Grigory Surkis: Under the leadership of Rebrov, the national team did not fail a single match

Grigory Surkis, former vice-president of UEFA, ex-head of the FFU (now the Ukrainian Football Association) and brother of Dynamo President Igor Surkis, commented on the work Sergei Rebrov at the head of the Ukrainian national team.

“I propose to wait for the results of the playoffs to finally decide on the ratings. However, I cannot help but note the progress that the team has already achieved under the leadership of Sergei Stanislavovich.”

“He led the team at a difficult moment. On the eve of the matches of the June session, he received at his disposal players who had just completed a grueling club season, which took place, let me remind you, against the backdrop of a full-scale war. Under Rebrov’s leadership, I believe, the national team did not fail a single match. Even an away defeat from Italy would not be considered a liability; in Milan there was a struggle between worthy opponents, where home walls turned out to be decisive.”

“But the Ukrainian national team has been deprived of the advantage of its field and the support of the stands for almost two years now. The search for stadiums and training facilities, complex logistics, and the understandable morale of the players and coaches did not at all become additional arguments in favor of the blue-yellows. However, neither Rebrov, nor his assistants, nor the players complained about these conditions. The whole team was dedicated to their work, and finally the team came out with a truly high level of skill and character.”

“Of course, all of Sergei’s coaching achievements are related to club football. However, despite the different specifics, I had no doubt: Rebrov would also cope with this new role.”

“Where does the confidence come from? I have known Sergei for thirty years, since he, a very young guy, fought for a place in Dynamo Kyiv. Before my eyes, the newcomer turned into a scorer of the European level, into a real winner, into one of the best students of the great Valery Lobanovsky. Having stepped onto the coaching path, he was never afraid to experiment, was not afraid to make mistakes, and never stopped learning and improving himself for a moment. So, in view of the professional and human qualities of the new coach of the Ukrainian national team, I clearly understood that she was in good hands.”

Rebrov officially took charge of the national team on June 7, 2023. Under his leadership, Ukraine was unable to directly qualify for Euro 2024.

However, the blue-yellows can reach the European championship next year. On March 21, 2024, Ukraine will play a Nations League playoff match for qualifying for Euro 2024 with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The meeting starts at 21:45 Kyiv time.

Note that this match will be an away match for the blue-yellows. If successful, Sergei Rebrov’s team will meet with the winner of the Israel-Iceland confrontation. The final match will be “home” for Ukraine and will take place on March 26.

Euro 2024 will take place in Germany from June 14 to July 14, 2024. The matches of the European Championship will be held in arenas in Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart.