Football field on the site of the plant: an unusual match took place in the Murmansk region

The historic football game took place in Belokamenka. For the first time, a Russian Cup match was held here. Players and fans will remember this day for a long time. However, the uniqueness of the event is not in the football battle itself, but in the place where the match took place.

For more than two years, the Arctic LNG 2 plant, or, as it is popularly called, a factory for the production of plants, was being built at the dock of the Center for the Construction of Large-tonnage Offshore Structures. In mid-July, a huge floating platform with 14 modules set off for the Gydan Peninsula. And at the end of August, water was released from the dock and a football field was installed in it.

Against the background of the total area, the field seems quite small, but in fact it is full-fledged, suitable for the standard match of the Russian Cup.

“When we were just building a plant on this site, we always told people about it in other cities, but people didn’t really understand the scale. In order to explain the scale, we have always used one simple analogy: it’s six football fields in area. And then we thought: why not in that short period of time, a month and a half from the moment the first plant left and until the construction of the second one starts, why don’t we arrange a football match here,” said Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of PJSC NOVATEK » Denis Solovyov.

The match took place between Dynamo Kirov and 2 DROTS media football team. Several Russian football clubs expressed their desire to participate in such a game. As a result, the choice of the organizers fell on these two teams.

“The most difficult thing was to make sure that the field met all the standards for the match. Secondly, fans must be allowed in, since the facility is closed. I had to work through all this logistics. And so that the interests, first of all, of Dynamo Kirov do not suffer, because it was their home match.

But their stadium is certified for only 500 people, there were more, and we tried to do our best so that the Kirov team received compensation for the fact that their team did not play at home. Therefore, on September 17, a media league match will be held in Kirov, where 2 DROTS will come and hold it, and those who wanted to see them will see. And we made a fan zone, football players and players from the former national team arrived. We will also try to work with the Kirov region on the development of youth football,” Denis Solovyov revealed the subtleties of organizing the process.

There were indeed many fans. From their workplaces, the factory workers, those who had the opportunity, watched the game. Longtime fans of football teams shouted from the stands, breaking their voices. They came to cheer for their athletes, but got more than just an impression of the game.

“It’s just a huge stroke of luck for the club to move on to other rounds that are more interesting. This is an unforgettable experience, a real success – to visit such a historical event. Emotions are overflowing. I almost lost my voice, ”Philip Sukharev, a fan of Dynamo Kirov, shared his emotions.

Other fans of the team are delighted with the place. Nikita Bekhterev has already managed to visit outside the plant:

“We went and swam in the bay here. The water is great, the views are amazing. We have been a fan of Dynamo for a very long time, I personally have been since 2013. I travel with the team. This season we have five or six matches without defeat, without draws. Our goalkeeper is wonderful, he does not concede goals. But today I missed it, but it’s okay. We’ll still win!”

Fans of the other half of the stands are not far behind. The main instigator of the 2 DROTS team, who calls himself “Just Ben”, starts all the chants first, and other fans eagerly pick them up.

“I’ve been a fan of the 2 DROTS team since its inception, this is the year 2016, I guess. I am impressed by this team, the inner desire to cheer for them, my heart reaches out to them.

The support of the fans and, of course, the skill of the players did their job. A clear advantage throughout the game was shown by the 2 DROTS team. In the first half, its players scored one goal, in the second they secured the victory with another hit on the goal.

“This is a triple euphoria. The very atmosphere, the fact that the workers were watching the game from above, is very pleasant. We are the first people to play here, so this is one hundred percent historical event. And we completed it with a victory. Moreover, we set a record – media teams have not yet gone so far, we have passed the third stage. Let’s move on!” Alex Shibaev boasted of his success.

His teammate Artur Beglaryan is sure that this match will remain in his memory and in the history of the team for the rest of his life.

“The atmosphere is unreal! This is the place itself, and the fact that our fans have reached Murmansk. Some teams do not receive as much at home as we had at the match today. The Cup of Russia, the hype… Have you seen that they play like this somewhere? Me not!”

The main goal of such an event is to popularize football. Well-known teams, an unusual place, broadcast by a major sports channel – Novatek’s management is counting on high match viewing ratings. Attention was drawn to both football and Murmansk.

This is not the end of the field. The factory workers have already formed teams and will play friendly matches. On September 7, the Russian national team will hold an open training session for young football players from all over the Murmansk region. A small tournament will be held between school teams from different regions participating in the Novatek Cup Step to Big Football.

After the end of all matches, the football field will be given to the government of the Murmansk region. Previously, young northerners will train on it. And in the dock itself, the construction of a new offshore LNG platform will soon begin.