On December 15, the 28th memorial tournament of FIFA referee Mykola Balakin took place at the Kyiv National University of Physical Culture and Sport.

The matches were held under martial law conditions in Ukraine with full compliance to all safety requirements and current restrictions. The organization of the tournament demonstrated the resilience, unity, and dedication of the football community to the development of sports even during a particularly challenging period for the country.

Photo: Dan Balashov

Under the leadership of tournament referee Leonid Yarmolinsky and Mykola Balakin, son of Mykola Mykhailovych, participants were divided into three groups based on the results of the draw. After the group stage, teams from Kyiv, Kharkiv, Ternopil, and Dnipro regions advanced to the semi-finals.

28th Mykola Balakin Memorial Tournament. Play-off

Semi-finals

Team of Kyiv Football Association — Team of Kharkiv Region — 0:0, a.e.t. 0:2

Team of Ternopil Region — Team of Dnipro Region — 1:1, a.e.t. 1:2

Match for 3rd place

Team of Kyiv Football Association — Team of Ternopil Region — 5:3

Final

Team of Kharkiv Region — Team of Dnipro Region — 2:0

Photo: Dan Balashov

Individual awards:

— Best goalkeeper — Dmytro Yevtukhov (Dnipro Region);

— Best defender — Oleksandr Pavlov (Odessa Region);

— Best striker — Kostiantyn Ternovyi (Kharkiv Region);

— Best player — Maksym Melnychenko (Kyiv);

— Best coach — Oleh Plyushnyk (Kharkiv Region).