The football tournament held as part of the 10th All-Russian Summer Universiade concluded in Saransk. Student teams from 16 Russian regions participated: the Republic of Mordovia, the LPR, St. Petersburg, Smolensk, Tambov, Belgorod, Rostov, Astrakhan, and Saratov Oblasts, Perm and Krasnodar Krais, Moscow, the Republic of Crimea, Bashkortostan, Dagestan, and Tatarstan.
Derzhava University played three matches in the group stage, winning all of them. They defeated teams from the Republic of Tatarstan, Dagestan, and the Rostov Oblast. The team advanced from the group in first place.
In the semifinals, Derzhava faced the Moscow team. FC Derzhava lost this game, but seized the opportunity to compete for third place at the Universiade. In the tournament final, the Derzhava team played against representatives from the Republic of Mordovia. The only goal of the match was scored by FC Derzhava player Yegor Klevtsov. His clear hit earned the team bronze medals at the Universiade.
"We participated in an excellent tournament with a new and interesting format. Thanks to the organizers and everyone involved in this success," comments FC Derzhava manager Evgeny Belyakov. "The players held out for five games in a row, and the coaches did a tremendous job. This is our team's first time winning a medal at the Universiade. This speaks volumes about the team's skill level and unity."
In addition to the medals, the Tambov team also brought home an individual award: Derzhava goalkeeper Danila Ivanov was named the best goalkeeper of the 10th All-Russian Summer Universiade.
"Both I personally and our entire team are pleased with our placement. Derzhava hasn't achieved such success in a long time. This third place will go down in the history of the entire university," notes Danila Ivanov. "The competition was impressive in terms of atmosphere and level. I didn't expect to receive an individual award, but my team believed that this would be exactly what would happen. Derzhavin University and Derzhava will always be in our hearts!"
