Shakhtar beat AZ Alkmaar over two legs and reached the Conference League semifinals. The first match ended in a 3:0 win, while the return leg finished in a 2:2 draw. That was enough for Shakhtar to reach the semifinals and continue their fight in the tournament.
In the two matches against AZ, Dmytro Riznyk saved the team several times in dangerous moments. In the first match, the goalkeeper rescued Shakhtar during a one-on-one chance, reacted to a difficult shot into the top corner, and confidently dealt with a shot toward the near corner in the closing stages. In the return leg, Riznyk played a tough and intense match in which Shakhtar had to keep control of the game until the final whistle. Let’s break down these moments and show which features of the Brave GK Venom DR goalkeeper gloves are important for this kind of work in goal.
At the start of the second half, AZ launched a dangerous counterattack. Patati went one-on-one with Dmytro Riznyk and tried to chip the ball over the goalkeeper, but Riznyk managed to react. Shakhtar’s goalkeeper blocked the shot and turned the ball out for a corner. In moments like this, fractions of a second decide everything: the goalkeeper has to quickly read the situation, take the right position, and play precisely with his hands. If the glove sits unstably, it becomes harder for the goalkeeper to act in such a sharp episode.
In these moments, Brave GK Venom DR gloves fit tightly on the hand, securely lock the wrist, and do not shift during the burst of movement. This is made possible by the neoprene backhand with a latex element and silicone inserts, the Roll Hybrid cut, the sewn-in latex strap, and the elastic cuff. Thanks to this construction, the glove keeps a snug fit and does not lose hand fixation in a dynamic episode.
In the second half, AZ created another dangerous moment near Shakhtar’s goal. Mijnans hit a powerful volley into the top corner, but Dmytro Riznyk parried the shot. In such an episode, it is not enough for the goalkeeper to simply reach the ball. The palm has to work reliably at the moment of contact so the ball does not fall to an opponent for a rebound.
Here, the gloves need reliable contact with the ball and predictable performance during the touch. This is provided by the palm made from 4 mm German Supreme Contact latex and a 4 mm cushioning layer. This combination helps absorb the speed of the ball more effectively and maintain control after contact.
In the 78th minute, AZ launched another dangerous attack. After a cross into the box, the ball bounced to Mijnans on the right side of the penalty area, and he shot toward the near corner. Dmytro Riznyk reacted and parried the shot. In the closing stages, such moments are especially dangerous for a goalkeeper. Against the backdrop of fatigue and a high tempo, even this kind of ball can be handled with less than full confidence, leaving the opponent a chance to follow up.
Brave GK Venom DR goalkeeper gloves stand out for their high grip on the ball. The palm made from 4 mm German Supreme Contact latex with a cushioning layer helps the goalkeeper collect the ball without unnecessary rebound. The anatomical shape and Fix Fit system with silicone stabilization inside the palm also support this.
The return leg against AZ turned out to be much more nervous for Shakhtar than the first meeting. After a 3:0 home win, the team played away and managed to open the scoring only in the 58th minute after Alisson’s goal. Then the opponent increased the pressure: Ichihara headed dangerously after a corner, Jensen equalized from a free kick in the 73rd minute, and in the 80th minute Shin put AZ ahead. Shakhtar quickly responded with a goal from Meirelles and finished the match in a 2:2 draw, which was enough to reach the semifinals.
For a goalkeeper, such matches are difficult not only because of individual shots, but also because of the very nature of the game. The score changes, the opponent pushes forward, and the number of crosses, set pieces, and duels inside the penalty area increases. In such a match, it is important not to drop out of the game, to maintain concentration, and to be ready to react quickly - even if the ball has not reached the goal for a long time before that.
In these matches, the value of goalkeeper gloves lies in overall stability. Brave GK Venom DR are designed for intensive loads and are expected to work predictably in different match situations - during shots, crosses, rebounds, and play after set pieces. The gloves help maintain confidence in an intense tempo until the final whistle.
Shakhtar’s next opponent will be Crystal Palace - a club from the English Premier League. In 2025, the team won the FA Cup for the first time in its history, beating Manchester City in the final. That same year, Crystal Palace also won the FA Community Shield, defeating Liverpool in a penalty shootout.
Shakhtar’s first match against Crystal Palace will take place on April 30 in Krakow, with the return leg on May 7 in England.
