Usik’s absolute title, Svitolina’s Wimbledon win, the national team’s entry to Euro 2024, Maguchikh’s Olympic gold, victory in the war. What do you wish for under the Christmas tree on New Year’s Eve?

2024 has already fully come into its own. For the second year in a row, due to the war unleashed by Russia against our country, the New Year’s Eve is far from festive, and for the last nine years, an invariable sad attribute of all events, meetings and gatherings – memories of those who gave their lives and health for the independence of our homeland. But thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, sports life in Ukraine continues, and 2024 in terms of events and expectations promises to be much more interesting and eventful than 2023. Let’s talk about what we wished for under the tree on New Year’s Eve.

Usik’s victories over Fury

The most anticipated fight in the 21st century. First heavyweight unification bout in 30 years. A fight between two undefeated boxers and charismatic personalities. Huge fees and an unusual venue. It all looks too fantastic to be true. And, to be honest, I still can’t believe that the fight between Usik and Fury will take place.

But for now we have a clear date – February 17, huge motivation of the boxers – both have been working in training camps for a long time, incredible interest – Saudi Arabia knows how to put on a show, and promises made by the fighters.

Usik and Fury are phenomena of modern boxing. The first is a cruiser who beat everyone at cruiserweight and is writing his legacy at heavyweight. The second is a huge talent and an extremely cunning fighter in a sporting way, who almost ruined his career and spoiled his greatness with the last incomprehensible fight with an MMA fighter. Usik takes his toll with incredible determination, detachment and work. Fury rides on talent, size and ability to play mental games. Their confrontation is not only a battle of styles, but also a battle of two ideas. And that doesn’t make it any less intriguing. Well, Alexander, if he wins, will definitely enter the pantheon of the greatest boxers in history.

Shakhtar reaching at least the quarterfinals of the Europa League

The miners gave Ukraine an excellent group round of the Champions League, claiming to qualify for the playoffs of the tournament until the last round. Unfortunately, they didn’t manage to be among the 16 best teams in the tournament, but the Donetsk team will continue their European Cup path in the second most important tournament.

The first opponent, Marcel, is not a gift. However, Shakhtar has successful experience of confrontation with this club and we believe and hope that this time the Miners will be able to beat their titled opponent. And also – to aim for more, extending the European spring for themselves and for Ukraine by at least three rounds.

Ukraine’s victories in Euro 2024 qualification

The same can be said about the Ukrainian national team. The blue-and-yellows, having made a brilliant selection, were among the contenders for a direct ticket to the final match of the group round, but in the end they lost it to Italy due to additional indicators.

The blue-yellows will be able to correct the situation in March in the playoffs of the Nations League qualifications. To do this, you need to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 21, and then, on March 26, defeat the winner of the Israel-Iceland pair. The task is quite feasible, and given the situation, it is also very necessary not only for the team, but also for the country.

Svitolina’s victories at Wimbledon

The best tennis player of Ukraine triumphantly returned to the Tour after the birth of her child, finishing the year in 25th place in the WTA rankings. In 2023, Elina reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon for the second time in her career (the first time this happened was in 2019). We believe and hope that the grass courts of England will still submit to Elina, and she will become the first Ukrainian to win a Grand Slam in singles.

She definitely deserves it with her skill, career, character and humanity.

Maguchikh’s victories at the Olympics

Yaroslava had a phenomenal year last year, winning the European Games and World Championships, the European Indoor Championships and the Diamond League. Yaroslava is one of Ukraine’s main hopes at the 2024 Olympics. Maguchikh is now truly the strongest high jumper in the world and gold at the Games in Paris should be a logical continuation of her medal achievements. And the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics should be exchanged for an award of a more noble alloy.

Sudakov’s transfer to a European club

21-year-old midfielder Gornyakov is a priority target for many European clubs and one of Shakhtar’s main assets. Georgy spent an incredible football year, becoming the leader of the Donetsk team and one of the leading players of the national team.

His possible transfer promises to be one of the loudest for Shakhtar and Ukraine, and the examples of Dovbik, Tsygankov and Mudrik prove that young Ukrainian players should not have problems adapting to the leading European championships. Plus, this transfer will definitely become a reference point for many young Ukrainian football players and will definitely benefit the national team.

Victories of Ukraine in the war with Russia

It will soon be two years since the start of a full-scale war unleashed by Russia against our country. Two years of heroic resistance to the aggressor, incredible daily feats of our defenders.

Thanks to the Armed Forces and complete dedication, Ukraine survived the most difficult period of the invasion, recaptured a huge number of territories in the second half of 2022 and prevented the enemy from capturing new ones in 2023.

We believe that every Ukrainian understands what incredible efforts all this costs. Every Ukrainian probably understands the price Ukraine is paying in this war. Every Ukrainian, we hope, does and does everything for the victory of our country. And, to be honest, we have no doubt that every Ukrainian made one wish for the New Year, asking the higher powers for the main victory in 2024 – victory over a common, strong and dangerous enemy. We believe that it will happen as soon as possible, but for this we need not to lose cohesion and work hard, believing, supporting and helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine! Ukraine will definitely win, and the darkest night, as we know, happens before the dawn.