USSR the Cup

Soviet Cup. Ukrainian final this year, played in June. Shakhter (Donetzk) vs Dinamo (Kiev). Shakther already had the reputation of cup-tournament specialist and Dinamo was hungry for success, for those were lean years for the club. The championship was half-way through and although Dinamo was leading, it was not at all sure they will win it – thus, the Cup had added importance. Shakhter, many felt, concentrated solely on the Cup at the expense of the championship, so they were not going to give up the final. As a result, the final was not only heavily contested, but also surprisingly entertaining.

Both teams put an extra effort and in the first half there no goals.

In the second half Dinamo scored first – a deadly long-shot by the left fullback Demyanenko made it 1-0 in the 56th minute. And two minutes later it was 2-0, thanks to eternal Blokhin. Shakhter tried to come back, but managed just one goal – the substitute Morozov scored in the 68th minute – and Dinamo won 2-1.

The captain Sergey Baltacha proudly lifted the Cup – Dinamo’s 7th already.

Frankly, it was too bad Shakhter did not win, but Dinamo was better this day. Top row from left: Valentin Elinskas, Vladimir Gavrilov, Andrey Kuz, Sergey Zhuravlev, Viktor Smigunov, Sergey Popovich. Middle row: Valery Rudakov, Aleksandr Sopko, Vladimir Parkhonenko, Mikhail Sokolovsky, Sergey Yaschenko, Igor Petrov. Low row: Sergey Pokidin, Igor Simonov, Aleksey Varnavsky, Anatoly Rodenko, Valery Goshkoderya, Oleg Smolyaninov. Not a bad squad, but largely second-raters, including the few who played for Dinamo (Kiev) previously and were eventually dismissed.

Dinamo (Kiev) won a double this year, but it was far from clear in June – at the moment, only the Cup mattered and they won it. The title was only a distant possibility, so this victory was cherished greatly – it was turning the table back to success. Any success.

Standing from left: V. Evseev, ?, A. Mikhailichenko, V. Ratz, A. Puzach – assistant coach, O. Blokhin, O. Kuznetzov, V. Veremeev – team chief, M. Mikhailov, V. Lobanovsky – coach, P. Yakovenko, E. Evtushenko.

Front row: ?, I. Belanov, V. Malyuta – doctor, V. Evlantyev – maseur, I. Yaremchuk, A. Zavarov, A. Bal, S. Baltacha, V. Bessonov, A. Demyanenko.

The importance of this victory would be more appreciated one year later, but it had big value for the moment as well – the group of young talented players got the taste of victory, that was important. The team as a whole showed character, for it was not a squad without problems: first, the regular goalkeeper was out for the season with broken arm and his double – Mikhailov – was questionable. He already had his chance and was number one – and not so good, so Viktor Chanov was taken from no other but Shakhter (Donetzk). The other problem was the right fullback – there was no good enough player at this position, so the midfielder Bal was moved there – a risky idea, but it worked. Blokhin, already well over 30, moved back, playing mostly as a mid-fielder. Igor Belanov, a moody winger, new to the team, was getting comfortable at that time, but still was considered risky. It was somewhat unsettled team, which needed badly some success just to stay on track and improve. The Cup victory was timely, boosting moral and confidence. There was still a lot to be done – perhaps most in personal relations, for some tension is detectable in the words of Baltacha, introducing his teammates: more than eager attempt to paint a rosy pictures, often repeating ‘believe me’ and mostly speaking what good person is such and such, but in the same time… Demyanenko and not the living legend Blokhin was hailed as the team leader. But the leader was not captaining the team… neither legendary Blokhin, nor arguably the best player of USSR at this time Bessonov. Baltacha went out of his way to praise the second goalkeeper Mikhailov, saying that the whole defensive line plays better when he was between the posts and he was the nicest person ever in the dressing room, but the captain’s words about Blokhin and Bessonov were rather cold, minimal, and routine. This victory perhaps improved relations, especially between players and authoritative coach Lobanovsky – at least to the point of finding common ground in winning. A victory, which can be seen as a turning point and the base on which the following year with its enormous success was build.