Odesa celebrated City Day in a special way — loudly, brightly, and with football. At the "Chornomorets" stadium, fans gathered to watch matches featuring the national team of Ukraine among veterans. The tour of legends in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine visited Southern Palmira and presented spectators with an atmosphere of a great sporting event.

Photo by AUTF

The real stars took the field, names that Ukrainian fans remember well: Edward Cychmeistruck, Yuriy Maksymov, Andriy Polunin, Ruslan Kostyshyn, Oleksandr Sheleiev, Mykola Yashchenko, Oleksandr Kosyrin, Ivan Krivosheyenko, Vitaliy Samoylov, Dmytro Bezruk, Vitaliy Mandzyuk, Kyrylo Kovalevych, Yevhen Seleznev, Volodymyr Lisnyi, Vadym Mylekho, Volodymyr Bondarenko and Vyacheslav Svidersky. Each of them once thrilled the public as part of leading clubs and now they have reunited for an important cause — to support the army and gift positive emotions to spectators. President of AUTF Oleg Sobetsky could not attend due to service in the Armed Forces, but his warm words and wishes for peace and good were conveyed to those present.

Photo by AUTF

The football event was organized by the Odesa Oblast State Administration led by Oleh Kiper, the Association of Football Veterans of Ukraine, company "Agrobusiness," and the Sobetsky Family Charity Fund. The event took place with support from the Ukrainian Football Association.

The first opponent for the national team was a team of amateur players from Odesa Oblast. Before the match, the best players in the region were honored for their victories in local competitions. Just a few minutes later — and they were already dressed up, ready to face the legends. The game unfolded in an uncompromising battle, every episode evoking emotions on the stands, but the score remained at 0:0.

Photo by AUTF

In the second game, the veterans faced Odesa's "Rishelie." This year’s champion of Ukraine in the 55+ age category. His appearance on the field was met with loud applause as victories for Odesa teams at the national level are now a rare occurrence. Vice President of AUTF and team leader Petro Chilibi thanked organizers for their attention to veterans, while the match itself was fierce. The slightly rejuvenated "Rishelie" squad put up tough resistance and scored twice in the first half, cementing their champion status — 2:0.

A special highlight of the football day was a master class from stars for young players of DSK "Chornomorets 2018." These teenage girls, aged 14, got the chance to play against their idols. They did not shy away, demonstrating combative play and even scoring a goal in the veterans' team net. Though they conceded more goals. But the result was not the main thing. The important feeling of celebration, support from the stands, and a group photo with legends, which will surely be motivation for them to move forward.

Photo by AUTF

The football event had not only a sporting but also an important military significance. Active special forces and soldiers who are currently undergoing rehabilitation were present on the stands of "Chornomorets." For them, this event was a taste of normal life — they enjoyed football alongside other fans and felt genuine gratitude from society. A separate block of the event was the recruitment project «SSO Recruitment», which allowed everyone interested to get acquainted with the specifics of service in Special Operations Forces and communicate with military personnel.

Photo by AUTF

Autumn — the most football season of the year! The veterans' tour continues and brings an important mission with it — to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine and gift people a holiday despite the war. Up next are matches in Western Ukraine. Already on September 5, the team will play in Chernivtsi against local "Dynamo," on the 6th — in Dolya against "Naftovyk," and on the 7th — in Horodok, which is in Lviv Oblast, where fans will witness a duel with veterans of Lviv's "Karpaty."