“Football, like all other sports, does not escape politics and war. » The message posted on the social networks of the Ukrainian Federation (AUF), on the eve of the kick-off of Euro 2024, leaves little room for doubt. The Blue and Yellow are participating in their first major competition since the invasion of their country by Russia, on February 24, 2022, and they intend to take advantage of the opportunity to remind the Old Continent of the reality of the situation on the ground.
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The team’s entry into contention against Romania, Monday June 17, in Munich, was therefore particularly scrutinized. More than would have been, in other circumstances, his duel against the 46e nation in the rankings of the International Football Federation (FIFA), certainly the author of an impressive qualifying campaign – in which it finished undefeated and first in its group ahead of Switzerland – but which only has one starter in a premier club European rank in its ranks (defender Radu Dragusin at Tottenham).
As could be expected, the Blue and Yellow Euro started with strong images. A starting eleven, treading the lawn of the Allianz Arena, the country’s flag tied on their shoulders. Then the national anthem – Shtche ne vmerla Ukraïny, “Ukraine is not dead yet” – echoed in chorus by the thousands of supporters in the stands, whose final note was tear-jerking. Sportingly, on the other hand, it sank: largely beaten (0-3) by the Tri, to the delight of Romanian fans.
Coming in large numbers, they had chosen, for the time of the meeting, to put aside feelings and support for their northern neighbors, competition obliges. “I hope they will celebrate tonight, because it is only the second victory in the history of Romania in a Euro”, recalled the captain, Nicolae Stanciu, first scorer of the day and named man of the match. After the final whistle, while the midfielder and his teammates saluted their sides, the Ukrainian players apologized to theirs.
“Football is about results”
“No one expected that”, recognized the coach, Sergiy Rebrov. His men started as favorites for this inaugural meeting, which they finished with better possession (66%) and three times more passes completed than their rivals of the day. “There are several components [pour expliquer cet échec]. We had possession of the ball, control… But we failed to create chances. Ultimately, football is about results. » There were some blunders too, like this bad dismissal from goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, which led to the opening of the Romanian score (29e) and will completely change the appearance of the meeting.
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