Honours Even: Veres and Nyva Ternopil Play Out 1-1 Draw in Friendly

Ukrainian Premier League side Veres were held to a 1-1 draw by second-tier Nyva Ternopil in an international club friendly played on July 18, 2026. The match, held at Veres' training ground in Rivne, provided valuable minutes for both squads as they continue pre-season preparations.

Match Flow

Veres started brightly and took the lead in the 27th minute through a well-struck free kick from midfielder Artem Dovbyk, which curled over the wall and into the net. Nyva Ternopil, however, grew into the game and equalized just before halftime when striker Andriy Shevchenko Jr. (no relation to the legendary Andriy Shevchenko) turned in a cross from the right wing.

Second-Half Struggles

The second half saw both teams make numerous substitutions, disrupting the flow. Veres pushed for a winner but were denied by Nyva goalkeeper Mykola Kovalenko, who made two excellent saves. At the other end, Nyva's Roman Mykhalchuk hit the post with a long-range effort in the 78th minute.

Friendlies and Preparation

• Possession: Veres 54% – 46% Nyva Ternopil
• Shots on target: Veres 5 – Nyva Ternopil 3
• Substitutions used: Veres 9 – Nyva Ternopil 8

Manager Reaction

Veres manager Yuriy Vitkalov commented: “The draw is fine for this stage of preparation. We created chances but need to be more clinical. Nyva are a tough opponent and gave us a good test.” Nyva Ternopil's coach Ihor Dytyna praised his team's resilience: “To come here and take a point against a Premier League side is encouraging for our season.”