Ukraine’s appearance in its first major tournament since Russia’s full-scale invasion has given the war-plagued country a reason to celebrate the success of a talented team which has every quality needed to go far in the Euros.
Ukraine, which has been fighting off a Russian invasion since February 2022, will play in its fourth straight Euros with a slew of world-class players such as Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk and Arsenal full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Ukraine will face Belgium, Romania and Slovakia in Group E. Although the Belgians are the group favourites, Ukraine are well-equipped to reach the knockout stage by finishing second.
Up front, Ukraine will rely on the towering Artem Dovbyk, whose physicality and pace terrorise defenders.
The 26-year-old moved to Girona from Dnipro-1 last year and was La Liga’s top scorer of the season with 24 goals in 36 games, one more Villarreal’s Alexander Sorloth.
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Ukraine qualified for the Euros with a 2-1 win after a second-half comeback against Iceland in its playoff final in March after losing an automatic qualification spot to Italy.
That victory proved an emotional moment for the country that had eagerly followed their team’s qualifying campaign, which was exclusively held outside Ukraine due to the invasion, which Moscow calls a ‘special military operation’.
“The feelings inside are so hard to describe as today every Ukrainian was watching our game,” Zinchenko said after the win.
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The team received messages of support from soldiers on the front line, while President Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked them for “proving once again: whenever Ukrainians face difficulties but do not give up and continue to fight, Ukrainians certainly win”.
Russia will not take part in the 24-nation tournament, having been banned by European soccer governing body UEFA over the invasion of Ukraine.
At the last Euros, Ukraine reached the quarterfinals, losing 4-0 to eventual runner-up England. It was eliminated at the group stage in its two other appearances.
Ukraine has lost only two of its last 20 Euro qualifiers, and was taking on Germany, Poland and Moldova in friendlies in June as part of its last preparations for the tournament.
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A long run at the Euros would help the people of Ukraine to take their minds off the horrors of war, at least for a moment.
“The missiles are flying every day. Our mission is to show that we’re all alive and fighting against the Russians and that we need Europe’s support,” manager Serhiy Rebrov said before Ukraine’s victory against Iceland.
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(With inputs from Reuters and AFP)
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