On May 26, a mini-football tournament for veterans, individuals with disabilities due to the war, and active military personnel took place at the Kyiv NTK named after V. Bannikov, dedicated to Kiev Day.

Eight teams participated in the competition:

— «Friends and Brothers»;

— «Vovkulaks»;

— «Patriot»;

— «Dominant»;

— Kyiv Military School named after Ivan Bohun;

— «Bronto»;

— 27th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine;

— Military Institute of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

Honored guests at the competition were the General Secretary of the Ukrainian Football Association, Igor Gryshchenko, former player of Kyiv «Dynamo», veteran of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Sviatoslav Syrota, and Deputy Director of the municipal budgetary establishment «Kyiv City Center for Comprehensive Support of Participants in Combat Operations «Kyiv Military Hub» Vladimir Hutsalyuk.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

According to the regulations, two groups were created with four teams each. Each match lasted for two halves of 15 minutes with a five-minute break.

The winners of the quartets met in the final where «Bronto» team defeated the «Friends and Brothers» team with a score of 3:2.

In the match for third place, teams that secured second places in their groups played against each other: the team of the 27th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine defeated «Vovkulaks» team - 4:4, penalty shootout 6:5.

Photo by the press service of the UAF

During the award ceremony, Igor Gryshchenko took the floor and noted, among other things: «We congratulate the winners and participants of the tournament! It is very symbolic that we held such competitions on Kiev Day. As long as Kyiv stands, Ukraine stands too! Thank you all. I thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine for defending our homeland. Glory to Ukraine!»

Photo by the press service of the UAF

Sviatoslav Syrota also addressed the participants: «First of all, I would like to thank the organizers because such events are necessary for mental relaxation and recovery. The country needs to feel that it is alive. I want to thank everyone who defends us and those who are no longer with us. Glory to Ukraine»

Vladimir Hutsalyuk also spoke: «Thank you to all participants. It's very important to popularize football in the context of Ukraine, Kyiv especially. I hope we will develop this matter and create a small league for 10 teams. We also plan to hold similar tournaments so that people have an opportunity to play and compete. Glory to Ukraine!»

Best football players of the tournament by nominations:

— best goalkeeper — Oleksandr Kabanets («Friends and Brothers»);

— best forward — Oleksandr Borokhin («Bronto»);

— best player — Mykhailo Kovalenko (27th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine).