Chornomorets Secures Victory Over Former Coach, Balta Claims Silver Medals

An important victory for Chornomorets, silver medals for Balta, Usyk 's new-old rival and in memory of the hero climber - in the digest of sports events from the South by Intent.

Football. "Chornomorets defeat former coach at home

Yevhen Skiba's goal. Photo: FC Chornomorets

• In the match of the 23rd round of the Premier League, Chornomorets hosted Cherkasy's LNZ at home. At the beginning of 2025, the Cherkasy club was headed by Roman Hryhorchuk, who had previously coached the Sailors twice, and his staff also includedMykhailo Savka, Andriy Hlushchenko, and Serhiy Politylo, who also worked at the Odesa club.
• In the 5th minute, Odesa made a forced substitution - Slovenian legionnaire Jon Sporn was injured . Despite this, the Blue and Blacks took the lead in the 18th minute - the club's newcomer Rakitsky scored an assist, which was closed by Yevhen Skiba.

Chijoke Anyagboso. Photo by FC Chornomorets.

• In the second half, Cherkasy had several chances to win back, but Chijoke Anyiagboso 's confident play kept Chornomorets' goal intact. This is, by the way, the first "dry" match for the team from Odesa since the match of the 9th round against Obolon.
• The victory in this match did not allow them to leave the relegation zone, but improved the situation for Odesa in the standings. It was also the first victory for Oleksandr Kucher as Chornomorets' head coach.

Screenshot: flashscore.ua

War. A famous Odesa climber was killed.

Taras Tsushko. Photo: Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing of Ukraine

• Taras Tsushko, a soldier and one of the best climbers in Ukraine , was killed while performing a combat mission on April 2.
• Prior to the full-scale invasion, Taras was a member of the Odesa Alpine Club. He became a multiple champion of Ukraine and the CIS in rock, technical and winter climbing classes. He has made a number of the most difficult first ascents of the walls of Ak-Su, Slesov, Odesa, Asan, Bodhana and other peaks.
• In 2022, he joined the ranks of the defenders of Ukraine as a volunteer. He served in the 67th separate mechanized brigade and took part in the fiercest battles for our independence. The funeral service for the hero took place on April 6 in Odesa.

Volleyball. "Balta are vice-champions of Ukraine

SC Balta with silver medals. Photo: volleyball.ua

• "Balta are silver medalists of the Women's Volleyball Super League. The third, home match in the series against Bukovyna finally determined the quality of the awards for the team from Podilshchyna . The Chernivtsi team, who dominated during the regular season, left no chance - they won in three sets and all three matches of the final series.

• For Balta, the second place is the highest achievement in its history. Andriy Romanovych 's team also won the Ukrainian Cup this year, which confirms the success of this season.

The symbolic team of the Super League. Photo: volleyball.ua

• At the end of the season, three Balta players were named to the Super League's symbolic team: outside hitter Iryna Nogina, blocker Ksenia Ratii , and setter Anna Politanska.

Games and results

Super League table. Photo: Ukrainian Handball

• In the battle of the two strongest teams in Ukrainian handball , Motor remained undefeated again - Odesa was very close to a sensation in the first match, but in the last minutes Zaporizhzhia kept the advantage, and the next day defeated their rivals. "Izmail won twice and moved closer to fourth place, while Odesa 's silver medal is almost guaranteed.

"Credo-1963". Photo: Leonid Franceskevich

• After two rounds of the Super League in Rugby 15, Odesa's Credo-1963 have won two home victories and lead the standings.

Events of the week.

Daniel Dubois and Oleksandr Usyk. Photo: Reuters

• British heavyweight boxer Daniel Du Bois told the authoritative magazine The Ring that negotiations with Oleksandr Usyk on a fight for the title of absolute champion are already at the final stage, and the fight itself is likely to take place in July. In 2023, these boxers already met, and the Ukrainian won by TKO in the 9th round. However, the fight has not yet been officially confirmed.

Taisiya Onofriychuk. Photo: Maria Muzychenko

• After her success at the Grand Prix stage, Taisiia Onofriichuk successfully started the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup. The 16-year-old athlete won the all-around, as well as the mace and ribbon exercises, and took second place in the hoop.
• The European Women's Chess Championship is taking place in Greece. After 7 rounds, the best Ukrainian player is Anna Ushenina, who ranks 17th. Natalia Zhukova from Odesa is 49th. The final positions will be determined next week.

Picture of the week.

Ukrainian sports stars at the MasterChef. Photo: STB TV channel

• Olga Harlan, Zhan Beleniuk, Iryna Gerashchenko and other Ukrainian sports stars became guests of the popular reality show MasterChef. For some of them, like Olga, appearing on TV is a common thing, while other athletes rarely have the opportunity to be on screen more than once every four years, and it is good that this trend is changing.

As always, we wish you and your favorite athletes and teams all the best!

Адлен Муатс