Vova is a fifteen year old boy living in Kiev. His first love is playing football, but when the Nazis invade the Ukraine in 1941, priorities change, and Vova and his sister join the partisans, to attempt to fight the enemy. Soon Vova is given the chance to play football again, but in a game with very high stakes - if Vova's team win, they will be shot. Vova and his team have to decide whether to disgrace their country and lose the game, or whether to win - and die. "Match of Death" is based on actual events that took place during the Second World War. James Riordan undertook extensive research, travelling to Kiev to interview the sons of those who took part in the match.
- ISBN10 0192752685
- ISBN13 9780192752680
- Publish Date 1 June 2003 (first published 1 June 2002)
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 7 August 2006
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Oxford University Press
- Edition New edition
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 160
- Language English