Serhiy Rebrov: "We need to get through this day and start working tomorrow"

26.06.2024 22:15

Head coach of the national team of Ukraine, Serhiy Rebrov, shared his thoughts following the EURO 2024 match against Belgium (0:0).

- How did you experience this match? How do you evaluate the team's performance in the tournament and your work?

- You should be the ones to evaluate my work. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the playoffs because of the first match, where we lost to Romania. In that game, after 0:1 and 0:2, we didn't wake up. I'm grateful to the players for the match against Slovakia. Today, we tried to win, to create chances. We had enough moments, but we played against a top team, and it was very tough. We didn't use our chances, but I have no complaints about the players.

- What do you see as the next step for this team? Will we see changes in the team? Could this be the last tournament for some older players?

- I don't know if it’s the last one or not. Today, we have the youngest team in the tournament. I don't understand why we should change or rejuvenate anything right now. Volodymyr Brazhko has come in and plays in the starting lineup. We are watching the players in the youth and Olympic teams. This is a process. We can't say that because we didn't reach the playoffs, everything needs to be changed.

- How important is it for Ukraine to participate in such a tournament?

- This tournament is very important. We represent our country. In the last two matches, there were no questions about the players' dedication and character. We showed the character of our nation. It's important to show people that we are still fighting and that we need Europe's help, of which we are a part. We need to be represented here. Unfortunately, we had a poor first game. But this is life, and it’s important to respond to mistakes. I think we responded well. Unfortunately, we didn't advance, even with four points. Speaking about today's game, I am proud of the players. Everyone in Ukraine is probably unhappy with the result, but I have no questions for the players.

- What is the current situation in Ukrainian football?

- We continue to hold our domestic competitions, and we continue to live. Unfortunately, many stadiums were destroyed. But we live under these conditions now. I am glad that we continue our championships, it's important. It's also important to represent Ukraine at the Euros, to show that we are still alive, fighting, and won't stop.

- What kind of support would you like to see from Europe for Ukrainian football?

- During the tournament, wherever we were, we felt support. This is very important, football is part of life. We also understand that we are fighting not only for Ukraine but for all of Europe.

- Did you speak to the players after the match?

"I thanked them for this game, but I said that we didn't make the playoffs because of the result against Romania. I saw the players – they have no emotions. We have a very young team, and I see potential in the future. We need to get through this day and start working tomorrow.

Ukraine squad for EURO 2024

Goalkeepers: 1. Georgiy Bushchan (Dynamo Kyiv), 12. Anatoliy Trubin (Benfica, Portugal), 23. Andriy Lunin (Real Madrid, Spain).

Defenders: 22. Mykola Matviyenko, 2. Yukhym Konoplia, 21. Valeriy Bondar (all Shakhtar Donetsk), 24. Oleksandr Tymchyk (Dynamo Kyiv), 16. Vitaliy Mykolenko (Everton, England), 13. Illia Zabarnyi (Bournemouth, England), 3. Oleksandr Svatok (FC Dnipro-1 Dnipro), 4. Maksym Talovierov (LASK Linz, Austria), 26. Bohdan Mykhaylichenko (Polissya Zhytomyr).

Midfielders: 7. Andriy Yarmolenko, 19. Mykola Shaparenko, 18. Volodymyr Brazhko (all Dynamo Kyiv), 6. Taras Stepanenko, 20. Oleksandr Zubkov, 14. Georgiy Sudakov (all Shakhtar Donetsk), 17. Oleksandr Zinchenko (Arsenal, England), 15. Viktor Tsygankov (Girona, Spain), 10. Mykhailo Mudryk (Chelsea, England), 5. Serhiy Sydorchuk (Westerlo, Belgium), 8. Ruslan Malinovskyi (Genoa, Italy).

Forwards: 11. Artem Dovbyk (Girona, Spain), 9. Roman Yaremchuk (Valencia, Spain), 25. Vladyslav Vanat (Dynamo Kyiv).

EURO 2024 Group E: Schedule and Results

June 17: Romania vs Ukraine - 3:0

June 17: Belgium vs Slovakia - 0:1

June 22: Slovakia vs Ukraine - 1:2

June 22: Belgium vs Romania - 2:0

June 26: Slovakia vs Romania - 1:1

June 26: Ukraine vs Belgium - 0:0

Standings