The more we study the details regarding the triumphs of "Ararat 73", the more new and interesting facts and events come forth, which are unknown for the contemporary footballers. "Armenpress" opens that "golden page" in the history book of the Armenian sport. Both the heroes and witnesses of the heroic triumph of "Ararat 73" tell new details about the club's achievements. This time the project is dedicated to legendary Alexander Kovalenko.

YEREVAN, JUNE 12, ARMENPRESS. "Kovalenko is not the legend of the Armenian football alone, but in the history of the entire USSR football as well." That's how Alexander Kovalenko's teammates briefly described their friend. They all stated that Kovalenko was absolutely devoted to the match; he loved people and always supported his friends. He was a spirit of friendship of the team.

Alexander Kovalenko was born in 1943. Kovalenko played in different positions ranging from the defender to forward. He was a famous football-player, USSR champion, USSR cup holder. He was a legend of the Armenian football. Kovalenko was considered one of the best full-backs of the star team "Ararat-73" in 1973. He participated in 281 matches and scored 19 goals in his career. Alexander Kovalenko died on April 1, 2002.

Nikolay Ghazaryan described Alexander Kovalenko as "a concrete wall" of "Ararat". Among other things Nikolay Ghazaryan underscored: "He was our central backward and the fate of the entire defense depended on this position. We never worried, when he was in the main squad. We were confident that the defense is safe.

We remained friends beyond the boundaries of the stadium as well. We used to go fishing together. The difference of our age was not so substantial, but we considered him to be our elder brother."

When Suren Martirosyan was telling us about his teammate, he seemed to be addressing words of gratitude to Alexander Kovalenko. Suren Martirosyan stressed: "Kovalenko is not the legend of the Armenian football alone, but in the history of the entire USSR football as well. Any team would love to have such a football player. Physically he was very strong and robust and he could easily eliminate the opponent's attacks.

Kovalenko was our joy. When we used to come together on any occasion, he was the first to appear on the dance floor, he was always in the centre of the dancing hall."

The legendary captain of the team Hovhannes Zanazanyan missed defender Alexander Kovalenko – "Comrade Alexander", very much. Among other things he highlighted: "Kovalenko was a great man. He was a worthy football player for all triumphs. Our rivals had to face with an impenetrable wall, when he was in the field. He was a very kind-hearted person. It's also noteworthy, that whenever we met journalists in foreign countries, he always proudly said that he was an Armenian, a true Armenian." (THE FULL VERSION OF THE ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IN ARMENIAN)

“Ararat” players’ memories about Alexander Kovalenko were gratefully written down by Varvara Hayrapetyan