Shakthar Donetsk’s Brazilians lead the way

Posted on Friday, May 8th, 2009 at 11:50 am and is filed under Uncategorized.

Shakthar Donetsk emerged as the victors in a hard-fought UEFA Europa League semifinal against Dynamo Kiev in the Ukraine on Thursday evening.

Shakthar’s contingent of Brazilian players proved to be the difference between the two sides, with both of the home team’s goals coming from Brazilian imports, as Jadson and Ilsinho scored a goal apiece in each half.

Dynamo Kiev managed to find the back of the net only once, with Bangoura scoring the visitors equalizer just after half time. The 2-1 result saw Shakthar Donetsk progress to the UEFA Europa League final 3-2 on aggregate.

“We are now a part of the history of European football,” Shakthar coach Mircea Lucescu said after the match. “It was a tough game as Dynamo were at their best as well.”

Shakthar will face Germany’s Werder Bremen in the final of the 2008/2009 UEFA Europa League on the 20th of May.

“The result is just and deserved,” Lucescu concluded. “The level of football corresponded to the high status of a Uefa Cup semi-final and the fans were treated to both a show and a battle.