With the backdrop of war, Ukraine aims to display the "essence of our nation" at Euro 2024.
In the tumultuous years following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the country's soccer team has emerged as a symbol of hope in a nation still reeling from the devastating effects of war. The team recognizes its role as a beacon for a people struggling to remain positive and is determined to use this status as motivation for the upcoming European Championship – a significant event for Ukraine as it marks the first major tournament the nation has qualified for since the war's onset in 2022.
"We are aware that football is not the most crucial thing right now in Ukraine," admits head coach Sergiy Rebrov to CNN Sport. "But we believe our successful performance in Europe brings positive emotions to our country."
Following a grueling qualification process, Ukraine finished third in its group behind England and Italy and went on to secure a spot at the tournament by beating Bosnia and Herzegovina before taking down Iceland in tense playoff matches. The news of their qualification was met with gratitude by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who thanked the team for "proving once again that when it's challenging for Ukrainians, they don't stop fighting."
The team received encouraging messages from soldiers fighting on the front line, expressing their pride in the team's exceptional performance. A testimony to the significance of the team's achievement, it will now attempt to offer another morale boost as it competes against some of Europe's finest teams. Ukraine first faces Romania before taking on Belgium and Slovakia in its remaining Group E fixtures.
Rebrov, a popular figure in Ukrainian soccer, took over as head coach in 2023 and has overseen the development of a team featuring rising stars like Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk and Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko. However, managing the team amidst a war has been a difficult task. Most Ukrainian stadiums – which once hosted the European Championship a decade ago – have been marred by the fighting, forcing Ukraine to travel across the continent to play its home games. The persistent threat of Russian aggression also weighs heavily. "Traveling to the games is daunting but compared to our fighters, it's nothing," comments Rebrov, echoing the sentiment expressed by the team members.
To boost the morale of players and staff affected by the devastating consequences of war, open communication is essential, Rebrov asserts. From coaches to members of the support staff, they've all endured heart-wrenching conversations about the atrocities happening in their home nation. To reinforce their resolve, Rebrov occasionally shares notes from soldiers fighting on the front lines during team meetings and has even shown them videos of children whose lives have been impacted by the conflict. "They create short videos for several minutes, and the players cry," he recalls. "When you see that video, you play with an altered sense of motivation."
Their first step at the European Championship is already akin to achieving a major goal: merely being present on the international stage. For comparison, Russia will not participate in the tournament due to UEFA's ongoing ban on its participation. While Rebrov acknowledges that simply making it through the tournament isn't enough, he hopes his team will impress with their spirit and passion on display in their games.
Reflecting on the horrific events impacting the nation – such as a startling increase of 31% in civilian casualties in Ukraine in May compared to the previous month, according to UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine – Rebrov realizes that sports aren't the most crucial aspect of this war. Nevertheless, he also believes that their participation in the European Championship still has the power to help build morale. "Everyone from Ukraine is trying to help each other, our defenders, the volunteers," stated Rebrov. "Our top priority is to end this war and rebuild Ukraine."
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The players are excited to represent Ukraine on the football field at Euro 2024, hoping to bring joy and distraction to their nation facing war. In preparation for their group matches against Romania, Belgium, and Slovakia, the team has been working diligently to showcase their skills and spirit.
