In a tense Europa League third qualifying round match against Athens’ Panathinaikos, Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk once again proved why he is considered one of the most reliable goalkeepers in Ukraine. Regular and extra time ended goalless — 0:0, with Shakhtar losing in the penalty shootout. Nevertheless, Riznyk recorded his ninth clean sheet for the Donetsk club in European competitions, equaling Dmytro Shutkov and trailing only the legendary Andriy Pyatov.
In this article, you will learn how Riznyk performed against Panathinaikos and how the Brave GK Diamond D.R. gloves, developed in collaboration with the goalkeeper himself, helped him control the ball in the toughest moments.
From the very first minutes, the Athenians tried to test Riznyk with long balls and crosses from the wings. Midway through the first half, when two consecutive crosses flew into the box, he confidently came out and punched the ball clear both times. In such moments, the embossed elements on the backhand of the Brave GK Diamond D.R. gloves help absorb the impact and give precision to the clearance.
Riznyk was particularly reliable on high balls, when the Greeks tried to deliver the ball into the box from the flanks. Several times he was quicker than the strikers, collecting the ball in his hands just as they were about to shoot. Thanks to the anatomical construction of the gloves, which fit tightly on the wrist and do not shift inside the palm, he managed to keep full control of the ball even in body-to-body duels.
In the second half, the pressure on his goal increased. The Athenians began to shoot more from distance, and Riznyk had to intervene after efforts from Čerin, Tete, and Świderski. When Tete struck from the left edge of the box toward the near post, the 4mm foam padding was crucial: it softened the impact, allowing him to safely catch the ball without giving a rebound.
Extra time brought more of the same: Ioannidis and Edvai shot on target, but Riznyk either parried or confidently caught the ball. A particularly memorable moment came when Ioannidis shot low into the corner. In a split second, Dmytro managed to regroup and position his hand so that the ball “stuck” to the Supreme Contact latex, without bouncing back to an opponent.
The penalty shootout became a separate test for Riznyk. He conceded the first shot, but at the third attempt he managed to parry a powerful strike to his left. Here, the anatomical shape and Rollfinger cut played a role: the gloves allow the palm to press as tightly as possible to the ball, which is vital at such speeds. The other shots were too precise, but even in the decisive penalty, when Mancini scored, Riznyk guessed the direction and only narrowly missed the ball with his fingertips.
Overall, the match was extremely successful for Riznyk: 120 minutes without conceding a goal in open play, confident handling in the box, smart organization of the defense, and everything possible to give the team a chance to advance.
The Brave GK Diamond D.R. model was developed in collaboration with Dmytro Riznyk, and every detail reflects his playing habits and requirements.
The main contact surface is 4mm Supreme Contact latex, manufactured in Germany, combined with 4mm foam padding. This provides a double effect: the ball “sticks” to the palm, while the soft padding reduces stress on the joints during powerful shots. This is especially important when catching or parrying high-speed strikes – like Čerin’s long-range shot against Panathinaikos.
The upper part (backhand) is made of lightweight but durable latex with embossed elements that help when punching the ball. Clearances gain a precise direction, reducing the risk of the ball returning to a dangerous area. This is critical during set pieces and crosses, where split-second decisions can be decisive.
The Rollfinger cut, with no seams between the fingers, increases the contact area with the ball and ensures a snug but comfortable fit. Meanwhile, the internal Fix Fit system with silicone inserts keeps the hand stable, preventing even minimal shifting inside the glove. In a high-tempo match with constant ball contact, this means the grip remains equally reliable from the first to the last minute.
Special attention has been paid to versatility — these gloves are suitable for play in any weather. The latex maintains grip even in rain or low temperatures, while the highly elastic wrist cuff secures the wrist, reducing the risk of injury when falling or diving.
The design is impressive: the combination of black and neon yellow with dynamic geometric elements not only looks stylish but also emphasizes the goalkeeper’s individuality on the pitch.
The match against Panathinaikos, which ended 0:0 in regular time, became Riznyk’s ninth clean sheet in European tournaments.
This achievement allowed him to catch up with Dmytro Shutkov — the legendary Shakhtar goalkeeper long regarded as the club’s best in terms of clean sheets. Now, only Andriy Pyatov remains ahead of him, with a record 41 clean sheets in European competitions.
