Ukrainians keen for wartime success lament Euro 2024 elimination
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Ukrainian soldiers watching the Euro 2024 match against Belgium as they saw their national team eliminated from the competition.
PHOTO: REUTERS
STUTTGART – Ukraine’s football team and their fans, hungry for success at Euro 2024 after more than two years of war against Russia, lamented their elimination on June 26 but expressed pride at their effort.
The Ukrainians drew 0-0 against Belgium and finished bottom of Group E – not good enough to advance in a group that featured a blanket finish among the four teams. All ended with four points, with Ukraine last on goal difference after a damaging 3-0 loss to Romania in their opener.
“Being in the tournament was very important for our country. We showed the character of our nation, after nearly 900 days of the war,” said Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov. “It’s very important to show people in Europe, people in Ukraine, that we are still fighting.
“Unfortunately we didn’t do well in the first game but that’s like in life, you make mistakes and then it’s important how you react. I think we reacted well. I’m grateful to the players for how they responded.”
Like many, he blamed the setback on allowing three goals in the team’s defeat by Romania, a gap which made an impact when goal difference came into play.
“It was not only the three points, but after 1-0, 2-0, we didn’t wake up,” he said. “I saw the players (after the Belgium game). Unfortunately, they have no emotion any more. But we have a very young national team. I can see they are optimistic about the future.”
The national team have been a rallying point for Ukrainians throughout post-Soviet times.
Euro 2024 qualification was a source of pride, as much as the country’s military fights to contain the slow advance of Russian forces along the 1,000km front in the east and south.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had hailed their 2-1 win over Slovakia, was philosophical about the latest outcome.
“A strong nation is one that maintains unity and in which people always help one another. Both in times of defeat and in times of victory,” he wrote on Telegram.
“Despite the disappointing result, you fought for our country. Our victories still lie ahead. Victories for Ukraine. For now, let us stand firm, rise up and move forward to become stronger in the future.”
At viewing parties throughout the country, fans and others simply there to back the team were disappointed, but determined to get behind future successes.
As a border guard regiment gathered at a compound in the Donetsk region, a few kilometres from the front line, one soldier held his head in his hands and another cradled his weapon as they watched the match.
“I would have liked to see them win, but a game is a game,” said Roman, 33, a member of the regiment. “Some of us are playing sport, some of us are fighting. That’s the way things are.” REUTERS, AFP
