Famous commentator Igor Tsyganik shared his vision of the performance of the national team of Ukraine at Euro-2024.
Igor Tsyganik"Of course, the Ukrainian national team is not considered a favorite for Euro 2024. At this stage we have a team that is being formed. Serhiy Rebrov should be given credit. He took this team in quite difficult conditions, because it was necessary to change generations along the way, and at the same time to use all the resources to give the result. We managed to pass a very difficult selection and playoff matches - this is a great result.
We played our best games in the selection against top teams - England and Italy, so I have an opinion that we should look quite good against Belgium in the group. Especially the friendly game against Germany confirmed that we can build a clear defense, run into counterattacks.
Speaking about the first two starting games, in my opinion, we need to take at least four points: it is desirable to beat Romania in the first game, and then quietly earn points with the Slovaks (1 or ideally 3). Such a schedule will allow us to practically secure a place in the 1/8 finals of Euro 2024. After all, in a format where the top two teams in the group and the top four teams in the third, these 4 points should suit us.
The match against Belgium, if I really wanted it, should be a game for first place in Group E. Yes, it won't be easy for us, it will be difficult, but we have every chance to give a decent fight to the favorite.
I think that if the team gets out of the group and plays in the 1/8 finals, it will be an ordinary result. A good result would be the quarterfinals of Euro-2024, but it is still difficult to assess the competition grid in advance, without knowing their opponent in the future.
We can remember Euro-2020, when we lost to Austria in the group in second place, but in the 1/8 finals we fell to Sweden from the third place and advanced to the quarterfinals in extra time, while Austria was eliminated by the future Euro champion Italy, also in extra time.
In addition, I believe that even in the 1/8 finals we will not be such a clear underdog, because against the tops, as I noted earlier, we play very well. Rebrov has learned to do it: the match against England, two games against Italy, the recent match with Germany.
To summarize, I definitely see us in the 1/8 finals, the ideal option is the Euro quarterfinals. In addition, I believe that Artem Dovbik will be the top scorer for the Ukraine national team. I expect at least three accurate shots from the Girona forward," said Tsyganik.
