Dynamo great Valentin Belkevich passes away
Friday, August 1, 2014
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Valentin Belkevich, a seven-time Ukrainian title winner and part of the FC Dynamo Kyiv team that reached the 1998/99 UEFA Champions League semi-finals, has died aged 41.
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Former FC Dynamo Kyiv and Belarus midfielder Valentin Belkevich has passed away at the age of 41.
Belkevich started his career at local club FC Dinamo Minsk, where he won four Belarusian Premier League titles and three domestic cups. He was voted the best player in Belarus in 1995 and moved to Dynamo the following year.
Under Valeriy Lobanovskiy, Belkevich won seven Ukrainian titles and six Ukrainian Cups, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the 1998/99 UEFA Champions League. He was named the domestic league's best player in 2001 and remained at the club in a coaching capacity after ending his playing career.
"Death has taken Valentin from our ranks," said an official Dynamo statement. "We express our deepest condolences to relatives, friends and everyone who knew this wonderful person and incredible professional."
Belkevich received the Football Federation of Belarus (BFF) badge of honour in December 2006, the association's highest accolade. He scored ten goals in 56 appearances for his country.
