The logic of any competition is that tournament passions will escalate with each passing day as the finish line approaches. The current Ukrainian football championship vividly illustrates this point: successive rounds have fanned the flames of intrigue, and the specialist press has reacted accordingly.
Photo by Alexander PopovA few words in defence... VAR
It is understandable that in an environment where not only every point but also every goal scored, every effective action or disciplinary penalty can be decisive, when the score sometimes goes down to seconds and centimetres, controversial episodes are discussed very, very lively. Especially in matches involving contenders for the title, prize places or tickets to European competitions.
The matches of the two rounds that took place during the reporting week also gave rise to such discussions. In particular, an episode in the match between Shakhtar and Minaj attracted attention: after a shot by the Transcarpathian player Dmytro Nemchaninov, the ball bounced off the crossbar behind the goal line and flew off the pitch into the field, but referee Nikolay Balakin did not count the hit.
"We scored a clean sheet at the end of the first half ," stated Minaya coach Volodymyr Sharan after the game, "and it's still unknown how the second half would have gone.We would have had more emotions. It isclear that Shakhtar could have added to their lead, but it could have been a different game" (Ua-football.com, 3.05.23).
FC Minaj president Valeriy Peresolyak praised the way the team fought against the favourite and current league leader.
"Shakhtar have a strong team, they are leading the league and are close to winning the 2022/23 season ," the club's official website quoted the official as saying (Fcminaj.com, 3.05.23). "But the game today was such that if the referee had given us a clean sheet, the team would have played for victory after the break on adrenaline. And, in my opinion, they deserved it.
I am satisfied with the actions of our players, thanked the coaching staff and decided that the team will receive bonuses for this "defeat". I hope this will motivate the players and they will continue to show such a game."
One cannot help but be respectful when a "recorded" outsider does not agree to lay down their arms in advance against a reputable opponent. This is why many analysts consider the "military" national championship to be perhaps the most interesting and unpredictable in recent years. Indeed, none of the leaders is guaranteed an easy life, even in meetings with "small" teams.
To their credit, Shakhtar's managers agreed that the referee's verdict was wrong.
"We have to be honest and admit that Minaya's goal was clean ," admitted Dario Srna, the Pitmen's sporting director, in a conversation with a reporter from the club's official website. "But before that, there was an equally clear foul on Traore, so it turns out that the referee made two mistakes at the same time.I think it would be easier for everyone if there was VAR at the match. The VAR system should be in place at every game where there are teams fighting for the championship... And referees are also people who make mistakes" (Shakhtar.com, 3.05.23).
Srna is far from the first to "legitimise" VAR as one of the main "participants" in the domestic football process. Of course, the complexity of the video assistance system infrastructure and its cost have not yet turned the electronic "eye" into a mandatory attribute, even at the level of FIFA and UEFA. However, if VAR is used in a tournament, it is used in all matches, without exception.
Oleksiy Ryzhkov, a blogger for Sport.ua, drew attention to this aspect, but in relation to the Ukrainian championship.
"In different matches of the same competition, they actually play according to different rules: someone uses VAR, and someone uses the old-fashioned way, determining offsides and the need to award or not award a penalty. Isn't this absurd, and does this diversity contribute to the objective determination of certain places in the standings? Thechampion, prize-winners, participants in European Cups, teams leaving the top division should be determined by a single system," the author insists (Sport.ua, 1.05.23).
Of course, in times of war, many of the most pressing issues of our football are forced to be lined up for resolution only in a certain perspective. However, it is clear that this view of the problem is very reasonable and appropriate. If only to reduce the degree of controversy over the already heated sporting confrontations that are in the spotlight - both from the press and experts, and from... bookmakers.
The latter recorded certain anomalies around the match of another contender for the highest awards (Dnipro-1 vs Metalist - 5:0), which was reflected in the remarks of the UAF head.
"Today's matches of the 24th round of the UPL with the participation of the leaders of the national championship caused a considerable resonance among both experts and fans," Ua.tribuna.com quoted the official's post on his Facebook page (4.05.23 ). This episode highlights the importance of using the VAR system in every match of the championship.
In turn, the match between Dnipro-1 and Metalist attracted the attention of the Ethics and Fair Play Committee due to the unusually high betting movement. I am grateful to the Committee for its quick response and prompt suspension of the broadcast of betting data in this match! The Referees' Committee and the Ethics and Fair Play Committee are promptly examining the situation in both matches and will give their assessment of each of them in the near future."
"Shakhtar lose, Dnipro catch up
On Sunday, Dnipro picked up another three points with a strong-willed 2-1 victory over Chornomorets in Odesa. "Shakhtar, on the other hand, were limited to a 1-1 draw with the club of the same name in Oleksandriia.
After conceding a goal early in the second half, the Dnipro team quickly recovered and soon got a chance to take the lead - the referee awarded an 11-metre penalty. The best sniper of the tournament, Artem Dovbyk, had to shoot twice - the first attempt, which ended in a save by Yevhen Past and a successful finish, was cancelled by referee Dmytro Panchyshyn due to a goalkeeper's violation of the rules.
"Yes, Past came out of the goal during the shot and did not touch the line with his foot,which is prohibited by the rules," Ihor Semion analyses the moment (Ua-football.com, 7.05.2023). " But if the player who takes the penalty scores from the eleven-metre mark or after a legal finish, the defending team is not asked to interrupt due to a violation of the rules. Because then it's a whistle in favour of the offender. And that's exactly what Panchyshyn did."
But Dovbyk did not score on his second attempt, as the goalkeeper's reaction again helped the Sailors.
"In fact, I don't understand why the first goal was cancelled, the moment was very specific," Dnipro coach Oleksandr Kucher summed up at a press conference. "It'sone thing to say whether there was a penalty, maybe the moment was before the penalty area and, as they say, 50-50 .
Everyone says, by the way, that we take a lot of penalties, but on the contrary, we don't get clear penalties in our favour. In Oleksandriia, in the first spring match, in the first minute, we were not awarded a penalty, and it was sent off. Against Rukh, no penalty was awarded in our favour. And there are many such moments. The fact is that we attack and are constantly in someone else's penalty area, which is why they give penalties. You have to run there to get an 11-metre penalty, and if you don't run, then of course no one will give it. In the first half today, there was also a clear penalty for Chornomorets, but the referee did not award it. You have to understand all this. We also want to play and win. Call what you have,and don't make something up" (Ua-football.com, 7.05.2023).
Dovbyk would have time to rehabilitate - his header would eventually become the winning goal, allowing Dnipro to avoid losing points. Three points became even more valuable after Shakhtar's draw. The Pitmen were forced to make up for lost time in the 9th minute, after a spectacular long-range strike by Mykola Mykhailenko, who was loaned to Oleksandriya from Dynamo Kyiv. In the 75th minute, Kevin Kelsey restored the balance, but Ruslan Rotan's men did not allow the opposition to do more.
"We lost two points today, unlike Dnipro-1," Shakhtar head coach Igor Yovichevich stated in hot pursuit (Sport.ua, 7.05.2023 ). "They won, they do their job perfectly in all areas, in all segments. We can see it in their game and in some episodes. So we have to fight with our opponents, with ourselves, and with some episodes that you cannot control. But we still have five more finals to go, and with this kind of play, we can finish our dream. So we need to calm the team down and not make a tragedy out of the result. The result is unfortunate, but not the game itself. The execution was a bit of a letdown, but we hope it will improve."
Donetsk are still three points ahead of their main rival, but Dnipro have a game in hand. Everything is going to turn into a direct fight for the gold medal in the penultimate round of the championship on 27 May.
At a distance, but in contact
Zorya and Dynamo have not lost their arithmetic chances of winning the title. This fact adds to the signs of an exciting football series to the final stretch of the championship. We would like to remind you that Luhansk was led by Dutch coach Patrick van Leeuwen before the season, while Kyiv was led by club legend Oleksandr Shovkovskyi during Mircea Lucescu's forced absence.
"Van Leeuwen's football is more about thoughtful pragmatism. And it seems that this is the best possible strategy in today's UPL, if we compare it with the efforts of other competitors for high positions ," offers a kind of instant portrait of Zorya Dmytro Vatras, a journalist from Tribuna. -Many of the team's players have proven themselves this season - in the context of a possible return to Dynamo, this includes Volodymyr Brazhko and Serhii Buletsa, Nazariy Rusyn has shown a new side in attack, Arsenii Batahov is making a name for himself in defence, and Oleg Danchenko, Viacheslav Churko and Ihor Kiryukhantsev were surprising in the first round until all three dropped out due to health problems.
However, the main star is Eduardo Guerrero. In thewinter, Zorya rented the Maccabi Tel Aviv reserve, which didn't look like a wow move, but the Panamanian became the brightest player in the league - 3+4 goals+assists in 7 debut matches for his new club" (Ua.tribuna.com, 4.05.23).
Can Luhansk challenge for the championship? Why not, the author thinks. Yes, a seven-point gap with Shakhtar with six rounds to go is quite a lot. But there is still a face-to-face meeting, and the Pitmen have a head-to-head confrontation with Dnipro-1. In addition, van Leeuwen's men have a pretty good calendar at the finish line.
"Dynamo, according to not only D. Vatras, but also many of his colleagues, is one of the undoubted highlights of the intrigue of the final stage of the tournament. Not least because of Shovkovskyi's chance to prove himself as the team's leader.
Under the leadership of the interim head coach, the capital's players won twice in a row. In Poltava, they secured their first strong-willed victory of the season over local side Vorskla (2-1) in a match that was interrupted by an air raid alert. It was the Kyiv coach who was recognised as the best coach of the tour by the UPL and the All-Ukrainian Coaches Association.
"We missed the goal, but we continued to stick to the game plan ," Oleksandr Volodymyrovych said at a press conference. "In principle, I am satisfied with the actions of our team, its motivation, commitment and the way the guys tried to get the result we needed. We knew that our rival had won their match of this round, and therefore had no right to misfire today" (Dynamo.kiev.ua, 4.05.23).
Describing Dynamo's actions in recent matches, observers note, in particular, a certain stabilisation of the squad, a demonstration of strong-willedness in the fight against highly motivated opponents, the use of personnel reserves, coolness in reacting to the course of the match and "accurate" substitutions.
"This is, of course, a personal success for the debutant solo coach, who temporarily replaces Lucescu during his surgery and recovery. We believe that complimentary comparisons with the successful start of Rebrov's coaching career are beginning to make sense," Artur Valerko shares his impressions (Fanday.net, 5.05.23).
"Shovkovsky as a coach is not much different from a goalkeeper," Serhiy Tyshchenko, one of the authors of the Dynamo.kiev.ua website, delves into the topic (5.05.23 ). "He also gives suggestions and instructions to the players, only from the coaching bench. In Poltava, the Dynamo coach was heard the most. The opening two away wins and 5 goals scored confirm that this method of managing the team is paying off.
After two matches against Metalist and Vorskla, I can say that Shovkovskyi is not a coach who just follows other people's instructions, he really understands what the team should play."
In addition to the two victories, Shovkovskyi has already made at least two significant debuts: the talented Senegalese Samba Diallo made his first appearance in the main team, and the Nigerian international Benito scored his first goal. As a reinforcement, the coach means Bushchan and Shaparenko, who are recovering from injuries and are already working in the main group.
Naturally, Shovkovskyi is in close contact with Mircea Lucescu, who is undergoing rehabilitation after a planned operation.
"The Dynamo coach underwent surgery on his leg in Kyiv, and it was successful," the club's press service informed the supporters. "Thedecision to have the operation in Ukraine, rather than in European countries, was made by the head coach after the match against Shakhtar to show his commitment and support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. And also to stay close to the team and monitor its training process.
The coach is in a great mood, in good spirits and is already eager to get to work. On Monday, he took his first steps around the ward. Mircea Lucescu sends his greetings to the team and its fans" (Fcdynamo.com, 1.05.23).
The fact that it was difficult for Lucescu to be separated from the team is evidenced by the fact reported by journalist Roman Bebech.
"The next day after the surgery, the 77-year-old Romanian was already at the Kyiv club's base and conducted a theoretical lesson for the team ," the website Ua.tribuna.com relayed the news (5.05.23).
However, it was not about the leg surgery, but about the replacement of the coronary stent that preceded it. It was between the matches against Shakhtar and Metalist.
"After replacing the joint in his leg, Mister has not yet seen the team, on whose behalf captain Serhii Sydorchuk came to visit him ," Sport.ua reported (5.05.23 ), citing journalist Ihor Burbas, "Lucescu may want to go to the base, but after such complex types of surgery, it is generally contraindicated to get out of a specially equipped bed for about a week. That's why the coach keeps in touch with his staff only by phone."
In addition, the journalist added that Lucescu's return to work in the new season depends on the coach's recovery and health.
"In his current condition, the most important thing for Lucescu is to recover properly. This will determine whether he stays at Dynamo for the next season. The decision is his and his alone. At themoment, the management has full confidence in the Romanian and has no intention of terminating his contract prematurely," says I. Burbas (Sport.ua, 5.05.23).
Setanta switches off the TV
So, the Ukrainian championship is entering the home stretch. Despite the martial law and periodic alarms that cause football matches to be interrupted and sometimes postponed, despite the departure of the vast majority of stars and a temporary ban on spectators visiting the stands, the tournament continues, giving participants and fans extraordinary emotions.
At first glance, it seems like a spectacle that should bring not only positive emotions but also dividends. For example, for television broadcasters. However, as it turns out, not everyone is able to accept the challenge of reality.
At the end of April, Irish broadcaster Setanta Sports released an official statement on the termination of cooperation with the Ukrainian Premier League.
"We would like to thank the clubs that have transferred their rights and supported Setanta Sports and the UPL in their efforts to create a single pool ," the statement read (Setantasports.com, 27.04.2023 ). "However, as part of the agreement with the league, Setanta Sports was unable to fully use the media rights: some clubs did not transfer the rights to broadcast the matches they organised and played to the UPL.
Given the above, Setanta Sports has decided not to renew its agreement with the UPL, but remains open to partnership. We are ready to discuss new terms of cooperation based on fairness and compliance with all the rules of the league's regulations and the laws of Ukraine."
Thus, the cooperation, which was initially built on conflict, has come to an end. As a reminder, Setanta entered the tender to show UPL matches, claiming the same notorious "single pool". However, some clubs - Dynamo, Dnipro-1, Zorya, Metalist and Rukh - reasonably insisted on retaining the need to dispose of the rights to the television image at their own discretion and make it affordable and accessible to the widest possible audience. In September 2022, the dispute was put to rest by a court verdict and the position of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Youth and Sports.
"Trying to make money on sports broadcasts at a time when the country is primarily working on defence, and most citizens spend money only on essentials, is at least strange. On thecontrary, the desire to make the matches available to the widest possible audience is a sign not only of sober thinking, but also of patriotism," Yuriy Korzachenko, a journalist for the online newspaper Football Club, wrote at the time ( Footclub.com.ua, 3.09.2022).
Later, Setanta's own problems were exposed - both in relations with the teams that had transferred their rights to the broadcaster and in relations with subscribers who had something to blame the service provider for.
"When Setanta started to put live broadcasts on their own online platform, for which you have to pay an additional 109 hryvnias a month, it became quite unpleasant," Ihor Tsvyk dissects the situation (Sportanalytic.com, 29.04.23 ), "especially since,by "coincidence", all Dynamo's away matches were on the platform. It's funny to say, but it seems that the channel is simply taking revenge on Kyiv residents for the "split". And the cherry on top was the regular absence of commentators, even for the whole half. That is, you have already paid for that platform, but you still watch football with interruptions. One way or another, this could not go on for long, so the termination of cooperation between Setanta and the UPL was long overdue."
The contract between the Premier League and Setanta was supposed to last until the end of the 2024/25 season, but was terminated two years earlier. All obligations for the current season have been confirmed by the TV company. However, the majority of UPL clubs will again face the question of who to delegate the rights to broadcast their home matches of the domestic championship to.
Having lost a very tasty morsel, the UPL will have to be enterprising, agile and flexible in the television market, which also has to survive in the face of war. Setanta has made it clear that it is open to a new dialogue. There is talk of attempts to develop a framework for UPL TV, which is also a space for business and partnership know-how. We can confidently predict the emergence of other ideas.
But the main goal of any of these projects should be to strive for an end result that will benefit the Ukrainian viewer-fan in the first place.
Orest LELEKA
