messaged her and asked her out for breakfast somewhere in Marrakesh. She came and we had a very nice time I believed. When we finished breakfast, I told her that I would like to see her again. So she told me: “You still owe me 500 Euro, from yesterday and today. If you pay it, we can meet again.” Turned out, I fell in love with an escort.
I remember my time in CSKA Sofia. We went to Turkey on winter training camp for exactly 41 days. I shared a room with the goalkeeper Jakub Divis. (Btw it’s known that goalkeepers are always weirdos) Anyway we trained 2-3 times per day and I actually enjoyed it a lot. The 1st week passed quite fast and I had nothing to complain about. 2 weeks passed. Then 3 weeks. And every single day, weather I came back from training, breakfast, dinner,…I saw the same face…the face of my room mate Jakub Divis. I know that people need some privacy sometimes, so sometimes I just went to the beach or stayed couple hours in the Lobby, so that Jakub could have some private time. I was hoping that he would also do the same for me at times, so that I could also have some privacy. But this guy actually never ever left the room unless we had to (training, breakfast, lunch or dinner,…and that was it) For the rest he constantly stayed in the room. What made it even worse was that the walls of the toilet and shower were out of glass. Plus, he always closed the windows. At night, it was so hot at times, so that I went to open the windows and went back to bed. 1 minute later he would get out of his bed and close it again. Then I would stand up and open it again, 1 min later he would close it again….I was getting so sick of him, that I wanted to fight with him every day. This 41 days became like a nightmare and I think I never hated someone so much as I hated him. Turns out negative emotions can easily be transformed into a strong bond, after the training camp we actually became very good friends and still keep in touch until now. He even invited me to celebrate the birth of his 1st son…which brings me to the next funny memory.
Jakub Divis, just became a father for the 1st time. We were in Sofia and it was the middle of the season, so he could fly home to Prague only in a couple of days. He called me and invited me (and 2 other players) to a restaurant and a nightclub after. It was a great night. The food was amazing and at the club it was nice too. I think we ordered about 5 big bottles of vodka. Like Jakub said: “If the father doesn’t get drunk on the night his 1st child is born, he is not a real father.” He kept to his words and got unbelievably drunk. He was dancing like a Mongol, screaming at everyone and just enjoying himself. It was an amazing night, but unfortunately the night club was about to close and we left. I didn’t drink because I was the driver. Everyone got into the car and before I started to drive I told everyone to be very calm and careful. (Especially to Jakub, because he was very drunk.) Because my driving license had just expired and I forgot to renew it. Plus, the insurance for the car also expired. I started to drive, the streets were not busy and everything seemed to be alright. Suddenly a police car was over taking us and started to drive in front of us. I slowed down a bit, to make the distance between the police car and us bigger and bigger. Unluckily a traffic-light appeared and it was red. So unfortunately, I was standing just 2 meters behind the police. I said: “ Jakub, please don’t fuck it up. I don’t have a license and this car is not registered. Please just chill out and stay calm.” But what did he do? He went out of the car, walked to the police car, opened the trunk of the police car and screamed: “Fuck the police, coming straight from the underground.” Actually, it was so funny, that me and the other 2 team-mates started to laugh out loud. Jakub ran back to our car and sat inside. The 2 policeman got out of their car and walked towards us. Then Jakub shouted: “Drive Denis.” So I did. I put the car into reverse, turned and started to drive as fast as possible. In the mirror I saw the police car putting on their blue lights and sirens. Everyone in the car was screaming and celebrating, which gave me a lot of adrenaline. To be honest, it was so exciting that I started to like it. I don’t remember exactly everything any more, but after about 5-7 right and left turns I thought that the police lost us. I started to drive normal again but suddenly the police car came with full speed from behind, overtook us and stopped right in front of us. I nearly crashed into them but managed to make an emergency brake. Immediately 2 police men stormed out of their car with their guns pointing at me and screamed: “Everyone get out of the car, now.” Without any hesitation, we stepped out of the car with our hands behind the head. The policemen looked at us and said: “Denis Prychynenko? Jakub Divis and Toni Silva? Is that you? We are huge CSKA Sofia fans. Can we please take a Selfie with all of you?” Each one of us started to laugh and we made a Selfie with the policemen. They didn’t even check my licence or made an alcohol test. The only thing they said was: “Thank you guys. Enjoy your night and drive carefully. SAMO CSKA.” Thinking back, that was one of the best nights ever.
I remember I finished with my Girlfriend and downloaded tinder. I matched with a beautiful girl called Jane and started chatting to her. We exchanged numbers and started to message a lot. We even send each other pictures. I started to like her a lot and after about 1 week we decided to meet each other at a restaurant in Antwerpen Zuid. I dressed up very nicely and was very nervous. I arrived at the restaurant and saw my team-mate Raphael Holzhauser drinking a coffee there. I decided to sit a couple of tables in front of him so that it won’t be awkward for my date. I was waiting and waiting and after about 30 minutes Jane messaged me and said, that she is in the restaurant already. I looked around but couldn’t see her. I messaged her, that I can’t see her. So she messaged back: “Just turn around Denis.” I turn around and see Raphael Holzhauser looking at me and then burst out laughing to tears. Turns out that he knew I am using tinder, so he created a fake Tinder Profile as a girl called Jane. The whole week he was pretending to be “Jane”, just to take the piss out of me.
As you can see, I have a lot of funny and interesting memories to share. To be honest, I have much more crazy ones to tell, but I will keep them for another time. I can say that it was not always easy in my life/carrier. I had many ups and downs. In every situation, I kept chasing and fighting for my dreams and ambitions. That makes me proud of myself. I work very hard, keep the focus on my goals and have the desire to get better and better. I am only 27 years old, but if there is 1 thing, which I learned from all my life experiences so far, is to enjoy it and cherish every single moment. When it gets hard, you need to adapt, analyse, be patient but still thankful for being alive.
“The most powerful weapon against your daily battles is finding the courage to be grateful anyway.”
Only Yesterday (26th January 2020) Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest Sportsmen has died in a helicopter accident. What I want to say with this is that you never know what will happen tomorrow. You should stop wasting time worrying about the future, because these thoughts will stop you from living this moment right now. Use this moment for something which makes you happy. Yes, I know sometimes work sucks or school is boring. I know you need to make money to pay your bills. You can moan about it and constantly complain, but that will change nothing…Don’t waste this moments of your life, try to enjoy it, laugh, live, connect with people. Don’t forget to create memories…
“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching”
denisprychynenko 