The 2024 UEFA European Championship is on the horizon, and Leisu Sports is set to present a series of profiles on the 24 teams that qualified. Today’s focus is on Ukraine. Despite not being a traditional European powerhouse, Ukraine has secured a spot in the tournament for four consecutive editions. Hoping to repeat their surprise run from the previous Euro, they aim for another quarterfinal or better under the guidance of Andriy Shevchenko.
Missed World Cup Attempts, But Success in Recent Euros
The Ukrainian national team was established in 1991, and although its predecessor had a storied history, Ukraine struggled to qualify for major tournaments independently. In the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, they finished second in their group behind Germany but lost in the playoffs to Croatia. In the 2002 World Cup qualifiers and the 2000 UEFA Euro qualifiers, they again fell in the playoff stage. Ukraine was eliminated by Slovenia, also a recent newcomer, in the latter.
Finally, in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, Ukraine secured a spot after a 1-1 draw with Georgia, becoming the first European team to qualify. As debutants in Germany, they emerged as dark horses, advancing to the Round of 16 with two wins and one loss in their group. They defeated Switzerland in the Round of 16 before losing 3-0 to Italy, ending their maiden major tournament campaign.
In the 2010 World Cup playoffs, Ukraine was knocked out by Greece. As joint hosts of the 2012 UEFA Euro, Ukraine qualified automatically, defeating Sweden 2-1 in their opening match, thanks to Shevchenko’s brace. However, they failed to progress beyond the group stage. Following this tournament, Shevchenko announced his retirement from international football.
After a disappointing 2016 UEFA Euro campaign, where they lost all three group matches, Ukraine’s Football Association dismissed Mykhailo Fomenko and appointed the inexperienced Shevchenko as head coach. Though Ukraine missed the 2018 World Cup, they topped their qualifying group in the next Euro cycle. Under Shevchenko’s tutelage, Ukraine advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time in 2020, defeating Sweden in extra time before bowing out to eventual champions Italy.
This upcoming Euro will mark Ukraine’s fourth consecutive appearance, a remarkable feat for a seemingly unremarkable team.
Rybalka, from Player to Manager, Can He Match Shevchenko’s Magic?
Sergei Rybalka, a former forward, played for clubs like Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kyiv, Tottenham Hotspur, Fenerbah?e, West Ham United, and Krylia Sovetov Samara, earning 75 caps and scoring 15 goals for Ukraine.
As a manager, he has coached Dynamo Kyiv, Al-Nassr FC, Ferencváros, and Al-Ain, among others. Appointed as Ukraine’s head coach in June 2023, Rybalka, like Shevchenko, has transitioned from player to national team boss.
In his ten games in charge, Rybalka has recorded six victories, three draws, and only one defeat, an impressive start for a new manager.
Key Players Led by津琴科,卢宁, and a Four-TimeVeteran
Ukraine has already announced their expanded 26+6 squad, including goalkeeper Denys Boyko, Everton defender Vitaliy Mykolenko, Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk.
The standout among the squad is Dynamo Kyiv’s midfielder Andriy Yarmolenko, who has made 116 appearances for Ukraine since 2009, scoring 46 goals across three previous Euros (2012, 2016, and 2020). If selected for the final squad, it would be his fourth consecutive tournament appearance, and he currently serves as team captain. However, Yarmolenko has been battling injuries and missed several matches.
Up front, Ukraine boasts forwards Roman Yaremchuk and Artem Dovbyk, with backup options like domestic league players and Brentford’s Yarmolenko.
Ukraine Squad List
Goalkeepers: Boyko, Bushchan, Trubin
Defenders: Matviyenko, Kopylov,邦达尔, Timchyk, Mykolenko, Zabarnyi, Svatok, Tovilo, Mykhailichenko
Midfielders: Yarmolenko, Shaparenko, Blazhko, Stepanenko, Zubkov, Sudakov, Zinchenko, Zinchenko, Mudryk, Malinovskyi, Sydorchuk
Forwards: Dovbyk, Yaremchuk, Vynnyk
Reserves: Ryznyk, Sykan, Popov, Bayarskyi, Kabaev, Yarmolenko
Group Stage Schedule & Potential Starting XI
Potential Starting XI (4-5-1)
Boyko; Kopylov, Zabarnyi, Matviyenko, Mykolenko; Yarmolenko, Zinchenko, Zinchenko, Mudryk, Sudakov; Yaremchuk
June 17, 21:00 Ukraine vs Romania
The last five encounters between the sides were friendlies, resulting in two wins each and one draw.
June 21, 21:00 Ukraine vs Slovakia
In their last eight meetings, Ukraine holds a slight advantage with three wins, three draws, and two losses. They drew in the UEFA Nations League in 2018.
June 27, 00:00 Ukraine vs Belgium
No recent matches.
Tumultuous Qualifiers, Comeback Wins Secure Spot
In the group stage, Ukraine faced defending champions Italy and runners-up England, finishing with four wins, two draws, and two losses. Tied on points with Italy, they lost out due to inferior head-to-head results and entered the playoffs.
There, they overturned a deficit against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Yaremchuk and Dovbyk scoring late goals. Against Iceland, they came back from a 1-0 deficit, with Zinchenko and Mudryk securing a comeback victory, booking their place in the finals and maintaining their consecutive participation streak.
With ample preparation, can Ukraine replicate their underdog heroics? Ahead of the Euros, they plan to play friendly matches against Germany, Poland, and Moldova, demonstrating their commitment to fine-tuning the team and striving for a strong showing. In a group with Romania, Slovakia, and Belgium, Ukraine has the potential to challenge besides Belgium. While