We continue to talk about famous Dynamo players of different generations. Today, friends, your attention is focused on Sergey Shmatovalenko.
Sergey ShmatovalenkoThe defender's business card
Sergey Shmatvalenko was born on January 29, 1967 in Odessa. A pupil of the soccer school "Chernomorets". Master of Sports of International Class. European Champion among youth, USSR Champion (1990). Winner of the Cup (1990). Six-time champion of Ukraine, two-time Cup winner of the country.
Two games for the national team of the former Soviet Union, eight for the national team of Ukraine. He played for the teams: "Chernomorets" Odessa (1984-1985), SKA Odessa (1985-1986), "Dynamo" Kyiv (1987-1999).
Mother did not let him come to practice
When Sergiy started playing soccer, his mother was not happy with it, sometimes she didn`t even let him go home to train. His mother talked his older brother into quitting, even though he could grow into a good player. But it didn't work out with my youngest son. And when Sergei brought home his first salary, playing for the Chornomorets reserve team - 60 rubles, his parents were amazed. They both worked in a factory and did not earn much. At 16, the son began to provide financial assistance to his parents.
Way to Kiev
In 1987, Mikhail Mikhailovich Koman came to Odessa. Having met with Sergei, he offered him a move to Kyiv Dynamo. Odessa thought about it. And after a couple of months, the same proposal was followed by Vladimir Veremeev. Shmatvalenko gave his consent, although he was well aware that the competition for a place in the main "Dynamo" squad was fierce.
In Kyiv, Igor Belanov took over Sergei at first, as the Odessian over the Odessian. The debutant came to "Dynamo" as they say. He was distinguished by his diligence, skillful tackling, good speed and effective connection to attacks. Fans liked to call him "Shmat".
His first match in the Kiev club, he played in the championship in 1987. Then there were more than a hundred of these games: in the championship of the former Soviet Union, in the Cup in the Ukrainian championship, the European Cup tournaments ...
His last match in the Dynamo Kyiv Serhii Shmatvalenko played on May 25, 1997 in Simferopol against Tavria, which "Dynamo" has won with a score of 3:1.
Passing on his experience to the youth
Having finished the career Sergii went to Uzhgorod almost at once. Zakarpattya coach Yuriy Kalitvintsev invited him to work with him. There was a good coaching tandem. But their young, promising players lacked experience playing in the high league, which "Zakarpattya" left.
Sergiy returned to Kyiv. He started working for the Youth national team of Ukraine, then in the selection department of FC Dynamo. Soon he entered the coaching staff of Dynamo-2. Mainly young boys played for this team. Shmatovalenko introduced himself excellently working with Dynamo youth teams U-21 and U-19.
For more than 35 years, Sergey Sergeevich Shmatovalenko has faithfully served FC Dynamo, which has become dear to him.
Oleksandr LYPENKO for Dynamo.kiev.ua
