Zinchenko: We will treat the Romanian national team the same way as Slovakia and Belgium. Everyone understands that the first game in such tournaments is very important

Player Ukrainian national team Alexander Zinchenko shared his expectations from the start of his team at European Championship 2024 on the eve of the first round match against Romania.

“We have a very good mix of experienced players and youngsters now, so we help each other, push each other. I hope this helps all of us at the tournament. From past experience, I understand that at this level there is no room for many mistakes, because here we have the best teams and players in Europe who will punish them immediately.”

“You need to be as focused as possible and show your best game. There is a moment – you need to score. Otherwise you will bite your elbows later. Football at the national team level has leveled out very well, many teams are playing well. Yes, you can single out those teams that have top players who cost 150-200 million and make a difference. But all the other teams are fighting for themselves and their countries, so it will be difficult for us against any opponent in the group.”

“First of all, you need to build on your game. We need to show our best football – both individually and as a team. There are no weak teams in such a tournament, that’s one hundred percent. And we will treat the Romanian national team in the same way as we treat Slovakia and Belgium, that is, with great respect. Everyone understands that the first game in such tournaments is very important. Because in it you can get both a psychological and physical impulse. I hope we can achieve a positive result.”

Let us remind you that the Ukrainian national team has begun preparations for the European Championship in Herzogenauerach, Germany. From June 3 to 11, Sergei Rebrov’s team played three test matches – with Germany in Nuremberg (0:0), in Warsaw with Poland (1:3) and in Chisinau with Moldova (4:0).

On June 12, the blue-and-yellows moved to Wiesbaden, the capital of the federal state of Hesse in western Germany, located next to Mainz and Darmstadt, not far from Frankfurt. This city became the base city for Rebrov’s team during the continental championship.

Yesterday, June 15, the Ukrainian team arrived in Munich, where it will face Romania in the opening match of the European Championship. The meeting will take place tomorrow, June 17, at the Allianz Arena. The main referee of the match is Swede Glenn Nyberg. Starts at 16:00 Kyiv time.

In addition to Romania, Ukraine will play Slovakia (June 21) and Belgium (June 26) in Group E. The matches will take place in Dusseldorf and Stuttgart, respectively.