Before today's EURO 2024 match against Slovakia, in which the national team of Ukraine secured a hard-fought 2:1 victory, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a Zoom conference with UAF President Andriy Shevchenko, head coach Serhiy Rebrov, and the national team players.

"You are our national team. We love and respect you deeply and have high expectations for you. There are different kinds of words, and sometimes there are criticisms, but I just want to tell you that all our people care about you. You are their pride.

I want to wish you victory. You are a star team, not just a team of stars. When you fight on the field like real warriors, we all count on you. We are looking forward to today's battle because every victory you achieve on the pitch brings us closer to our ultimate victory, which will come.

We are keeping our fingers crossed for you and want you to win today. We wish you positive emotions from the game, for you, your loved ones, and all of us. Your victories inspire the boys and girls on the battlefield, on the front lines. This is also very important!" said Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Photo by Andriy Yushchak

In turn, Andriy Shevchenko thanked the President of Ukraine for his attention to the national team: "Mr. President! I want to thank you for your greetings and wishes. This is very important for the guys. Victory is what our country expects from us, especially the soldiers on the front lines, and the boys and girls who defend our state. Therefore, everyone in the team is very focused."

"Mr. President! We are very grateful for your attention. You are doing another very important job, but it is pleasant that you found the time to support us. Sometimes you can lose. But the way we lost the previous match, we should not lose. We need to go out today with a different attitude, with a different desire," said the head coach of the Ukrainian national team, Serhiy Rebrov.