Ukrainian goalkeeper Pavlo Isenko delivered a brilliant performance wearing Brave GK Evolution Pro goalkeeper gloves in the UEFA Europa Conference League against the Polish side Raków. Despite the defeat of his club, Universitatea Craiova, the 22-year-old keeper was one of the best players of the round — he made eight saves and stopped a penalty.
Moreover, Pavlo Isenko now ranks among the tournament’s best goalkeepers by number of saves. Sharing first place with him is 27-year-old Gambian goalkeeper Baboucarr Gaye from the Albanian club Shkëndija, who also recorded eight saves in the game against Rayo Vallecano.
Isenko, who moved to the Romanian club this summer after his contract with Vorskla expired, quickly became a key figure in Universitatea Craiova’s lineup. This season he has already played 12 matches, kept three clean sheets, and is helping his team remain among the leaders of the Romanian SuperLiga.
From the opening minutes Isenko controlled the game with confidence — three times he saved the team already in the early stages. In the 12th minute he parried a powerful shot from close range, later clawed away a deflected effort, and at the end of the first half tipped the ball over the bar to keep the score at 0–0.
The key episode came in the second half. At 0–1 the referee awarded a penalty against Craiova, but Isenko coolly guessed the direction and saved it, keeping his team in the game. After one of the defenders was sent off in the 53rd minute, Pavlo assumed the role of leader at the back — he was assured on crosses, marshalled the defensive line clearly, and saved the team several times from shots inside the box.
By the final whistle — numerous saves, 1 saved penalty, 87% success on claims/coming off the line, and not a single technical error.
After the opening rounds of the Conference League, Pavlo Isenko has entered the group of the tournament’s best goalkeepers by save statistics. According to the analytics platform Wyscout, the Ukrainian ranks second among all goalkeepers in the group stage by number of saves. Pavlo made 8 saves in one match against Raków, five of them from shots taken inside the penalty area.
This figure puts him on a par with 27-year-old Gambian Baboucarr Gaye of the Albanian club Shkëndija, who has identical numbers. At the same time, Isenko shows superior efficiency on close-range saves — 83%, which is currently one of the best results in the tournament.
In the match against Raków, Pavlo Isenko chose the Brave GK Evolution Pro. These goalkeeper gloves combine reliability, flexibility, and maximum comfort — everything needed for assured play at any level.
The key feature of the model is the Gecko Cut, which provides a snug fit and precise ball control. The white neoprene base ensures a comfortable, pressure-free fit, while the latex strap lets you fine-tune wrist compression.
For stability when punching, the gloves are equipped with pressed silicone elements that reduce the risk of slipping. The updated thumb with reinforced fixation adds stability when catching and punching the ball.
The absence of rigid inserts makes the model as flexible and mobile as possible, which is especially important in dynamic episodes. The elastic cuff provides secure wrist fixation and a reliable fit throughout the game.
Brave GK Evolution Pro are suitable for any weather conditions. The gloves come in stylish shades of white, gray, and blue, and the raised Brave GK logo made of 3D silicone emphasizes their modern, sporty character.
After the opening 0–2 defeat to Raków, Romania’s Universitatea Craiova continue their fight in the Conference League group stage. Pavlo Isenko’s team are in a competitive group where the fate of the playoff spots will be decided in the next rounds.
In the second round, on October 23, Universitatea will play a home match against the Armenian club Noah. It is a pivotal game for the team — a victory would restore confidence and put them right back in the race to advance from the group.
The next fixture will take place on November 6 away to Austria’s Rapid. The clash promises to be intense: Rapid are considered one of the group favorites, and the result may largely determine the balance of power in the section.
For 22-year-old Ukrainian goalkeeper Pavlo Isenko, this season has become an important stage in his career. The move to Universitatea Craiova in the summer of 2025 gave him the chance to step onto the international stage and play regularly not only in Romania’s SuperLiga but also in the Conference League, where he has already proven himself as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the tournament.
After his debut against Raków, Isenko drew the attention of analysts and fans alike. Eight saves in a single match is a result that confirmed his high class and composure under pressure. Experts note his reactions, cool head, and assured goal-line play, which make Pavlo one of Universitatea’s key players.
Romanian media call Isenko one of the revelations of the season: he quickly adapted to a new league, shows leadership qualities, and helps the team maintain a balance between solid defending and proactive play from the back.
If Pavlo continues to progress at the same pace, he can not only cement himself as Craiova’s first-choice goalkeeper but also earn a call-up to the Ukraine national team. Participation in a European competition opens new horizons for him and makes him one of the most notable Ukrainian players abroad.
