EU's 2024 Soccer Tournament: Preparations underway. - Ukraine uses war as "extra push" during the European Championships
Ukrainian football player, Taras Stepanenko from Shakhtar Donezk, is thrilled to discuss the electric atmosphere during a public training session in Wiesbaden. The 34-year-old shares, "It's an honor to be here." This euphoria and the Ukrainian fans' excitement for the upcoming Euro 2024 championship in Germany persist even amidst the ongoing Russian conflict.
He learned beforehand that numerous people would turn up at the mostly serene Brita Arena in Wiesbaden, and they did just that. Thousands of Ukrainian spectators cheered raucously for their team. Loud "Ukraine" chants reverberated through the stadium. The spectators devotedly and passionately sang their national anthem.
The Euro 2024's significance to Ukraine during the war is a source of optimism for both fans and players. On Monday, the team, including Stepanenko and Chelsea sensation Mychajlo Mudryk, commences their Euro 2024 journey with an encounter against Romania (3:00 PM). National player Ruslan Malinowskyj, who represents Genoa CFC in Italy, declared, "We have a great responsibility."
Following their opening fixture against Romania, Ukraine will play Slovakia (June 21, 3:00 PM) and Belgium (June 26, 6:00 PM) in the group stage. Typically, a second-place finish would be attainable - it would also guarantee a place in the knockout phase.
Given the nation's predicament, solely focusing on the tournament proves troublesome for the players. "It's really challenging, as every day you read the news and are aware of the mayhem happening in our country and realizing that Russia shells our soil every day," stated Stepanenko. The players derive additional inspiration from their situation at home. Olexander Zinchenko from Arsenal, one of the stars on the team, joins Stepanenko in saying, "It's an additional motivator for us."
Hessian Minister President Boris Rhein (CDU) backs the Ukrainian team and its coach, Sergei Rebrov, just as enthusiastically as he does Germany's national squad. Rhein demonstrated his support prior to the public training, claiming "We're behind you a hundred percent."
The Ukrainian football team could orchestrate a miracle at the Euro 2024, Rhein touted recently. Rhein praised the efforts of both the men and women in Ukraine, who are miraculously fighting for freedom in their country.
Safety concerns were paramount preceding the arrival of the Ukrainian team in their Euro 2024 quarters in Taunusstein, Hesse. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) had promised enhanced protection for Ukraine's national squad due to the existing conditions. Safety procedures were carefully instated through state, federal, and international cooperation.
Thus far, at least, no incidents have materialized - even during the open training in Wiesbaden. At the close of the session, only a few fans dashed onto the field to snap selfies alongside their idols, Mudryk, Zinchenko and others.
