FC Karpaty Lviv

FC Karpaty Lviv is a Ukrainian professional football club from the city of Lviv. Named after the Carpathian Mountains, they are one of perennial mid-table clubs in Ukraine.

History

Early years (1963–1968)

FC Karpaty was founded in 1963, the main initiators of the club's foundation were Lviv football veterans from a team of the local machine plant Lvivsilmash (Lviv agrarian machine). Karpaty debuted in Group B that year and had remained there for four seasons, until in 1968 they were promoted to Soviet First League.

They original sponsor was the Lviv's TV-manufacturer Elektron while the club became also a member of the Republican Avanhard Volunteer Sport Association. In actuality only two players of the former Silmash joined the newly organized club. They were Ihor Kulchytsky and Yosyp Fales. Karpaty also adopted the green stripe uniform of Silmash. Later Karpaty was reinforced by the Lviv army-men from the local SKA team. Their first game they played at the former Dynamo stadium (today, in place of it stands a building of the State Tax Administration). That game was against FC Zenit Izhevsk which resulted in the victory for the Lions 1:0, goal was scored by Oleksandr Filiayev. On April 21, 1963 Karpaty played their first official game which was against Lokomotiv Gomel. Lvivians were victorious there as well 1:0.

Winning the USSR Cup

On August 17, 1969, Karpaty became the first (and the only) club in the USSR football history which won the USSR Cup while playing in the Soviet First League. The road to the cup was no less exciting as the final itself. On the way there the Lions were challenged by the Soviet heavy-weights such as FC Ararat Yerevan and FC Chornomorets Odessa. The quarterfinal round matched them with FC Trud Foronezh that in the prior round eliminated FC Spartak Moscow. After the minimal score victory Karpaty were faced with the Mykolaiv's Shipbuilders. The game was perceived by the Lvivians as the chance to avenge for the last year loss to the Mykolaivans, which cost them a ticket to the Soviet Premiers. Two-nil score was enough to secure the trip to Moscow.

In the final, Karpaty played against the Army team from Rostov-on-Don at the Lenin's Stadium. The Rostov army-men were one of the best Soviet clubs in the mid-1960s and for that game they were considered as the favorites being the representatives of the Soviet Top League. Before the start of the game the Karpaty's captain Ihor Kulchytsky traditionally shacked hands with every referee... except the side-liner Eugen Harms. The reason was that the Estonian referee in their last year game against FC Uralmash Sverdlovsk counted a goal from an obvious offside that eventually contributed to the Karpaty's denial of a promotion. Karpaty were trailing 0:1 already after the first 20 minutes and to the end of the half were not able to equalize, but numerous Karpaty's fans drove their team forward.

In the second half the Ukrainians broke the course of the game flow and two goals from Lykhachov and Bulhakov put the Lions ahead. Near the end of the game the Rostov-men scored another goal, but from offside. The main main referee without even looking to his assistants has counted the goal and the Russians ran joyfully towards the center of the field. However a moment later he noticed the Harms' signal. The linesman clearly identified the offside. The Lvivians led the game to the victory.

In the following season, Karpaty's first opponent in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was Romanian Steaua Bucharest, that led by István Kovács advanced on 4:3 aggregate.

Soviet Top League (1970–1977)

In 1970–1977 and 1980, Karpaty played in the Soviet Top League. Karpaty's best achievement was 4th place in 1976. Karpaty placed 4th twice that year since the season was split into 2 separate championships (spring and fall). Karpaty were primed to take silver that season, but an unexpected loss in the last home game to Zenit Leningrad pushed Karpaty back into 4th place.

While playing in the Soviet First League in 1979, Karpaty were close to repeating their 1969 achievement, when they met Dinamo Moscow in the USSR Cup semi-final. The match which was played in Moscow, went into overtime with a 1:1 score. Dinamo however prevailed, scoring on a penalty kick in extra time.

SKA Karpaty (1981–1989)

In 1981, Karpaty were merged with another Lviv team, SKA Lviv. The new team, SKA Karpaty, continued playing in the Soviet First League, almost achieving promotion in 1986 when CSKA Moscow was promoted ahead of Karpaty on goal differences. In 1989 the original name of the club was restored.

Ukrainian League (1991–present)

Since Ukraine gained its independence, Karpaty have primarily participated in Ukrainian Premier League competitions. They have taken 3rd place once and were Ukrainian Cup runners-up twice, losing both times to Dynamo Kyiv in the final.

The thirteen’s season in Ukrainian Premier League became an unfortunate one for Karpaty and in 2003–04 season the team was relegated to Persha Liha. However Karpaty remained there only for two seasons and in the 2005–06 season, the club was successful in taking second place in the Persha Liha, which allowed them to participate in the Vyscha Liha the following year.

Stadium

Main articles: Ukraina Stadium and Arena Lviv

FC Karpaty play their home games at the Ukraina Stadium. The stadium was built in 1963 as Druzhba (meaning Friendship) stadium and renamed into Ukraina Stadium in 1992. The stadium was renovated on several occasions since, the latest taking place in 2001. Currently the arena has a capacity of 29,004 spectators.

The stadium was also the venue hosting the final match of the first Ukrainian Premier League season in 1992, in which Tavriya Simferopol defeated Dynamo Kyiv.

It has also been one of the venues for Ukraine national football team matches, the most recent being a 1–0 Ukraine win over Belarus on September 6, 2008 for 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

From 10 December 2011 the new home ground of FC Karpaty is the Arena Lviv.^[1]

Sponsors and Partners

Partners: Karpaty MEGAzon, Karpaty-mania, Karpaty (weekly), MEGAklas

Official Sponsors: Lvivskyi Standart, Halytska Korona, Perlova, other – Halytska Zdoba, MAC-Media, Radio Luks 104.7, 24 news, and others.

Logo history

Since the club has been named after the Carpathian Mountains, the image of the forest and mountains has been present on team's logo for many years. However the logo has since been updated, inspired by Lviv's Coat of Arms with a segment of a fortress and lion shown on the new crest. The club's nickname 'The Green Lions' was also derived from their new logo.

The club also has a ceremonial logo, however, it is very rarely used, mostly during TV broadcasts or video packages.

Colours

Traditionally the club colours are white and green. Throughout the club's history kit has always been designed of green and white tones; other colours are almost never used and are highly criticized by fans.

Green is considered to be the dominant of the two as clubs nicknames are "Green-Lions" and "Green-Whites". For some time black was also used and was even displayed on one of the club's former logos.

Rivalries

Karpaty's biggest rival today is Volyn Lutsk. The match between is called the Halytsko-Volynske derby. This derbys are the main football events in western Ukraine. Club's main rivals are considered to be the neighbouring clubs FC Lviv, Prykarpattya Ivano-Frankivsk, Nyva Ternopil and Zakarpattia Uzhhorod. Not so long ago the rivalries with the Prykarpattya Ivano-Frankivsk and Nyva Ternopil were the most heated when the clubs were playing each other in the same division. Since then those rivalries cooled off. It seems that the new rivalry is emerging as the new FC Lviv club has entered the Premier League.

European record

UEFA Cup/Europa League

Cup Winners' Cup

Honours

Soviet Union

• Soviet Cup
  • Winners (1): 1969

Ukraine

• Ukrainian Cup
  • Runners-up (2): 1993, 1999
• Ukrainian First League
  • Runners-up (1): 2005

Non-official

• Copa del Sol
  • Winners (1): 2011

Current squad

Squad is given according to the club's official website, as of November 15, 2011. Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Youth team

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

For recent transfers, see List of Ukrainian football transfers summer 2010 and List of Ukrainian football transfers Winter 2008-09.

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Famous players

Coaches

League and Cup history

Soviet Union

Ukraine

See also

• FC Karpaty-2 Lviv
• FC Karpaty-3 Lviv
• FC Karpaty Lviv Reserves and Youth Team

References

External links

• Official website