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Ukraine makes Zelenskyj proud, Poland is also going to the European Championships
March 27, 2024, 12:13 a.m
The field of participants for the European Football Championship in Germany is complete. Ukraine comes from behind in the playoff final and even President Volodymyr Zelenskyj congratulates. Robert Lewandowski and the Polish selection dramatically prevail in Wales.
The Ukrainian national football team has brought the hoped-for ray of hope and great feelings to their war-torn country. National coach Serhij Rebrow’s team deservedly won 2-1 (0-1) in the playoff final against Iceland and qualified for the European Championships in Germany.
“Thank you guys. Thanks to the team. For great emotions for the whole country. For an important victory. We have proven once again: when Ukrainians are in trouble, they do not give up and continue to fight until they win. In times where “If the enemies are trying to destroy us, we show every day that we are there and will be there,” wrote Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Instagram.
Albert Gudmundsson gave Iceland the lead (30th) at the Miejski Stadium in Wroclaw, Poland, where the game took place because of the Russian war of aggression. But the superior Ukraine showed morale in front of 40,000 spectators. Viktor Zygankow (54th) equalized, Chelsea star Mychajlo Mudryk scored the celebrated winning goal (84th). Ukraine will start their fourth European Championship participation on June 17th against Romania in Munich. There will also be games against Belgium and Slovakia in Group E. Iceland, on the other hand, missed its third major tournament.
Lewandowski and Poland celebrate after the penalty shootout
Rebrow had already emphasized the great importance before the game: “I hope that our team can convey something positive to the people of Ukraine.” The mission is “to show that we are still alive, that we are still fighting against the Russians, that we still need support from Europe.” Ukraine beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-1 in the semi-finals. Iceland beat Israel 4-1.
Robert Lewandowski also fulfilled his wish from the European Championships in Germany. FC Barcelona’s top scorer and Poland won the play-off final in Wales 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shootout. After 120 minutes the score was 0-0. The Bialo-Czerwoni (White-Reds) secured their fifth European Championship participation in a row. Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny became a celebrated hero in front of 33,000 spectators at the Cardiff City Stadium. He saved Daniel James’ final penalty. Captain Lewandowski was the first player to convert ice-coldly.
The Poles start the tournament on June 16th in Hamburg against the Netherlands. Austria and France are also waiting in Group D. Wales missed the third major tournament in a row after the 2020 European Championships and the 2022 World Cup. Georgia had already qualified in the third playoff final – and is therefore taking part in a European Championship finals for the first time.