"Metalist 1925" in Kharkiv!

Football players of "Metalist 1925" visited Kharkiv, where they trained at the "Metalist" stadium, met with fans, and took a walk around the city.

In Kharkiv, matches have not been able to take place for over three years due to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Therefore, the club's teams are based in the Kyiv region. At the same time, the club eagerly awaits the moment when the security situation will allow them to return to their native city. To keep the team connected to Kharkiv, "Metalist 1925" decided to spend a day in the city.

Initially, the team arrived at the "Metalist" stadium, where under the watchful eye not only of the coaching staff but also of the club's academy students who continue training in Kharkiv, they conducted a training session. The young football players reacted enthusiastically to every goal scored by the players during the two-sided match played on half of the field.

The head of the Kharkiv Regional Football Association Oleg Synyehubov and the patron and friend of "Metalist 1925" Yuriy Sapronov also visited the training session. The club's president, Bohdan Boyko, presented them with personalized jerseys.

"The presence of 'Metalist 1925' in the city is important, first of all, for the residents of Kharkiv, as it is a true symbol of the city. We dream that big football will return to the legendary 'Metalist' stadium, and thanks to our military, we can gather here now with children. We are doing everything possible at the level of military-political leadership to end the war on our terms as soon as possible and be able to dream again about big sports and big football. If the security situation allows, we will practically need a week or two to host matches. The field is in excellent condition, only technical processes for organizing competitions will remain. I follow the Premier League and 'Metalist 1925.' The last victory was great, watched it from start to finish. I want to wish the team as many victories as possible in this challenging season and definitely bring European Cup matches back to Kharkiv," - Oleg Synyehubov shared.

After the training session, the football players of "Metalist 1925" paid attention to all the students of the club's academy, signed autographs on specially prepared cards with the players, and did not refuse anyone a photo.

"Our goal was to convey, show, restore at least a minimal connection of the team with the city. So that the players who are now in the team - newcomers, legionnaires, youth who have never had the opportunity to play at the 'Metalist' stadium - could feel the atmosphere and see that Kharkiv is one of the great football capitals of Ukraine, a historical place that knows how to support and cheer. The city is alive, and here the traditions of 'Metalist 1925' were born. This is an opportunity to return to the roots, and for the team, it is not superfluous at all. Living and training in Kyiv, playing in other arenas, it is important to remember that we are always awaited here, there is a fantastic field, a beautiful stadium, and fans who want the club to play in Kharkiv. Even when the stadium is empty and there are no 40 thousand fans, the energy of the city is very strong. We also took a small tour to show that Kharkiv is not only a sports capital but also a beautiful city with wonderful people, architecture, and infrastructure. And although we cannot play here yet, this thought should be in the minds of all football players - Kharkiv is the city of their team," - shared Yuriy Korotun.

After that, the team headed to Svoboda Square, where they met with colleagues from the basketball club "Kharkiv Falcons." The football players also took a walk in Shevchenko Park, not refusing anyone a photo or autograph.

The club also did not forget about the tradition of supporting the Kharkiv Hospital. General Director Anton Ivanov and two football players, Ramik Hadzhiev and Matviy Panchenko, visited the medical institution, where Ukrainian soldiers are undergoing rehabilitation, and presented them with televisions and other items to make their treatment more comfortable. They also handed over playing jerseys of "Metalist 1925" to the institution. The gifts were received by the logistics chief-deputy chief of the hospital logistics lieutenant colonel Volodymyr Shtafirny and the deputy chief of the hospital for psychological support of personnel colonel Oleksandr Novikov.