Ukraine aims at qualifying for the European Championships once more
Ukrainian footballers, with grit and determination, grab a shot at advancing in the Euros. In Duesseldorf, the team finds themselves behind Slovakia but flips the script. The deciding goal is a thing of beauty.
A breathtaking goal and a much-needed victory ignite hopes for the knockout stage during Ukraine's emotional Euros journey. The team led by coach Serhij Rebrow overcomes a deficit with an incredible comeback, winning 2:1 (0:1) against Slovakia and keeping all chances for the K.O. round.
Mykola Shaparenko (54.) and Roman Yaremchuk (80.), who expertly handled the ball and sent it into the net, swung the game in Ukraine's favor. Despite their rocky start at the tournament against Romania (0:3), they enter the decisive group game against Belgium with three points. Slovakia, who took the lead through Ivan Schranz's (17.) second tournament goal, missed an early entry into the knockout stage.
"A traumatic memory we must erase"
Before the second group game, the war was being felt in Ukraine. Remnants of a destroyed stadium from the former Euros host city Kharkiv were on display at the Duesseldorf marketplace. The players tried their best to focus on the encounter with the Slovaks - a task not easy given the circumstances. "It's tough for us to get motivated," Oleksandr Sintschenko from Arsenal noted: "It's like a traumatic memory we must erase."
In this task, the professionals had the support of their fans. After settling down to home tunes on the Burgplatz, they made their way towards the stadium with a crowd march. "Ukraine, Ukraine," they chanted loudly. After the shaky start, including a crisis meeting against Romania, Rebrow rebuilt his team. Goalkeeper Andrij Lunin from Real Madrid was replaced by Anatolij Trubin. In total, Rebrow made four substitutions. The former Dortmund player Andrij Jarmolenko started in attack as captain.
Ukraine struggles for quite a while
Calzona's opposite number saw no reason for changes - and his team took control of the game with noticeable confidence. After a brilliant solo run on the left wing, Lukas Haraslin couldn't find the back of the net past Trubin (10.). Shortly afterwards, the new goalkeeper brilliantly saved from Schranz (11.). Ukraine was digging in for counter-attacks, but the accuracy was lacking at the final pass. Dangerous situations were initially the property of the Slovaks, who deservedly took the lead from a header by Schranz (17'). With more presence in one-on-one situations, Ukraine created quick turnarounds. Striker Artem Dowbyk missed a good opportunity (28'), a shot by Olexandr Tymtschyk hit the post (34').
In the second half, the Ukrainians showed their skillset. After a fantastic combination on the left side, Shaparenko scored the equalizer. The Ukrainian stands exploded, producing a deafening sound that energized their team. Scoring chances were scarce, with Mychajlo Mudryk of Chelsea failing to score (74'). Then Yaremchuk scored a beautiful goal.
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Ukraine secures a crucial victory in the European Football Championship 2024, as they overcome a 0-1 deficit against Slovakia in Düsseldorf. Mykola Shaparenko and Roman Yaremchuk score the winning goals, helping Ukraine to advance in the tournament.
In the build-up to the match against Slovakia, Ukraine's players express their determination to rise above the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict at home, seeing their participation in the tournament as an opportunity to unite their nation and inspire hope.
