On Thursday morning, Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco held a big press conference in the suburbs of Brussels to launch his team's preparations for Euro 2024 and the upcoming friendly matches against Ireland (23 March) and England (26 March). Team1 conducted amini-interview with the Belgian coach.
- At the end of March, after the head-to-head matches, the fourth participant in Group E will be determined, where the national teams of Slovakia and Romania will play together with your team. Among the contenders for this fourth ticket to your group are the national teams of Israel, Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ukraine. Which of them do you consider the main contender for a place in the coveted four?
- It's hard to answer this question because each of these teams is at stake in the European Championship, which is pride and prestige for any national team. Naturally, in such a situation, each of them will give their best in these matches. And a lot will depend on the mood, motivation and readiness of the teams.
However, in my opinion, of the four contenders, the Ukrainian national team still has the most realistic chance of making it to the Euros in Germany. And not just because on paper its squad looks a little better. Over the past 2-3 years, this team has seen the emergence of a whole group of young talented players who have found their place in very serious European clubs, where they have become not just statisticians but leaders and authorities who are talked about throughout football Europe. When the backbone of your national team is made up of players who play in the top five strongest championships on the continent, this is already a serious and powerful argument.
But another point is also important to me - the team's style of play, its football philosophy and priorities. The football played by the Ukrainian national team today is modern, up-to-date, European. It is the spirit of the times. Perhaps the Ukrainians do not always succeed, but this team is on the right track, and therefore the logical progress we have seen in their game in recent years.
- Judging by your analysis, have you already had a chance to watch the Ukrainian national team play?
- In preparation for our team's next friendly with England, I had a quick look at Ukraine's September match with the English, where your guys created a lot of problems for Southgate's men, and gave him a headache (laughs).
Ukraine stood up to England with dignity. Most of the English trump cards were beaten, which indicates a very clear coaching setup for the game, the team's preparedness and its maximum dedication. These are very serious bonuses for Ukraine and they worked even in a game against one of the favourites of this year's Euro, which many people today consider the English team to be.
Since I have Italian blood in my veins, I try to follow the football life of Italy as much as possible. That's why I was partially able to watch Ukraine's last game against Spalletti's men. And while in the first half the Ukrainians did not play with much confidence, in the second half they managed to level the game and achieved a well-deserved draw.
What else distinguishes Ukraine is its strength of spirit. When there is a war in your country, you think first and foremost about patriotism and give yourself completely on the football field. It is difficult for any opponent to play against a team with such a mindset, with such a mentality.
After analysing the Ukrainians' performance in these two matches, I came to the conclusion that this team has the most realistic chance of making it to the Euros. And if that happens, I'm looking forward to competing with the Ukrainians on the football fields of Germany.
- Especially since since Ukraine's independence, the Ukrainian and Belgian national teams have never faced each other either in official or friendly matches ...
- Really? I did not know about it. In this case, we must definitely correct this injustice (laughs).
Volodymyr Grabyshchenko