Shakhtar Donetsk, the Ukrainian soccer club, is heading to the Champions League, a feat that CEO Sergei Palkin believes they deserve. Due to results in other leagues, Shakhtar will bypass the qualifying rounds and enter the main phase in September, securing at least 35 million euros. The club, exiled from Donetsk since 2014, views this as a statement of Ukrainian football's dignity. Shakhtar's path involved winning the Ukraine Premier League, while key rivals faltered. When the Champions League winner is already qualified, Shakhtar, with a high UEFA ranking, benefited. The team is currently playing domestic games in Lviv and UEFA games in Krakow. The team has a strong Brazilian presence with 12 players from Brazil. Coach Arda Turan, who joined a year ago, is praised for his understanding of the club's 'DNA'. Games are played with limited spectators due to security concerns. The club, owned by Rinat Akhmetov, is deciding where to play its Champions League home games, hoping to bring fans together. They still hope to return to Donbas Arena.