Head coach of the Ukraine national team Serhiy Rebrov shared his expectations from the participation of his team at Euro 2024.
Sergei Rebrov. Photo: Getty Images
On starting excitement and previous experience.
"I don't think there is a lot of excitement in the team. We know what to do and we are preparing very carefully. Unfortunately, I don't have coaching experience at such a tournament yet, I was only a player at the World Cup, but I see the mood of the players: they want to show everything they have for Ukraine.
I think the experience of a player helps, but it is not the main thing in the work of a coach. I think it helps more in working with the players in the sense that they respect the coach who has passed their way. But I think the coach has a very, very different job".
On the special motivation of the Ukrainians
"The Ukraine national team players don't need to be motivated right now. When there is a war going on in the country, the guys already realize what a responsibility it is to play for the national team. It is really a very big motivation. Sometimes we talk about it, but I can see by the players' faces, by their attitude to the training process and matches, how motivated they are. This applies to absolutely all the players coming to the national team camp."
On the fans' support
"We are very grateful to our fans. Wherever we play - a lot of our people always come to the matches. We know that a lot of families have left Ukraine. I see a lot of children in the stands when we play, and I see that it is an additional motivation for our players. Unfortunately, these children can't be in Ukraine now, and we can't play a single match in Ukraine.
I remember when I was not yet the coach of the national team, but I went to its matches, there was always a really incredible excitement. This is a very important motivational moment for the players. But, as I said, no matter where we play, we feel the support of all Ukrainians, to whom soccer brings positive emotions, which, unfortunately, our people lack now".
On high expectations from the Ukraine national team
"Before which EURO from Ukraine were not expected a high result? It is always believed that Ukraine is a soccer country, and I absolutely agree with that. But there are other factors - war, long moves, very big additional loads on the players, which we have to take into account. However, like the fans, I believe that we have a very good national team and we will try to reach the maximum at this EURO.
We have a young national team, but I don't see a problem here. I think that for all teams it is very important to have a balance between experienced players and young players who give more energy on the pitch. And I think that we have this balance in our team: we have both experienced guys and talents, for whom this big tournament is the first in their lives".
On style and tactical flexibility
"Rebrov's style of play? I think that speed is very important for modern soccer. You will see the rest at the EURO. At the level of national teams the best players of their countries are gathered, so sometimes you have to adjust to the opponent. Injuries also happen. Therefore, it is very important for our national team to show that it understands how to play in a different scheme. We showed it in the qualifying cycle, and I am convinced that we will show it at the EURO as well".
On the opening match against Romania
"All the opponents at the EURO are very tough, and the Romanian national team did not take the first place in their qualifying group for nothing. Therefore, we respect it and other teams in the group, but we need to focus on our own game. Romania has enough bright players. Almost all of them play abroad, in good clubs, so I have a lot of respect for the opponents."
On the prospects at the tournament
"Let's leave that to the fans. For us now it's important to prepare for every game. I see my players; I see that they are very motivated; I see that they are high-level players. About half of our team are players who are now playing in Ukraine. In a country where there is a war, and I think it's very important that we have such strong players in our championship.
I think this national team has a really great potential, but it does not mean anything by itself. At such a tournament you need to show your maximum. If we want to achieve something, we need to show our best level in every game".
