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.

The long-time mentor of Kyiv's Dynamo won eight championships in the Soviet Union's premier league, five times he led the club to the top honors of Ukraine, and with the white-and-blue team, he secured the Cup Winners' Cup (1975, 1986) and the UEFA Super Cup (1975). In 2000–2002, Valeriy Lobanovskyi led the national team of Ukraine. He managed to qualify Ukrainian players for the World Cup 2002 playoffs, but unfortunately, they did not make it to the tournament. The path of the Ukrainian team was blocked by future silver medalists of the world championship — the German national team.

Photo by Mykola Bokotyha

His contributions to European and world football are recognized with the UEFA Golden Badge and FIFA Order of Merit. In 2017, UEFA included Lobanovskyi in a list of ten most outstanding coaches in European football since the union's founding in 1954.

Valeriy Vasilyevich remained at his post until the very end despite health issues. 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» Odesa (1965–1966), «Shakhtar» Donetsk (1967–1968).

Champion of the USSR in 1961.

Cup winner of the USSR in 1964.

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

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

Since October 1968,— coaching work.

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

Photo by Volodymyr Rasner

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.

Cup winner of the UEFA Super Cup in 1975.

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

Captained 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 the Asian Games in 1994.

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