In an extraordinary display of resilience and determination, a Ukrainian Premier League football match in the city of Dnipro extended to an almost five-hour-long ordeal, setting a potential record for the league’s longest game. Amidst the somber backdrop of ongoing conflict, Dnipro-1 claimed a 1-0 victory over FC Oleksandriya. However, the match’s progression was repeatedly interrupted by air raid sirens warning of Russian aerial assaults – a grim reminder of the war that has been raging for over 20 months since Russian forces entered Ukraine.
A Ukrainian football league match lasted nearly five hours-Source: Dynamo Kiev
The Ukrainian Football Federation, in a statement acknowledging the unusual length of the game, commended the completion of the match despite the repeated pauses necessitated for safety. Edward Sarapii, Dnipro’s defender, expressed a mix of relief and exhaustion, noting the unprecedented length of the encounter and his eagerness to see it through to the end.
As the nation continues to confront the adversities of war, the local football season marches on, albeit without the presence of fans in the stands for security reasons. This match stands not only as a record but also as a symbol of Ukrainian steadfastness in the face of ongoing adversity.
