The All-Ukrainian Football Day at the V. Bannikov National Technical College saw an open tournament among teams formed from Mariupol amateur players — "The Unbreakable Tournament."

The competition, in which four teams participated — FC "Meotida," FC "Azovchani," FC "Mriya," and FC "Cossacks of the Azov Region" — was held with the support of the Ukrainian Football Association, Mariupol City Council, and the Center for Assistance and Support to IDPs "YaMariupol. Kyiv."

"This tournament of unbreakable Mariupolites keeps alive our faith that we will definitely win this war and bring football back to Mariupol. Mariupol is already a brand of the Ukrainian people's resilience. I am convinced that together we will restore the infrastructure of this brave city, and children's laughter will return to its renovated football fields," — Andriy Pavelko addressed the tournament participants at the opening ceremony. The head of Ukrainian football also promised that after victory, the national team will play its first match in Mariupol in history.

Photo by the press service of UAF

In turn, the head of the "YaMariupol. Kyiv" center Olena Kalaytan thanked the UAF for the opportunity for IDPs to play football and for overall support: "It is so powerful that we feel at home. We have not only a large Mariupol family but also a large football family thanks to the support of the national association. You really give us inspiration and strength to be unbreakable and stronger. I believe that football will definitely return to Mariupol — on our liberated city's renovated stadium!"

Photo by the press service of UAF

As a result, in matches played over two halves of 10 minutes each under a round-robin system, the team "Azovchani" emerged as the winner. Second place went to "Mriya," third — to "Cossacks of the Azov Region," and fourth — to "Meotida."

Amidst the applause from spectators watching the football matches from the stands, all tournament participants received awards and football prizes — balls and commemorative souvenirs — from Oleksandr Protasov, Anatoliy Demianenko, and Vadym Kostyuchenko.

Photo by the press service of UAF

Vadym Kostyuchenko also presented a symbolic gift to Mariupol Deputy Mayor Serhiy Zakharchov. This is a special shirt of the Ukrainian national team United for Ukraine with a number depicting the names of Ukrainian settlements that have united in resistance against Russian aggression since the start of the war.

Photo by the press service of UAF