Thrilled beyond belief for Galitsky and his devoted crew.
FC Krasnodar's Historic Championship Triumph
Renowned artist and Dynamo supporter, Lev Leshchenko, congratulated FC Krasnodar and its president and owner, Sergey Galitsky, on their momentous victory in the Russian Premier League (RPL). Leshchenko, who considers Krasnodar as friends, expressed his delight for Galitsky and his team in a statement to "SE."
Leshchenko praised Krasnodar for their human approach to football, free from commercial interests. He asserted that their love for the sport had triumphed over money in securing their victory.
The historic win took place at the "Ozon Arena" stadium in Krasnodar on May 24, as FC Krasnodar defeated Dynamo 3:0, making them the first-ever Russian football champions. The club will receive the largest prize money for the season, amounting to over 1.25 billion rubles.
Dmitry Gafin, Dynamo's board chairman, had earlier congratulated Galitsky, commending him for building a grand football project from the ground up in his native Krasnodar region.
Sergey Galitsky established FC Krasnodar in 2008, starting a significant investment in football infrastructure in the region. Over the years, the club rose through the ranks, achieving notable successes, such as reaching the Europa League in the 2013-14 season and finishing as runner-up in the Russian Cup in 2015.
Galitsky's vision included constructing modern facilities, with the stadium playing a role in attracting international attention during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, when the Spanish national team used it as their base. He also heavily invested in the development of sports infrastructure in the region, contributing to the growth of football in southern Russia.
Key players like Stanislav Agkatsev, Alexander Chernikov, and Eduard Spertsyan, alongside the return of veterans like Yuri Gazinsky, played a crucial role in the team's success. Galitsky's passion for football and his strategic investments in the club were instrumental in creating a competitive team capable of achieving such a milestone.
However, the club faces uncertainty regarding participation in European competitions due to ongoing UEFA sanctions following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Despite this challenge, FC Krasnodar's historic victory marks the end of Zenit St. Petersburg's six-year dominance in Russian football.
Lev Leshchenko, in his praise for FC Krasnodar's triumph in the Russian Premier League, highlighted their unique approach in European football, free from commercial interests, reminiscent of a love for the sport that triumphed over money. With this victory, FC Krasnodar has set a new milestone, aiming to make an impact in not just the domestic Premier League, but also in European-leagues like the UEFA Champions League or Europa League in the future.
