Seventeen-year-old goalkeeper Yehor Krapivin continues to gain match experience in Spain, playing for Vilassar de Mar (UE Vilassar de Mar) — the second reserve team of Espanyol. The club competes in the third division of the Spanish championship. At the end of January, the Ukrainian goalkeeper took the field in a match against Hospitalet. Both for official matches at this level and for daily training sessions, Krapivin chooses Brave GK Air gloves — a model that gives the goalkeeper the confidence he needs.
Krapivin works in the full training rhythm of Spanish football: regular on-field sessions, high intensity, many reaction drills and exercises focused on playing with the feet. Training sessions with Vilassar de Mar take place on natural grass and often include fast sequences of shots and game situations inside the penalty area — exactly the conditions where goalkeeper gloves reveal their true level the fastest.
At every training session, Yehor wears Brave GK Air gloves. This is not a situational choice, but a reliable everyday model: catching crosses, dealing with close-range shots, reacting after deflections, and quickly restarting play. The gloves perform consistently from the beginning to the end of training, maintaining grip and comfort under constant load.
Recently, Vilassar de Mar played a match of the 20th round of the Tercera Federación against Hospitalet. The game ended with a 1–4 scoreline, but for Yehor Krapivin this match was an important step in terms of match practice and adaptation to senior Spanish football.
The game provided exactly the kind of experience that cannot be gained in training. High tempo, pressure from the opponent, shots from different distances, and managing the game as the score changed throughout the match. Krapivin was constantly involved in the action, reading the game behind the defensive line and making decisions under pressure.
For the match, as well as for recent training sessions, Yehor wore Brave GK Air gloves. In match conditions, this is especially important: the gloves must perform predictably throughout all 90 minutes — during crosses, rebounds, play with the feet, and quick distributions. Matches like these build confidence and lay the foundation for the next step in a goalkeeper’s career.
The key element of the model is 4 mm Supreme Contact latex with a cushioning backing. It provides stable ball contact and absorbs impact force during close-range shots. The ball does not rebound after catching — a critical factor in matches with many rebounds and physical battles inside the goal area.
The Rollfinger cut increases the contact surface with the ball and helps ensure confidence when dealing with crosses and deflections. Combined with the internal Fix Fit system, the glove stays firmly in place during jumps and sharp directional changes. The hand is securely fixed without excessive pressure, allowing for long sessions without loss of sensitivity.
Special attention should be given to the breathable backhand construction. Training sessions in Catalonia take place in varying weather conditions, often with increased humidity. In Brave GK Air gloves, the hand remains dry and mobile, and ball control does not deteriorate by the end of the session.
That is why Krapivin uses Brave GK Air not occasionally, but on a regular basis — both in training cycles and in Vilassar de Mar matches.
Vilassar de Mar is a club with nearly a century of history, founded in 1923 and located in Catalonia. The team competes in the third division of the Spanish championship (Group 5) and plays home matches at Estadi Municipal Xevi Ramon, which has a capacity of around 3,000 spectators. The club’s colors are red and white.
From July 1, 2025, Vilassar de Mar officially became the second reserve team of RCD Espanyol. This means the club is integrated into Espanyol’s overall development structure and serves as a transitional stage between youth football and higher senior levels.
For Yehor Krapivin, this role is fundamentally important. He is not simply on loan or involved in an external project, but part of a system where the coaching staff works according to Espanyol’s player development philosophy.
The priority is match practice. The goalkeeper regularly faces powerful shots, physical battles in the penalty area, and a high tempo of play.
At Vilassar de Mar, Krapivin gains playing time, adapts to the Spanish style, and proves his readiness for the next step — moving higher within Espanyol’s structure.
