In October 1996, the International Youth Tournament in memory of FC Shakhtar President Aleksandr Braguin was held for the first time. It happened one year after a man, who had done so much for development of football in Donetsk tragically passed away. The Donetsk club’s management’s initiative to launch a football tournament was welcomed by football establishment. They say, a man lives as long as he is remembered.

The tournament regulations have been changed several times since that time. First of all, it should be mentioned that from 1996 till 2000 the tournament was held indoors at the Druzhba Sports Palace. All matches were played in accordance with the futsal laws of the game. First winners were Stal Alchevsk who proved to be better prepared for such competitions. In 1997, Dynamo Kyiv’s apprentices won the main trophy. One year later the young Miners took the first place.

Since that time Shakhtar and Dynamo apprentices are considered arch-rivals in this competition. The tournament then moved from the Druzhba Sports Palace to artificial turf fields that were constructed next to the Shakhtyor Central Stadium. The format of the tournament was changed. The only thing that remained was the tension of matches between Shakhtar and Dynamo. It seems symbolic since Ukraine’s two strongest clubs are struggling for the leadership in their professional competitions.

When Shakhtar won the Cup in 2005, both teams had 4 victories each. Last year Dynamo lost to Lokomotiv (Moscow) in the group stage and didn’t get into the final. Shakhtar, in their turn, beat the Russian guests 2:0 and thus achieved their fifth victory in the Bragin Cup. By the way, the only team, who has ever managed to defeat Shakhtar apart from Dynamo and Stal, were the Kharkiv side EHO. It happened in 2000. Shakhtar and Dynamo met 6 times in the final of the tournament.

The Bragin Cup is more than just a series of football matches. This International Tournament gives football coaches from different countries opportunity to meet and share their views on the modern football, share experience. Traditionally, the organisers prepared an entertaining programme, sightseeing tours around the Donbass capital.