Dynamo (Minsk) vs Pakhtakor: Everyone won
45 years later, the game took place: the match in memory of Pakhtakor and Dynamo Minsk gathered hundreds of spectators at the Dynamo-Yuni stadium, who noisily and wholeheartedly supported the teams. Yuri Kurbyko and Sergei Borovski, who didn't wait for their opponents in Minsk on that black day, took the field again. Both, it should be said, kept their fighting form and vigour. Ludas Rumbutis is also in good order. In the Pakhtakor squad the spectators welcomed Akhmat Ubaidullaev and Marat Kabaev, Gennady Denisov, Igor Shkvyrin... There were not enough veterans from Uzbekistan, who were involved in Pakhtakor-1979 to a greater or lesser extent, for a full squad, and therefore both teams were generously diluted with younger and more energetic representatives of the "D-Media" team, which gathered the leading players of the country in the recent past. Both Pakhtakor and Dynamo took to the field in retro-form, which gave the game an additional charm.
In memory of the fallen comrades, the Memorial Match was organized by Marat Kabaev, a former Pakhtakor player, and philanthropist Yuri Berestov. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Belarus Rakhmatulla Nazarov handed Yuri Berestov a letter of thanks for his invaluable contribution to preserving the memory of the dead athletes.
At the solemn ceremony that opened the meeting of the two teams, many warm speeches were said. But especially heartfelt were the words of the widow of the deceased Vladimir Fedorov. Svetlana Fedorova confessed that it was her first time in Minsk and was delighted by the cleanliness of our capital and the kindness of its inhabitants.
- I am grateful for the opportunity to be here and be a participant of this event," the guest sincerely shared her emotions. - I thank the Presidents of Belarus, Russia and Uzbekistan for the opportunity to visit, meet and look each other in the eyes.
The atmosphere of peace and friendship that evening hovered over the stadium. There were many smiles, joint photos, memories and strong handshakes. Of course, there was also a lot of exciting football. And friendship won, as it always happens in such events: the spectators were absolutely delighted with the efficient and very competitive draw 6:6!
