Dynamo Kyiv and Ukraine midfielder Volodymyr Brazhko shared his impressions of the victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Euro 2024 play-offs.
Volodymyr Brazhko. Photo: Getty ImagesVolodymyr Brazhko made his debut for the Ukrainian national team immediately in the main squad. The midfielder came on as a holding midfielder, replacing Taras Stepanenko, who did not arrive at the national team camp due to injury.
Brazhko is the first debutant of the national team of Ukraine under the leadership of Serhii Rebrov, who was called up as a youth team player. In 2023, the midfielder was one of the members of the Ukraine U21 national team, which reached the semi-finals of the Youth Euro and won a ticket to the 2024 Olympics. Brazhko also started the selection for Euro 2025 in the Ukrainian youth team.
About his debut for the Ukrainian national team and his emotions
"I was preparing for it, there were a lot of thoughts. I calmed myself down, I was a bit worried, but many guys supported me, the head coach. I came out with a calm head. Yes, there were mistakes, but the main thing is that we won.
How emotional was the match? No emotions now, I left them all on the pitch. I gave everything to the fans and the team. I tried to help as much as I could, and I hope I succeeded. How do you rate your debut? It was okay, but there is room for improvement."
On the difference in functions in the Ukrainian national team with the youth team and Dynamo
"I worked in the youth team under Unai Melhosa. There is one style, one scheme, one set of rules. The styles of play are somewhat similar, and it took me 4-5 days to adjust to the national team. I play more between the defenders, pick up second balls, fight. These were the tasks for the match.
Is there a difference in functions between the national team and Dynamo? Somewhat similar [functions]. It's not difficult for me to adjust, I understand the game of Dynamo and the national team quite well. But there is room for improvement, you can't stop. You have to keep moving forward."
On the game against Bosnia and Herzegovina
"We passed the first and second zones without any problems. But in the third zone, when we delivered the ball forward, we couldn't make any combinations and create chances. This was a problem. In the second half, we adjusted a bit, I started to sit as the third defender for the draw. Zinchenko and Sudakov played as holding midfielders, more like insides. They and the wing-backs had more space. It worked out somewhere. Then I was changed, we played as two strikers, created chances and scored. I'm very glad we won, that's the most important thing.
Did you play with five defenders? I was very nervous, I was sitting, I couldn't help the team. When you're on the pitch, you can change something, but when you're off it, you can't do anything. So I was just worried about the guys, so that we could win."
On the support of the fans
"The support of the fans? I felt it very strongly. The Bosnians were booing us, but we heard our fans, and it was very encouraging. We know how much they support us in Ukraine, they see us on TV. Our soldiers are watching, many are cheering. We played for our country, our soldiers. Glory to Ukraine, glory to our heroes."
Thanks to the victory, Ukraine will play against Iceland in the final of the Euro 2024 football play-offs. The game will take place on Tuesday, 26 March, in Wroclaw.
