Ukraine has successfully secured its spot in the 2024 European Championship in Germany through the playoffs. As it prepares for its fourth consecutive appearance in the tournament, Ukraine finds itself in a challenging group alongside England, Italy, North Macedonia, and Malta.
The “Yellow-Blue” first qualified for the Euros as hosts in 2012, winning only one match. In 2016, they finished at the bottom of their group without a single point. However, in Euro 2020, Ukraine made it to the quarter-finals, where England eventually eliminated them.
In the 2024 qualifiers, Ukraine finished third in their group, tied with reigning European champions Italy at 14 points each. Their strong performance in the UEFA Nations League earned them a spot in the playoffs, where they defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland to secure their place in Germany.
Head coach Serhiy Rebrov has announced the 26-man squad that will represent Ukraine this summer, and here’s a detailed analysis.
Goalkeepers
The battle for the starting goalkeeper position is between Andriy Lunin and Anatoliy Trubin. Lunin, with his excellent form at Real Madrid in Thibaut Courtois’s absence, is likely to get the nod.
Defenders
Rebrov has plenty of options at full-back. Vitaliy Mykolenko, currently in impressive form at Everton, and Yukhym Konoplya, shining for Shakhtar Donetsk, are the primary choices. Oleksandr Tymchyk and Oleksandr Karavaev will provide quality backup.
Bournemouth’s Ilya Zabarnyi and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykola Matvienko are the favored duo in central defense. Valeriy Bondar and Maksym Taloverov, who had limited game time during the March friendlies, will head to Germany as backups.
Midfielders
Arsenal’s versatile full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko will be deployed midfield to connect defense and attack with his exceptional passing abilities. He can also cover left-back if Mykolenko pushes forward. Ruslan Malinovskyi, known for his box-to-box capabilities and long-range shooting, will partner with him.
Though inconsistent since joining Shakhtar Donetsk, Mykhailo Mudryk brings a raw pace and a direct approach, making him a threat to any defense. Dynamo Kyiv’s captain, Andriy Yarmolenko, recovered from an Achilles injury and returns in time for the Euros.
Further forward, Georgiy Sudakov, a promising talent from Shakhtar, will be the creative force, with Girona’s Viktor Tsyhankov adding pace on the right wing.
Forwards
Artem Dovbyk, who made a significant move to La Liga’s Girona, leads the attack. During the Euro 2024 qualifiers, he scored crucial goals, including in the playoffs against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He will be supported by Valencia’s Roman Yaremchuk and Dynamo Kyiv’s Vladyslav Vanat.
Expected Starting XI
Rebrov’s preferred formation is 4-2-3-1, balancing defensive solidity with counter-attacking potential.
Goalkeeper: Lunin
Defenders: Konoplya, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Mykolenko
Midfielders: Zinchenko, Malinovskyi
Attackers: Tsyhankov, Sudakov, Mudryk
Forward: Dovbyk
Notable Absentees and Standby List
Oleksandr Karavaev, featured in every Euro 2020 game, and Vitaliy Buyalskyi were left out of the 26-man squad. Rebrov has also named a six-man standby list for potential late injuries or withdrawals.
With a blend of experienced players and emerging talents, Ukraine aims to impact the 2024 European Championship significantly. Coach Serhiy Rebrov’s strategic selections and tactical acumen will be crucial as the team navigates the challenges of their group and strives for success on the continental stage.
