The basketball players of the ART Giants mourn the loss of Volodymyr Yermakov and present his parents with a signed jersey. Düsseldorf, February 19, 2024.Daron Khoranian, one of Volodymyr's closest friends, posing for a portrait on February 14, 2024.The first game after the passing of Volodymyr Yermakov: Game scene between ART Giants Düsseldorf and Löwen Erfurt. February 18, 2024, in Gotha.Vincent Dahms (18), a close friend of Volodymyr, posing for a portrait on February 15, 2024, in Düsseldorf.The U19 players of ART Giants Düsseldorf before their game against Löwen Erfurt. As a tribute to Volodymyr Yermakov, they hung a picture of him on the walls of the sports hall. This away game was their first match following the tragic murder of the Ukrainian player. February 18, 2024, in Gotha.After the training session of the ART Giants Düsseldorf U19 team, Volodymyr Yermakov's jerseys were given to the players as a keepsake. Photographed on February 14, 2024.Daron Khoranian, one of Volodymyr's closest friends, poses for a portrait on February 14, 2024.The shock is profound: Training of the ART Giants Düsseldorf U19 team on February 14, 2024, in Düsseldorf. The U19 team competes in the Bundesliga.Deep sorrow in the locker room after the game against Erfurt. Gotha, February 18, 2024.The team's unity is strong in the first game. The players are determined to win for Volodymyr. Gotha, February 18, 2024.Franka (20) poses for a portrait. She had just fallen in love with Volodymyr. Düsseldorf, February 15, 2024.Scene at the memorial service for the murdered Volodymyr Yermakov on February 19, 2024.U19 coach Marcin Hansen in his apartment in Düsseldorf on February 15, 2024. He provided significant support to Volodymyr, the young basketball player who fled Ukraine, even welcoming him to live with his family.Halftime in the locker room of ART Giants Düsseldorf. On February 18, 2024, the first game took place following the death of Volodymyr Yermakov.The parents of Volodymyr Yermakov traveled from Kyiv to attend the memorial service. They pose for a portrait on February 20, 2024, in Düsseldorf.Volodymyr's former room at coach Marcin Hansen's home. Düsseldorf, February 15, 2024.A moment of silence before the game against Löwen Erfurt in Gera. It was the first game after the death of Volodymyr Yermakov, a powerful display of grief and solidarity. Gera, February 18, 2024.Franka embraces the mother of Volodymyr Yermakov before the memorial service in Duisburg on February 19, 2024.Scene at the memorial service for the murdered Volodymyr Yermakov on February 19, 2024.
Fled from the war in Ukraine, brutally murdered in Germany. The two Ukrainian basketball players Volodomyr Yermakov (17) and Artem Kozachenko (18) were victims of fatal knife violence at the main bus station in Oberhausen in February 2024. They were part of the junior team of ART GIANTS Düsseldorf and already knew each other from the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, where they played together in the U-14 national team.
In collaboration with Fabian Ritter Text: Timofey Neshitov Photo editor: Tinka Dietz