In a heartwarming moment following FC Krasnodar's dramatic cup victory, a 99-year-old veteran of the Great Patriotic War delivered a special message to the team's captain. Stepan Stepanovich Kuzneцов addressed Eduard Spertsyan after the black-and-green side defeated Moscow's Dynamo in the final of the Fonbet Russian Cup Path.
The match, held at the Ozon Arena in Krasnodar, ended in a tense 0-0 draw before being decided by a penalty shootout, with Krasnodar prevailing 6-5. Artem Chistyakov from Azov served as the head referee for the contest.
In a video published by the Russian Cup press service on their Telegram channel, the veteran offered his congratulations and a forward-looking wish. "In advance — so that you defeat Spartak and become champions. Thank you very much. Well done, guys!" Kuzneцов said to Spertsyan.
The Krasnodar midfielder responded with gratitude, thanking the veteran for his support. As a token of appreciation, Spertsyan presented Kuzneцов, who had the honor of taking the symbolic first kick in the final, with a commemorative team shirt.
The victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated showdown. Krasnodar will now face Spartak Moscow in the Russian Cup Superfinal. This decisive match is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, and will take place at the iconic Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
The encounter promises to be a major event in the Russian football calendar, with Krasnodar carrying the momentum of their shootout win and the good wishes of a national hero into the final clash.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.
