by Guendalina Galdi
Ukraine qualifies for Euro 2024 and the sporting joy that fits into a present – which has lasted for two years – in which the country is experiencing a war that has taken away the smiles. The decisive match was played in Poland, on a neutral pitch. Remote support from the trench
Not a good moment for our country, we almost didn’t celebrate the qualification because our thoughts and our forces are aimed at our people and our soldiers. After Ukraine’s qualification for next summer’s European Championship, Andrij Shevchenko spoke as president of the Federation, as a fan, as a lover of football, peace and his country. The qualification is reality after the comeback against Iceland signed by Tsygankov and Mudryk: Every time we face difficulties but we don’t give up and continue to fight, we will surely win, President Zelensky also commented in a message that combines football, news and current affairs. A sporting joy that fits into a present – which has lasted for two years – in which Ukraine is experiencing a war that has taken away the smiles.
But some good news among the many sad ones came from the neutral pitch of the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw. There, in Poland, the Ukrainian national team qualified for the group stage of Euro 2024. Followed at a distance by their fans, even from the trenches. Ukrainian war correspondent Vassili Golod immortalized the moment: a soldier watching the match that earned him the pass to the European Championship. Searching for a normality that has been a memory for too long. Football has immense value – Shevchenko reiterated – it unites and manages to give young Ukrainians a moment of relief. Even in times of war we try to live a normal life. The players managed to give a moment of joy to our people. I’m proud of the character of our boys, they played with great heart and we want to continue like this.
This photo of a soldier from the trenches shows the importance of football for Ukraine. The Ukrainian national team turned around a 0-1 deficit and qualified for the European Championships by beating Iceland. A nice message among many sad ones. pic.twitter.com/jk6NACYcai
— Vassili Golod (@VassiliGolod) March 27, 2024
To the satisfaction of qualifying for the European Championship, we also added that of other incredible results, as Sheva always defined them: the pass for the Paris Games and those for the Under 19 and Under 17 European Championships. On a sporting level, our goal is to play a good football and aiming to get through the group. On a human level it will be a very important moment, we want to send a positive message to the world.
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March 28, 2024 (modified March 28, 2024 | 10:02 pm)
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2024-03-28 21:02:54
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