Veterans team of Ukraine: football legends defeated paratroopers at the opening of a prestigious tournament

21.07.2018 12:20

Competitions among the military in Ukraine have become a good tradition in recent years. Special Forces, Border Guards, Police, Sailors ...

After a difficult and dangerous service to preserve peace and territorial integrity in the country, young guys love to go out on the football fields. Yes, 19—On July 20, a tournament was held in Kramatorsk by the Football Federation of Ukraine, the Command of the Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Association of Football Veterans of Ukraine, Agribusiness LLC and local authorities among six teams of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. To determine the strongest, paratroopers from all over Ukraine gathered in Kramatorsk, and as part of the opening ceremony, a surprise awaited them - the best players of the participating teams, forming the DShV ZSU team, held a friendly match with the Ukrainian team among veterans.

Warm and optimistic words from football leaders and commanders were complemented by a bright show - after the performance of the National Anthem of Ukraine and a minute of remembrance in honor of those killed in the central circle landed six paratroopers with flags of participating teams. "This tournament is extremely important for paratroopers," said Serhiy Artamoshchenko, Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. - The guys have little free time to perform basic tasks, and they spend it for their own pleasure. Five of our teams take part in the open championship of Ukraine of Heroes of anti-terrorist operation, it is the real outlet in their life. We launched the reporting tournament together with the Football Federation of Ukraine, and it is symbolic that it took place in the Donetsk region. We received a real gift from our football idols. They are well done, playing precisely for the sake of peace and unity in Ukraine, everywhere draw attention to the issues of the Ukrainian army. Playing with the veterans' team has significantly increased the status of the tournament, now it will be the main competition of the year for the assault troops. "

A team of football stars led by Anatoliy Demyanenko and Volodymyr Lozynsky with Vladyslav Vashchuk, Oleh Sobutsky, Serhiy Nagornyak, Volodymyr Yezersky, Serhiy Popov, Bohdan Shershun, Vitaliy Samoilov, Andriy Oksymets, Oleksandr Shenshlynko Venshchensky, Sviato Jaczeslaw Swiderski in the team showed the "winged infantry" a real master class, winning 5: 2.

Goals for the national team of Ukraine were scored by Oleh Sobutsky, Vitaliy Samoilov (both scored two goals each) and Serhiy Shyshchenko, Mykola Shpin scored twice for the paratroopers. The participation of the famous TV presenter Igor Tsyganyk and his rapid passes on the right flank added variety to the match…

The paratroopers remembered this wonderful day with valuable gifts. Valentin Latypov presented balls and souvenir paraphernalia to the participants on behalf of Andriy Pavelko on behalf of the Football Federation of Ukraine. And from the hands of veterans' national team players, the paratroopers received autographed balls and branded T-shirts. After the exhibition match, all the attention of the audience switched to a football tournament, where six teams in a fierce struggle determined the winners.

"This is not just a football match or tournament, but rather a meeting of friends who are united by football and love for the homeland," summed up the busy day FFU Vice President, organizer of the Ukrainian national team among veterans Oleh Sobutsky. - In the Open Championship of Ukraine of Heroes of anti-terrorist operation five teams from DShV ZSU take part, all of them take very seriously the tournament started by us this year and set before themselves the highest tasks. Well done guys, try, and we have them through football at least for a day or two to help forget about the military routine. We will do our best to make another FFU tournament, among the DSU units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, traditional and included in the competition calendar.

Famous domestic football players only welcome such initiatives, adding interest and mass to the competition with their presence. Although the paratroopers gave in, it did not disappoint them at all. On the contrary, the better they will prepare for next year's rematch. Just like their special forces brothers are doing now.

Every summer in Vinnytsia, thanks to the efforts of Anatoliy Slivinsky, a special forces officer and chairman of the All-Ukrainian Association of Combatants and ATO Volunteers, the Special Forces Heroes Cup tournament is held, where we play with the SSO Armed Forces team at the closing ceremony. Next Friday we will have another visit to Vinnytsia and a game at the Central Stadium. And the team will continue to perform in the environmental protection zone on August 2, when in Krasnohorivka, just a few kilometers from Donetsk, it will play in honor of Airborne Forces Day with a team of paratroopers and special forces. There will also be games in Balta (July 28), Ivano-Frankivsk (August 11), Volochysk (August 24) and many other cities. That's how, by joining forces with the help of football, we work together to defeat the enemy and bring peace back to our land. "