YEREVAN, MARCH 25, ARMENPRESS. Armenian national team long-term goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky, who played his farewell game in the match against Belarus, received a gift Toyota Prado Land Cruiser car from the Armenian Football Federation.

“Armenpress” reports that Armenian Football Federation President Ruben Hayrapetyan handed over the key of the car to Roman Berezovsky.

Roman Berezovsky was also awarded with gold medal of the Mayor of Yerevan for his big contribution in the development of Armenian football. Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan handed over the medal to Berezovsky.

Armenian Football Federation President Ruben Hayrapetyan donated Berezovsky a painting of the goalkeeper as well.

Roman Berezovsky has been the main goalkeeper of the Armenian National Team for 19 years, and played 93 matches. This statistics is second only to Sargis Hovsepyan (132 matches). For 19 years, thanks to the brilliant performances of Roman Berezovsky, the Armenian Team was saved from seemingly hopeless situations, had successful matches and memorable victories. When Berezovsky was at the goal, the fans were relaxed, and the defenders more confident.

Roman has participated in 79 international matches since his debut in home 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Portugal on 31 August 1996. He is considered as the best Armenian goalkeeper ever. Berezovsky holds the record of second most capped player of the Armenia national team, after former captain Sargis Hovsepyan. He was controversially given a red card during a decisive UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying game against Ireland. Spanish referee Eduardo Iturralde González, who resigned after the match, penalized Berezovsky for handball, although replays clearly showed his hands never touched the ball. The FFA filed protest over the bad call, but were denied. Berezovsky's undeserved removal had been the factor that cost Armenia the game. He was named the new captain for the national team on 12 October 2012 and first played as captain for a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Italy after Hovsepyan previously retired. 

Berezovsky also had a brilliant club career, playing for the famous Russian clubs: "Zenith", "Torpedo", "Dinamo". Berezovsky is the record holder among USSR and Russian goalkeepers with numbers of penalty kick saves.

Photos by Gevorg Perkuperkyan