On the field of Kyiv's «KNUBA-Arena», football legends from Ukraine's national team among veterans and soldiers of the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine met in a friendly match.

The match presented spectators with a true celebration and victory for the veterans' team — 6:4, but this evening the score on the scoreboard was not the main focus. Neither were the bright moments and emotions. The main elements were gratitude and that incredible spirit of unity that prevailed both on the field and in the stands.

Photo by AUTF

The veterans' team included famous football players from previous years: Eduard Tsykhmeystruk, Sergiy Pogorelyy, Viacheslav Sviderskyi, Mykola Yashchenko, Volodymyr Yezeretskyi, Taras Mykhalko, Andriy Polunin, Artem Starhorskyi, Yuriy Maksymov, Oleksii Beilik, Oleksandr Kosyrin, Hennadiy Medvediev, Vitaliy Samoylov, Volodymyr Lysenko and Vitaliy Mandzyuk. The scorers for the star team were Volodymyr Lysenko (three times), Artem Starhorskyi, Oleksandr Kosyrin and Yuriy Maksymov.

Photo by AUTF

The center of attention was the legendary Andriy Biba, whose thoughts on recent events in Ukrainian football sparked interest among both adults and youth. Due to performing duties at the front line, Oleg Sobutskyi, an officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and founder of Ukraine's national team among veterans, was absent.

Photo by AUTF

After the game, a traditional exchange of gifts took place: a jersey for the soldiers and a brigade flag for the football legends.

Photo by AUTF

It should be noted that the match was organized by the Ukrainian Association of Football Veterans, 118 OMBr, TOV «Agrobusiness», BFF Sobutskyi and the Ukrainian Football Association.