Slovakia and Ukraine will face off in a crucial Group E match at the European Championship on Friday in Duesseldorf. Both teams are looking to secure a vital victory to keep their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage alive.
Slovakia currently sits second in Group E, trailing Romania only on goal difference. They are riding high after a surprising 1-0 victory over Belgium in their opening match. However, the victory came with a few twists, as Slovakia needed two video reviews to overturn goals by Belgium. One was deemed offside, while a sensor in the ball detected a handball on the second.
Ukraine, on the other hand, is in last place after a shocking 0-3 loss to Romania in their first match. The defeat was marred by costly errors from Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Another loss could spell elimination for Ukraine, who reached the quarterfinals at Euro 2021. The team came into the tournament hoping to inspire people at home, especially in light of the ongoing conflict with Russia. Following the Romania loss, the players apologized to their fans and vowed to do better.
The match is a must-win for both teams, and the tension is sure to be palpable. Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona believes his team has the quality to secure another victory. “Our greatest strength is humility,” he said. “We have to give 110% because we’re a small nation and we want to put a smile on the faces of our fans. The euphoria [after beating Belgium] lasted a few hours, but three points will definitely not be enough to go through. There is no reason to celebrate yet. We are fully focused on this match.”
Ukraine coach Ruslan Rotan is also aware of the importance of the match and is confident his team can bounce back. “I’ve always considered Slovakia a strong team,” he said. “They have players who play for good clubs. When I analysed them, I saw they were very disciplined. They won against Belgium in great style. We have lots of respect for them. After our loss [against Romania], we analysed the match. Everyone understands their mistakes. They know they must go on the pitch with more spirit and desire. I really expect a good game because the last one was a cold shower.”
The match kicks off at 3 p.m. local time (1300 GMT). With both teams desperate for a win, it promises to be an intense and exciting encounter.
