Ukraine's midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi commented on the victory over Iceland (2:1) in the final play-off qualification and the exit to the final tournament of Euro-2024:
Ruslan Malinovsky- What emotions were there in the locker room and on the pitch? How important is the victory for Ukraine?
- Of course, the victory is very important for the whole Ukraine and for all the fans. We have a very good experience of such matches. We expected such a game, we knew that it would be very hard. The opponent scored a goal in the first half. But I want to say that after the first half I saw that everyone believes that we will be able to win back, to get back into the game. Today the result was achieved thanks to the character of the whole national team.
- How did Serhiy Rebrov adjust for the game at halftime?
- We had a lot of chances in the first half. The opponents, while they were fresh, defended more compactly. We knew that in time we would have more zones, because they would physically shrink, so we added them at the end. And the guys who came on as substitutes also helped. Today the victory is like that, a team victory.
- Today there were almost 30 thousand spectators on the stands. How did you feel their support?
- Very excellent support always. We play in Poland. We hope that we can play in Ukraine. Thank you to all the fans who came. I know they came from the Czech Republic, and from different countries. Thank you to everyone who came.
- You crossed paths with Albert Gudmundsson in Serie A.
- I talked to him, but I know his qualities as a footballer, he is a very strong footballer. He showed today that from a minimum of chances he can make a goal because he is very dangerous. It was a final, there was one winner today and I'm glad we won.
- How did you feel after the final whistle? What was your first opinion and who do you dedicate your victory to?
- I felt that we did it. Because everyone was worried, there was a lot of pressure on the team before the match, because everyone said we were favourites. But everyone realised that it would be a very difficult game. I dedicate the victory to all of Ukraine, to all the defenders of our country, who are defending Ukraine and fighting now. This victory is for them. And, of course, for my family, which is rooting for me. This is my family, this is my brother, my mum, my wife, my daughter, my parents. This is a victory for everyone.
- Andriy Lunin said that Andriy Shevchenko came into the locker room. How did he congratulate you? What did he say to the team?
- Shevchenko said that he received a lot of messages, that he was proud of the whole team, that we were good, we showed character today. As I said, today was the result, it is in the first place that we made the result. Now in all championships you have to work hard to prove the right to your place in the national team.
Daniil AGARKOV from Wroclaw
