The current season of European football has been full of surprises and upsets, and one of the biggest shocks has been the early exit of Ukrainian teams from the continental competitions. While Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv have both made it to the knockout stages of the Champions League and Europa League respectively, another Ukrainian club has already been knocked out of the European competition by their domestic rival.
FC Vorskla Poltava, a club from the eastern Ukrainian city of Poltava, was the unfortunate team to be eliminated by Dynamo Kyiv in the third qualifying round of the Europa League. The two-legged tie between the two Ukrainian clubs ended with a 4-1 aggregate score in favor of Dynamo Kyiv, who will now progress to the group stage of the competition.
This result came as a surprise to many, as Vorskla Poltava had a strong showing in the Ukrainian Premier League last season, finishing in fourth place and securing a spot in the Europa League qualifying rounds. They had also made it to the final of the Ukrainian Cup, where they lost to Shakhtar Donetsk.
However, Dynamo Kyiv, who finished second in the Ukrainian Premier League last season, proved to be too strong for Vorskla Poltava in the European competition. The first leg of the tie, played in Poltava, ended in a 1-1 draw, giving Dynamo Kyiv the advantage of an away goal. In the second leg, played in Kyiv, Dynamo dominated the game and secured a comfortable 3-0 victory to progress to the next round.
This early exit from the Europa League is a disappointment for Vorskla Poltava, who had high hopes of making it to the group stage and competing against some of the biggest clubs in Europe. This was their second appearance in the Europa League, having previously qualified for the competition in the 2011-2012 season.
Despite the disappointment, Vorskla Poltava can take pride in their performance in the Ukrainian Premier League, where they have been consistently improving in recent years. They have also made a strong start to the current season, currently sitting in third place in the league table.
On the other hand, Dynamo Kyiv will be pleased with their performance in the European competition so far. They have now qualified for the group stage of the Europa League for the fourth consecutive season, and will be hoping to make a deep run in the competition this year. They have also made a strong start to the Ukrainian Premier League, currently sitting in second place behind their bitter rivals Shakhtar Donetsk.
The early elimination of Vorskla Poltava by Dynamo Kyiv highlights the strength of Ukrainian football and the competitiveness of the domestic league. While Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv have been the dominant forces in Ukrainian football for many years, other clubs like Vorskla Poltava are also making strides and challenging the top teams.
The success of Ukrainian clubs in European competitions is not only important for the clubs themselves, but also for the country as a whole. It showcases the talent and potential of Ukrainian football and helps to raise the profile of the sport in the international stage.
As the European football season continues, all eyes will be on Shakhtar Donetsk and Dynamo Kyiv as they represent Ukraine in the Champions League and Europa League. And while Vorskla Poltava may have been knocked out early, their performance against Dynamo Kyiv shows that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Ukrainian Premier League and will surely be back to compete in European competitions in the future.
In conclusion, while the early exit of Vorskla Poltava from the Europa League may have been a disappointment for the club and its fans, it also highlights the strength and competitiveness of Ukrainian football. Dynamo Kyiv’s victory over their domestic rival is a testament to their own strength and the quality of Ukrainian clubs in European competitions. As the season progresses, we can expect to see more exciting matches and surprises from Ukrainian clubs in the European stage.
