A friendly football match "Victory Match" at the "Chornomorets" stadium

Children whose parents are currently defending our Ukraine from Russian occupiers rarely see their parents and dream of spending even an hour together. They miss them and worry, even when they themselves are under fire from enemy drones and rockets.

This negatively affects children's mental health and could have adverse consequences in the future for the development of Ukrainian society and the country as a whole. In this difficult time for Ukraine, besides psychological and social support, the children of our Defenders need ordinary positive emotions! And where else to find them if not at a football match?

That's why the NGO "Action Time" team, together with partners, organized and held a friendly football match "Victory Match" at the "Chornomorets" stadium.

A team of 11 legends - veterans and current players of FC "Chornomorets" - faced off against 111 children whose parents serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Territorial Defense, Border Guards, Naval Forces, and National Guard of Ukraine.

It was a real match in miniature. For the children, 111 sets of new uniforms in the colors of the football club "Odesa Sailors" were purchased. The match lasted 2 halves of 15 minutes each. The goal of FC "Chornomorets" was guarded by the former long-time goalkeeper Dmytro Bezotosnyi, in the center and on the flanks, the children had the opportunity to compete with another football veteran, the famous midfielder of the Odesa club Kyrylo Kovalchuk, and the winner of the UEFA Cup, player of the national team of Ukraine, multiple champion of Ukraine Oleksiy Hay.

It was very touching to watch as happy 8-12 year old boys and girls, together with football professionals, stepped onto the field and, putting their hands to their hearts, sang the National Anthem of Ukraine. And then they diligently ran around the football field, trying to score goals against the professional footballers.

With a score of 7 : 5, the children won. It couldn't have been any other way, because they named their team "Victory".

After the match, the winners were greeted with a real cup, certificates with autographs of the footballers, sincere hugs, and gifts from the organizers.

Representatives of the command of the Southern Defense Forces and local authorities expressed their gratitude to the children for their real feats and the courage of their parents!