21 years ago, on May 13, 2002, the heart of one of the most distinguished coaches in Ukrainian and world football — Valeriy Vasilyevich Lobanovskyi — stopped.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

Representatives of the Ukrainian Football Association visited Lobanovskyi's grave at Baykove Cemetery today, and then gathered near the Metre monument next to the Dynamo stadium in Kyiv, which bears his name.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

To honor the memory of Valeriy Vasilyevich, First Vice Presidents of UAF Oleg Protsasov, Oleksiy Mykhaylichenko, Anatoliy Demianenko, Vadim Kostyuchenko, and legendary Ukrainian football player and coach Pavlo Yakovenko arrived.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

“Valeriy Vasilyevich was a mentor, teacher, and inspiration for generations of football players. He was an incredible person and professional whose experience and football legacy remain relevant to this day. The name Lobanovskyi has been one of the symbols of Ukrainian football for many years, representing its outstanding victories and achievements.” — said former protégé of Lobanovskyi Oleg Protsasov.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

As a reminder, the long-time coach of Kyiv's Dynamo eight times led the club to gold medals in the USSR championship, five times — to top honors in Ukraine, and won with the white-and-blue team the Cup Winners' Cup (1975, 1986) and UEFA Super Cup (1975). In 2000–2002, Valeriy Lobanovskyi headed the national team of Ukraine. He managed to lead Ukrainians into the playoff qualification for the World Cup 2002, but unfortunately, the blue-and-yellow did not make it to the tournament. The path of the Ukrainian team was blocked by future silver medalists of world first place — Germany's national team.

An assessment of the merits of the Metre before European and world football is the UEFA Ruby Order and FIFA Order "For Merit," which he holds. In 2017, UEFA included Lobanovskyi in a list of ten most outstanding coaches in European football since the union's inception in 1954.

Valeriy Vasilyevich, despite health problems, remained at his post until the end. On May 7, 2002, he suffered a stroke during a Dynamo match in Zaporizhzhia. Six days later, on May 13, his heart stopped.

Valeriy LOBANOVSKYI

(legendary Ukrainian coach)

Born on January 6, 1939 in Kyiv.

Masters of Sports of the USSR, Honored Coach of the USSR and Ukraine.

Playing position— forward.

Alumnus of football school No. 1 (since 1952) and youth football school (FSM) in Kyiv (from 1955).

Played for teams:«Dynamo» Kyiv (1959-1964), «Chornomorets» Odessa (1965-1966), «Shakhtar» Donetsk (1967-1968).

Champion of the USSR in 1961.

Cup winner of the USSR in 1964.

In the USSR championship, played 253 matches, scored 71 goals.

Played two matches for the USSR national team and two matches for the Soviet Olympic team.

Since October 1968— coaching work.

Coached clubs:«Dnipro» Dnipropetrovsk (1968-1973), «Dynamo» Kyiv (1973-1982, 1984-1990, 1996-2002).

Champion of the USSR in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1986 and 1990.

Cup winner of the USSR in 1974, 1978, 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1990.

Champion of Ukraine in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.

Cup winner of Ukraine in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Cup Winner of the Cup Winners' Cup in 1975 and 1986.

UEFA Super Cup winner in 1975.

Semifinalist Cup/Champions League in 1977, 1987 and 1999.

Coached national teams: USSR (1975-1976, 1982-1983, 1986-1990), UAE (1990-1992), Kuwait (1994-1996), Ukraine (2000-2001).

Bronze medalist of the Olympic football tournament in 1976.

Vice-champion of Europe in 1988.

Bronze medalist of Asian Games in 1994.

Died on May 13, 2002 in Zaporizhzhia. Buried at Baykove Cemetery in Kyiv.