Kryvbas Moves Home Match to Kyiv Region Due to Pitch Issues

Kryvbas vs. Zorya Match Relocated

According to Главком: Due to the condition of its home pitch, football club Kryvbas will host its match against Zorya at the Kolos Arena in Kovalivka, Kyiv Oblast, instead of its own stadium. The scheduled date and time for the match remain unchanged: Sunday, March 1. This is the latest in a series of pitch-related disruptions affecting the Ukrainian Premier League this season.

The Kolos Arena in Kovalivka will serve as the alternate venue because Kryvbas's home ground, the Hirnyk Stadium in Kryvyi Rih, is not ready to host the fixture. The club's official statement explained the decision:

“Taking into account the advice of agronomists and the weather forecast, a decision was made to move the Kryvbas vs. Zorya match to the Kolos Stadium in Kovalivka, Kyiv Oblast.”

Widespread Turf Problems and Cancellations

In a similar incident last round, the UPL canceled the match between Oleksandriya and Kyiv's Obolon because the pitch at the Oleksandriya stadium was also deemed unplayable. Oleksandriya is now likely to be handed a technical defeat. These issues highlight the logistical challenges faced by Ukrainian football during the winter and early spring.

The league has also announced that three clubs will share a single stadium this spring, with Rivne's Avanhard Stadium set to host the home matches for all three teams. Previously, only the local club Veres played its home games at the Avanhard.

The relocation of the Kryvbas-Zorya match underscores ongoing problems with pitch preparation at stadiums across Ukraine, which could impact the scheduling of future fixtures. In response, the UPL is seeking solutions, including the shared use of stadiums by multiple clubs, which may help improve match organization. This situation also stresses the critical importance of proper stadium maintenance, especially during periods of adverse weather.