Roman Hodovaniy was a former professional footballer for Volyn Lutsk, as well as a European Student Champion with FC Ternopil. He joined the Ukrainian Army after the full scale invasion and was killed in a tank strike, while defending his homeland.
He was born in Ternopil Oblast, where he took his first steps in football. As part of the local team “Ternopil”, he won the title of regional champion. Later, the talented boy was invited to Ternopil “Nyva”, with whom he played in the First and Second Leagues.
In 2009, Roman became the European champion among student teams as part of FC “Ternopil”, and in 2010 – won the bronze awards of the continental championship.
Later, the young central defender signed a contract with Volyn Lutsk. He helped the side win promotion from the First League and a silver medal, to get into the elite division of the Ukrainian championship. The following season, Roman made his debut in the UPL, where he played 15 matches. After five years at Volyn he played in Belarus for a short time. In 2018, due to an injury, he had to end his professional football career. Before that, he spent the last few years at FC “Melnytsia” from Melnytsia-Podilska, Ternopil region, where he built a house and settled with his family.
After the start of a full-scale invasion, he joined the Ukrainian army in the 33rd Separate Mechanised Brigade. On the night of November 29, 2023, 33-year-old Roman Hodovaniy was on combat duty when an enemy tank opened fire on his unit. The defenders sort cover in a trench but tragically triggered a mine. Hodovaniy was killed… The Hero is survived by a beloved wife and two children…
In February 2024, he was awarded the “Honorary citizen of the city of Ternopil” (posthumously) – for a significant personal contribution to the formation of Ukrainian statehood and personal courage and heroism shown in the defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Article by Peter Chymera. Peter is a co-founder of Donetsk Way and the Viktor Leonenko Hall of Fame. Follow Peter on twitter – @PMChymera89
With war ongoing in Ukraine and continued murder and destruction, it feels trivial to write about football. But as the anthem says – “The glory and freedom of Ukraine has not yet perished” and competing in sports at the highest level is a platform to keep Ukraine in the news, and show that Ukraine is a sovereign state, despite the latest Genocidal atrocities being committed against it.
Unfortunately, the war goes on. And Ukraine continues to need your support. So please keep sharing news about what is happening in Ukraine, write to your MP or representatives, support refugees and love Ukraine.If you are able to make a donation to help Ukraine at this time please ensure it is to a verified and trusted fund!
Throughout Euro 2024 we will be able to do what we love, support our Ukrainian football team. Unfortunately, most Ukrainian football fans will not be able to do this. They are defending Ukraine on the front lines, and too many have paid with their lives. We will be supporting the Stands of Heroes Foundation during the tournament and beyond. The Charitable Foundation “Stands of Heroes” was created by Ukrainian football fans. Their main task is to provide systematic financial support to the families of fallen football fans from all over Ukraine and all those involved in the around-football society. If you can, please consider supporting Stand of Heroes.
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