KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian They expressed pride and gratitude that their national men’s football team had qualified for the European Championships, a rare piece of good news and a welcome distraction from the war with Russia.
Although the celebrations after Ukraine’s 2-1 victory over Iceland were muted by Russian missile attacks on the country, the team’s success gives Ukrainians something to cheer about when this summer’s World Cup kicks off. Germany.
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President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday night’s decisive play-off victory stirred emotions across the country and proved that “whenever Ukrainians face difficulties but do not give up and keep fighting, Ukrainians will win.”
Children warm up during football training on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukraine, Georgia and Poland are heading to Euro 2024 after winning exciting qualifying play-offs with stunning performances on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Vadim Gilda)
Mykhailo Mudryk scored the winning goal as Ukraine came from behind to beat Iceland in Poland. Due to the war, the team had to play qualifying matches outside Ukraine.
Young players at the Athletic Football Academy in Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, said on Wednesday they were inspired.
“(This) shows that the war did not stop us from pursuing sports and that we qualified for the European Championships and competed,” said 12-year-old Hlib Kochetov.
Artem Mykhailenko, 15, said seeing Ukraine competing at Euro 2024 would be a proud moment for the country.
“We need to show our true values, who we are, that we are Ukraine, which is a great, united and strong country in many ways,” he said.
Trying to live as normally as possible has become a way for Ukrainians to show resistance amid Russian missile attacks and drone attacks.
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Kiev sports team coach Anatoly Kartashov said keeping young people active in sports and other activities is also a way to keep them away from the war, which has left deep wounds on families across the country.
“They have dreams, they set goals for themselves. Many of them want to become professional football players, so this is a very positive event,” said 36-year-old Kartashov.
Ukraine will face Belgium, Slovakia and Romania in the Euro 2024 group stages. First up is the Romanian match in Munich on June 17th.