For the first time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Football Association is hosting the final match of the Vbet Cup, where today, on May 15, Poltava's "Vorskla" will face Donetsk's "Shakhtar."

The match will be available for viewing by every Ukrainian citizen. The Ukrainian Football Association has secured support from Ukraine's largest media holding, Starlight Media, and together with the TV channel ICTV2, they will broadcast the game.

To comment on this first final since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Football Association and ICTV2 have invited legendary Denis Bosenko, who in 2022 changed his commentator career for military service.

Bosenko will work alongside blogger and football commentator Roman Bebesh. Before and after the game, Roman will host a special cup studio from the stadium. Experts include Vyacheslav Shevchuk, former player of Donetsk's "Shakhtar" and Ukraine national team, and Yia Andrushak, head coach of Vorskla U-19 and former player of the women's national team of Ukraine. Watch the studio broadcast on the YouTube channel ICTV.

"For the first time in two years, the Ukrainian Football Association is returning with the final match of the Vbet Cup. This game is dedicated to the Forces of Defense as a sign of gratitude for protecting our lives. Thanks to the soldiers, the final of the Vbet Cup can take place. The UFA appreciates the cooperation with Starlight Media, which will allow us to highlight an important event in Ukrainian football and unite all football fans," — noted President of the Ukrainian Football Association Andriy Shevchenko.

The match is called a Match of Gratitude to the Forces of Defense. Since hosting the final of the Vbet Cup with supporters at the stadium has become possible thanks to defenders and defenders who heroically protect our country, all ticket sales revenue will be transferred for military needs.

On May 14, pre-match press conferences were held with representatives from both clubs.

"This is a final — an event of great scale for such a team as 'Vorskla.' This is an event that creates history for our club. It's a big event for fans and a huge motivation for us. What happened before doesn't matter. Only one game counts, which decides everything," — said the acting head coach of Poltava's "Vorskla" Serhiy Dolgansky.

"That we've reached the final — this is a very good path. For us, it's an honor to participate in such a big game. Yes, we won the championship, but we remember that the season is still ongoing and we need to win tomorrow. All our emotions will be at the final," — noted head coach of Donetsk's "Shakhtar" Mariano Puṣić.

Vbet Cup 2023/2024 Final

15.05.2024

"Vorskla" — "Shakhtar". Rivne. Stadium "Avangard." 19:00. Referee — Romanov V. M. (Dnipro), assistant referees — Shlonchak S. M. (Cherkasy), Visotskyi V. O. (Zaporizhzhia), fourth official — Shandor O. A. (Lviv), reserve referee — Striletska M. S. (Sumy), video assistant referee observer — Derdo V. H. (Chornomorsk). Video Assistant Referee — Derevynskyi O. O. (Khmelnytskyi), VAR assistant — Yermolenko R. M. (Chernihiv), VAR observer — Ovchar M. M. (Kalush). UFA delegate — Babii V. D. (Zhytomyr). UFA delegate's assistant — Radušyns'kyi V. M. (Zhytomyr).

* In case of an air raid warning, the match is immediately stopped and all representatives from both teams, fans, and stadium staff must proceed to the nearest shelter.