Serhiy Rebrov: "Today's squad grasps how we can compete at Germany's level"

04.06.2024 00:15

Following the friendly match against Germany, which ended in a goalless draw, the head coach of the Ukrainian national team, Serhiy Rebrov, held a press conference.

- What was the main objective of this match? Are you satisfied with your team's performance?

- The main objective was to prepare for the Euro. This game was beneficial for both teams. Unfortunately, the players are not at a hundred percent right now, but we have almost two weeks ahead for preparation. I saw a great desire from the players, which is very important, and the whole team to defend. Unfortunately, we had to defend a lot. Today's squad grasps how we can compete at Germany's level.

- How important is it for Ukraine to play such matches?

- Being represented here, at the Euro in Germany, is very good for Ukraine. We want to be part of the European community, so such a forum is important to our country. I am glad that we are here now, playing against Germany again. I believe that Germany is our most important partner during the war. I am very grateful to this country. We have no problems here, everyone supports us, which is important.

Unfortunately, football is not in the foreground in our country right now. It is important for everyone in Europe, and around the globe, to support Ukraine during the war. Eventually, I am sure that football will be number one in our country again very soon.

Ukraine national team roster:

Goalkeepers: Georgiy Bushchan (Dynamo Kyiv), Anatoliy Trubin (Benfica, Portugal), Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid, Spain).

Defenders: Mykola Matviyenko, Yukhym Konoplya, Valeriy Bondar (all Shakhtar Donetsk), Oleksandr Tymchyk (Dynamo Kyiv), Vitaliy Mykolenko (Everton, England), Illia Zabarnyi (Bournemouth, England), Oleksandr Svatok (SK Dnipro-1), Maksym Talovierov (LASK, Austria), Bohdan Mykhaylichenko (Polissya Zhytomyr).

Midfielders: Andriy Yarmolenko, Mykola Shaparenko, Volodymyr Brazhko (all Dynamo Kyiv), Taras Stepanenko, Oleksandr Zubkov, Georgiy Sudakov (all Shakhtar Donetsk), Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal, England), Viktor Tsygankov (Girona, Spain), Mykhailo Mudryk (Chelsea, England), Serhiy Sydorchuk (Westerlo, Belgium), Ruslan Malinovskyi (Genoa, Italy).

Forwards: Artem Dovbyk (Girona, Spain), Roman Yaremchuk (Valencia, Spain), Vladyslav Vanat (Dynamo Kyiv).

Reserve list: Dmytro Riznyk, Danylo Sikan (both Shakhtar Donetsk), Denys Popov, Vitaliy Buyalskyi, Vladyslav Kabaiev (all Dynamo Kyiv), Yehor Yarmolyuk (Brentford, England).

On June 4, the team will fly to Warsaw, Poland. In the neighboring country's capital, Ukraine will play its next preparatory and friendly match against Poland on June 7. Kick-off is at 21:45 Kyiv time.

The final match before the pre-tournament camp will be against the Moldovan national team on June 11 in Chisinau, Moldova. Kick-off is at 19:00 Kyiv time.

On June 12, the national team will arrive at their permanent base for EURO 2024 in Wiesbaden.

Group E Match Schedule for EURO 2024

June 17: Romania vs Ukraine. Arena Munich, Munich. Kick-off: 16:00 Kyiv time.

June 17: Belgium vs Slovakia. Frankfurt Stadium, Frankfurt. Kick-off: 19:00 Kyiv time.

June 21: Slovakia vs Ukraine. Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf. Kick-off: 16:00 Kyiv time.

June 22: Belgium vs Romania. Cologne Stadium, Cologne. Kick-off: 22:00 Kyiv time.

June 26: Slovakia vs Romania. Frankfurt Stadium, Frankfurt. Kick-off: 19:00 Kyiv time.

June 26: Ukraine vs Belgium. Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart. Kick-off: 19:00 Kyiv time.

Kick-off times are in Kyiv time.