Ruslan Rotan: "We face a great challenge, and we want to proudly represent our country at the Olympic Games"

12.07.2024 12:00

Ukraine Olympic team coach Ruslan Rotan discusses preparation and goals for the 2024 Games in France.

"When I was 13, I witnessed the birth of Olympic champions at the sports boarding school in Dnipropetrovsk. There were many of them. Later, as a footballer, I probably never imagined making it to the Olympic Games. It didn't happen for me as a player, but now it has as a coach. I am immensely proud of this achievement for our players and our country.

After our last match at EURO 2023, when we lost to Spain and everyone was disappointed, I saw in the players' eyes a sense of unfinished business. There's another tournament where we can achieve our goal. All the players were eager to go to the Olympic Games and do everything to defend the honor of our country. Maybe it didn't work out for everyone, but they gave other young players a chance. And those who will participate in the Games in Paris are worthy of this challenge.

Regarding our goals for the tournament, we want to move forward step by step. I don't want to make any predictions. Right now, our goal is to prepare well, and then, match by match, we will set our tasks. I believe this approach will be better and more comfortable for the players. We don't want to put pressure on them. We understand that some of our players haven't played in tournaments of this level, so it will be tough for them. Our coaching staff must take on this psychological pressure. The players need to feel relaxed, as they can only show their best qualities in that state.

Photo by UAF press service

During preparation, we need to bring all the players to a unified functional state. After the break, they started training with their clubs and are not yet in their best physical condition. We understand this and need to balance them out. On July 14, we will play against Egypt, and on the 18th, we will have a general rehearsal before the Olympic Games against Paraguay. Then, on the 19th, we will move to Lyon, where we will base ourselves before our opening match at the 2024 Olympics. There, we will prepare for the game against Iraq, which will take place on July 24.

What was the atmosphere like at the National Olympic Committee (NOC)? It was very cheerful, first and foremost. What I liked was the strong support we received from the NOC, wishing us the best of luck at the Olympic Games and encouraging us to win every match.

This support gives us wings. We will try our best, and we understand for whom we are going there — first and foremost, our military. We thank them for their support! We also understand the great challenge ahead of us, and we want to proudly represent our country," said Ruslan Rotan.

Official Roster of Ukraine's Olympic Football Team for the 2024 Games

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

The list includes 22 players, with four reserved spots.

According to the regulations, players born after January 1, 2001, are eligible to participate. Additionally, each team can include three players who are older than this age.

2024 Olympics. Men's Football Tournament

Group A: France, USA, Guinea, New Zealand.

Group B: Argentina, Morocco, Iraq, Ukraine.

Group C: Uzbekistan, Spain, Egypt, Dominican Republic.

Group D: Japan, Paraguay, Mali, Israel.

Group B Schedule

July 24, 2024

Argentina vs Morocco (16:00, Saint-Étienne)

Iraq vs Ukraine (20:00, Lyon)

July 27, 2024

Argentina vs Iraq (16:00, Lyon)

Ukraine vs Morocco (18:00, Saint-Étienne)

July 30, 2024

Ukraine vs Argentina (18:00, Lyon)

Morocco vs Iraq (18:00, Nice)

All match times are in Kyiv time.

The two top teams from Group B advance to face representatives from Group A.

The format of the Olympic tournament remains traditional: battling in four groups of four teams, with the top two advancing to the playoffs, followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, the match for third place, and the final (August 9th, Paris, Parc des Princes).

It's worth recalling that last summer, by defeating France (3:1) in the quarterfinal match of the 2023 Euro (U-21) and securing a spot in the semifinals, our team achieved a historic success, earning the country the right to participate in the football tournament at the Olympics for the first time. Alongside Ukraine, Spain and Israel also obtained licenses for the 2024 Summer Games in this discipline through the 2023 U-21 Euro.

Participants in the men's football tournament at the 2024 Olympic Games will compete from July 24th to August 9th in seven cities in France: Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Saint-Étienne, Nice, and Nantes. According to the regulations, players born after January 1, 2001, are eligible to participate. Additionally, each team can include three players older than this age.

In total, 16 national teams will participate in the tournament: France as the host, three teams representing Europe (Ukraine, Spain, Israel), three from Africa (Morocco, Egypt, Mali), three from Asia (Japan, Uzbekistan, Iraq), two from South America (Paraguay, Argentina), two from the CONCACAF region (USA, Dominican Republic), one from Oceania (New Zealand), and the winner of the intercontinental play-off (Guinea).