Summary: The Ukrainian national team qualifies for Euro 2024 after a 1:2 victory over the Icelandic national team in the playoff final/Sport1
Like Israel, which is at war, Ukraine also dreamed of qualifying for Euro 2024 in order to give some moments of happiness to the country and the citizens during the difficult period, but unlike Israel, the Ukrainians did it, and in a big way.
Yesterday (Tuesday), at the moment of truth, in the playoff final, Ukraine came back from behind against the same Iceland that eliminated Israel, winning 1:2 thanks to a winning goal in the 84th minute, and the beaten country, suffering from the war with Russia, celebrates knowing that it had a few weeks in June and July in which The tournament will provide a welcome distraction from the harsh reality.
Ukraine could not host, and played in Poland, but nevertheless managed to make a fourth consecutive appearance in the continental final.
It will be in Group E with Belgium, Slovakia and Romania, against which Ukraine will face in its opening match in Munich on June 17.
And we, from home, will watch with envy, and know how close we were, and actually how far.
Zinchenko and the players of the Ukrainian national team celebrate after qualifying for the Euro/Reuters
"I am very proud to be Ukrainian, to have the same blood that flows to those who are now sacrificing their lives for our freedom," said national team captain Oleksandr Zinchenko after the victory, "We have to talk about it, shout it every day. It's the only way we can to win. It was one of our most exciting and emotional games.
"It's an amazing feeling.
I'm very happy because it's another dream come true.
A big thank you to our fans, they helped us get through these difficult times in an amazing way."
Coach Srei Rebrov said before the game against Iceland that it is difficult for his team to concentrate on football. "The missiles are flying every day.
Our mission is to show that we are all alive and fighting against the Russians and that we need Europe's support," said Rebrov. He added that his players "watched the news about the shelling of Odessa and Kiev and Zev made us even more angry and eager to show our potential on the soccer field."
More in Walla!
The breakthroughs, the treatments and what does the future hold?
Everything you need to know about diabetes
In collaboration with Sanofi
how sweet it is
Modric after the winning goal/Reuters
The coach hailed the "character of our players and of our nation", after an achievement recorded while the players themselves are also "war refugees" and "hosts" throughout Europe.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the team's resilience in difficult times.
"Thank you, team, for the important victory and the rise to the euro," wrote Zelensky in a post on X, "Thank you for proving once again that whenever the Ukrainians encounter difficulties they do not give up and continue to fight, the Ukrainians definitely win.
"At times like this, when the enemy tries to destroy us, We demonstrate every day that the Ukrainians are here, and here they will stay.
Ukraine is, and will be!
Glory to Ukraine!".
More on the same topic:
Ukraine national team