As conversation turns to the chilly Scottish climate, Glasgow City and Ukraine striker Nicole Kozlova swiftly redirects attention to the far more severe winter endured by her former team-mates in a conflict zone. Born and raised in Toronto to Ukrainian parents Dmytro and Olya, the 25-year-old is a seasoned product of the US college system who eagerly seized the opportunity to play in Denmark upon completing her studies.
A Courageous Decision Amid Conflict
However, it was during her tenure at Danish side HB Koge—with her mother and father residing back in Dnipro and her international colleagues confronting war on the front lines—that she made the valiant choice to sign for Vorskla and compete in matches under threat from Russian invaders in her family's homeland. Although she already possessed caps for Ukraine, this was an experience she believed essential to undergo, and one that remains indelibly etched in her memory.
‘There were numerous reasons behind my decision, some more challenging to articulate than others,’ explains Kozlova, pausing from her efforts to propel City to the pinnacle of the ScottishPower Women’s Premier League. ‘Enduring the war for a year has profoundly educated me about life and my own character.’
Football and Life Reasons Intertwined
‘Naturally, football motivations played a part. The team I joined possesses considerable quality, exceeding many people's expectations. We were set to compete in the Champions League and similar tournaments. Thus, there were sporting incentives alongside profound personal reasons.’
‘Honestly, it’s nearly impossible to convey adequately. Until you actually live through it, comprehension remains elusive. The initial instance of hearing an explosion merely three kilometres distant—it’s transformative. It disrupts your existence and fosters deeper understanding.’
‘Or consider scenarios like water or power being terminated. I confronted such issues during my final months there. It offers merely a glimpse into what individuals are currently enduring. The widespread power crisis in Ukraine today is tragic, with people surviving without electricity in temperatures plunging to minus twenty degrees.’
‘Here in Scotland, we lament two-degree weather while enjoying heating and all necessities. This contrast provides crucial perspective and enhances understanding. Experience is paramount, so yes, it was undoubtedly eye-opening.’
The Difficulty of Departure
‘Leaving was also challenging, despite the adversities. There’s a rationale why numerous Ukrainians remain; it is their home and life. Relocating to Scotland coincided with my family returning to Canada, yet I persistently follow news updates. Many team-mates remain there, and I consistently check on their welfare.’
Beyond Football: A Passion for Data and Analysis
Kozlova captivates for reasons extending beyond her remarkably brave relocation. Notably, her fascination with mathematics and data sustains her part-time employment with Swedish football analysis firm Twelve Football. Her immigrant parents emphasised educational value, and Kozlova cultivated a meticulous approach to academics, attending an advanced high school specialising in mathematics. Fortunately for City supporters, she applied similar dedication to football.
‘I’ve perpetually possessed this obsession with perfecting every minute detail and inhabiting environments where others share my mindset,’ she disclosed. ‘Its origin is unclear. The drive to excel and proficiency in one’s endeavours likely stems from family influence; we all attained strong academic grades.’
‘Football obsession probably derives from my father, though perhaps it’s simply intrinsic to my nature. I recall amusement at age fourteen while working a summer camp, my inaugural coaching role. They requested a daily plan of drills, and I inadvertently produced a fifty-one-page document! Upon submission, the supervisor remarked: “Nicole, what have you done? We can utilise these drills for the next three years”!’
Academic Pursuits and Professional Integration
‘Given my family background, I always appreciated mathematics in school, unaware that football data analysis existed. By tenth grade, while exploring US universities primarily for football, academics remained paramount. I attended a high school focusing on maths and computer science, encountering a programme in computer modelling data analytics. I thought: “This is what I wish to study.”’
‘It blended programming, mathematics, and statistics, enabling hypothesis verification through evidence. That determined my academic path. At university, seeking internships, I secured one with Statsbomb, then leading data analysts. I became enamoured, recognising it as the ideal fusion of my football passion.’
This football fervour ultimately earned Kozlova a full scholarship to Virginia Tech and a professional career. She recounts a familiar narrative of playing alongside boys, participating in a girls’ national training programme, yet eventually facing insufficient challenges. Even in Toronto, competition was lacking.
Early Initiative and Career Progression
Consequently, she and elite peers from the national programme devised their own solution aged just fourteen and fifteen, joining a senior women’s league. ‘At fifteen, I competed alongside thirty-year-olds,’ Kozlova reminisces. ‘It was enjoyable; we dominated considerably. After local success, you progress regionally and nationally.’
‘I suspect opposing teams were less enthusiastic. For us, training environment outweighed matches. Observing young participants from that period, many have since advanced to prestigious positions.’ This pathway eventually guided her to Koge, Vorskla, and presently Glasgow City, alongside nearly fifty caps for Ukraine.
Adaptability and New Beginnings in Glasgow
Chuckling about arriving late on her first City day due to flight delays, Kozlova has discovered a new football family in Glasgow, feeling at home in the city. Yet she has always acclimatised to unfamiliar settings. With younger siblings at home and international duties requiring extensive travel during high school, she mastered independence early.
‘I am highly self-reliant. Some describe me as excessively independent, and certain team-mates would concur! I could reside almost anywhere comfortably, devising solutions. You could place me anywhere in Europe, and I would manage.’
■ ScottishPower serves as the exclusive Principal Partner for the Scottish Women’s Premier League (encompassing SWPL1&2) and grassroots governing body Scottish Women’s Football (SWF). As one of Scotland’s major employers, it is committed to energising women’s football across all ages and stages while supporting communities nationwide.
