On Wednesday, June 26, the national team of Ukraine drew with the national team of Belgium (0: 0) in the third round of the group stage of Euro 2024 and, having taken the last place in Group E, completed its performance at the European Championship. Here is the post-match press conference of the teams' head coaches.
Sergiy RebrovSerhiy REBROV, head coach of the Ukrainian national team:
- How did you feel about this match? How would you assess the team's performance in the tournament and your work?
- My work should be evaluated by you. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the playoffs because of the first match, in which we lost to Romania. In that game, we did not wake up after 0:1 and 0:2. I am grateful to the players for the match against Slovakia. Today we tried to win, to create chances. There were enough chances, but we played against the top team, it was very difficult. We didn't take our chances, but I have no complaints about the players.
- How do you see the next stage of this national team? Will we see changes in the team? Maybe this is the last tournament for the age players?
- I don't know if it is or not. Today we have the youngest team in the tournament. I don't understand why we have to rejuvenate or change anything now. The same Volodymyr Brazhko has come in and is playing in the main team. We follow the players of the youth and Olympic teams. This is a process. We can't say that we didn't make it to the playoffs, and now everything needs to change.
- How important is participation in such a tournament for Ukraine?
- This tournament is very important, we represent our country. In the last two matches, there were no questions about the commitment and character of the players. We showed the character of our nation. Now it is important to show people that we are still fighting, that we need help from Europe, of which we are a part. It is very important for us to be represented here. It's a shame that we played poorly in the first game. But that's life, and it's important to react to mistakes. I think we reacted well. Unfortunately, we didn't move on with four points. Speaking about today's game, I am proud of the players. I think everyone in Ukraine is unhappy with the score, but I have no questions for the players.
- What is the current situation in Ukrainian football?
- We continue to hold our domestic competitions, we continue to live. Unfortunately, many stadiums were destroyed. But now we live in such conditions. I am very glad that we continue to hold championships, it is very important. It's also important to represent Ukraine at the Euros, to show that we are still alive, fighting and will not stop.
- What kind of support for Ukrainian football would you like to see from Europe?
- During the tournament, wherever we were, we felt support. This is very important, football is a part of life. We also realize that we are now fighting not only for Ukraine, but for the whole of Europe.
- Did you talk to your players after the match?
- I thanked them for this game, but said that we did not make it to the playoffs because of the result of the match with Romania. I saw the players - they have no emotions. We have a very young national team, I see prospects for the future. We need to survive this day and start working tomorrow.
Domenico TEDESCO, head coach of the Belgian national team:
- Today we knew we had no right to fail. The message was clear, we wanted to play and try to win. The players tried everything. We can score more, then many things will become easier. I'm proud of my team because they played well at the end of the match - if we had conceded, we would have been eliminated.
This group was harder than many people thought. On paper, you may be the favorites, but you have to fight, and our opponents had absolutely nothing to lose. There were no small teams in our quartet.
