Akhmetov: This championship is especially important for us, because for the second year in a row it was won in the extremely difficult conditions of a full-scale war in our country

The president Shakhtar Rinat Akhmetov congratulated his team and fans on winning another champion title of the Ukrainian Premier League.

“Shakhtar won the Ukrainian champion title for the 15th time in the club’s history. I say about every championship that it is the most valuable for me, and this is true. However, this gold is especially important for us, because for the second year in a row it was mined under extremely difficult conditions of a full-scale war in our country. There is hardly another football club in the world that lives and wins in such conditions. But we have a special motivation, because in the European arena Shakhtar defends the honor of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, and in the championship it represents our native Ukrainian Donbass and every fan of the club.”

“I would like to congratulate you on the championship and thank our head coach Marino Pusic for this title – a coach with great talent, with a great love for football, and also with a big and brave heart. He bravely accepted the challenge and took charge of the team mid-season without hesitation and has done a tremendous job in those months. Under his leadership, Shakhtar demonstrates brilliant attacking football; in the Premier League, the team won 15 matches in a row and won the title, defeating our main and fundamental rival, Dynamo Kiev.”

“Thanks to the entire coaching staff – true professionals in their field, who left their peaceful homes and came to us, in very difficult conditions, to help the Ukrainian club, all Ukrainian football, develop and move forward. This deserves the greatest respect and loud applause! I thank every Shakhtar player for this season – for the character they showed and the emotions they gave, for the victories and gold medals. Many thanks to the administrative and medical staff, management and employees of the club – I know that each of you made every effort for success.”

“Thanks to our fans – no matter where you are, the team always feels your love and support. You are the source of inspiration and strength for us not to stop, not to give up and to move only forward. All victories and trophies of Shakhtar are thanks to you and you! Shakhtar will continue to do everything so that the club’s fans and all Ukrainians can experience bright and unforgettable emotions from beautiful football, be proud of the team’s victories and achievements in the Ukrainian and European arenas!”

“And, of course, my gratitude to the defenders and defenders of Ukraine, soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, military doctors and volunteers. Thanks to your courage and perseverance, tens of millions of Ukrainians continue to live in their native country, in free cities, continue to play football and enjoy the victories of their teams. Thank you very much! I am confident that our main victory is ahead. This is victory over the enemy, the liberation of all Ukrainian cities from the occupiers and a peaceful, happy life in a free and independent Ukraine. We believe in this and will do everything possible to bring our common, most valuable and important victory closer.”

Let us remind you that today Shakhtar beat Dynamo with a score of 1:0 in a nominal home match. Thanks to this success, the Miners broke away from their main rival by 7 points and won the championship title ahead of schedule – the 15th in history. Dynamo has one more championship left.

In the UPL, Pusic’s team has two matches left to play – both away, with Dnepr-1 and Polesie. Before this, on May 15, Shakhtar will face the Ukrainian Cup final against Vorskla. The match will be hosted by the Avangard stadium in Rivne.