May 23
Metalurh Zaporizhya − Metalurh Donetsk − 2:1 (Kaskov, 6, Kaponas, 65 − Fabinho, 67).
FC Lviv − Dynamo Kyiv − 0:1 (Ghioane, 82).
Shakhtar Donetsk − Tavriya Simferopol − 2:0 (Fedetskiy, 33, Castillo, 73).
Illichivets Mariupol − Zorya Lugansk − 1:0 (Kashevsky, 50).
Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk − FC Kharkiv − 4:1 (Lysytskiy, 20, Belik, 39, Kalinichenko, 62, Shakhov, 73 − Kasyanov, 16).
Metalist Kharkiv − Kryvbas Kryviy Rih − 1:0 (Obradovic, 73, pen.).
Vorskla Poltava − Chornomorets Odesa − 2:1 (Markoski, 31, Curri, 52 − Leviga, 20).
Arsenal Kyiv − Karpaty Lviv − 4:0 (Lysenko, 30, Jakobia, 33, Josemar, 36, pen., Symonenko, 57).
Struggle for Europe League berth lasts
One of the central matches took place in Zaporizhya where local Metalurh played Metalurh Donetsk. Both clubs keep struggling for the last berth available in the UEFA Europe League competition (two berths have been previously secured by Metalist and Vorskla). Before the clash against Oleh Lutkov’s lads Metalurh D were three points ahead of the main rival Dnipro, therefore a win would ultimately bring Mykola Kostov’s side to European competition. However, Metalurh D lost to Metalurh Z whereas Dnipro crushed FC Kharkiv, so the struggle for the fourth position is getting more acute. Both competitors possess 48 points each. Now the situation is up to Metalurh Z as the team enjoy a major number of wins than Dnipro with one match left to play.
Who will join FC Kharkiv?
The struggle at the bottom of the table is turning more intensive. After FC Lviv succumbed to Dynamo and Ilichivets battled out three points against Zorya, Mariupol side still have some chances to keep aside from a drop zone. At present Illya Blynuk’s boys settled on the 14th position, alongside with FC Lviv possessing 26 points, while Zorya is two points above. The last round will define the club to join FC Kharkiv in the relegation zone.
Bronze for Metalist
Meanwhile, the bronze prize holder was revealed. Metalist’s Milan Obradovic performed a penalty kick in the match against Kryvbas and this win secured bronze for Myron Markevych’s side for the third year in a row. Shakhtar Donetsk beat Tavriya Simferopol, Vorskla snatched a win in a match against Chornomorets owing to Markoski and Curri after Leviga opened the scoring.
