Ukraine honours Dynamo legend

The former FC Dynamo Kyiv coach Valeriy Lobanovskiy has been posthumously honoured in Ukraine.

Outstanding achievement
The coach, who died of a brain haemorrhage on 13 May 2002 at the age of 63, has been given the Man of the Year award in his native land for his "outstanding achievement for the good of Ukraine". Lobanovskiy is the first sporting figure in Ukrainian history to win the prestigious award.

Widespread sadness
There was widespread sadness in the former Soviet republic following the coach's failure to recover consciousness after collapsing during a game between Dynamo and FC Metalurh Zaporizhya. He was given the title of 'Hero of Ukraine' by the government two days after his death and 200,000 mourners gathered to witness his funeral.

Loved in Ukraine
"There is no doubt that this great master of football was loved by all the people of the country," said the head of the award's committee, Volodymyr Kulik, who is also a member of the national Olympic committee in Ukraine. "Thirty years ago, Lobanovskiy already had the concept of transforming Soviet football into professional football.

Fond memories
"I remember introducing Lobanovskiy as a head coach to Dynamo players in the autumn of 1973 - there was silence," added Kulik. "Only Oleh Blokhin spoke, saying: 'we used to work until today, now we are going to toil'."

Domestic achievements
With Lobanovskiy in charge, Dynamo won nine Soviet Supreme League titles as well as six USSR Cups, five Ukrainian titles and four Ukrainian Cups. His achievements in Europe were even more impressive, as his Dynamo side won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup twice as well as the UEFA Super Cup.

International command
Under his command, the Soviet Union finished as runners-up at EURO 88, took part in the 1982, 1986 and 1990 FIFA World Cup finals, and also took the footballing bronze medal at the 1976 Olympics.

Commemorative tournament
In May 2003, a tournament has been planned in Kiev to honour Lobanovskiy. Dynamo will join their main rivals in Ukraine, FC Shakhtar Donetsk, and two of their rivals from the old days of the Soviet Union, FC Lokomotiv Moskva and PFC CSKA Moskva, in a specially arranged four-team event.