Ukraine’s qualification for the Euro 2024 football finals has cheered a country racked by its conflict with Russia, and for a few weeks in June and July the tournament will offer a reprieve from the brutal realities of war.
In the play-off final held in neutral Poland on Tuesday, the team came from behind to defeat Iceland 2-1 and advance to their fourth consecutive continental final.
They will be drawn in Group E with Belgium, Slovakia and Romania, a team they will face in their first match on June 17 in Munich.
Russia’s war with Ukraine is now in its third year, and despite heavy casualties on both sides, it shows no sign of ending since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
“I am very proud to be a Ukrainian and shed the same blood as those who gave their lives for our freedom,” captain Oleksandr Zinchenko said after Tuesday’s win.
“We need to talk about it every day and shout about it. That’s the only way we’re going to win. This is one of our most exciting games.
“It’s an amazing feeling. I’m happy because it’s another dream come true. A big thank you to our fans who are helping us get through these difficult times.”
Coach Sergey Rebrov said in the build-up to the Iceland game that his team was struggling to concentrate on playing football.
“Missiles are flying every day. Our mission is to show that we are alive and fighting the Russians and we need European support,” Rebrov said.
He added that his players “watched the news about the shelling of Odessa and Kiev, which made them even more angry and eager to show our potential on the football field.”
The coach praised the “character of our players and our country” for moving forward in qualifying. As war refugees, Ukraine hosted “home” games across Europe.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the team’s resilience during difficult times.
“Thank you, team. For the important victory and reaching the European Cup,” Zelenskiy said in a post on X.
“It has been proven once again that whenever Ukrainians encounter difficulties, they will not give up and keep fighting, and Ukrainians will win.
“Sometimes, when the enemy tries to destroy us, we prove every day that Ukrainians are and will be. Ukraine is and will be! Glory to Ukraine!”
mission completed
Ukraine successfully completed its eligibility screening mission in Poland, the country with the highest concentration of Ukrainian refugees.
Still, the road to the final won’t be easy.
Rebrov’s side endured a difficult qualifying group match that included draws with European champions Italy and runners-up England.
Former Ukraine striker Rebrov took over in June last year after a disappointing defeat to Wales in the play-offs to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
There are Roman Yaremchuk and Artyom Dovbik in the frontcourt, the winger Mihailo Mudrik is fast, the midfielder has the crafty Zinchenko, and the backcourt has Ilya Zabarny With Vitaliy Mykolenko, Ukraine has a capable team.
What they have now proven is that they can fight through adversity and win, and hopefully that will become a unifying message for the country.
“It was very difficult to sit in the dugout today and I saw how difficult it was for the players,” Rebrov said.
“I thank them all for this gift to our country. It’s so important during such a difficult time.”
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