He played professionally overseas for six seasons in Ukraine and Lithuania and was training with the Ukrainian National team in February, 2022, when the bombings began. He was in Spain, playing a World Cup qualifier and never was able to step foot in his home since. “I played right until the big war, the big invasion war,” Skapintsev said. “My family is there. That’s tough, but there is nothing I can do. Just get used to it and just praying for them to be safe and do my job. That’s really helped them to stay positive when they see how I am playing here.” -via Newsday / July 17, 2024