One of the streets of the Israeli city of Haifa was named after Serhiy Balanchuk, a former footballer of Dynamo Kyiv and local Maccabi. In this way, the city decided to honour the memory of the former player, who played two matches for the Ukrainian youth national team and was killed in July last year in battles with Russian aggressors.

This decision was made unanimously by the Haifa City Hall on June 7, sport5.co.il reports. The idea was put forward by City Council member Kirill Katernik, who included the relevant resolution in the agenda. After the vote and approval, the deputies decided that the street where the Russian Embassy is located will be named after Sergei.

Balanchuk is a graduate of Dynamo Kyiv. He went through all levels at the capital's club, playing as a defender. In the 1995/96 season, he was announced for the first team, but managed to play in only four matches. This did not stop Serhii from becoming the 1996 Ukrainian champion and winning the 1996 Ukrainian Cup.

The Ukrainian played for Maccabi from 1996 to 1999 and played 79 matches for the Hammers in all tournaments, scoring two goals. Together with the team, he became a bronze medallist in the Israeli championship and won the National Cup.

Serhiy was killed in July last year in the battle for Bakhmut at the age of 47. His death came as a shock to his Dynamo teammates. In particular, Oleksandr Shovkovskyi described Balanchuk as a true professional.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, legendary Dynamo Kyiv footballer Vladyslav Vashchuk, who was hiding in the basement of his house in Gostomel, became a soldier of the Offensive Guard.

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