Gamers of Ukraine’s nationwide soccer group heat up throughout a public coaching session in Wiesbaden, Germany, on June 13, 2024, forward of their group E match towards Romania on the Euro 2024 soccer match.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Ukraine, which is competing towards the backdrop of the warfare at residence towards Russia, opens its European Championship marketing campaign with a match towards Romania in Munich on Monday. The opposite groups in Group E are Belgium and Slovakia. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. native time (1300 GMT).
Ukraine is trying to again up its most profitable marketing campaign thus far, having reached the quarterfinals at Euro 2020 the place it was eradicated by eventual runner-up England.
Ukraine earned a fame as comeback kings within the playoffs as a late objective noticed it come from behind to beat each Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 within the semifinal after which Iceland by the identical rating.
Romania impressed in qualifying, crusing by means of unbeaten to high a gaggle that additionally contained Switzerland and Israel.
Edward Iordănescu will develop into the primary coach to steer a Romania group at a European Championship since his father Anghel in 2016.
Ukraine left again Vitaliy Mykolenko injured his ankle within the final warmup match earlier than the match however coach Serhiy Rebrov is hopeful the harm just isn’t critical. Ought to Mykolenko not recuperate in time he’ll seemingly get replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko, who performs as left again for Arsenal however extra typically in midfield for the nationwide facet.
Romania coach Iordănescu has all 26 of his gamers obtainable. Romania has not reached the knockout phases in 24 years, since dropping 2-0 to eventual runner-up Italy within the quarterfinals at Euro 2000.
Romania shocked England at that match, beating it 3-2 within the group stage. That’s Romania’s solely win at a European Championship, having drawn 5 matches and misplaced its different 10.
The groups have met six occasions earlier than however by no means at a serious match. Romania has the slight edge with three wins to Ukraine’s two – however the final of these was greater than 20 years in the past. There was no less than 4 objectives up to now three matches between the perimeters.
“It’s a fantastic honor to symbolize Ukraine. You already know what occasions we’re going by means of now so I really feel unbelievable duty for my actions however I’m not anxious about my recreation,” stated Ukraine defender Illya Zabarnyi.
“These are distinctive occasions, great occasions, occasions that each coach prepares, works and desires for. It’s a dream come true: a fantastic story to have certified after such a very long time, and we wish to make this second final so long as attainable,” stated Romania coach Edward Iordănescu.
“I imply for the time being, it’s in all probability probably the greatest groups we’ve had. It’s a superb mixture of younger gamers and skilled gamers. We mix properly on the pitch when it comes to that. So, God is aware of what will occur however this group has big potential,” stated Ukraine midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko.
