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Football fans turn attention to Belarus

An archive photo

MINSK, 24 March (BelTA) – The start of the 30th Belarusian Premier League has drawn a lot of attention from around the globe. The Belarusian tournament is the only one in Europe and the one of the few on the planet that continues regardless of the spread of the coronavirus, BelTA has learned.

The rights to broadcast the Belarusian football championship have been bought by Ukraine’s Sport 1 and Russia’s Match TV. Belarusian TV channels offer live broadcasting of all the matches of the national championship. Online broadcasting of the matches are watched by fans from all over the world, the Belarusian Football Federation said.

Judging by the huge amount of comments, the quality of football showed by the Belarusian teams was a revelation for foreign fans. Many thought that the Belarusian championship was behind the world's leading leagues. The opinion has changed dramatically after fans watched a number of games. Fans note that the level of the Belarusian football is good and the results are unpredictable. This is exactly what attracts true football fans.

Everyone noted the unsuccessful start of the last season's medal winners. Only the Belarusian champion, FC Dinamo Brest, avoided a defeat, drawing 1-1 against FC Smolevichi. FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk, a bronze medalist, lost 0-1 to FC Torpedo BelAZ Zhodino. The main sensation was a 1-3 defeat of the 15-time champion of Belarus, FC BATE Borisov, to FC Energetik-BGU, a team little known abroad. 22-year-old Uzbek froward Jasurbek Yakhshiboev scored twice to the BATE net and was named the player of matchday one. FC Rukh Brest, a newcomer to the Belarusian Premier League, edged FC Dinamo Minsk 1-0. Out of Top Five of the Belarusian Football Championship 2019 only FC Isloch celebrated a victory over FC Neman Grodno (1-0). Momo Yansane’s goal to the net of FC Neman Grodno was named the best one in the first round.

Foreign fans also showed interest in FC Slutsk v FC Slavia Mozyr fixture (3-1). Referee Sergei Chistov awarded five penalties during the game, which is an absolute record for the Belarusian championship. Internet users noted that all the penalties given by the Belarusian referee were legitimate and in line with the latest UEFA recommendations.

New fans of the Belarusian football were unanimous in saying that they would continue to follow the Belarusian football season with great interest.

Matchday two timetable:

27 March
Torpedo BelAZ v Belshina
Rukh v Energetyk-BGU

28 March
Slutsk v Dinamo Brest
Slavia v BATE
Minsk v Dinamo Minsk
Gorodzeya v Shakhtyor

29 March
Smolevichi v Isloch
Neman v Vitebsk

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