‘Right now all of us lose’: Shakhtar claim Ukrainian Cup in glimpse of past life

Final against Dynamo Kyiv had edge, flares and burning Russian flags but some of the enmity has gone; as one fan says: ‘Aggression must stay in the war zone’Valeriy Bondar vaults a perfunctory metal fence, is handed a flare from somewhere in the melee and waves it around in the night sky. Shakhtar Donetsk have won the Ukrainian Cup, finally beating Dynamo Kyiv on penalties: light and smoke fill the air in Polissya Stadion’s south-west corner but there is something else, too. A trickle of supporters have been allowed back into many of the country’s arenas since February 2024 but more than 5,000 are packed in this time and the scenes are redolent of a different era. There has been no occasion quite like this on Ukraine’s soil for well over three years.Fireworks have been a theme all day. Ninety minutes before kick-off in Zhytomyr several dozen Shakhtar ultras from different groups convene on a footbridge that dramatically spans the River Teteriv, towards the outskirts of this neat provincial city, and march towards the ground in a pyrotechnic haze. “It’s the first time in years that we’ve all been together in numbers like this,” says one of them, Taras, whose organisation sends equipment to soldiers at the front. About 70% of those present on the bridge are in active service, he estimates. Continue reading...

Comments

Football news

Queen's Park confirm new manager as Sean Crighton makes step up

The Herald

Celtic fans urged to stay away from city centre title party as council highlights fears over 'damage and disruption' following last year's trouble

about 1 hour ago

Dailymail

I watched rerun of Aberdeen's 2018 cup final defeat to Celtic on morning of Coppa Italia ... because I never wanted to feel that bad again

about 1 hour ago

Thirty games without a win against Celtic ... is there ANYTHING Aberdeen can do to prevent a Hampden horror show?

Dailymail

Comments

Similar News

Fifa in breach of own human rights rule by holding World Cup in Saudi Arabia, say lawyers

Fifa breaching own human rights rules over Saudi Arabian World Cup, lawyers say

Mikel Arteta is still the right man for Arsenal - but patience will only last so long

FIFA gets complaint over Saudi WC human rights

‘I was Jurgen Klopp’s right-hand man - but ex-Man Utd boss was my original inspiration’

Man Utd are not Tottenham or Newcastle - a Europa League parade is rightly off the cards

Gary Neville claims Ruben Amorim struggles show Dan Ashworth may have been RIGHT about Man United's rebuild - as sacked sporting director lands new role

Why Liam Delap is right to pick Chelsea with Blues increasingly confident of signing £30million Ipswich striker

Liverpool identify new right-back target to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold

Celtic eyeing a £5million boost from Jeremie Frimpong's next move as Liverpool consider big-money offer for Leverkusen right-back

Liverpool 'in advanced negotiations for Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement' as Arne Slot's side look to move quickly to bring in new right-back

Eberechi Eze’s timely brace steers Dream Team managers in right direction ahead of FA Cup final

Rangers must do right by Graeme Souness over revulsive identity theft triggered by tifo embarrassment – Hugh Keevins

Bournemouth 0 Aston Villa 1: Watkins’ record-breaking goal pulls Emery’s side right back in race for Champions League

Ruben Amorim thinks Roy Keane and Paul Scholes are RIGHT to stick the boot into Man United over 'disgraceful' league form

Ruben Amorim's first Mason Mount observation finally proven right at Man Utd

Man Utd ratings: Magnificent Mount has best ever night for Red Devils but Garnacho is rightly hooked off early

CELTIC CONFIDENTIAL: Brendan Rodgers needs a new striker this summer ... but can he be trusted to bring in the right one?

'I broke down when I left Liverpool but I was right to turn down contract they offered me'

Why Man City are making the right call to let De Bruyne go

Football news

Queen's Park confirm new manager as Sean Crighton makes step up

Steven Naismith refuses to rule himself out of next Kilmarnock boss reckoning

Arsenal and Chelsea handed Marcus Rashford transfer boost as Aston Villa issue emerges

Sonia Bompastor says Alexis Ohanian £20m investment in Chelsea Women shows English football is ‘in a good place’

Arsenal fans baffled as Lewis-Skelly is beaten by team-mate, 24, to Premier League Young Player of the Year nomination

Chelsea star banned from driving after racking up more points on license than Man Utd have in Premier League

Arsenal icon tired of club’s failures and urges them to act this summer

Andoni Iraola makes shock admission over Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid transfer links

Why this FA Cup final means so much for both Crystal Palace and Man City

'Appalling' Nick Walsh berated for Dundee penalty blunder as whistler told he should be off for 'early holiday'

'That's the story of Celtic' - Aberdeen star knows what Dons are up against but teases 'something different' at Hampden

San Francisco 49ers 'seal mega £375m deal' as NFL franchise value surges in background of Rangers takeover

Real Madrid step up controversial transfer plan involving Manchester United

Celtic fans urged to stay away from city centre title party as council highlights fears over 'damage and disruption' following last year's trouble

I watched rerun of Aberdeen's 2018 cup final defeat to Celtic on morning of Coppa Italia ... because I never wanted to feel that bad again

Thirty games without a win against Celtic ... is there ANYTHING Aberdeen can do to prevent a Hampden horror show?

Liverpool open talks with Leverkusen over ex-Celtic defender Jeremie Frimpong

How Jude Bellingham is 'viewed' in Real Madrid camp as transfer snub is explained

FIFA chiefs stage Gianni Infantino protest with mass walk-out after Saudi Arabia furore

Marcus Rashford 'refuses pay cut' as Man Utd decide final asking price for summer transfer

Sheffield Wednesday release SEVEN players including Euro 2024 star as fans say ‘should be ashamed’

Alan Shearer urges Newcastle to rival Arsenal for ‘excellent’ £85m forward

PFA want game’s lawmakers to learn lessons from Taiwo Awoniyi injury

Tottenham: Lucas Bergvall completes clean sweep with three end-of-season awards

Kyogo sees Rennes disaster take another bad turn as Celtic hero's key ally shown door after role in £10m move

Davide Ancelotti to Rangers latest as crucial 2 week timeline emerges after 'positive discussions' held

Sean McArdle leaves Celtic teammate in hysterics with something he did while signing autographs for adoring fans

Brentford boss makes west London derby admission ahead of crunch Fulham clash

Manchester United name price for Marcus Rashford but summer exit takes huge twist

EFL slammed as decision finally made on £220m Championship play-off final

Marcus Rashford may have played last game for Aston Villa after Unai Emery admission

Jose Mourinho plots shock move for struggling Man Utd star as offer details emerges

Man United star, 18, wins club's coveted Young Player of the Year award after breakthrough season under Ruben Amorim

Jamie Vardy makes Premier League future claim as legendary Leicester striker prepares for Foxes farewell

Gary Lineker fears being banned from FIFA World Cup over Donald Trump comments

Transfer recommendations ahead of Gameweek 36: Eberechi Eze to light up Wembley?

Free agent XI could be greatest unemployed team of all time with Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar all set to be available

Marcus Rashford set for £40m summer transfer scramble as Aston Villa have NO buy clause in Man Utd star’s loan deal

Arsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri handed goalkeeper’s shirt number with chequered Gunners history

Cole Palmer claims Chelsea teammate ‘will be one of the best in the world’

Rayan Cherki speaks out on future amid Man Utd and Liverpool transfer links

Jose Mourinho eyeing up Manchester United flop for Fenerbahce loan move

Marcus Rashford won’t accept pay cut to leave Man United as transfer stance revealed

Derek McInnes will not lead Kilmarnock into Hearts game with Jambos move agreed

Gianni Infantino delays start of Fifa Congress by arriving late from Donald Trump tour

Aberdeen vs Celtic may be the biggest ever Scottish Cup Final hammering as fears grow old record could be smashed

Major Davide Ancelotti to Rangers update as timeline set for Ibrox decision

Jamie Vardy could make personal sacrifice to play final game in front of home fans as Leicester release statement

Gary Lineker confirms punditry retirement date with legendary presenter just days away from last Match of the Day show

Liverpool ready to trigger Jeremie Frimpong’s £30million release clause as Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement

Xabi Alonso eager to sign defender Man Utd ‘sold for peanuts’ for Real Madrid

Real Madrid stance on William Saliba revealed after Dean Huijsen transfer

Fifa in breach of own human rights rule by holding World Cup in Saudi Arabia, say lawyers

PFA want games’ lawmakers to learn lessons from Taiwoo Awoniyi injury

Arne Slot leads Premier League Manager of the Season shortlist but Andoni Iraola snubbed

The 'genius’, after-hours chats and heartbreak fuelling Crystal Palace's bid to end their long wait for glory

Why Marcus Rashford's season is over as Unai Emery confirms list of Aston Villa absentees for Tottenham clash