EM - Bland Belgians in the round of 16 - Ukraine eliminated
Belgium and former Bundesliga trainer Domenico Tedesco reached the Euro championships quarterfinals disappointingly, as Ukraine was eliminated. The two teams drew 0:0 in Stuttgart on Wednesday in the last match of Group E. Since the parallel game between Slovakia and Romania ended 1:1, the Ukrainians finished last. Belgium ended the group stage as second. The Red Devils will face title contenders and vice world champions France in Düsseldorf on the coming Monday.
The Ukrainian team's Euro journey has come to an end. One mission for the team coached by Serhij Rebrow at this tournament was to distract the people back home from the suffering caused by the Russian attack war for at least a while. Ukrainian fans in the stadium displayed a banner with the portrait of the fallen soldier Nasarij Hrynzewytsch from the controversial Azov Brigade shortly after the kickoff. According to the responsible fan organization, it was meant to remind people that thousands of Ukrainian team supporters were fighting at the front to defend their country against Russia.
Schwabian home game for Tedesco
"I would be lying if I said it was just a normal stadium and normal environment for me," Tedesco had said before the game. The 38-year-old was born in Italy but grew up in the Esslingen district. Family and friends had come to the arena to support the former VfB Stuttgart youth coach at his personal Euro home game.
And they saw a dominant Belgian team first. When it became dangerous, Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City was usually involved. Already in the seventh minute, he served Romelu Lukaku, the powerful striker failed, however, against Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatolij Trubin. Lukaku is still waiting for his first tournament goal. In the first two group games, the 31-year-old had a total of three goals disallowed.
Ukraine lacks offensive determination
From the middle of the first half, the Ukrainians dared to push forward more often. However, they played their attacks sometimes too sloppily, sometimes too hastily. A long-range shot from Roman Yaremchuk was no problem for the still-Wolfsburg Koen Casteels in the Belgian goal (20.) - and one of the few highlights in the first half. From the stands, there were some boos at halftime.
Both teams increased the risk only slightly after the break. The Belgians had more ball possession, but still had few successful offensive actions. After about an hour, Lukaku tried again, but could not overcome Trubin in the Ukrainian goal with his flat shot.
Casteels saves on the line
A attack by Belgium's Yannick Carrasco, who chose to shoot at the free standing De Bruyne instead of passing, was a symbol of the mediocre level of the game (67.). A shot from Carrasco a few minutes later was better - but still not good enough.
In the closing stages, Belgian fans had to anxiously wait for the ticket to the quarterfinals, as a directly aimed corner kick was cleared by Casteels on the line. The Ukrainians continued to press for the desperately needed goal, but also wasted good finishing opportunities.
Euro match plan Information about the game
- In Stuttgart, Belgium and Domenico Tedesco, the former Bundesliga coach, concluded the Euro championships group stage with a draw against Ukraine.
- Slovakia and Romania's parallel game ended in a 1:1 draw, leading to Ukraine's elimination from the tournament.
- Belgium finished Group E as the second team, progressing to the quarterfinals.
- The Red Devils will face France, the title contenders and vice world champions, in Düsseldorf on Monday.
- Tedesco, born in Italy but raised in Baden-Württemberg, had a personal Euro home game in Stuttgart.
- Kevin De Bruyne, the Manchester City player, had several dangerous offensive actions for Belgium.
- Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian striker, is yet to score his first tournament goal.
- Ukraine struggled with offensive determination, playing their attacks too sloppily or too hastily.
- A long-range shot from Roman Yaremchuk was saved by Koen Casteels, the Wolfsburg goalkeeper for Belgium.
- Belgian fans were on edge in the closing stages as a corner kick was cleared off the line by Casteels.
- The Ukrainian team aimed to distract their nation from the suffering caused by the Russian attack war during the tournament, but their Euro journey has come to an end in the group stage.
