Dynamo midfielder Volodymyr Brazhko shared his emotions about winning a ticket to Euro 2024 as part of the Ukrainian national team and spoke about preparations for the league's calendar game against Vorskla.
Volodymyr Brazhko. Photo: fcdynamo.com- Have you switched from national team affairs to club tasks?
- Yes, of course, this is a common thing for us. So now we are thinking about the upcoming matches in the Ukrainian championship.
- The national team together with everyone else started preparing for the game against Vorskla. Are there any peculiarities in the preparation?
- Basically, we are preparing as usual. We understand the importance of the result in the upcoming match, so we are working with full responsibility.
- What was the focus of today's training session?
- We practised link-ups on the pitch, passes, played football, and also paid attention to finishing attacks.
- Getting back to the national team. Have you realised how much success you have achieved?
- If on the first day, when I woke up, I thought it was a dream, now I have an awareness. But now, first of all, we need to fulfil the tasks at Dynamo, and after the end of the championship we will think about the Euro.
- Did your Dynamo teammates congratulate you on reaching the Euros?
- Yes, of course, they did, thank you all for the nice words. We keep working - there is no time to celebrate.
- How did your family and friends react?
- They probably still don't believe it's true. My mum was at the stadium, she's been living in Poland for 5-6 years, she was very worried, and after the game she burst into tears - I think she was proud (smiles). My grandparents watched the game in Zaporizhzhia, and the whole street where I grew up was cheering for the national team. It was very nice.
- In a short period of time, you made your debut for the national team, played important play-off matches, and reached the Euros. Do you manage to cope with the emotions?
- Of course, the first few days were euphoric, but now I understand that this is history, and I need to work on.
- Your debut for the national team came during important matches. Was there any jitters or did you feel extra responsibility?
- Of course, the responsibility was huge, because the whole country was watching you, everyone understood the importance of these matches. There were some fears before the game with the Bosnians, but Andriy Yarmolenko supported me, and Serhiy Sydorchuk encouraged me - in principle, both the guys and the coaching staff supported me, so everything went well.
- If it's not a secret, what words did they use to encourage you?
- They told me not to worry, to start with a simple game, to feel confident.
- How did the national team receive you? What were your first impressions?
- The level of the national team is just top, it's nice to be in the same team with guys who play in the top leagues in the world, but at the same time remain simple, sociable. Now I want to get a foothold in the team and prove myself.
- Have you met everyone?
- I've heard about them in absentia, and they've heard about me. We got to know each other better in the national team, everyone is cool, the atmosphere is very good in the team.
- Was there a dedication? Maybe they sang a song...
- I know it used to be like that, but now I didn't have to sing anything.
- Who did you communicate with the most?
- In general, with everyone, but most of all - Vanat, Zabarnyi, Mykolenko, Karavaev.
- Your debut game was against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Did you expect it to be a tough game?
- Yes, we thought it would be difficult. But I experienced emotions that I want to remember for the rest of my life. Moreover, we played away from home, the local fans whistled and insulted us after the goal. But it was okay, we won and reached the final.
- Was it unusual to play with the fans?
- In general, I have not played many matches for Dynamo with the fans, but here was a full stadium, I was driving the opponent forward for the whole match. I had double emotions in Wroclaw, when this time the whole stadium was rooting for you and your team. It's beyond words.
- How did you find out about the call-up to the national team?
- At first, my agent called me and said that I was going to the national team for a few days, training, and then returning to the youth team. But a few days later, he told me that I was going to a full training camp with the national team. I was very happy and looking forward to this moment.
- When did you find out you were going to play? Did you think you would start right away?
- Honestly, I thought about it, I mentally prepared myself for a few days that I could play. And I found out on the day of the game against Bosnia - Serhii Stanislavovych called me to him, asked if I was ready, and I answered in the affirmative.
- In both matches, we conceded first, but then won in the end. Were there any doubts about the victory?
- Indeed, in both cases we conceded first, but being on the pitch, we were confident that we would press the opponent and take ours. There were a lot of attacks, a lot of chances, so I felt we would win.
- It was the first time you worked under Serhii Rebrov. What were your impressions?
- Serhii Stanislavovych always gave me suggestions. In general, each coach has his own requirements, so I try to do everything my mentor says, because he is the boss.
In general, I studied at the Academy when Rebrov was the head coach of Dynamo, and Alberto Bosch, who is also now at the national team headquarters, worked with us. It was so interesting to see that similar exercises to those we had at the Academy are now being used in the national team. The only thing is that the level of the players is not comparable (smiles).
- Have your senior Dynamo team-mates told you anything about Serhii Rebrov, what he's like at work?
- I didn't ask much, and I saw everything with my own eyes at the national team's location. In general, I was satisfied with the training sessions, the matches, and the atmosphere in the team.
- In addition to the national team, the U19 and U17 teams also qualified for the European Championships, and the youth team for the Olympic Games. Is this a good indicator?
- Yes, indeed, and it is very important to make our way to such tournaments in this difficult time for us, so that the world does not forget about Ukraine and continues to help repel the Russian aggressors.
- Where do you want to play more - at the Euro or at the Olympics?
- Both. The dates of the tournaments do not coincide, so why not (smiles)
- What can you say about your rivals at the Euros - Belgium, Slovakia and Romania?
- So far, I haven't watched anyone in particular. But if these teams directly reached the Euros, then a priori they cannot be weak. We will tune in to each opponent and play.
- And back to club business. The next opponent is Vorskla. What can you say about the opponent?
- A powerful team that will play in front of their fans. But we need to show our game and win. It is difficult to play with all teams now, because Dynamo is a good irritant for everyone. But we also need points, so we will be prepared in the most serious way.
- Usually, after playing for the national team, matches in the league are difficult. Should we expect any "surprises" in the game against Vorskla?
- I think it depends on the team's attitude. How we set up, that's how the game will be. Let's see.
