On June 12, the Ukraine national team played a friendly charity match in Bremen at the "Weserstadion" against Germany as part of their preparation for the Euro-2024 qualifiers. This was the 1,000th game in history for the German national team.

At the same time, this was the first match under the leadership of new head coach Serhiy Rebrov. From the list of players called up to the squad, Krivtsov, Boyal'skyi, Kochergin, and Rusyn remained outside the starting lineup.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

The hosts immediately took the initiative, while Ukraine focused on quick counterattacks. Shortly after the whistle, Mudryk failed to pass back, but Füllkrug missed a clear chance. However, at the 6th minute, Germany finally went ahead — after Kimmich's cross into the penalty area, Wolf scored with a shot that ricocheted off Füllkrug and found the net.

Soon afterwards, the hosts created another good opportunity, but Raum finished the combination with an effort wide of the near post. Over time, Ukraine managed to push the ball away from their goal, and at the 19th minute they equalized in a counterattack. After Zabarny's cross from deep, Timchik received the ball, played it across to Tsygankov, who confidently scored into the far corner.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

Moreover, at the 23rd minute, Ukraine's players took the lead. Yarmolenko successfully dribbled past a defender on the flank, played to Timchik, who went for a cross from the wing, Tsygankov missed his marker, and after Mudryk's shot, the ball ricocheted off Rüdiger into the net. 1:2.

Afterwards, Germany controlled the ball, trying to score their second goal. So, near the penalty spot, Goretzka had a shot from a rebound that went over the bar after Füllkrug's header off a cross from the left flank. Our boys responded with an opportunity on the 44th minute when Yarmolenko played backheel in the penalty area to Timchik but lacked accuracy. Just before halftime, Sane hit the crossbar with a powerful free-kick attempt against Trubin.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

The second half started calmly, but at the 56th minute, Germany "brought it on themselves." Ginter gifted the ball to Dovbyk, who played to Tsygankov, who completed his brace. 1:3.

The hosts responded with a dangerous shot from Havertz — the ball flew over the bar. On the 74th minute, Rüdiger had a chance on goal but missed wide of the near post after winning a header in the air. In the next attack, Mudryk set up Zubkov for an effort that was saved by Trapp.

Soon afterwards, Sane tried his luck with another attempt, but the ball went wide of the far post. On the 83rd minute, after Rüdiger's cross, Havertz beat Matviyenko and pushed the ball past Trubin, thereby reducing the deficit in score. In the final moments of the match, Germany continued to press and managed to draw level. Sobolev fouled Havertz inside his own penalty area, and Kimmich converted the resulting penalty — 3:3.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

Now, Ukraine is looking forward to Euro-2024 qualifiers against North Macedonia (June 16, Skopje) and Malta (June 19, Trnava).

International Friendly Match

Germany - Ukraine - 3:3 (1:2)

Goals: Füllkrug (6), Havertz (83), Kimmich (90+1, from penalty) — Tsygankov (19, 56), Rüdiger (23, own goal).

Germany: Trapp, Wolf (Hofmann, 62), Rüdiger, Ginter (Kljestmann, 46), Schlotterbeck (Henrichs, 71), Raum (Henrichs, 71), Kimmich (c), Sane, Goretzka (Musiala, 62), Brandt (Wirtz, 71), Füllkrug (Havertz, 46).

Substitutes: ter Stegen, Leno, Kerer, Jahn, Thiav.

Coach: Hans-Dieter Flick.

Ukraine: Trubin, Timchik, Zabarny, Matviyenko (Sobolev, 78), Mykolenko (Vanat, 64), Tsygankov (Zubkov, 71), Stepanenko (Ignyatenko, 64), Sudakov, Mudryk (Pikhalonok, 78), Yarmolenko (Malinovskyi, 64), Dovbyk (Vana, 64).

Substitutes: Bushchan, Lunin, Svytoluk, Bondar, Sidorchuk, Konoplyanka.

Coach: Serhiy Rebrov.

Referee: Anastasios Sidiropoulos (Greece).

Yellow cards: Malinovskyi (90).

June 12. Bremen. "Weserstadion".